We took a trip to the town of Elgin on a whim. Actually we were still in the Kia, which because of an unfortunate parking place under a strange tree that dripped sap all night, we renamed the car, “Sticky Toffee Kia.” That is what is known as a digression. Back to the jaunt. I had read about a factory that made very fine cashmere - the only place in Scotland (maybe GB) that the whole production is in one locale. And a family owned business for well over 200 years. The products are expensive. Gloves were 85, a sweater I thought Jill would look great in was only 800 and a bathrobe was 2300. Pounds! That means many more dollars. We did not buy anything but the cafe was excellent and the tour very interesting. We even saw but were unable to photograph colors coming in for the next year. We knew little about the town and drove over 90 minutes to get to it - along some very narrow stone wall lined tiny roads but it turned out great. Not only was the tour and the food fine but there turned out to be a very old ruined cathedral about five minutes walking time from the factory. There we were able to ascend both of the still standing towers up four floors and 20 feet high ceilings on narrow circular stone stairs in stone towers that had been there for 1300 years. Exhibits were on each floor and the second tower had a roof viewing platform. We also found a “Biblical Garden” that was nicely arranged. It had scores of plants - all the ones mentioned in the bible, as well as a rock garden that had plants from each country mentioned in Acts 2. Very well done. We had such a nice meal at lunch we opted for a dinner of cereal. Wild times in Scotland.
Working the product into yarn - photo above the dye room
Old buildings abound with pathways between and flowers everywhere.
