December 13, 2013
Misty rain and colorful rainbows enveloped the spectacular Scottish Highlands as we traveled toward the Loch Lomond. Trafalgar was introducing us to the local speciality of whisky and what better place to get up close and personal with the beloved libation than at the award winning Glengoyne Whisky Distillery.
Glengoyne has the proud reputation for having the slowest distillation process throughout all of Scotland. Before a single drop of spirit touches the oak casks they must first mature for six long years.
We were taken behind the scenes to see exactly what the detailed process entails, although I must admit my favorite part was sampling a ‘wee dram’. The sophisticated flavors tasted exquisite, so much so I bought three bottles of the fifteen years olds to take home with me.
Further afield, we drove into the heart of the breathtakingly beautiful Trossachs National Park. The picturesque journey through the wild and windy moors brought us to our final destination: the historical 15th Century Ledard Farm on Loch Ard, where we were greeted by the gregarious Wood family.
Despite the constant drizzle, the third generation of the Wood’s, Gregor, played for us a welcoming song on his bagpipes. It was definitely one of the most unforgettable moments of the guided vacation for me.
Inside of the MacGregors Barn and Bar, we were invited for another Be My Guest dining experience. The Wood’s shared captivating stories and performances, as well as delicious home-cooked food.
The only way to end the perfect day, was in the perfect way. Once we returned to Edinburgh we set out for the most Scottish of pastimes, a pub-crawl through the streets of the capitol.
I can’t believe that rainbow photo. Gorgeous! I’ve never been able to acquire a taste for scotch but the distillery sounds cool!
Scotland is for sure the land of the rainbows!!!
These photos are beautiful, as is Scotland. There’s so much there that seems untouched by the passage of time; it’s such a magical land. One can imagine being there in the countryside and communing with the spirits of those long gone. I hope to return some day to commune with the other ‘spirits’ on an unhurried whisky tasting tour 😉
Hahahaha love your comment! 🙂
Stunning photos… Looks like such a marvelous time! I’ve always wanted to visit and now I’m definitely moving Scotland to the top of my list. 🙂
Awww thank you so much!!! I hope you can make it soon, it’s such a beautiful country.
How fun is visiting a distillery!!!
So much fun, especially at 10AM. 😉
Looks like you got to see everything. I love the rainbow photo!!!
Yes and thank you! 🙂
I love the pictures of Loch Ard! So serene and beautiful! I have fond memories of visiting Loch Lomond last year – we had a really great stay in the area and I’m glad you did too! 🙂
Thank you so much! Yes, it is such a serene and beautiful place. I wish I could have spent more time there. I will definitely return. I want to do a road trip.
That rainbow photograph is beautiful – how fun to visit a whiskey distillery as well!
Thank you so much! It was a lucky shot, because the bus was going so fast and I barely caught it out of the corner of my eye.
I can’t wait to visit Scotland! Such a gorgeous part of the world!
You haven’t been? Oh you will love it!
Gorgeous photos! Also, Scotland is on my to-go list for next year.
Oh how exciting!!! I hope it ends up happening! And thank you for saying that my photos are gorgeous!
This is a trip that my husband would love to go on… all of the whisky… he’d be in heaven!
And that rainbow photo is absolutely amazing 🙂
My husband too, such a shame he wasn’t with me, but I did bring him back A LOT of whisky! 🙂 Weren’t the rainbows amazing????
I just got back from Scotland this weekend — I loved Edinburgh and was so sad we didn’t get to tour any distilleries! We did sample quite a few gorgeous whiskies at the whisky experience, at least.
But now you have a reason to go back, right!?!
lovely photos as usual!! What a beautiful and historical place. The food looks divine.
Thank you soooo much! Yes and yes!!!
I do NOT like whisky, but I’m sure that learning about the process would be fun, and the scenery would of course be beautiful.
Ooooh really? I could drink whisky every day haha!