Scottish Highlands

This is our second day in Scotland.  The tour company told us to dress in layers.  One of our drivers told us that we would experience all 4 seasons in one day.  Yes, that has happened on both days.  Rainy, overcast, sunny, cold, windy – all in just a few hours.

Today we drove through the Scottish highlands.  So beautiful!

We stopped at a distillery to learn how whiskey is made and tasted some single malt scotch whiskey.  You could smell the whiskey fermenting as you walked toward the distillery.  It is a very interesting process – quite complicated.  This distillery uses barley and no peat.  Two interesting facts: the differences in whiskey taste is in how the barley is dried and it takes 100 liters of water to make 1 bottle of whiskey.

We stopped in Aberfoyle for lunch.  We had fish and chips.  Very fresh and hot but no seasoning.  Once we added salt and pepper, it was good.  In addition to the usual vinegar and ketchup condiments on the table, there was a sort of ketchup with a kick – Kevin liked that one.  We also went to the Scottish Wool Center and heard a talk about the different type of sheep and the difference in their wool.  One of the types of sheep can have up to 12 horns!  Then we got to see a sheep dog herd some ducks – that was pretty fun.  Grandma bought Kristopher the softest wool blanket as a birthday present – it is pretty sweet.

 

Then we drove through the Scottish highlands.  Green rolling hills, yellow gorse (a brown furry looking bush with yellow flowers), low stone walls, fences and sheep.  It is lambing season and they are so cute!  We stopped several times to take pictures along the way.

Tonight we are staying in Ballahulish.