If you haven’t gotten your Willard yet, you will soon! It began going out Tuesday morning (that’s today!), so everyone should have it by Friday. There are a few surprises in there, I don’t want to give them away, so in the meantime . . . MUSICA! Let’s travel a bit, shall we? Good old comfy armchair travel. Let’s take our kitty with us.
But first, Oh Dash! Oh Victoria! Oh Lord M! Prince Albert and his selfish, cruel “Uncle Leopold!” Tell me no secrets and I’ll tell you no lies. Sunday night’s Victoria was a teary one. I did like the puppy though, all was not lost.
A cold and dreary wet day it is out here in the wild Atlantic ocean. But I have my wee cup of Constant Comment in my Castle Cottage cup, the fire is burning, can’t really ask for anything more. I thought I might take us to Scotland today! I hear lots of you are going to Scotland, or might go, or want to go, so if you do, I thought I’d show you a wonderful castle we stayed in, maybe you would like to stay there too. So off we go to the land of clans, lochs, lairds, lads and lasses, Bonny Prince Charlie, Outlander, and Balmoral, the beloved home of Queen Victoria.
It was late evening when we went looking for the two rooms that our friend Elizabeth had “found online.” We were traveling together, Joe and I, Elizabeth and Mike ~ she had no idea what this place would be like and neither did we. But how could we go wrong, we were together and having a great time.
Through tunnels of Scottish trees we went looking for a sign that said “Stravithie” on it. It was out there somewhere, so we were told! We’d traveled up from Edinburgh that day, the long way, along the Fife coast, stopping to eat, walk along the beach, pick up sea glass, go to a fishing museum . . . it’s where the cutest little fishing villages are, all festively criss-crossed with bunting flapping in the wind ~ now we were stopping overnight on our way to St. Andrews.
I was crazy about Edinburgh, everything I loved about York, there was twice as much of it in Edinburgh . . . the red line on this map traces the world famous Fife Coast where we’d been that day.
We probably passed it twice, but finally we quit talking and started concentrating, and there it was. What a nice little sign we all thought, very low key, and a cute little guardhouse too. So far, so good!
We turned down the drive . . . the lovely drive . . . Not too fancy, kind of real . . . the suspense is building, what will we find?????
This was our first glimpse of the house . . . ooooh, aaaah . . .
We drove around to the front, and this is when we began to call it a castle. Isn’t it the MOST? Couldn’t Jane Eyre be living in that pointed turret? We were saying to Elizabeth, “Where did you say you found this?” The thrill of discovery! You really never know what you might stumble upon . . . 
The Laird of the Manor, David Chalmers, with his cute Scottish accent, came out to welcome us. We were already peering into the hall, at the doors, the heads and horns on the walls, the lamps. What mysteries lie ahead?
I thought I would show you a better photo of David. Such a very nice man! And he knows all the best restaurants!
So into the front hall we went. I loved the lamp, I loved the ceiling trim and the little bit of green. I loved the whole thing. This is David’s home, he lives here, on 30 acres of gardens and a river with his wife and two children, so it’s a home they love to share with others, because as you can imagine, it’s fascinating!
I don’t know what they call this long, deep wood-paneled room, but there is the very old head of an alligator up on top of that dresser. The hunt room, perhaps. Leathery and manly, perhaps the smoking room.
I took photos of everything! Pretty lamp, pretty molding.
The dining room was filled with old carved furniture and things from days gone by.
Elegant old china and cut glass and silver . . .
Mrs. Chalmers came in a little later . . . we could hear one of their children practicing the piano somewhere in the house. Made it even more perfect.
Very much a family home. “My parents gave it to me.” That’s what David said when we asked how he came to live here. Of course they did!
Off we went to our separate wings to see our rooms . . . Joe and I climbed the red stairs in the turret . . .
looking up as we climbed . . . those are stairs. How did they do that? We don’t know. (I take that back, I’m sure Joe knows, but it’s not even light out yet, he would not want me to wake him to get this question answered!) My job is to admire curves and shadows.
Down this hallway-sitting room we went . . . loving the furniture,
Loving the fabric . . .
Loving the lamp . . .
Loving all the lamps!
Into our charming room with a view of the lawn and the river,
. . . framed by the heavy, lined drapes you find everywhere in the UK.
