FUN-photos: UK – Scotland

June 19, 2017 by · Comments Off on FUN-photos: UK – Scotland 

The whole reason for taking this trip was to experience Fèis Ìle…The Islay Festival of Music and Malt!

  • Whisky tasting is a whole lot like wine tasting. Swirl, smell, sip, swallow…and then the taste…                        …soft & subtle…or strong… smoky, spicy, salty, sweet?

After spending the night in Paisley, the town next to the Glasgow airport, and a short 45 minute flight we arrived in Islay at 9:15. That gave us 3 full days on the island, where we made it to 7 of the 8 distilleries, and tasted a record 35 different single malt whiskies!

  • Our last two days were spent in Oban on the west coast and southern part of the Scottish Highlands.  We took the ferry to Kennacraig where Alex & Barbara awaited us for the scenic 2 hour drive back to their home. We met them on our “Slow Boat to Singapore Cruise” in 2016. We had a lovely time exploring the sights, which included a tour of the Oban Distillery, and of course drinking more whisky!

By the end of our 5 days in Scotland, we had tasted a grand total of 45 single malt whiskies…plus 2 rhubarb gins (one with ginger added) & 2 liqueurs…mind you they were wee little tastes…

…some just a wee little bit bigger!

FUN-travel: Oban, Scotland – Day 2

June 17, 2017 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Oban, Scotland – Day 2 

  • Our second day included a lovely stroll along the waterfront…

…with an afternoon tour of the Oban Distillery…and of course more whisky tasting !

To peat or not to peat? That is the question…

…and only you can decide…

…best bit of advice…

…is to get tasting!

  • Orkney peat tends to reflect a heathery, mossy character determined by the island’s abundance of heather and lack of trees.

Islay peat often brings you down to the seashore with a marine and sometimes medicinal character influenced by its coastal location.

  • Highland or mainland peat frequently displays wood smoke aromas from its woodland landscape. So…

…depending on where the peat comes from…

…determines the taste.

Tasting whisky is as much art as it is science. A lot of both are involved in the process. To learn how to fully taste whisky takes time, patience and on a positive note, practice, practice, practice. After all…

There is no such thing as bad whiskey. Some whiskeys just happen to be better than others.”     ~ William Faulkner – Writer and Nobel Prize laureate

Fresh Caught Crab

FUN-fact – Oban translated means The Little Bay and is dubbed “the Seafood Capital of Scotland.”

FUN-travel: Islay to Oban, Scotland

June 16, 2017 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Islay to Oban, Scotland 

  • Caught the 9:45 ferry to Kennacraig…

…where Alex & Barbara awaited us…

Alex, Barbara & Us on Pulpit Hill

…for the scenic 2 hour drive…

…back to their home.

  • Met them on our “Slow Boat to Singapore Cruise” in 2016!

Our View From Alex’s Backyard

  • Oban is on the west coast…

…and southern part of the Scottish Highlands.

  • Had a lovely time exploring the sights…

built to look like the coliseum in Rome &…

Pulpit Hill

…with it’s panoramic views of the city & bay…

…and of course we had to check out the local pub!

FUN-fact – McCaig’s Tower, a folly and prominent local landmark, was constructed between 1897 and 1902.His intention was to provide a lasting monument to his family, and provide work for the local stonemasons during the winter months.