Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

This morning we departed lodgings at Grantown-on-Spey (An Cala) and Ross Mor) and then took a minor road north to Craigellachie.This road tracked the River Spey and took us through some wonderful Speyside scenery where we also  observed  a variety of wildlife including Red Squirrel, birds of prey, pheasant and black grouse. There was also Highland Cattle and many flocks of sheep.

An Cala, Grantown, Speyside

Ross Mor, Grantown, Speyside

River Spey, Speyside, Scotland

Highland Scenery, Speyside, Scotland

At Craigellachie we visited the famous Quaich Bar at the Craigellachie Hotel which is home to over 700 single malts.

Quaich Whisky Bar, Craigellachie, Speyside

After a short sojourn at Craigellachie we moved on to nearby Glenfiddich Distillery where we participated in the in-depth, two hour Explorer Tour which entailed a visit to all key facets of the whisky making and maturation processes concluding with a tasting of four single malts.

After the  Glenfiddich tour some of the group stayed on at Glenfiddich whilst others went on to nearby Aberlour Distillery to join the 2.00pm tour which, like Glenfiddich, took participants through the key malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation and maturation processes culminating in a tasting of 5 malts.#

Tour Group at Glenfiddich, Speyside

Whisky Stills at Glenfiddich, Speyside

Whisky Tasting at Glenfiidich, Speyside

Tour Group at Aberlour Distillery, Speyside

Whisky Stills at Aberlour, Speyside

Whisky Tasting at Aberlour, Speyside

After collecting the group from Glenfiddich we drove back to Grantown on-Spey and then evening dinner at the local Indian restaurant which proved a success.

Tomorrow, we head for Edinburgh via Aberfeldy in central Scotland.

Weather today has been mixed, mainly cloudy with intermittent rain.

View from Isleornsay to Ornsay Lighthouse, Skye

View from Isleornsay, Isle of Skye, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on of my favourite spots, namely Isleornsay  (Eilean Iarmain in Gaelic) on the Isle of Skye off the west coast of Scotland. This comprises a village loacated in an old harbour and which is situated roughly half way between the town of Broadford and the ferry connection at Armadale. The village is deceptively large with a number of  white painted houses tucked away in various places. However, the dominant bilding is the traditonal hotel loacted close to the water. Also in the immediate vicinity can be found:

• Praben na Linne, a Gaelic whisky shop open for tastings and sales.
• A Tweed shop focusing on Harris Tweed and velvet.
• A picture gallery, Gallery An Talla Deag, which houses a range of exhibitions by various artists throughout the holiday season.
• Pub.

Other places of interest within a 10 min (aprox.) drive of Isleornsay include:

• Armadale Castle and Gardens incorporating nature trails and the excellent Museum of the Isles with its library and study centre.
• Upscale hotel, Kinloch Lodge which is home to celebrity chef, Claire Macdonald.

Overall, Isleornsay is an ideal location for visitors wishing a quiet spot to enjoy the scenery and facilities of south Skye. When possible, I include a visit to Isleornsay during my tours of Skye.

View from Eilean Iarmain, Skye, Scotland

Anstruther Fish Bar, Scotland

This evening, my theme is the famous Fish and Chip Restaurant at Anstruther on the Fife Coast which is officially known as the Anstruther Fish Bar.

Anstruther, or ‘Anster’ as known by the locals, is one of a string of quaint and historic fishing villages dotted along the east coast of Scotland. I invariably include some or all of these in a tour from Edinburgh to St Andrews. By the time we arrive at Anstruther it is usually midday and just in time for a delicious, if somewhat basic, stop for fish and chips. There are no table reservations and everyone has to join the queue (line). However, the food is well worth the wait and, overall, represents an excellent value experience. The fish is caught locally and very fresh.

Inside Anstruther Fish Bar, Fife Coast, Scotland

In addition to the culinary experience, Anstruther is worthy of a visit in its own right. There is a pleasant harbour full of pleasure boats plus a fascinating fishing museum. 

Anstruther Harbour, Fife, Scotland

Elsewhere today, I have been busy working on a couple of self-drive tours. Pleasing to see a steady flow of tour enquiries coming in.