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! 
A friend and I went to Scotland 12 years ago, and stayed in a B&B that was run by a Mrs. Doubtfire look-and-sound-alike. She brought us a wee spot of tea when we arrived (with McVities Digestive Biscuits of course) and in the morning served a HUGE breakfast. It was so much food (porridge, eggs, sausages, etc. etc.) that I couldn’t finish it all and she was quite cross with me. It was wonderful! I would dearly love to go back…maybe someday.
Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for another wonderful post. I really enjoyed it, as always! It’s been raining hard here in CT all day but you brought sunshine to the day!
What a wonderful treat. Popped some fresh popcorn to munch while reading your blog, with a purry kitty in my lap, and before I know it we’ve gone to Scotland! And I didn’t even have to pack! You are the bestest!
I love you all so much. I know I should just read and not answer, but I find it impossible ~ even though there are 425 comments waiting for me to go through. Eeeek, I’m going to have to FORCE myself . . . 😩 I’m so glad you came to Scotland with us!
Thank you, Susan, for sharing your wonderful trip in Scotland. I enjoy all your posts and thanks for the chance to win the goodies!
I love your Blog – you make all things seem possible!
If it’s on earth, it’s very possible.
Thank you for another wonderful post! I absolutely love Scotland! I’m very much looking forward to receiving your Willard and hearing all about the surprises… In love and friendships, Natalie.
Dear girl, I am very fond of York and Edinburgh as well. Thank you for bringing back my memories. Thank you for a chance to win a lovely prize.
Please always take us on your travels.
Forever and ever, amen. xoxo
Lovely post, as always. The map of the Scottish coast brought back memories. We spent our honeymoon in Pittenweem 47 years ago.
Amazing, and I bet it hasn’t changed at all, nor for the 47 years previous. Lovely memory!
Ah Susan, what a wonderful surprise to see your blog email this morning. I had so much to do today, but saved the blog for when I was done… well worth it. I also had a cup of Constant Comet, in my Love mug. Thank you for the delightful trip through Scotland. The only time I visited, my 3 then teenagers were with us. I would love to go back explore a castle and search for Druid wells!!
I am an obsessed scrapbooker, and during a recent weekend get-a-way crop, I completed a page of you signing my book at a book store in NJ, June 2016 (I think)Of course I used your paper and stickers!!! The signing happened to have been on my birthday, and was a fantastic gift!!!
Thank you for your lovely inspiration!!!
Thank you back Joan. 💞
A breath of fresh air always comes floating through my world when I read your blogs. Love them! Thanks for sharing your time in this Scottish castle-home.
What a perfect place to stay, is Stravithie!! My kind of place and lovely people too, and a turret room – what more could one hope for? Idyllic.
I LOVE the England cup, ! can’t wait to get one to go with the Nature one.
Thank you for your post, as always!
A breath of fresh air floats through my world when I read your blogs. Thanks so much–love them!
Nicest thing you could say, Linda, thank you!
It is always a happy day when I read something from you, and today was a double dose of happiness with Willard and the blog, too!! And….a giveaway! Wow!
What a treat to stay in a gorgeous home in Scotland! Truly a beautiful place!
Busy days are ahead for you! I’m hoping all goes well!
XOXO Nellie
Thank you Nellie! xoxo
Scotland, so beautiful was there several years ago and hope to go back soon!
Thank you Susan for your inspired drawings, writings and photos. I love the lambs and the England cup …”Oh to be in England….” I loved that you called Mr. Jack your puppy…we finally named our little fluffy cat “Puppy” because she followed us from room to room….what would we do without our little puppies!
All home critters should get the name “Puppy.” 💝
The Scottish post was wonderful! How magnificent your accommodations were. It’s always a shot in the dark if you don’t see pictures or know someone who has been there when booking site unseen. You lucked out for sure! It’s filed away in my memory bank in case I get the chance to go there! Love Jack and his sweet self curled up in your desk drawer. So sweet! I would love to win – either, but the Spring cup with the sheep is a favorite since I collect them. Thanks, Susan!
Oh, wish I’d known of this wonderful place to stay when last I went. Perhaps yet another time. So pretty and so magical. Keep the blog coming. Such a lovely part of the day. Thank you.!
Such beautiful memories invoked by reading your adventures in Scotland.
I have traveled there x2 with my sister… and remember having tea with 2 sisters who met us and invited my sister and I out of the blue to their humble home. Our hostesses served us delicious tea and little desserts from their finest china and they LOVED listening to our American accents…It was a delightful afternoon and we learned all about how to brew a proper cup of tea and keep the pot warm with a tea cozy. Thank you for your lovely pictorial post, Susan.
