It was actually difficult for us to stop walking, as we were looking for a “lookout” spot… but never quite convinced we passed it. There always seemed to be something more just around the next corner, something worth walking another 100 yards just to see.
Big travel day today. We had an early breakfast, then made our way to the ferry at Port Ellen for the 2 hour journey back to the mainland. And from there, we had another 1.5 hours to get to Oban for a 4PM tasting.
We waited so long, in fact, that we were at risk of missing our ferry to Jura (it’s a short distance, but we wanted to get over to the island for as much of the day as possible). I really hauled on the drive from Bruichladdich to Port Askaig – and just floored it on the straightaways (where it was just a single lane, and I could clearly see no one else was around).
This tasting was one of the most enjoyable ones of our whole trip. Many of the casks in this particular warehouse were “experimental,” and the whole tasting process/group was friendly and fun and really enjoyable.
Today: a big travel day for us. We have a series of ferries to catch, and two islands to visit, as we make our way to our next hotel.
Each bottle represents a single year. What I noticed was the color change, as the years progressed. What I missed was the volume of alcohol that evaporates, year to year (also referred to as “the angels’ share”).
Tour and tasting at Auchentoshan Distillery.
Our rental car for the next two weeks: it was a 20 minute drive from the airport to our B&B, but it was my first time driving overseas. I kept telling myself “Left Left Left Left” over and over, to try to remind myself to stay in the left lane.
Shortly after we both logged off of work, and shortly before we got into a car to get to the airport: a shared dram on the back porch. Looking out over the backyard, and also at the arbor (which we’re aiming to paint once we return).
While in Scotland, we’re planning on renting a car to get around. I’m aiming to be the primary driver, and it’s going to be quite the adventure (this being my first time driving across the pond).
Any tips or suggestions? I expect the first few days will be me muttering to myself “Left Left Left Left” over and again.
Honestly, there’s a part of me that is less concerned about “all the things,” and will be content to just be. I’ll be happy to take in a new country, a new landscape, a new culture, and just be somewhere other than my room… pecking away at a keyboard, staring into a monitor.
There’s a lot of logistical concerns: we’ll be renting a car, and also having to navigate ferries to move from island to island. Fun stuff. Stressful stuff. But technically fun stressful stuff.