jamikins

Hello Fodorites

Bikerscott and I just got back from a long weekend in Speyside. The theme of this quick trip was whisky tasting...and taste we did!

We managed to avoid the chaos of BA and arrived on time at Aberdeen airport. We hopped in our rental car and off we went to Banchory to see where Bikerscott's great grandmother grew up before emigrating to Canada in early 1900's.

We then headed to Dufftown where we had a b&b booked for the weekend. Dufftown is a great place to base. It was built around 7 distilleries, only 1 of which is open to the public (Glenfiddich). No problem, we had booked a 4 hour whisky tasting walking tour that took us to all the distilleries. We didn't go in any, but got their history and tried 11 scotches from the them...some have even closed down but we got to taste them! Highly recommend this tour! http://speysidetours.co.uk

On Sunday we went to Culloden where there is an excellent visitor centre where you get the history and can walk the battlefield. Very sobering. Sunday night we went to our favourite pub in Dufftown, the Seven Stills. http://www.sevenstills.co.uk We had dinner, gin and whisky tasting and also did a whisky and chocolate tasting. Big night!

Monday we headed to Banff to see some more family homes and then drove the coast to Fraserburgh before heading down to Aberdeen airport and flight back to London!

Happy to answer any questions!

Pics can be found here https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57681474979563

dfourh

Okay. That Mortlach 21 makes me drool.

Sberg

Where did you stay in Dufftown?

Macross

I came home with Aberlour, I just liked it more than others. You have great pictures as usual and now have given me one more place I want to explore.

jamikins

Thanks Macross!

We stayed here http://www.cluniecameron.co.uk

aussie_10

Thanks for your trip report and beautiful photos.

We enjoyed a lovely Easter weekend in the Speyside. The guys (husband & son) loved their whisky tasting at many places, including Aberlour, Glenfarclas, MacCallan to name a few.
We too visited Culloden and the surrounding area.

Thanks for sharing and bringing back lovely memories.

janisj

Great photos as usual!

OK -- fess up - which were your favorites?

Where did you end up staying?

maitaitom

We just missed you!

jamikins

Thanks everyone

We ended up staying in Dufftown and really liked it!

Hmmm I think my favourite was one we randomly went to on the way back to the airport: http://www.glenglassaugh.com/

Maitai - we could have gotten into so much trouble together! Can't wait to read your report!

ChgoGal

You and Scott know how to live right! And your pics are wonderful, and so idea-inspiring. Glad you had such a nice time!

jamikins

Thanks ChgoGal!

StCirq

Hi, jamie.

MY DH loved reading this. He was the marketing director years ago for a lot of these whiskys and did a grand tour of all the places you've just been and really enjoyed reading about them. I'm not a whisky drinker myself, but I sense a trip to Julien de Savignac for something fairly expensive in our near future.

jamikins

Hi StCirq

Lovely to hear from you and your hubby!

To be honest I wasn't a big fan either but after sipping so many it kind of grew on me! It will never replace my beloved wine though!

Florida1

What fun and what great photos! Loved reading your report - I've been wanting to get back to Scotland and this made that desire stronger! I'm not a big whiskey fan, but I definitely think in the right setting, I could get into it! I'm with you, though - a much bigger fan of wine.

StCirq

And now we should probably devolve into a discussion of the difference between whisky and whiskey, eh? I had no clue untill recently, and I think I've already forgotten.

Going to pour a glass of local Bergerac rosé now. DH has poured something honey-colored and whisky-like into a glass and is sipping it by the pool...All good

Florida1

I didn't realize there was a difference! I'm not well versed in whisky or whiskey.

jamikins

Haha whisky is from Scotland. Whiskey is from the US and Ireland (I think)!

Florida1

Thanks for the explanation! I told DH about your trip and now we both want to go!

jamikins

Scotland was great, we can't wait to go back!

Bostonblondie226

Great pictures, thanks for sharing! Those casks and stone buildings are so atmospheric. But still, I'm in the wine camp too