We came in through the hall on the right, the bathroom is off that hall, and the kitchen is through the door on the left … We each (meaning each couple) had our own kitchen. I’m happy, Joe’s happy, everyone is happy!
Perfectly appointed, all you need, bright and clean. . .
And more . . . they’d left everything we could possibly want for breakfast, Scottish bacon, ham, fresh eggs, sweet rolls, bread, butter, jam, tea, milk, juice, yogurt and cereal, a feast! And the table was set . . .
So pretty in front of the window . . .
And the view . . . How did Elizabeth ever find such a place?! Must hang out with her more!
We unpacked, went out to dinner to a wonderful restaurant David suggested, and toasted Elizabeth, and our friendship, and Scotland, and life and all good things!
And came back to the castle under this beautiful moon . . .
XXX
The next morning, of course we had to go for a walk, across the lawn and along the river we could see from our bedroom windows.
On a path through the woods. The perfect antidote to modern times.
Let’s to church! as they said in Shakespeare in Love. Yes, let’s! A lovely quiet spot out in the middle of nowhere with a beautiful old sleepy graveyard.
I imagine this walled lawn may have been a vegetable garden at one time. But I was most curious about the little rock sitting on the stone. There was something on it.
I came closer . . .a small piece of slate or maybe granite with something scratched into it:
My imagination says it may have been here since 1993. But if I let myself go, maybe 1593. Or maybe, stretching, just plain 93, as in Druids. We don’t know, but we didn’t touch it, left it as it was for other lucky travelers to happen upon. I automatically think very highly of the person who put it there. Little magic-maker. Hope she’s reading this. Love is the Law. Truly, it should be.
Back through the ancient wood the merrie folk did go.
We climbed a hill and came upon these worn stone steps and, oddly, that hole filled with water (I guess, needless to say, no one tasted it). 😜 Unmarked. No explanation. A hot tub for fairies? A little last-resort bathtub? (One of our Girlfriends suggested it was a “tail wash for dragons!”😂) But why here when there is a perfectly good river nearby? We had no idea. We saw no hose bib. I know it rains a lot here, but this much?
It’s perched on a kind of ledge, actually, the entire thing is rock. You could step behind those ferns on the left, walk off the edge and fall, maybe 20 feet? (I’m not good at falling distances.) There’s a very old, moss-covered, slippery-looking stone stairway to the bottom of the ravine that no one wanted to go on. But the boys wanted to see how deep the hole was. Nothing pulled Mike in, which was good. I stayed about this far away from it the whole time wishing I had my dangerous mastiff at my side.
And again, an answer from one of our Girlfriends. It’s a Druid’s well! It’s an actual thing. You can read more about it HERE! Fun!
Flowering things grew wild from the rocks. Because it’s Scotland. Did you know the national animal for Scotland is the Unicorn? Oh yes. Magical Scotland, land of legends and ghosts.
It was a wonderful time. If you would like to stay in a castle in Scotland, you can, so easily. Go to www.stravithiecastle.co.uk. Or write [email protected] or phone 01334 880251 It’s close to lots of nice things. And tell David we said Hello!
As promised in the new WILLARD, a Giveaway! This England, this green and pleasant land, this cup. For thee. And the book . . . a signed copy of A Fine Romance. That’s one.
And behind door number two, the new Spring cup, and one of my brand new cross stitch kits for Home Sweet Home, because they kind of match, and go together. Also for thee. Two giveaways! They won’t arrive from England until the first of April, so you’ll have to wait for spring. I’ll be away, but Sheri will make sure you get them the moment they arrive. All you need to do to sign up for both giveaways is leave a comment at the bottom of this post, where you see the teeeeeny tiny word that says, “comments,” click there, say anything, and voila, you’re in the drawing! I’ll contact you if you win, but you can come back in a few days to see if Vanna chose your name. Life is good!
Must go now . . . Say Goodbye to my muses, these . . .
And this one. I’m thinking of changing his name to Dash. Beloved puppy of mine. Have a wonderful day dear ones. Keep in touch! There are adventures and more surprises ahead! 
Oh that castle looked like a wonderful place to stay!! I enjoy your blog so much! I think we are Kindred Spirits! Thanks for taking the time to write it!!