I was going to suggest that the hole filled with water was a stray pond from C.S. Lewis’ “Wood Between The Worlds” in The Magician’s Nephew, but good to know the REAL name. And I will go investigate and learn more via your link as soon as I post this comment! Thanks! “The more you know …”
Cheers, and thanks SO much for all the joy you bring to the world.
Yes! Just would need a few more, and be very careful to step around! Thank you Nancy! xoxo
Another wonderful note to all of us! How delightful. Like many, T too would love the opportunity to travel afar but do relish the stories you so willing share with all. Many thanks and look forward to your future notes!
OH! I loooooooove the new kit and each cup is prettier than the other! Looking for my Willard!
Enjoyed the photos of Scotland. We have been to Ireland twice and loved it. I’m sure we would love Scotland as well. I have your Fall and Winter mugs….will be collecting the set. Thank you so much for sharing your art with us.
Loved the pictures of Scotland! That castle looked like such a neat place to stay. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the interesting blog. I wish I were going to Scotland with you, but I know I cannot so I really enjoyed the pictures of the castle. I also showed them to my husband, as he is a retired Painting Contractor & furniture refinisher and he really enjoyed them. Thank you for sharing.I got my 4 cups yesterday & they are already in my Dining Room cupboard where all my special pieces are. They joined the others I got before. My husband loves Bone China & he clicked on a cup and said, “Ah, Bone China”, so glad you got these.” Till next time, Susan & your husband too, Thank you. DeLores E Johnson
I love reading your books, blog and Willard over the years. I was born on April 13th and I find that you and I are so much alike and have so much in common.
I love the way you write and with your words, art and photos I enjoy going so many places with you and Joe. Keep up the good work!
Hi Susan, So enjoyed your tour and stay at the Castle. What a beautiful place. How exciting that must have been. Love Jack!!! he is like a little puppy. So cute. Stay warm and cozy! xxoo
Delightful as always, you added to my JOY on my 70th birthday today:1-23-18!
Peace to you & yours dear Susan 🙂
Happy Birthday Rose Ann!
Thank you again for a cheery blog! I am home sick, so it was ever so welcomed! I wanted to send you a card I made after the Northern California fires, but can’t seem to find a mailing address for you, Susan. Is there some way to get it to you?
Yes, you can write to Box 2463 Vineyard Haven MA 02568. The only problem will be me writing back … terrible but true, I can barely do any of that anymore, but I’d still love to see it Mary!
I’ve been enjoying Victoria so much and was thrilled to find the accompanying book at my friendly neighborhood library. It’s titled Victoria and Albert A Royal Love Affair by Daisy Goodwin and Sara Sheridan. I highly recommend it! Alice
Wonderful post! Makes me feel like I am visiting old friends. Thank you Susan! Dash indeed!
Susan, I’m living vicariously through you as go abroad. Oh! How I wish I could go on the picnic and inhale the beautiful English air. But, alas! I cannot go but soooooooo appreciate you taking me there step-by-step and sharing the beauty with me. Hope you and Joe have a wonderful adventure!
I feel like I have been on a wee trip to Scotland! Thank you for sharing….it is one of my favorite places.
I love your style of writing! It is like a long letter from a dear girlfriend!
Hi Susan, Love being an armchair traveler with you. Talk about magical, we took an overnight train in a sleeping car to Aberdeen. Go to bed in busy chaotic London and wake up in a land of green countryside with houses few and far between with a breakfast of scones and tea. I’d love to go back!
I love that Jack keeps you company in a drawer at your work desk – so sweet!
Love the new cups! If I win, I can pretend I’m in a lovely castle like the one in this post!
So love Jack, it’s a shame he has such a hard time relaxing. Just like my little kitty Cinder, my wonderful boy! Loved that castle. If I ever go definitely would love to stay there. thanks for the glimpse of bonnie Scotland.
Oh Susan….you and Joe have the most wonderful adventures. I was in Scotland at Christmas time many years ago…but would love, love, love to go back in Spring or Summer! With all the children Victoria and Albert had I guess we will look forward to a baby in every episode!! Masterpiece is the best, isn’t it?
My daughter had the privilege of being in a class in high school that visited Scotland for about a week . They stayed with a host family and attended school with the host daughter. She had a wonderful time in that beautiful country and would love to return. Thank you Susan for bringing a little of Ireland to me today. I would love to win either of the giveaways you have.
Thanks for sharing your lovely adventure. It was just like being there.
I just finished A Fine Romance and loved it so much I had to look you up on your blog. I hope you write another book like A Fine Romance except about Scotland!!!! Love your watercolor art!
