Tuesday 7 August 2018

A lighthouse on a castle


Today we are delighted to be taking part in a blog hop celebrating National Lighthouse Day - yet another brilliant idea from our friends Madi and Mom.

Now it's not that Gail and I are being competitive or anything, but we're betting that no-one else in this hop will be visiting a lighthouse built on top of a castle!

Yes really. This is Kinnaird Head lighthouse in Fraserburgh, in the NE corner of Scotland. A light tower was installed way back in 1787 on top of a wee castle built in the 1500s by the Fraser family. In 1824 the esteemed lighthouse engineer Robert Stevenson (grandfather of the 'Treasure Island' and 'Kidnapped' author Robert Louis Stevenson) made major structural alterations to the building and installed a new lantern, but retained the original castle tower, which still stands today.

We like this old painting of the lighthouse, and are grateful that, although windy too when we visited, weather conditions were slightly less dramatic!

After checking out the fog horn beside the lighthouse Gail and I went exploring the town.

It has to be said that Fraserburgh  (locally known as The Broch) is an austere place with what Gail says is an 'end of the world' feel to it.

The colourful fishing boats in the harbour came as a welcome relief,

And even better, at the southern end of the town is a simply awesome two mile long beach.

Wheee!

Rain was threatened so we turned around when half way along the beach and made it back for one last look at the lighthouse before the skies opened.

There is a museum adjacent to the lighthouse. Gail has been there before and tells me it's well worth a visit, although I guess I'll never know as dogs are not allowed inside...

You can read more about the lighthouse history here.

P.S. Shall I let you into a wee secret? When Gail was a little girl, in an era when 'normal' little girls were supposed to aspire to be nurses or, if good at their lessons, perhaps teachers, my human was fantasising about being a lighthouse keeper when she grew up...

17 comments:

  1. Bertie that is a super lighthouse... what a perfect mix to have a castle and a lighthouse... and oooh that foghorn... is ist for sale? we want it... YEAH!

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  2. That's a fabulous lighthouse. Thanks for choosing it to show to us.

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  3. What a picturesque fishing village and a beautiful lighthouse. We can see why a young girl would want to work in such a place!

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  4. What a beautiful lighthouse! We love the old painting too.

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  5. Hari Om
    Fantabulous, Bertie lad; I once visited this place in my wee small years but I think it is overdue for a revisit. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  6. Bertie what an most interesting bit of info on Kinnaird Head lighthouse in Fraserburgh. The painting and the turbulent sea is quite attractive. The new one has a rather regal look with the gold trim and fancy brick work.
    We thank you and Gail for this wonderful post and for taking the time to explore a new city. It looks like the Scottish weather cooperated with your tour
    Hugs Madi your bfff

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  8. eileeninmd7 August 2018 at 12:16
    Cute shots of Bertie and the Lighthouse. The castle lighthouse is cool. Beautiful scenes and photos.

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  9. I've got to visit a castle! Momma says there aren't many in Texas, but I bet I can find one.

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  10. WOW! On a Castle! Well, I have never seen that.
    I do LUFFS to see you BOUNCING along the sand Bertie, gosh that looks like FUNS
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  11. That is a very special lighthouse indeed, Bertie. We are really enjoying all the lighthouses around Blogville today because we don't have any near us.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  12. Bertie glad to see you having so much fun on the beach. A lighthouse on top of a castle is something we never seen before. We love the beautiful photos that you shared. Hope you are having fun.
    World of Animals

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  13. What a regal lighthouse!! How cool that it was built on a castle!!

    We can just imagine you and Gail living in a lighthouse! How pawesome would it be to be able to roll out of bed and do beach zoomies every day!?

    xoxo,
    Rosy, Jakey & Arty

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  14. A wonderful Lighthouse!! and a castle to boot!
    thanks for sharing
    hugs
    Hazel & Mabel

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  15. You have an amazing lighthouse on top of a castle. I love it!!! And, the two of you had such a fun time on the beach. Woo hoo!

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  16. We would have never imagined that there would be a lighthouse on a castle. There is so much history to explore in your area. Thanks for showing us a little.

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  17. Bertie! The Kinnaird Head lighthouse in Fraserburgh is pawsome. How cool that their are paintings of it. NOTHING here is that old. And being built on a castle! WOW!
    And the beach is pretty pawsome too! Way better for running than Flea Beach!
    Purrs
    Marv

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