Yesterday, we left the amazing Balintore Castle, but not before we had a look at the Great Hall. I was actually surprised and impressed to see the completed condition of it, as I was expecting it to be still under renovation.
We were walking down a hallway in the castle, following the owner David as he led us to the Great Hall. I was peeking into open rooms as we passed them, taking note of how much work was still to be done. And I was expecting the Great Hall to be in similar condition. Although, I had read that they were recently installing the new floor.
So I was pretty surprised to see it finished!
Balintore Castle owner David, in the Great Hall!
Ruth and David.
We said goodbye, but I really want to come back again and spend more time. Perhaps in a couple of years so we can see more progress on the restoration.
Next stop was the seaside town of Carnoustie. My grandmother came to Canada from Scotland in the 1920's and was from the town of Carnoustie. My mother had given me the address of where they lived, so we stopped in for a couple of photos.
8 Golf Street, Carnoustie.
My great grandfather was an avid golfer, and very active in the local club... the Carnoustie Golf Club, one of the ten oldest golf clubs in the world. In fact, my mother told me that she thought he was the club president sometime in the 1930's, so I wanted to stop in and see if they had any history related to that possibility.
Golfers at the world famous Carnoustie Links.
Voted Best Golf Course in the World in 2019.
One of the oldest golf shops in the world, with the Carnoustie Golf Club building.
There is also a Ladies club on the same street.
We were greeted in the club and I explained what I was looking for. The helpful man led me to a room where there were a lot of photos and memorabilia, including a couple of lists showing past "captains", who are essentially the presidents of the club.
Sure enough, there was my great grandfather!
J.C. Walker 1928 - 1930
He was also given honorary life membership in 1931.
Which is a little ironic since he died in 1931!
They have a lot of trophy cases. I should have taken a photo since they are quite impressive. Anyhow, we were wandering over to have a look and see if I could see my great grandfather mentioned anywhere when another man asked if he could help us. I said my grandfather name, and he knew exactly who I was talking about! John Cargill Walker!
It turns out we were talking to the current Club Captain, John Davies. He had only just last week been doing some historical research on John Walker because there had been a medal donated years ago that was not on display. He led us over to show it to us...
And he also had the solicitors letter that accompanied the medal when my great aunt died and it was donated back in 1992
So, really interesting stuff and we're so glad that we stopped in.
The Carnoustie Golf Club.
From there, it was a long (for us) three hour drive through the traffic of Dundee and Edinburgh to our overnight stop near Wooler, England. We're at a really nice Airbnb for the night before continuing on another hour and a half this morning further south past Newcastle.
Comfy room.
Huge bathroom!
So, we are now off to Yarm to look after two shelties for the next nine days.
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Record low deal on this 75" Fire TV.
And in Canada...
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