The Water Mill

For our Sunday trip out we went to Aultgowrie Mill open garden just outside Muir of Ord .The Mill is an eighteenth century converted water mill that used to grind Barley, bere and oats, with 13 acres of gardens including a woodland garden, river walk and a new pond.
We enjoyed tea and homemade cakes on the Balcony in lovely warm sunshine overlooking the lawn and the hills behind dotted in sheep.
The photo is the view from one of the benches near the overflow of the river. The water is really low at the moment so the water was just a trickle but you could see the massive boulders that have been moved in the winter. The owner was telling us that when the river is in full spate you can feel the rocks moving and the house shakes even in the rooms upstairs.
The owners have been there for 7 years and are gradually developing the area. The borders were full of Scottish flowers including thistles and harebells. There is a half acre meadow that was in seed but must look fantastic in the spring. We watched dragonflies and butterflies over the new pond and enjoyed a walk along the river to a stone bridge that was built in 1810.We chatted to a man, an engineer who had been to the bridge several years ago to access any damage. He said it was nice to return to see have it was doing.
More info here
We bought some plants. a geum, two cranebill geraniums and another plant that I can't remember the name of. Some of the money raised went to the RNLI.

Ended up with a lovely roast dinner at The Storehouse of Foulis.
Just waiting to find out who the new Doctor Who is, I lead an exciting life !