Hi, Welcome back. I hope 2019 is treating you well.
“We are often asked “What is the weather like where you are? Is it really cold?
And. “Why would you go to Scotland in the winter?
Sometimes it is cold. Sometimes it is not so cold, but the wind is fierce. And sometimes, it is very cold and the wind is fierce. But, like everywhere else in the world, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute. It will change.” Except, maybe, in South Florida, where the weather is basically the same all the time.
Just to be clear: No one comes to Scotland for the weather. Except Anne. Of course it doesn’t have to be winter to be cold. Here are some pictures I took in April, 2016, in the Trossachs Mountains. Many of the peaks are over 3000 feet.
April snow scene 
Here’s lookin’ at you. 
More reindeer
Looks cold. 
Cable car to the top. 
Reindeer
But it isn’t the weather that is interesting. It is the Sea. We are on the Moray Firth which is on the North Sea. Every day is different. This post is dedicated to some beautiful pictures of this beautiful coast.
If we head west from the house, we will go up the beach toward the golf course. Many people walk their dogs there along the beach. They are sturdy Scottish dogs that love playing in this very cold water. Here are some pictures to show how the sea changed from Sunday to Monday. The 3 kings are 3 large stones; landmarks on this coast.
Linda and the 3 Kings 
3 Kings with wild sea
Almost in front of our cottage (at about 100 paces) the sea wall protects the road and the houses from the water. At low tide there is a beach about 25 feet wide. These pictures show high tide when the sea is wild. No beach at all.
Tide’s coming in. 
Crashing on the Seawall 
Wild water coming in.
Then continuing on eastward, we take the road to the Cullen Pet Cemetery, where Fiesta is lying. The water there is even a different color and the rocky shore very different, with no beach at all. Just rocks.
On Boxing Day, we climbed up to Castle Hill to see the harbor from above. There is no castle any more, just a hill. It was a sunny, calm day.
Looking west. 
Me on Castle Hill. 
Looking east.
So, I hope you have enjoyed pictures of my lovely Cullen. Come for the view. Come for the culture. Even come for the bag pipes. Just don’t come for the weather.
See you next time.
You haven’t talked about hearing bagpipes. Surely you do. Tell us where and when, and show us some pictures of the pipers.
Long time no see or hear. I am Scottish descendant as well. My cousin traced my name back to MacClean. He & I & spouses made the trip. We went to the home castle & I was able to meet the clan chief & had a nice long conversation. I learned LOTS! What a wonderful trip! We also took a cruise along the Norwegian coast. Quite different from other cruises we have taken {Carribbean}. I can’t remember the castle name. I am currently in treatment for Alzheimers. Trish is OK. Send me an e-mail so I will know you rec this, amclain@etcmail.com . I would say I wish I was there, but not in winter. Your Panama neighbor, Aaron