Springtime | Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Browsing Posts in Springtime

Tour Speyside, Tour Scotland

April 13, 2012 catswhiskers Comments off

: Fishing on River Spey, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on Speyside, an area in the central Highlands of Scotland containing a rich diversity of interests, attractions and scenery. This is the single largest whisky producing areas with some 45 distilleries, there is also wildlife, skiing (in season), climbing in the Cairngorms, salmon fishing on the eponymous River Spey, castles, hiking, water-sports, opportunities for photography and much more.Some of the key towns in this area are Aviemore, Grantown-on-Spey and Dufftown.

In course of a year I arrange a number of whisky tours to the area visiting such distilleries as Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Macallan, Strathisla and Balvenie.

Here is a typical Speyside landscape view.

Speyside Scenery, Scotland

Here is Balvenie Castle which, unusually for a Scottish Castle, was never subject to a hostile siege. For the visitor this castle is conveniently located close to Glenfiddich Distillery.

Balvenie Castle, Speyside, Scotland

Here is a typical Spring scene with the arrival of newborn lambs.

Lambs, Speyside, Scotland

Here is a view of a snow covered Glenfarclas Distillery.

Glenfarclas Distillery in Winter, Scotland

Here is the traditional maltings floor at Balvenie Distillery.

Maltings Floor, Balvenie Distillery, Dufftown

This is the centre of Dufftown duly decoratated for the Dufftown Whisky Festival.

Dufftown, Speyside, Scotland

Here is a whisky tasting in process at Glenfiddich Distillery, one of Scotland’s largest.

Tasting at Glenfiddich Distillery, Scotland

Speyside is a great spot and deserving of inclusion in a Scotland Tour.

Castles, Highlands, Locations, Nature, Scotland tour, Speyside, Sport, Springtime, Tours, Whisky, Wildlife none

Walking Tour Glasgow, Walking Tour Scotland

March 17, 2012 catswhiskers Comments off

Walking Tour, Glasgow, Scotland

This morning, I joined a walking tour of the west end of Glasgow with accent on women’s heritage. See image of tour group above.

Spring is in the air concomitant with which is some colourful, pink cherry blossom.

: Cherry Blossom, Kelvingrove, Scotland

We walked past this small group who appear to be engaged in some type of therapy.

: Therapy in Process, Kelvingrove, Glasgow

Here is an image of the River Kelvin with Glasgow University in the background.

River Kelvin with Glasgow University, Scotland

This is the entrance to Anderson College. This institution was initially founded to rival Glasgow University with aim of widening access to education, particularly for women.

: Anderson College, Glasgow, Scotland

Here is the former home of Margaret MacDonald, wife of famous architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Former Residence of Margaret MacDonald, wife of Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow

This is Mackintosh House, home of Charles Rennie Mackintosh 1906-14. Reconstructed 1981.

: Mackintosh House, Glasgow, Reconstructed 1981

Here is the Hunterian Art Gallery, very close to Mackintosh House.

Hunterian Art Gallery, Glasgow, Scotland

This oak tree was planted by Women’s Suffrage Organisation in Glasgow on April 20th 1918 to commemorate the granting of votes to women.

Womans Suffrage, Commemoration Oak, Glasgow

By opportunistic coincidence we encountered this female piper near the University.

Female Piper, Glasgow, Scotland

Here is a view of the River Kelvin at Kelvingrove.

River Kelvin, Kelvingrove, Glasgow

Today was the commencement of the salmon and trout fishing season on the Kelvin.

: Fly Fishing, River Kelvin, Glasgow

Today is also St. Patrick’s Day. At Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum the Carrickfergus Grammar School Choir (from Northern Ireland) gave several quality performances.

Carrickfergus Grammer School Choir, Kelvingrove, Glasgow

A very interesting half day out which was aided by sunny weather.

Art, Buildings, Culture, Glasgow, Glasgow Architecture, Ireland, Locations, Mackintosh, Nature, Springtime, Tours none

Visit Armadale, Visit Isle of Skye

January 20, 2012 catswhiskers Comments off

Archway at Armadale Castle, Isle of Skye

This evening, I am focusing on Armadale on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.

Many times each year I pass through Armadale either arriving or departing Skye via the ferry crossing.

This part of Skye is called Sleat and is traditionally home to Clan Donald. In fact, in times past, this was the location for mansion house residence of the MacDonalds of Sleat. As is evident from images immediately above and below is now a romantic ruin. However, on the same site there is the Clan Donald Visitor Centre with extensive library, archives and a museum which combine to provide a good quality visitor experience and an excellent facilty for researching local ancestry. There are also immaculately kept gardens in the grounds of the ruined castle which are particularly colourful in Springtime as a function of a well endowed population of azaleas and rhododendrons.

Ruins of Armadale Castle, Isle of Skye, Scotland

At the ferry terminal at the harbour there is small collection of art, craft and textile shops which are of interest to ferry passengers whilst waiting for departures.

Armadale Harbour, Skye, Scotland

The ferry crossing to/from Armadale offers wonderful scenic views of Knoydart and sometimes dolphins can be spotted.

Buildings, Castles, Flowers, Islands, Islands, Locations, Nature, Parks & Gardens, Scotland tour, Skye, Springtime, Tours, Wildlife none

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