A long-anticipated journey

When Matthew lived in Cyprus for the 2005/2006 school term, he made friends with one of the Anglican priests on the island.  That priest and his wife returned to the UK around the same time we moved to the UK, and we were finally able to go up to Montrose for a visit in March.

We took the train because I love the train!  It was quite an exciting trip, too, because it was our first time going over both the Forth Rail Bridge and the Tay Bridge (it is huge and the train has to go over it really slowly and I had to pretend that I was NOT over water about halfway through it!).

Photographic evidence that I went over the Forth Rail Bridge

Steve and Kath first took us to St. Vigean's Church and graveyard, where we got to see the fisher graves.  They are probably some of the most unique gravestones I've ever seen.  One of the reasons I love living in Britain is that it is a place where families have actually had time to be in a certain industry for forever.  Kath grew up in Montrose and told us that fisher names are: Swankie, Corgill, Spink and Smith.  And we found quite a few gravestones bearing these names.

Matthew with Steve and Kath

St. Vigean's church and graveyard.

Fisher grave! Swankie and Corgill on one stone.

Look at the crossed fishies at the top.

Possibly my favourite.  Trying to imagine how that anchor wouldn't sink that boat and how those fish wouldn't capsize it. But they got the message across.  Dude was a fisher.

My camera was upright... the graveyard is on a steep hill.

After St. Vigean's we went off to Arbroath Abbey, famous home of the 1320 Declaration of Arboath, which you can read about here. Ruins make me happy - they just seem to have so much more character.  Ruins that are medieval are even better, and medieval ruins with a haar moving in take the cake.  Matthew had a good time hanging out with William the Lion and testing out the acoustics of the chapter house (see video).

Entrance to Arbroath Abbey.

Arbroath Abbey from a height.

So... there are really big doors to keep the monks safe.

Matthew exploring

Spending some quality time with William the Lion.

I am wee.  The abbey is huge.

It even makes Matthew look wee.

Chillin' amongst the ruins.

And so the haar begins...

Really rolling in at this point.

Distance vision became impossible.

 

 It eventually isn't sideways.

Walking around Arbroath Abbey can really whet one's whistle, so we headed for the chippy and Matthew & I tried potato fritters for the first time ever.  Mmmmm..... I love potatoes! We ate out right along the harbour where we continued to peer through the haar, and then we went to pick up our dinner: Arbroath smokies!  From Arbroath!  They were absolutely divine.  If you want to try some yourself, you can order them on-line here.

Arbroath Harbor

Brightly coloured harbour buildings and home of the delicious potato fritters.

Evidence that the haar was still present.  Also, I have never seen so many lobster traps!

Me and my boy.  :)

The smokies are in the bag!

On our way back to Montrose to cook up the smokies, we passed some very exciting sights - 'heeland coos'!  It was my first time ever seeing highland cows up close and personal and I think I actually may have said "Stop the car!" before leaping out and prancing over to them squealing and cooing.  They were a pretty chill bunch and posed very nicely for us.

Highland calves through the haar.

Proof that I was there!

Momma cow heads over for a chat.

So there you have it.  Our adventures in Montrose & Arbroath offer something for everyone - from history buffs and nature enthusiasts to anthropologists and foodies... I highly recommend you go if you you get the chance.