Menondering; Dalmadilly to Banff

After the sun-filled couple of days at Dalmadilly Ponds, Friday had arrived a bit earlier than I'd been prepared for. The stop off at Fyvie castle was therefore written off for this particular trip, and, instead, we menondered the scenic drive up to Banff via Oldmeldrum and Turriff. Lots of rolling hills, twists and turns, through vastly arable and grazing land. The sun remained firmly switched on, and it was a glorious drive.

Many of you will know the name Banff from the city in the Canadian Rockies—but, of course, it was named by settlers in fond remembrance of the original port town on the Moray Firth. It sits on the west bank of the River Deveron, whilst Macduff sits to the east. Both towns have lots of small streets and narrow lanes with big angles.

You know it's steep when a handrail is provided for walking the pavement! The majority of the town's architecture dates from the mid-17th century onward, though remnants of the original 12th-century castle are still visible. Banff was a thriving port town for much of the 18th, 19th and early 20th century. Laterally, it depends on tourism. There are quite a few places and points of interest. On this occasion, I opted to visit the local museum, which is run by community volunteers.

One room is dedicated to Banff Silverware. The silversmithing industry also boomed in Banff due to the thriving port attracting "men of substance" to the area and thus requiring quality goods. The museum holds quite an exquisite collection, much of it on loan from the items' inheritors.

That teapot is over 300 years old... and would look just fine in use today!

There were also clockmakers and two longcase clocks, both in fine working order, stand in the silver room. One was made in Macduff by James Grey in 1828 -

- and the other was made in Banff by Gilbert Bannerman in 1780. The face of the clock is very Georgian, whilst the Macduff clock shows the influence of a more romantic era approaching (just a decade before Victoria ascended).

I must observe that the chimes of the older clock were much the prettier! Having lingered in this room for a good half-hour, it was on through to the second room, in which are found archaeological exhibits from the earliest settlements, right up to recent history. I share with you this poignant story:

It's not a large museum at all, but again, it's one of those small offerings with lots to absorb. The lady attending while I was there was cheerful and knowledgeable (and a retired Geography teacher). 

Leaving that place, I went along the main street, down that steep street to the main square, round to the supermarket for some essentials, and back full circle to the car park. In the late afternoon, I shifted The Grey over to the Banff Rugby Club park, where I've stayed before. I stayed two nights/one day there before driving over to Macduff Aquarium.