Wishing you safe travels on your adventure! ♥ peg
Thank you Peg!!
Who could ask for anything more after a great adventure like that! Thanks for sharing.
This blog entry was so wonderful as each and every one truly is! You always make us feel like we are right there with you! We are busy planning a trip to the U.K. and it will be a first for us! We are constantly using “A Fine Romance” as a reference. Thank you!
So happy to hear that!
I hope some day that you will write a book about Scotland and your adventures there, just like you did England in “A fine romance”! How lovely that would be. That book always takes me to my fairytale vacation in my mind. Thank you so much and please have so much fun!!!
We are going to Ireland this time, and Wales, and England and I am going to write a book about it!
Oh goody, a giveaway! I know what a long shot it is, but here’s my comment. Love the looks of Scotland, one of my bucket-list destinations. I look so forward to your trip this spring.
Thank you, Susan, for all the joy and beauty you bring to all of us. We are going back to England this summer because you helped to plant the seed of love and adventure. Our daughter married the most wonderful British guy in 2000. They now have 2 wonderful daughters and they go back to England every other summer. This year is our 50th wedding anniversary year so we are ending it by going with them. Your book A Fine Romance nurtured the seeds of longing to go . We will be staying part of the time in a stone barn conversion just outside of Wirksworth with a short trip to Edinburgh and York. Then on to a week in Bath as he is from Bristol and has family there. Can’t wait to make the memories with our granddaughters.
Are you staying at Jean’s near Wirksworth? Because we stayed in a stone barn conversion there . . . wouldn’t that be funny. If you are you are in for a treat, a hillside of wildflowers. It’s in my book A Fine Romance! Happy Anniversary Carol!
My dream is to go to Scotland- Edinburgh and the western coast for me and the isles. If I get nowhere else- it is my dream.😊
A beautiful dream . . . make it come true. xoxo
Oh, Susan! This is absolutely enchanting in every possible way! You noticed all of the tiny bits of charm in each room. I love the idea of a sitting room/hallway! I would have to sit and enjoy it every time I passed through that part of the castle. It would be the perfect spot for a shelf filled with Susan Branch books! 🙂 I adore your charming room with its lovely view. I held my breath as you shared all of the treasures you discovered on your walk, filled with delight and wonder around every corner!
Mr. and Mrs. Chalmers will be very busy welcoming Girlfriends to their home from now on! We are all dreaming of following in your magical footsteps, dear one! ♥ Can’t wait for Willard to arrive!
Cozy, snowy hugs!
Dawn (in Illinois)
Wrapped in shawls tonight, shivery hugs right back to you Dawn!
I was in Scotland many years ago….there’s just something unique about it, isn’t there? It’s like being in “today” yet traveling back in time at the same time.
Oh how lovely to have a visit with you today. Or as my friend from Yorkshire says,” Have a long sit down with the tea cups.” Isn’t that adorable! Loved your Scottish tour and LOVED the floral curtains everywhere! I am obsessed!
Have you had a chance to watch The Marvelous Mrs. Masel yet?
Stay warm and dry. I am making French Onion soup to warm us up. Brrrrrr!
Blessings
Carol
Love your posts! They are so cozy!!
OH how lovely! More than happy to enter!! 🙂
Love from my little corner in Belgium!! Aurélie
What a lovely castle……absolutely magnificent is a better word!
I could smell the forest where the fairies have their special pond! It must have been a marvelous time!
Thank you for sharing all your fabulous adventures!
Thanks for teaching me something new—never heard of a Druids well!!
Love your wonderful “tour” of this beautiful spot in Scotland! This “seals the deal” for my husband and I —-wanting to go to Northern England and Scotland—-thank you for sharing this wonderful castle/home!
Lovely castle — one we haven’t been to yet. Thanks. We go to Scotland almost every year. This year we’ll be 5 weeks in the Lake District just across the border, then one week to see friends in Scotland. I’m so excited because we’ll be there for your picnic! Can’t wait.
Wonderful!
Thank you, Susan! We were in Edinburgh in Aug. & loved Scotland. Your descriptions are so vivid & inviting—makes me want to place reservations at your “castle!”
My friend just gave me a darling Martha’s Vineyard towel from Catstudio—made me think of you. Can’t wait for Willard to arrive!
Wonderful armchair visit to Scotland, another magical place!
Thank you for sharing your travels!
Thank you for the Scotland visit! We descend from the Home/Hume clan and got to visit the Scotland a few years ago. Loved it!
Thank you for sharing ( as only you can) your delightful journey in Scotland! Hoping to visit there sometime and experience the magic as you always seem to do in your visits to magical places!
