Todays Assessment was a return to a remarkable lady in Turriff , Aberdeenshire and to the historic Delgatie Castle . This Castle dates back to around 1030 and was latterly the home of the late Captain Hay of Delgatie.
Today the Castle is run by a Non-Profit Charitable trust and continues to portray The late Captain Hays lifes work. At the very heart of this castle and its completely understated appearance is the irrepressible Joan Johnson. Joan is one of the most welcoming , warm , charitable and selfless people i have ever had the privelege to meet and i was asked to return again to taste her lovely baking this year .
I also had the honour of staying in one of the Castles very fine accomodation - Symbister Apartment . This apartment is part of the Castle and some of the Walls still retain carvings and drawings from centuries ago. The walls are thick brick and enchanting. Joan thinks of everything a person could ever need in a stay at the castle . The Castle hosts small weddings and all sorts of parties and is completely uncommercialised - i have no idea how this Castle as a venue remains a secret to the world but it does and this is its charm. Anyhow i digress - Once you get over being inside an ancient Scottish Castle which is lovingly cared for by Joan and her small team including donna and a Gardener, you are treated to the very kitchen in which Joan bakes and cooks up a storm . The Lairds kitchen is located inside the Castle kitchen and the baking is superb. I tried some new recipes Joan was creating alongside the traditional favourites such as Fruit Scones and Chocolate cake . All were traditionally homemade in the style that you would expect from a truly Scottish lady inside a truly Scottish Castle . Just superb again Joan and i cant wait to return. My heart is still singing from my magical experience at Delgatie Castle .