Ermetta
What a sweet post! And the kitty isn’t bad either😘 I know you are so excited for the trip and I am too. You always leave so many wonderful posts and I feel like I’m right there with you! Love the mugs and pillow. Home is the sweetest place to be! Waiting for spring anticipating my snowdrops! Love.
Thank you,Susan for sharing the beauty of Scotland. Your pictures are so hauntingly beautiful. And getting to stay in a castle. Didn’t you feel like Lady Mary and Cora in the Downton shows in Scotland? Victoria was so sad with Lord Milbourne and Dash leaving but the darling new Westie puppy thrilled me as I have my dear Westie, Nessie!
Happy dreaming about your upcoming trip.
Suzi in Spokane
Hi Susan,
I was in Scotland a few years ago.Didn’t know about that beautiful castle. Did
stay in another castle. Enjoyed that trip. Would love to go to England again. I
do visit there thanks to your lovely book. Always enjoy your blog.
Oh how I would love to tour Scotland!!! One of these days for sure. Love your photos.
I loved visiting vicariously that lovely castle! What an interesting experience. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Absolutely LOVE experiencing your adventures today. I’m also enjoying Victoria. So much history! I hope to travel to England/Scotland one-day.
My granddaughter loves unicorns! Maybe she has gotten all the Scottish blood passed down through the family!! 😉😉
Thank you for sharing! It’s an icy day in Maine today, and it’s beautiful, but how nice to see a little green. Those ferns growing by the steps just killed me! I really expected to see fairies or gnomes in the photos. Thanks for taking us the prettiest, best places with you!
Two of my favorite things … Constant Comment tea and Scotland!
Why is a rainy day in Chicago is dreary…but in Scotland it is magical? I have fond memories.
lovely way to start the day reading about your adventures
Thank you for taking us on your trip to Scotland. I love to read about your travels. And the pictures – breath taking. AS always the music fills my heart.
Smiles and hugs, Lucy
Susan,
aaahhh! I felt like I was there! In Scotland!! Many many thanks!
Oh my…what a lovely post! Thank you for taking all of us along with you…you’re a great traveling companion! Everything is cold and white right now, here in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, so it’s lovely to see you trekking along the green paths of Scotland. Please don’t stop!! xoxo
Reading your posts always brings sunshine to my day!
Such a lovely trip to Scotland with you and Joe! Thank you for “taking us along”!
Beautiful post! And as always the lovely Jack.
Thanks for taking me on an armchair tour of the land of my father’s ancestors. Those Campbells are my people. It totally explains why I love plaids, tartans and the wails of bagpipes. 🙂 Have a great trip.
Hello Susan! Thank you for taking me, (well, really all of us), to the castle. I love the little kitchen and the little table by the tall window. Hmmmm, how can I change the look in my humble abode? Ahh, with a new tea cup of course! <3
Hi Susan! Thank you for brightening my day…first Willard is delivered. I sit down with a cup of coffee (Martha’s Vineyard cup) and thoughly enjoy reading it and no sooner finish it and there is a blog to enjoy!! Wow!! Thank you for taking us with you on your next adventure…its a trip I would love to make one day!! Thank you !!
Thanks for taking me back to Scotland today…..and after reading your blog, I am ready to go again!!
Now I have another place for my bucket list! Thanks for sharing.
Now I have another beautiful place to add to my bucket list! Thank you for the sharing of your dreams.
Love, love love Scotland and that beautiful castle. Reminds me of Monarch of the Glen!!
I thank you for taking us on a wonderful journey!! Loved the pictures that went along with your explanations. OMG! is all I can say!! OMG! Wonderful. So much fun!!!!! Thank you again Susan! XOXOXOX
Loved your travel tale. We didn’t see this castle on our Scotland tour several years ago, but we did stop at St. Andrews on our way out of Edinburgh. I truly love Scotland, it’s glorious Highlands, and it’s Hairy Coos.
I would love to go there some day! Thank you for sharing.
Ahhhhhh
What a beautiful castle!! And, I can’t WAIT to see you in Charleston….so excited!!!!
What a fabulous trip! My cup collection runneth over. Lovely design.