Since I probably will never be able to make this journey – I thank you for sharing your wonderful time with us! I enjoyed this blog so much, as always. You make my days brighter and happier. Love to you –
Wow to your adventures in Scotland! So lovely. Thank you for sharing. I am ordering those cups as soon as we can! Ah Spring; I keep smiling at 150 english blue bells asleep in my garden right now:) I planted them last Fall, inspired by my arm chair traveling with you! I hope they carpet my Pond house as they carpet England 🙂 Have a blessed day!
Oh my, 150 new Bluebells. I’m so excited!
I loved your adventure in Scotland – especially the quaint and cozy room you called home for your stay!
Thank you for a lovely, relaxing post!
I smile the whole time I read your stuff. I absolutely love your enthusiasm. I love that we love the same things!
Such a lovely post.Scotland is a magical place and she grabs and holds your heart captive for ever.The tartans,the pipes,the unicorns.Looking so forward to your travels this Spring.Safe travels and thanks for your uplifting blog.
Oh Susan, thank you for a perfectly enchanting visit to Scotland. And such lovely giveaways too! Thank you for just being You! I ordered so many of the little beeswax tree and beehive candles for Christmas from your Convent of Joy as I call it. If I were there, I would be the quilter. And knitter.
When I visited them at the perfectly named “Convent of Joy,” I couldn’t help but try to figure out what part I would play if I lived there too … I can do some pretty good cooking!
Enjoying my tea in your Earth Love mug, remembering my trips to the United Kingdom and dreaming of more to come.
Thanks for the Scotland review! I had the good fortune to be there last April and it is magical. 😊
Thank you for the wonderful trip to Scotland….my favorite! Your posts are a special bright spot in our lives.
Thank you for sharing your adventures! What an amazing discovery at the end of a country road! And a giveaway too! Perfect read after a long day at work.
Thank you, Susan, for the wonderful trip to Scotland. We were there years ago, loved Edinburgh like you, but since we had a young teen on our trip we just “had” to go and stay at a farmhouse on Loch Ness so we could watch for Nessie. She didn’t even peek her lovely nose out while we were there, but my granddaughter knew she was in that beautiful loch ‘somewhere’. Even dipping our toes in the water was not allowed. 😁
Oh, does this make me want to visit England and Scotland!
Thank you for the mid-afternoon uplift!
You make it so interesting by including photos. Thank you.
Loved this blog and seeing the Castle cup and your mention of Constant
Comment tea which I also love, wanted to tell you, I have been drinking Peppermint tea from my Castle cup. And the tea stays warm to hot for a very
long time. I do not have a cat but I do have a little Havanese doggie and
he follows me around and sits right next to me on the sofa in the evening.
Have DVR’d VICTORIA so will watch it asap to catch up! Love to hear and see
all your traveling adventures. And to see a Blog from you warms my hot
and a cold day in Michigan. Safe travels to you and your husband, Joe.
I look forward to each and every post
.have a wonderful evening
Thank you for the tour of such a beautiful castle. Would love to travel to Scotland.
I had a little dream trip to Scotland in my head through the beautiful Susan writing. Thank you! I am thinking I need to get my 90 year old Dad the Fine Romance mug. I gifted him the book some years ago and it was a hit. Now a mug may be in order. I have a niece who is a librarian and needs the Jack mug. Always the best ideas. Happy 2018 and thanks for all you guys do! Love from New Zealand and our fabulous summer – too hot!
I’ve heard it’s been hot down there! We should mix our weathers and get something really GOOD! You are a giving person Katiebob!
How perfect! I, too, fell in love with Edinburgh years ago. I so hope to be able to visit Scotland again someday. The people are wonderful and it always feels like home to me somehow. Must be my Scottish ancestry 🙂 Hope your weather improves – we just had a winter storm here in Wisconsin.
Thank you so much , Scotland is on my “Bucket list” Thank you for your precious insight and descriptions . LOVE IT!
I want to go stay in that castle for like ever!
I’ve always wanted to see Scotland! Though Irish, my great-grandfather was born there. I’m looking forward to Ireland and Wales; my mother’s family was all Irish, and half of my father’s family came from Wales – the same town Tom Jones calls home. Thank you for taking me on journeys I may never be able to take myself!
Susan I’m SO excited because, in addition to reading this fabulous post about Scotland, I just made final arrangements to join Mandy from Castle Cottage on the Susan Branch Picnic Tour…at least that’s what I’m calling it. No offense to the Beatrix Potter fans…but to me it’s all about the picnic. Looking forward to seeing you in May. In the meantime, fingers crossed that Vanna picks me!
