Edinburgh to north Scotland - Carrbridge, via Stirling Castle

On the 18th August we left Edinburgh to start our journey north towards Loch Ness, heading for our next accommodation at Carrbridge.  About 45 minutes from Edinburgh we visited Stirling Castle - very impressive, apart from the pouring rain as we walked from the car to the castle.  Nevertheless the rain did stop and we took some lovely photos of the castle grounds and the views.   Inside there were a number of fun activity rooms, including a dress up room full of clothing from the 1500s - check out the photos!  After leaving Castle Stirling we travelled via Pitlochry to Carrbridge. Just before Pitlochry we stopped at the Blair Athol distillery where Bells Scotch whiskey is produced. Dave had to buy a small souvenir before leaving!  Pitlochry looked very quaint and interesting but we just couldn't find anywhere to park the car! Lots of tourists; so we pressed on.  We thought we may have had time to visit the funicular railway that leads to the top of Cairngorm Mountain, but the day just disappeared.  (We will try and do the railway on Monday 19th.)
View from our window in Dalmore Lodge, Edinburgh:

 Dalmore Lodge:

 Castle Stirling:

 View up inside the kitchen fireplace chimney - where is that pigeon?

 WHAT THE?

 Two lovely ladies:

 Fancy this souvenir? Only £73.00!

 Mmmm! Lesley has found a package of genuine Scottish haggis - Emily is not so sure about eating offal...

 Pitlochery - where is Harry Potter?

 Our little cottage in Carrbridge - wonderful.  Note the X3 parked outside :-)