This lovely post AND WILLARD both on the same pouring rain day in Hull, Mass! Thank you so much for letting us into your world! I am looking forward to your trip, wish I were sneaking in your suitcase! I spent all of Christmas vacation immersed in “Isle of Dreams” that my best friend gifted me because I had given her one of your books back in 1997! We had Mrs. McGurgler’s waffles this weekend in my heart shaped waffle press with fresh strawberries and powdered sugar and of course real maple sugar. Thanks for being you!
Thank you for being YOU!
What a nice post! (Well, they are always nice, but this one seems especially so)
I’m currently reading “Queen Victoria’s Matchmaking” by Deborah Cadbury – and many times the Queen would bring her princess grandaughters to Balmoral to ‘vet’ them for marriages to various princes, kings, dukes, etc. If they could ‘survive’ walks in the wilds, pony cart rides and taking tea in ‘huts’ around the estate, they apparently were deemed worthy of a ‘royal’ engagement. 🙂 I’d say from your travels about the Scottish countryside, you would certainly past the test!
Love watching Victoria. It has made me quite curious to read about the queen. Love your sweet cups also. Thanks for the chance to win one!
Dear Susan,
I haven’t checked in with you for a long time as life got in the way!! Received my “Winter” cup and absolutely love it! Enjoyed the walk through Scotland as I relaxed with a cup of tea. Now will go back and see what I’ve missed out on your blog over the wonderful holidays.
Thank you for your relaxing, uplifting posts. Happy Belated New Year Greeting!
Am I complaining if I say this post was too short? The teens just left for soccer and I brought my laptop, warmed rice bag, potato chips and pillows to the couch to luxuriate in this latest post. It didn’t last long enough! 🙁
Ha! I always worry I drone on too long! Thank you Mary Ann!
I am bummed that I am just going to miss meeting you in Charleston. I’ve never been there and am meeting my older daughter there to celebrate her 27th birthday at the end of February, leaving shortly before you arrive. However, I am looking forward to hearing about your trip as we follow you from afar. 🙂 If you haven’t found it yet, please do try to get a copy of “Set in Silver,” a sweet romance/travel book about England that’s about a hundred years old. You will love it, I think!
Yay! I love the “giveaways”! Pick me Vanna!
You must be excited to be going back again, Susan! I think you’ll find Ireland just as magical as Scotland…fairies and Leprechauns you know! Safe travels…
What a grand adventure and fun to spend it with friends. Yes, the castle was a great find!
I just finished watching the latest Victoria. You are right – tears flowed! Thanks for taking me along to Scotland with a stay in a castle! What fun! (except the taxidermy) Your hosts set you up well and proper!
Thank you for taking me along on your travels. So much history in one enchanting spot
What a beautiful place to stay in Scotland. Hoping to visit there in the next few years.
Oh how I wish I could go with you – what fun! I love cottages of all kinds. My store was named the Enchanted Cottage. It’s always been my dream to live in one and I’m not giving up yet!
Susan, as always, thank you for doing this!💕💕💕
my heart skips a beat when I see a new post from you.
A great little trip for all of us. As always thank you for our escape to Scotland on this rainy drery day
Thank you for such a lovely post. It was such treat to read on a rainy and cold day in Maine.
Thank you for the great trip to Scotland! So much nicer the wind and snow that we have been having today. Such a pretty place to stay, and so green.
Love seeing Scotland through your eyes. That castle is beautiful! 😍
Your posts are such a delight. I love visiting England and experiencing Britain through your eyes just adds another dimension to my appreciation. We will be staying in London for our fifth year in a row in May and we’ll also spend some time exploring Ireland which we fell in love with two years ago. One year we drove from London up to Edinburgh but we have not gone further north. Maybe next year. I am hoping I can find a store in London that will be carrying your cups and bring one home as my souvenir this trip.
So nice to have your blog to warm us. For me it’s a drab & windy day so grateful for the pictures of green lawns & cozy dwellings. Thanks again for the winter respite! Getting ready for the auto train to take me to Spring training. Must preorder the spring mug which is another gem😍
I’m dreaming of drinking constant comment from one of your beautiful cups! Thanks for all the Scotland travel info today.
