What a splendid day I've just had. A work contact bough a trip for 4 people out of Stonehaven Harbour on a rescue boat at a charity auction, and was kind enough to invite me along.

First of all it was a wonderful day, which always helps.

http://tiny.cc/83luv

Secondly, we arrived in plenty of time to have breakfast at the Boat House Cafe, which was splendid. good coffee and hot scones straight from the oven

http://www.theboathousestonehaven.co.uk/

We were joined by,Ann Laing, the CEO of the Maritime Rescue Institute

http://www.maritime-rescue-institute.org/

Ann took us back and gave us a short run down of the MRI, which is world famous as a training institution for maritime rescue.

We then kitted up, got on a wee boat and zoomed out of the harbour and away at some speed down to the coast a Catterline

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...ine/index.html

We went down fast and we all got to drive.

Then we meandered back, close into the cliffs, where we saw a Minke whale (OK, it was dead, but even so), anglers fishing off the rocks, caves, natural bridges, and millions of sea birds. The cliffs are home to the seabird colony at Fowlsheugh

http://www.egcp.org.uk/coast/fowlsheugh.php

although the spectacle, which I've seen from the cliff top, was a little past its best.

then on past janis's favourite Dunottar Castle with its romantic past

http://www.dunnottarcastle.co.uk/

and back into the harbour. In glowing sunchine.

followed by a fabby lunch at the Tolbooth

http://www.tolbooth-restaurant.co.uk/

(my meal was as good as I've had for ages. And the Sancerre was to die for)

So, when you're planning your route north through Scotland up the North East by-pass (the A9 Glasgow to Inverness road) just remember what you're missing.

Sounds like a fantastic day. And it was for a good cause and you got somer birding in to boot!

What a wonderful experience, and to to see those places from the water probably gave entirely different perspectives . . . .

sounds wonderful, Sheila.

Am I envious. I've always wondered what Dunottar looked like from the sea. I haven't eaten at the Tolbooth. but I'll put it on my list. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing your experience Sheila. I'm envious too! Dunottar is one of our all time favourites also. Visited at sunset (glorious) with no other visitors in sight.

How come you never take me out on that type of outing?

How come you never stay long enough?

Sounds lovely, Sheila. We've had 9 days of rain in a row here, most unusual. That should mean I own the necessary rain gear if it rains on our June trip to Scotland, right?

Always loved the pictures of Dunottar, but will miss that east side.

nice! I love this area.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/...oPicker/albNot sure if you can see this?

ums.jsp

or this

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/...ker/albums.jsp

doesn't work, huh?

no sorry

Sheila, I enjoyed reading about your lovely day. Thanks for posting.

Sheila, to post a link to photos on Kodakgallery, first share the photos you want to post with yourself. You will get an e-mail from Kodak with a link to the slide show. Copy that link and paste it into your message here.