Gaznjo World Cruise 2023: Invergordon

It was a serene and peaceful sail in as we glided through the smooth waters of Cromarty Firth. We passed many drilling rigs which apparently dock in this bay to undergo repairs.

The town was still sleeping when we left for our tour of Dunrobin Castle. It was a lovely drive through the Scottish Highlands and Fiona our tour guide was one of the best we have had so far. She was a wealth of information and her storytelling kept us entertained throughout the whole day.

It was a quick stop at a viewpoint known to the locals as “Millionaire’s View”. A stunning vista looking down the Dornoch Firth surrounded by a number of Scotland’s biggest mountains.

A stop at Falls of Shin had us looking for Atlantic Salmon fighting their way back upstream to the calmer waters of their place of birth to spawn their future generations. But alas there was no salmon leaping today. The good news is that, unlike their Pacific relations, they survive their spawning and return to sea to spawn again.

Endless breathtaking scenery as we drove the countryside

Shin Falls

No Salmon leaping here

More beautiful scenery

Dunrobin Castle is the nearest thing Scotland has in fairytale architecture. It is not until you stand in their beautiful landscape gardens, that you can see the the similarities to famous Disney Castle, which in turn takes its inspiration from King Ludwig’s castle Neuschwanstein.

She did a lovely job playing outside the Castle Doors

Now that is what you call a toy room

Nannies and baby shared a room

Beautiful gardens

Very majestic from the gardens.

After we were “done roaming” the castle we walked around the beautifully manicured gardens and then watched the superb Falconry display.

Within the gardens, there is a small museum and here you can see the family had a real fascination with hunting, unfortunately, that included game hunting, I was saddened to see these beautiful animals in the manner in which they were displayed.... stuffed!.... Our main reason for even going in was to see the ancient pictish stones that were on display.

It was then back to the Royal Burgh of Dornoch. A beautiful historic town where we also enjoyed a yummy pastie for lunch, the most expensive pastie we have ever had, but it was delicious…. There is something about Scotland that makes you fall in love with their beautiful knitwear and yes I succumbed and bought myself a beautiful jumper.

We stopped at the Glenmorangie Distillery, where for those who enjoyed the s

mall tasting Fiona gave us of the delicious Golden Nectar Whiskey, could make a purchase. The Whiskey was smooth and sweet, it was the price tag that had the bite!!!

Fiona was very good at pulling out yummy tasty treats out of her bag… and we all loved Tunnocks Caramel Wafers, so much so several of us rushed to two of the local supermarkets in Invergordon, only to buy up all the stock on the shelves.

Apparently according to the wrapper, over 7,000,000 of these are made and sold every week.....

Invergordon was a lovely town to walk around to finish off our day. If only I was better prepared I would have visited www.invergordonoffthewall.org.uk website and downloaded the app that would help us follow the Mural Trail. There are at least 17 murals to be found.