such a lovely place to be at that Druid’s well, seems like such a peaceful place to be to enjoy all the beauty around there. Good Morning Susan and Girlfriends. its a gray cloudy day here and we are expecting a rain/snow storm to kick in by tonight with a possible 2-4 inches by tomorrow. have a nice warm fire going and the woodstove in the barn is also lit and warming the barn up for the barnyard crowd, even our owl likes it nice and warm. he may leave to hunt every evening, but he sure comes back and enjoys being warm. the cats are enjoying the new hearth rug and snuggling in close to enjoy the fire. I just may go put the kettle on and enjoy some more tea, have things to do but for now they can wait. just got done watching “Oliver” on TCM and I may just snoop around to see what else I can find or pull out a DVD and listen to that while working around the house. have a small laundry going, one of the cats got sick on the throw blanket on the recliner so that had to be washed immediately…. YUK!! have the cats on a good fur treatment, they were having dry skin issues and dull fur so I asked around and found an old familiar treatment my dad used on the dog and he had a beautiful coat in no time, and kept as he kept putting the stuff in her food everyday. its called Linatone and believe me its a miracle in a bottle, I have had the cats on it for 2 weeks now and the difference is amazing, their coats are nice and soft and shiny, hardly any shedding now and very healthy skin, evidently the Linatone has something that they really needed in their diet to keep their fur healthy. my mom used to give the dog bacon grease, but this stuff works much better and quicker. I recommend it for anyone’s pet to keep their fur shiny and healthy and their skin healthy. also less hairballs which is a blessing these days. I love that little ivy plant that was growing by the Druid’s well, wonder if it would grow here???? something to think about and look into. well off to get more tea, thank you for the trip to Scotland Susan. everyone have a great day today, stay warm, comfy and cozy, and stay safe. hugs……. 😀
love that tree tunnel going to the castle, we have a huge tree tunnel on the highway going to Bend, OR. its a marvel, in the summer its nice and cool going through there and in winter no snow or very little to bother you going to Bend. its a lovely drive, just watching the shadows and the sunlight. did some reading on the Druid wells, seems they were very good for divination ( seeing the future) amongst the peasant folk, a farm girl could go to a well and ask to see her future husband and get a dream to answer her question. whether they worked or not is up to the person, I choose believe maybe they did. hope you made wish there!!! hugs….. 😀
You are so lucky to have one of those tree tunnels, they are so beautiful!
Scotland is magical! What memories must fill your head.
Oh. My. Stars. Thank you for sharing your trip and the giveaways. Just fyi, tickets for the Tasha Tudor house (Marlboro, VT) tours go on sale January 30. I can hardly wait to visit Ireland with you and Joe.
A delightful escape on a dreary day. The freezing rain turned to rain and ice is encrusting the trees, but your castle-stay post is a refreshing respite from winter. Thanks so much, Susan!
Nancye T.
Wells, Maine
Dear Susan, Looking forward to all of your discoveries in Scotland and Ireland. No housing developments and shopping malls with acres of parked cars. I was thinking about the new pup that Victoria received. It looks like our West Highland White terrier did when we got our dear Clancy. And also, how did she possibly have 9 children? I know you will enjoy every day over there, Bon Voyage!
Love when your blog or Willard appears in my in box! A red letter day! I wob you!! xoxoxo!!
Thank you for taking us along (taking me) on your adventure! Love the castle and the country side. My parents emigrated to the USA in 1950 from England. My two sisters were born in Europe and I’m their American child. Been to England to visit family many years ago. We are retired and hubby is 9 years my senior so that will probably be my last trip ‘home’. So traveling with you gives me the chance to visit again. Your pics bring tears to my eyes. My aunts, uncles, grandparents, and all my ancestors loved and lived in England. My dads family came to England in the 1600’s……French Huguenots came for religious freedom. Oh to be in England….Thank you Susan.
Loved the visit to Scotland- one of my bucket list places!
Who can resist a comment on this? I especially love the cross-stitch…And “A Fine Romance” is one of my favourite books. I wish I could document my trips with half as much charm….
Blue anything is my favorite!! The prizes are lovely in this drawing.
Oh, what it is to ride on your trips to all the places you travel. It’s a snowy wet day here in Washington, so it was great fun to read this post.
What a magical place to stay. I am adding staying in a castle to my bucket list! Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us. They are always lovely to read about. 🙂
Thanks for another charming blog post. I have kitty envy when I read your blogs. 🙂
Susan….I’m so excited to read you have been traveling in Scotland…I feel I must have been sleeping! Really, I’m not sure how I missed this but going back to read all!!! Blessings from Kansas ❤
Thank you for sharing, Susan. Beautiful photos. I love traveling with you.
