The Kingdom of Fife

When leaving that lovely Inn we could not miss Coldingham Bay and St. Abbs in Berwickshire just a view miles away. Those must be crowded places in summer and surfers have lots of fun here.



All these wee houses are locked up now but when the season is in full swing, one can imagine that the air is filled with typical noises.







St. Abbs has good shelters for the boats, certainly needed. It must be good here when the sea is really rough.



I had spotted some craft shops on the road when going to St. Abbs and on our way back, we stopped. I admired those luxury outdoor shelter for the horses. Inside the shop, cute woolen items, all kind of wool for sale. The goods were displayed on driftwood, the whole decoration was gorgeous. I spotted a nice scarf and said to EG that I needed my new jacket to see what matches best. Went back to the car and then came the shock: my brand new jacket was lost. I could not find it anywhere, turned car and suitcases upside down - I never found it. Useless to say that I was so shocked, I could not go back to the shop and buy anything. We left and all the way up North I was trying to find out when I could have lost it. Last time I wore it was in Lincoln. I called all the hotels without success and went back in my mind to places where it could have been left. Nothing. Unfindable. Lost.



We burnt the miles, passed Edinburgh, over the bridge of the Firth of Forth and eventually started the coastal tour in Lower Largo, Fife.

From Wikipedia: .../... King James VI of Scotland described Fife (one of 7 Sub-Kingdoms then) as a "beggar's mantle fringed with gold" – the golden fringe being the coast and its chain of little ports with their thriving fishing fleets and rich trading links with the Low Countries, ironic given the much later development of farming on some of Scotland's richest soil and the minerals, notably coal, underneath. Wool, linen, coal and salt were all traded. Salt pans heated by local coal were a feature of the Fife coast in the past. The distinctive red clay "pan tiles" seen on many old buildings in Fife arrived as ballast on trading boats and replaced the previously thatched roofs. .../...



This nice pub looked so inviting.



It was a surprise to see it so crowded inside whilst we hardly met anybody on the streets. But they were obviously all here.



After this delightful interlude, we continued to Elie...



...went further to Anstruther and thought to read gaelic on this sign ;-) it wasn't - there were just some letters which had faded.





For both of us, "Anstruther" rang a bell but we did not find out why that was...





After a coffee break in St. Andrews - very busy and loud - we went straight to our luxury next residence: Balburnie House.





Located in an ancient park and with a golf course next to it.





Finally, it was the wedding ceremony, the very reason of all that journey!
The groom's family are all true Scottish and it was so nice to see all those different tartans.



I enjoyed everything! It was good to be just a relaxed spectator and having time to watch and to absorb all the details. This time it wasn't backpipes but the harp which gave a nice, gentle sound in the background . The young "helpers" on the door where the bride was to arrive soon, they looked all the time so handsome and happy. The groom and his best man were waiting, patiently, for the arrival of the very person.



And then she came in! The most beautiful bride one can imagine and the day became magic.



Everything went fine. It was like in a fairy tale - every moment was.



I adored those details and was impressed of how all the ladies stayed immaculate until late night.



Unforgettable moments for everybody.



But the house itself gave the right background for the event. It had so much class.






I hesitated what to use for the card and this was what I finally wrote:
Slainte mhor agus a h-uile beannachd duibh
(Good health and every good blessing to you!)

But I wondered if this one was not as good:
Lang may your lum reek.
(Long may your chimney smoke)




On Sunday, we had all the ride back in one shot to do and it took us 14 hours. But it was all worth it!

Now that those photos are uploaded, I can leave for the next journey next week. It will all start on the Isle of Wight :-).