Holiday in Pitlochry Part One and some good news

 

 This year we went to Pitlochry for our holiday.  We stayed in this stable conversion (upstairs) for a week and had some very good weather later in the week.

 

Our plan was to do some walking around the area and we started with a 3 mile walk to 'The Black Spout' waterfall near the Edradour Distillery.  We didn't visit the distillery this time as we have been previously.

On the way back from the waterfall, we passed this tree with it's 'giant pine cone',  very realistic looking, but probably created with a chain saw!

Our next walk was in Aberfeldy where we walked to another waterfall, the Falls of Moness which was made famous by Rabbie Burns in his song 'The Birks of Aberfeldy'.   'Birks' are Birch Trees for those who are wondering what I'm on about.

 

There was even a bronze statue of Rabbie for posing purposes.

This is Blair Castle at Blair Atholl,  we walked in Blair Forest before visiting here.

This Peacock was wandering around the front of the castle.

In the Hercules garden there were lots of ducks and this swan family.

Mama Duck and her ducklings

Isn't this one cute?

 This Scruffy Duck was going for a dip.

 

As we walked past part of the pond the water was boiling and seething.  On closer inspection we could see that the pond was full of tadpoles!  I don't think I've ever seen so many tadpoles.

This duck was certainly enjoying them!

I'll be back with some more photos soon, but just wanted to let you know the good news that Steven and Shona are expecting their first baby in February, it's all very exciting and we are very much looking forward to becoming grandparents.