After an early morning wake up 4.15am when Bill's alarm went off we drifted back to sleep for a couple of hours (we are sure Bill didn't do this on purpose ha ha).

We pick up a hire car this morning for a couple of days. Craig came to our rescue again when we didn't have a document with an address of where we are staying a requirement to pick up the hire car (thanks Craig - I think we owe you more Scottish Tablet).

We then picked up Uncle Jim and headed north towards Ballater in search of Balmoral Castle.
We took in some beautiful Scottish country side today. It was a real treat to have the expertise of Uncle Jim who knows this area back to front.
He told us stories and related many memories of his years in the countryside with his dogs and his shooting days.

We stopped along the way for morning tea and lunch. When found the front gates of Balmoral Castle but as the Queen is in resident we couldn't go into the grounds or the castle. Was a bit disappointed that there is no advantage point to view the castle so we braved the pouring rain to take a picture at the front gates.

We saw lots of rolling green hills, black faced sheep the odd grouse, lots of heather and beautiful scenery.
Drove through Glenshee which Brian remembers fondly when Claire took him on the ski lift to the top a story he tells often.

We stopped for afternoon tea and then headed back to Kirkcardly to the Duchess Hotel for a quick dinner.

Another full day, we truly saw the real Scotland today thanks to Uncle Jim.
Oh by the way 5 x WOWs today (ha ha)