SO glad!!! Was just emailing with Mandy today, working myself into a frenzy of extra excitement!
Hi Sue,
I love hearing about your trip. I just read Willard and heard about the almost 4 months you will be spending in GB. I cannot tell you envious it makes me! I went to England and Scotland last September for 10 days – bliss! But I cannot wait for the time when I can just “be” there like you and Joe do. I am so looking forward to all the postings while you are there. You are doing all of us a service by giving us so much info to plan a trip of our own! What did we do before the internet? As much as I LOVE books, it is wonderful having everything in one perfect spot.
Keeping my fingers crossed that Vanna will pick me – one of these times!
Love, Sue from Simi
Always enjoy your adventures! Thank you for sharing.
Every time I read one of your books or stories, it’s like I’m right there with you. What an adventure. Thank you for the journey.
Thank you for the charming visit to Scotland! We stayed in a manor house many years ago! No kitchen but we were prepared breakfast and it was delicious. Such a wonderful time! My husbands father was the only son of seven sons not born in Scotland. he was born in Coalinga, California. The family ran an Inn in Gatehouse of Fleet, The Murry Arms! We stayed there also. Such great memories! Thanks for bringing them up.
My great grandmother was a Murray!
Dearest Susan , It’s a wild and Wintery day here in Niagara , Southern Ontario but reading your lovely ( I can’t say that word now without seeing it as ” luvlee ” 🙂 ) blog makes me feel warm and cosy . I have to watch the time when I’m reading all your wonderful stories and links otherwise it slips away . I should be going to the pharmacy to get a prescription and packing up my entire apartment ( they’re renovating , I have to be out for a week , vacay with a sister in Toronto , yay ! ) but here I am in my pj’s getting lost in dreams of Scotland . I first heard of you and Gladys Taber through the luvlee Carrie of Holywell B & B in Oxford UK . I hope to visit her when I go see my family in Oxford in the next year . I hope one day that you can make it to our neck of the woods . We have a wonderful library in Fonthill , Ontario that hosts authors . It would be a dream come true to walk into our library and see you and Joe there . I might cry or as my sister and I like to say , ” disgrace myself ” lol . Thank you for your sublime writing and the giveaways . Now I must be off ! Love , Ruby .
LOL, I disgrace myself almost every day with tears of happiness, so I understand! Thank you Ruby, and hello to your sister!
I’ve been a fan of yours from the minute I bought your fabric. Knew I loved your good taste and artistry then and have followed you through blogs, books & bone china mugs! Thank you , thank you, thank you for sharing!
Oh how much I Would love to spend even a night in this Castle! Your posts always make me so Happy!!!
I am enjoying A fine Romance right now! Love the pics and your drawings
I have no words except to say I am enchanted by this post!! Looking forward to “our” next trip. Thank you for inviting us.
Scotland is definitely on my bucket list. Thanks for suggesting the lovely castle. I hope to visit there some day!
Oh, my heart…’tis truly bursting with delight (and a wee bit o’ envy) from the charming sights and descriptions of your visit to beautiful Scotland! I’ve only been there once, over 20 years ago, and only saw Edinburgh then at the end of our trip to England, but long to go back someday. If I do, I shall seek out your magical castle with its turrets and chintz and lovely views! Thank you for sharing with us yet again another sweet destination and all its delightful details. I’ve lived through your lovely drawings, writings and yummy recipes through your books, calendars and Country Living for over 30 years and always look forward to the next surprise waiting just around the corner! Blessings for continued traveling mercies, dear Susan. 🕊
Now I SO want to go visit Scotland and stay in that exact castle – so beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us! xoxo
So pretty and inviting! I wish I had the means to travel and see the world!
xo
Tracy
Last shot of Jack all curled up napping in a drawer…….❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for taking my breath away yet again. What a wonderful, beautiful story.
Safe travels.
Thanks for the Scotland fix today. My life is complete! And what’s Jack’s secret? He keeps getting more adorable . . . 🙂
L O V E … 😻
Can’t wait to read more about your travels–in Scotland and anywhere else you wander!
Oh Dash and Lord M indeed! It was so hard to keep a dry eye. I gave a good friend of mine one of your Friendship mugs for Christmas. It came a week or so ago and she was THRILLED! I was so proud to give it to her. She has been a good friend for many, many years (maybe 35?). Where does the time go? I also found a Beatrix Potter Mr. Fox figurine for her as well. What a treat it was to present her with such treasures. Thank you for the short tour of Scotland. I WILL get there someday…and Wales…and England. Hoping to win the lottery soon. Take care.
What a sweet friend you are Sally!