Blue anything is my favorite!! The prizes are lovely in this drawing.Thank you.
My favorite mug so far! I’ll have to do a little judicious thinning of my mugs to make room for it — should I win it, I mean! Thanks for the chance to do so!
So now after reading this wonderful message from you, I don’t feel I have to plan any travels to a Scottish castle because I’ve been there! You have such a gift of making readers feel like they’re with you…and this was one of your best descriptions ever. Thank you, and hugs to Jack in the drawer…
Sharon in Houston (where we occasionally have snow)
Thanks for sharing your travels. My own travel is limited so it’s wonderful to see things through your eyes.
You are a wonderful story teller. I always feel like I am right there with you on your adventures. Thank-you.
Long live Queen Victoria !!!!!
Thank you for the “adventure” and sweet poetry!
I love reading your blogs they are so much fun. Received Willard today and read it right away!
Thank you for sharing Scotland. Love seeing these pictures since my two times great grandmother (McDonald) immigrated from that country. This was a bright spot in our gloomy Midwest day🌞
Luvlee trip to Scotland and yes indeedey it is a castle!
On no! Another bucket place to visit! Lol. What lovely pictures…I hope to visit there one day. Love Jack in the drawer, I guess you have a real ‘Jack in the Box!’ Thanks for sharing.
Dreary day here in Michigan…this was lovely to read! Thank YOU!
Can’t EVEN imagine what it would be like to stay in a castle!! Going across the pond is on my bucket list.. SOME day I will make it back to the land of my ancestors…. Ireland! Thank you for sharing with us AND for always being willing to give us a window into your travels.
Read EVERY word!!!
I look so forward to yours posts and newsletters. Husband and I are saving for our very own trip to England. 2/3 of the way there!
I love your art! I travel back to England and Scotland reading your posts and I’m so thankful for that! Thanks for the chance to win your beautiful mugs and companion books. The quote from Jerusalem has always been one of my favorites.
Oh, for a Bonny day in Scotland❤️ Castles and bagpipes, coos and sheep, soup and a good night’s sleep!!
Have always wanted to visit Scotland. So close a couple of time. Never know what opportunities are around the bend,though….
I absolutely love seeing all your pictures! You take pictures of just the right things that I want to see and am curious about! Looks like a lovely trip with friends!
What a lovely letter to find in the in box! Took me right away into mystical, magic Celtic lore and made it real! So needed today as it’s raining and icy and cold here. Thank you, Susan. Your letters always take me away to a good place. Wishing my town looked like that…….
You continue to brighten my day with your writing and photos plus you have educated me about Scotland! Thank you. (Harry James in the background is enjoyable as well.)
Happy adventures. Thank you for sharing the joy.
Thank you for taking me to Scotland with you had a delightful time!
Thank you for the chance to win your giveaway.
Enjoy your day
Darlene N
Precious Jack. Just love both of you! Enjoy all of you posts so much, Susan.
It’s a howling blizzard here, so thank you for that little trip to Spring in fairyland!
Such a lovely little trip in Scotland today…thank you! It was fun to discover the Druids’ well…how spiritual…and magical a journey.
Willard and your blog post were just the breaths of fresh air I needed on this cold gloomy day in Michigan!
Although I was not planning to go on a trip today, it was exactly what was needed!
Thank you for a touch of green on a dreary winter day : )
I haven’t watched Victoria yet – thank you for not giving anything away! I haven’t had Constant Comment for years – thank you for the reminder, will have to get some to enjoy while I read my Willard. I have been reading them since they came via snail mail so many years ago, often with a little ‘gift’ tucked inside the envelope.
Such a lovely and charming place to stay. Thank you for sharing your travels with us.
Hello Susan…loved traveling with you!! What a wonderful trip u must have had. Have a great rest of the week. Hope Vanna chooses my name!!
Loretta/Calif.
My friend and I are thinking of staying at James Boswell’s Scottish castle, Auchinleck House so this post really got me inspired! Lovely photographs and charm. Thanks, Susan. 🙂
I love reading your posts and Willard. I’ll be in Falmouth mid Feb. and look forward to stopping in the shops to see your mugs and such. Might even get to take the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard!
Loved this post! Thank you, Susan!