The day had started with a drive through the snow - REAL snow!
We had seen some dusting on the hills before, but we actually had to pull over so that 
We caught our first glimpse of the Loch Ness! Even though 
And even though SOMEONE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED was hating all the selfies we were taking... hehehehe HE still smiled for this picture with me and Sam with the Loch Ness behind us! I love this picture of us, don't you Sam?!?! It was the PERFECT kind of weather for taking pictures - chilly, but not too cold and the perfect white light! I'm really pleased with how all the shots of the day came out!
As we came out of the gift shop and down the stairs, here was our first glimpse of Castle Urquhart! I know that its not as majestic as some of the other castles that are still intact, but there was just something special about seeing it here with Loch Ness behind it and that beautiful fog! Doesn't it just seem like you'd be pulled into another time if you stepped just one foot more? hehehe Come - let's see if you feel the magic with me!
I love when they put little signs up with info and sometimes drawings of what it "would have looked like" . This sign has a bit of writing that only
NOW are you feeling the magic??? Just take a look at this gorgeous shot!
The green grass, the beautiful ruins, the loch, the mist - It's straight out of a fairytale! Let's get closer!
I loved getting close to this and seeing the detail in the weaponry! It always amazes me - the way the human mind is able to capture and idea and build a machine with such skill! It's sad that often, these machines are used in battles and wars to destroy such beautiful creations such as Urquhart- but such is life, I suppose.
For a little perspective on the size of the arch - I took a shot of my two traveling buddies! hehehe Such cute little tourists! LOL
This almost reminds me of playing with a dollhouse! You know how the one side is completely intact, but then the other side is open to let you play with the dolls on each floor? Maybe that's a NICE way of looking at Castle Urquhart? hehehe Instead of a once-beautiful castle that is now in ruins - we can just pretend that it's OPEN on one side for us to see easily inside! lol Now let's walk inside, so we can be the dolls. hehe
And walking inside that portion - you can climb the stairs and peek out the window - yes - the window! hehehe not QUITE what we are used to, but hey - it did bring light inside! LOL
Another shot of walking round the ruins, and I loved how it was set up so that you could actually see where rooms and quarters and such used to be. We even saw a little place that was like a massive outdoor oven! It was really hard to capture the image since it was dark - but being there was fun to imagine that you were standing inside a place where food used to be cooked on a mass scale!
And outer wall, simple and yet elegant. Even though these are simple rocks stacked on top of each other in random sizes, shapes, and patterns, they have still stood the test of time. Of course, they are showing plenty of signs of wear and tear- but my goodness, this was finished being built in the 1500's! I know of some bulidings that haven't even stood for 100 years because of shoddy workmanship! LOL So I'd say the old girl is still doing pretty well, if you ask me! 😄
We walked down to the banks of Loch Ness and tried to skip a few stones. I'm absolutely terrible at it. hahaha I think I MIGHT have gotten two hops. But to be fair, Pen isn't so bad at it and I think he could only get 4 hops - max! so hey!! not so bad - BUT LOOK AT THE PICTURE. Now, I know what Tengo said, but I can SPY with my DREEMIE EYE something causing a tiny wave in the water. And nope nope nope - you can say all you want that it's nothing but I KNOW what it is! or rather - WHO it is. It's still cold, so she just sent up a tiny little part of her fin to part that water - but she is DEFINITELY coming to say hi to Dreemie! LOLOL (yes. YES. don't rain on my Nessie parade!!! LOL)
Almost time to go, but I had to get one last panoramic shot of these beautiful grounds! Well? Were you caught in its spell with me? Think you'd like to come walk these grounds with me next time? hehehe
And one of my FAVORITE things to do after traipsing all around castle ruins? PICNIC time!!! hehehe We packed a picnic lunch of chicken salad sandwiches and chips (well, tofu salad sandwich for Sam! hehe) and had a nice time eating and chatting in the parking lot! There is just something special about bringing your lunch with you to eat on location!
I truly loved this day - and really can't wait to come back again when Nessie is feeling a bit warmer and less shy! Then she will probably jump out of the water and wave to me. What do you think? hehehe
This post hit SEVERAL communities at once! hehehe You have to love when you can write one post and shine on lots of communities with some love! hehehe
First - of course it's Wednesday and you know that means we're walking on Wednesday for 
Second, (and third!) It's our 
Thanks to 
All images and dividers are mine ❤️