Balmoral Castle from behind the gardens. It was cold and rainy the day we were there. But it was still a fun experience. We went with Elder and Sister Manwaring.

Balmoral Castle summer home to the royal family. We were able to see the grounds and gardens but were only able to see the ballroom in the castle itself. It was beautiful.

Elder and Sister Watson next to the Dee River on the grounds of Balmoral Castle. The Royal family was not in residence.

This is the Dee River. Bonny's 6th great grandfather established one of the first paper mills in Scotland on this river at Peterculter near Aberdeen 1750.

We wanted to show some of the wonderful members we are working with. The Redfords live in a lettle town called Errol about 12 miles outside of Dundee. Here are the members of the Reford family, Sandra who has been ill for some years, and her father Doug. Both have been less active for years. The Mother Christina is active and works in the nursery on Sundays. We love going to their home, it is in a beautiful area. They are studying hard to get their lives back in order.

This is Susan Mair long time less active but thrilled to be coming back. Working hard to get prepared to go to the temple. She wants to do her father's work in the temple so we are helping her with her family history. Well, mostly Sister Watson is helping her, I am just a bump on the couch.

Let me introduced you to Fredrick Reid. He has been less active for the last six years. He is a divorcee and is really enjoying coming back to Church. His cat Harry has not yet been baptized.

Thought we would show you some of the folks we work with. This is Karen, Aaron and Bradley. We prepared Aaron and Bradley for Baptism. Aaron was baptized two weeks ago and Bradley will be baptized at the end of August. Karen has been less active for many years, but is now going to church each week with the boys. She is attending the addiction class put on by the Ward and is doing very well with her commitments. Sorry no better picture.

This is the ruin of the Edzell Castle. It was built in the 12th century by the Abbott family. Later it past into the hands of Crawford Lindsay and remained with that family for 350 years. The original was built of earth and stone. It was rebuilt, of Sand stone, at its current location between 1500 and 1600. It seems most castles took a couple of hundred years to complete. Visits were made there by Mary Queen of Scots and her son James VI. (Note the spooky tree behind the castle wall.)

A look at the garden hedges trimmed in the shape of words. The motto of the Lindsays family who owned the castle at the time. 1604

Court yard of the Edzell Castle. The hedges form the words: Dum Spiro Spiro (While I Breathe I hope.) The hedges are beautiful from above where Sister Watson took the picture.

Hay! Don't wave that red flag at me!

Spooky tree may have had something to do with the "Ghost" of Edzell Castle. See group email for details. oooh

The Thompson Brothers, Aaron and Bradley.

Aaron Thompson was baptized and confirmed last week. We have been teaching him and his brother Bradley for the past few weeks. Bradley will be baptized in August.

This is the Blair Castle, what I think is one of the most beautiful in Scotland. I mentioned it in the last group email. It is 6 miles from Pitlochry where Sister Watson and I visited two weeks ago.

The inside is lived in and very beautiful.

This was our District meeting prior to transfers.

Right to left standing. Elder McCullers the Zone leader, Elder Allen the District leader, Elder Mundan, Sister Watson, Elder Watson, Elder Gardner, Elder Davidson, Kneeling left to right Elder Aston, Elder Harper, and Elder Humphries.

The 18th green at St. Andrews. It was fun to go and enjoy the afternoon. Lots of fun places to shop. Didn't get to play golf but then I didn't plan to play golf while in Scotland.

Bishop Roy getting hit with wet sponges as part of a fund raiser for the Ward youth programs.

June 2008