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What a terrible i

My cheeks are still burning as I slide into the passenger seat, trying not to wrinkleThe driver’s door clunks closed, seatbelts click, then the engine rumbles to life

“Inverness looks pretty,” I say, staring up at the tall Edwardian-looking buildings and the myriad of shop fronts we pass Butcher Baker No candlestick maker But it seems more like a town than a city Also, sadly, there isn’t a kilt or a Janie Fraser lookalike in sight

“Aye, it’s no’ bad for the capital of the Highlands, though it’s no’ so big for a capital city, I suppose Still, it’s big enough to keephis head, he shoots me a friendly wink

“You’re not a fan of the bright lights, big cities?” Though there isn’t much evidence of either; Inverness seems a little sleepy and quaint At least, fro carBut then we pass a couple of bars and people sitting at tables outside I findweather

“That I am not”

I know frole that the journey to the castle should take about ninetyin the striking landscape and the local points of interest Ca what to expect froe, and the family n it, of course An aristocratic family that has the kind of internet footprint that lists their failures and triuenerations The debauching dukes of Dalforth, I read mention of more than once It seems like they’re a line of rakes, thieves, and bad boys that kind of boggles thefor a duke Even if not directly because I guess I’ll be the modern-day equivalent of one of the serfs Way below the butler, but a little above the chauess they probably went the way of the cha

But I probably won’t even need to set foot in the castle as I’ll be running the education centre, focussing on the younger generation of visitors to Kilblair Castle

I’m Holly Harper, let’s make history fun!

“You’re coht time now that business has started to pick up” Cahts

“I did read that the castle closes down over the winter” I’m not sure what that willon to pastures new before this ti hter around me

“Aye, but not until the week before Christh it’s a wee bit quieter for my team”

“What is it you do at the castle?”

“I’ardener”

I’d also read about the extensive gardens on the website, available to view at a separate entrance fee