05.10.2018: Gylen Castle, Scotland

This morning started out with a plan we made last night to wake up in time to watch the sunrise from a bench perched on a cliff nearby, and to visit Gylen Castle in the morning light before the triathlon that is taking place on the island begins, and too many people show up.

I had quite the struggle waking up, but once I did we got dressed and headed out. It was brisk, but no rain, and the sea looked calm. The only sounds were the birds beginning to chirp and the waves slowly lapping the shore, as the tide was out. For those of you that don't know me, I don't run very positively on an empty stomach, so I was hoping to make quick work of this morning hike. I also wasn't sold on going in the castle because the only things Case told me about it was that it was abandoned and burnt down at some point... so I definitely thought it was probably a condemned place that we weren't supposed to tour through, which added to my lack of ambition to get there. 

Case was bee-lining it for the place and wouldn't stop to go to the bench, saying we will go after the castle, to which I retorted I thought we were supposed to watch the sunrise from there? We kept going to the castle and I took my sweet ass time going in. Took a few good minutes to read the plaque outside describing its history and reclamation, which intrigued me, so in I finally went. Case met me at the door and I followed him up. 

I was looking out the window towards the sea because of a story Case told me about it, and when I turned around, he was down on one knee! I was extremely surprised, and probably would've behaved a little nicer had I had any inkling as to what was going on! All in all, today has been one of the best, most beautiful days we could've asked for, and the Isle of Kerrera and Gylen Castle will always be a special place for us that we hope to return to. Case and I both send out our warmest thanks to all of you who have congratulated us and sent us your well wishes!

        

Not fully awake at this point

Our destination

It's where?

I wasn't actually that grumpy

We went the wrong way! Bloody hell.

This better be worth it

Gylen at the crack of dawn

Pretending to read

After waiting 4 minutes

After pacing for 6

Would you just come up and see this place, already?

Right before he popped the question

   

Case had set up his go pro and got all of these great shots of it happening!

And after!

So so happy and surprised!

After breakfast, we went for a hike on the east side of the island and found a few beaches and goats

We went up to the bench for the sunset. It's on an unbelievable viewpoint, overlooking the sea and all the Scottish Isles beyond. Minky (her actual name) joined us.

Quite possibly one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen