Birks o' Aberfeldy

The  next stop after The Hermitage with @alycoste saw us stop at the Birks o' Aberfeldy. This beautiful short walk is extremely popular. The walk up a steep gorge alongside the Moness Burn was popularised by Scotlands Bard (Robert Burns) in a song suitably titled 'The Birks o' Aberfeldy'.

Robert Burns

 

"Bonie lassie, will ye go, 
Will ye go, will ye go, 
Bonie lassie, will ye go
To the birks of Aberfeldy!"

 

 

As you can see from the photo's below, Autumn was definitely going on here! Have never seen so many auburn and red leaves in one place. The beauty of the areas end in a crescendo of waterfalls, The Moness Falls. It's a beautiful area and I was really happy that I got to see it for the first time at this time of year.

I often forget how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful country that is relatively at peace, moderately prosperous and generally safe.

Incholm Abbey

I finally made it to Incholm Island and the Abbey last Saturday. It was actually on my list of places to see, but I totally forgot until the @alycoste invited me for a boat tour of the Forth River with a landing on the Island. So close to where I live yet I still have so much to see that's a stones throw away from me. I think I often forget that!

The shot to the right is of Alayne, who was kind enough to pose for me while I tried to do some artsy stuff... 

The island is dominated by Scotland's best preserved monastic buildings. It was established in 1235 when Augustinian canons built a priory, which was later given full Abbey status. The Abbey has an amazingly dramatic location and looks beautiful from the boat when passing on the south side. I can only imagine how great it most look in a storm, or with deep snow! Fortunately we had great weather on the island even though it was raining when we left South Queensferry.

The boat trip also went round the bridges; The Forth Rail Bridge, The Road Bridge and of course the new Queensferry Crossing. Have you any idea how difficult it is to take a good shot of bridges  when on a boat? Well, I do. Hence the lack of shots below! :-)

Ok, I got one and you can see it here.