West Highlands , Loch's and Castle's Tour

A Rabbies Tour

“Capture the spirit of the Western Highlands and explore Scotland’s most atmospheric lochs and castles..”

To top up on my Castle's i took this little one day tour around the West Highlands albeit this was the 3rd time's a charm situation. First date bit of a mix up as nobody else was on the tour so it was moved and again nobody came onto that tour so as a last ditch attempt moved again which ended up being just 2 of us when i eventually got going on this tour. (Covid side effect's).

First stop was at Doune Castle a medieval stronghold near the village of Doune, in the Stirling district of central Scotland. The castle is sited on a wooded bend where the Ardoch Burn flows into the River Teithwhich. It has also been used in many popular TV/Films most recently being Outlander, Outlaw King, Game of Thrones and other older classics including Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Next we headed towards Kilchurn Castle a ruined structure on a rocky peninsula at the northeastern end of Loch Awe, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It was first constructed in the mid-15th century as the base of the Campbells of Glenorchy. By far one of the most beautiful places to experience.

Interactive Postcards -Castle's of Scotland

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On being pulled away from this amazing place we headed to Inveraray town and Inveraray Castle a country house in the county of Argyll, in western Scotland, on the shore of Loch Fyne, Scotland’s longest sea Loch. It is one of the earliest examples of Gothic Revival architecture and a beauty for photo opportunities before heading for a bite to eat. (Nice chippy).

On the way back to Edinburgh we did have a very quick stop at the Stirling Castle but unfortunately not much of a photo opportunity as location was at the back of the castle on a low base beside a motorway so i will have to pay another visit to get a nice shot of that one.

A Visit to Gorgie Farm

A Farm in the middle of a bustling Edinburgh city.

Had been a while since i had visited and since it's only a stones throw away from my place it was time to go have a look. Lockdown was over (Halleluah)and since it had been in financial trouble not so long ago, remembering of past fundraisers happening to save it. I thought i would go and lend some small support and see what animals i could capture and add to my collection.

“It was established in the late 1970s by a community group that worked in clearing the derelict site and wanted to use the site as a green space for the community. The farm officially opened in 1982 as a working farm, selling lambs, pigs and was home of other animals, including cows, sheep and goats.”

No Longer a Working Farm

Since the liquidation of the Farm the current business taking care of it (Love Gorgie Farm) does not slaughter the animals anymore to make end's meet so they rely on donation's heavily to keep everything going and to keep it FREE for everybody to visit. You can even book a private party here which would be great for kids , young and old alike.

On the start of the walk round your passing by all the Duck's,Turkeys and Chickens and they have a nice garden area at the end. I was more interested in moving uphill and trying to get a shot of the pig but he insisted on staying in his little brick shelter not willing to give me the time of day. Moving on you have the Cows named "Bill & Ben", Llamas and sheep all on the upper part of the Farm.

As you see all happy enough to get there picture taken without to much trouble although i'm sure that sheep thought i was it's dinner. Moving along you come back down to be met by the cheeky goats who are always up for a laugh. To then be met with more lazy pigs but at least these ones couldn't hide from me ;).

And for the cutest of them all these two much in love Rabbits. Apparently there is some more smaller animals around like "Echo" the Ferret , "Garfield" the Corn Snake and "Heidi" the Guinea Pig among others but unfortunately i didn't catch them on this trip so maybe they were having the day off.

As you go to leave the Farm there is a lovely little play area for kids and a place to sit and take the place in. It truly is a oasis in the middle of a city that you forget your even in while enjoying these lovely animals in this environment. Definitely worth the trip and i will be back soon , even just to try catch that upstairs Pig and "Heidi" the Guinea Pig.

IF you would like to support the Farm with a donation just follow this link - https://www.lovegorgiefarm.org.uk/donate/