As I often do, I tag along with my wife when she goes somewhere interesting to play in golf tournaments. This past week-end it was in the beautiful surrounds of central Scotland: Pitlochry and the tiny village of Moulin nearby. This is a quaint cottage in Moulin.
The village of Mulin is build around a square with the church and graveyard on one side and the Moulin Hotel (c1665) facing it.
Built on the site of the 1165 chapel, in 1873 the original church was gutted by fire and the present building was constructed. In 1989 the church was closed and became a community center.
These old rural graveyards are very interesting to me. I find the old 'furniture' and features sad and enlightening.
There are some fine, sweet cottage gardens in Moulin.
A lush garden in late summer.
The old hotel was dressed in beautiful flowers.
I left the village to explore the country above the town of Pitlochery.
Tree-lined country lanes . . . .
I walked along a trail at the base of Craigower Hill with an eye to walking to the top. Some ladies at the golf course said there was a wonderful view from the summit.
The trail began adjacent to the Pitlochery Golf Club.
It was a perfect day for a trail walk - the warmest day of the year and clear sunshine!
The trail began at a gradual incline . . .
. . . and ran under varying stands of trees.
But the trail became much steeper the closer to the summit I came. The trees thinned and the bugs increased. Unfortunately, I forgot to put on any repellant (SkinSoSoft). I got a number of midge bites here. Itchy!
Nearing the top.
The view back down the Tummel Valley, and the town of Pitlochery, from the summit.
A panoramic view from the summit of Craigower Hill.
There were some big patches of purple heather on the top.
I walked back along a different trail to where I had parked the car, and drove up this avenue of trees to pick my wife up at the golf course.
The village of Moulin through the trees across the field. After a delicious Sunday Carvery at the clubhouse, we took the long way home from Pitlochery to Aberdeen along the A93 up a Highlands pass on the Old Military Road.
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The road from the Spittle of Glenshee to Braemar is a stunner.
Fast moving clouds in the strong late afternoon light left constantly moving dark patches across the Highlands landscape.
The heather was in full purple bloom up in the Highland passes.
Sheep grazing in the summer light. This pass is deep with snow all winter.
Scottish roads, a Wonder of Nature around every corner.
The deep shadows of late afternoon along a Highlands road. Magnificent.
Coming down from the summit of the pass we came onto small crofters patches.
Picture perfect . . . a perfect day.