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11th May, 2025 I collected Amber & Nick Foster along with her parents from Glasgow Airport. They had a lot of luggage, the boot space was full. We stopped for a comfort break and photo opportunity at Tarbet on Loch Lomond. We also stopped for a view of St. Conan’s kirk in Loch Awe before arriving in Oban just before 5pm. Cuan Mor was where they ate and thoroughly enjoyed it.
12th May As the Mull ferry wasn’t until 5:30pm, I took them up to McCaig’s Folly where they were stunned by the view. Then to the bridge over the Atlantic on Seil Island and to Dunstaffnage Castle. They were interested in ancient architecture. They did a tasting at Oban Distillery where they bought their first bottle. Finally, I took them to Oban Whisky & Fine Wines where they bought another bottle. We sat in the sun and ate ice cream before catching the ferry to Craignure and travelling to Tobermory. The Carnaburg Guest House was fine. We all ate at MacGochan’s. We walked along the seafront and had drams in the Mishnish.
13th May We travelled to Fionnphort where we caught the ferry to Iona. They were amazed at the narrow, single lane with passing places roads. They visited the abbey. Back in Tobermory, they toured the distillery and bought whisky and gin. We all ate at the Galleon Bistro which was better than MacGochan’s.
14th May, 2025 We caught the 09:30 ferry from Tobermory to Kilchoan. We stopped at Ardnamurchan Distillery where they partook of a tasting and purchased bottles and gifts. Gordon Mackenzie, the distillery manager took them through seven samples and I spoke with Graeme Mackay, Ardnamurchan’s brand ambassador who is a former student of mine. We crossed the Corran Strait and drove to Neptune’s Staircase at Fort William. They were lucky, there were two yachts being brought down through the locks from Loch Lochy, so they were able to see the process in operation. We stopped at Dornie to view Eilean Donan Castle and for a comfort break. Although their opening times show a 6:00 pm closing, everything, other than the toilets, was closed at 4:00 pm. As we had arrived at 4:15, the car park was free. We arrived at Plockton and had dinner at the hotel.
15th May The Appletons decided that they didn’t want to go to Applecross, so, instead, we went to Torabhaig Distillery at the south of Skye where they did a tour and tasting, buying bottles and clothing. The Appletons, like me, had packed for Scottish traditional weather and had to buy, as did I, short sleeved shirts. We then headed north to Sligachan where we had lunch and then further north to Dunvegan Castle which they toured. Back to Kyle of Lochalsh where we visited the Skye Bridge distillery and shop. Dinner was again had at the Plockton Hotel as the owner of the distillery informed us that the Plockton Hotel was far better than the other two options.
16th May We set off for Portree where they did some shopping and had lunch. Then on to Uig for the ferry to Tarbert. A very smooth crossing, almost a flat calm with sightings of puffins, gannets, guillemots, minke whales and dolphins. On to Stornoway and the Caladh Inn where we had dinner and decided that we would not repeat that experience.
17th May South again to Tarbert where they visited the Harris Tweed shop. We visited the Isle of Harris distillery where they tasted both the whiskies and the gins both of which they bought. South again to Luskentyre beach where the water looked Caribbean. The sea and lochs on both Harris & Lewis were impossibly blue. South again to St. Clement’s Church which Amber and Nick visited. Lunch was had at the Isle of Harris brewery at Leverburgh. North to Stornoway where they visited Lews Castle. Unfortunately, they were unable to see much as there was a private function in the castle. Back to Stornoway where we ate at La Balena, an Italian restaurant which was excellent.
18th May An easy day with a late start, south to Callinish where they viewed all three of the standing stone locations and the Broch at Dun Carloway. Back to Stornoway for lunch at the New Lewis, beer at the Star Inn and back to the hotel.
19th May Up early for the 7:00 am ferry. Breakfast was had on the Loch Seaforth. Again, it was a very smooth crossing to Ullapool. We stopped at Corrieshalloch Gorge where Nancy was the first to experience a midge bite. Our next stop was lunch and a comfort stop at Tarvie Services. It was surprisingly good. Next stop was Benromach Distillery. On to Pluscarden Abbey which we wandered around. Then into Elgin where I dropped them off at Kilmorie House. I walked into the town centre and saw a sign pointing to the Drouthy Cobbler. I went in, was taken to a table and handed a menu. I was studying it when Nick came over and said, “Hello.” They were in the same restaurant and were mostly though their dinner, before I arrived.
20th May A late start and run south to Speyburn for a tour and tasting. The Appletons voiced the opinion that it was the best tour that they had experienced; they bought whiskies and gifts. The distillery manager, a former student of mine, gave me a sample of Speyburn 50yo from a 1975 cask that they had broached to use during the Speyside Festival. Then on to Glenallachie for a tasting of the Core Range; to which I added the Meikle Toir Chinquapin. North again to Benriach for a tasting. They ate at Panache, an Indian which they said was excellent. I ate at Toscana, an Italian restaurant which was quite good.
21st May They were bid farewell by one of the owners of Kilmorie House and advised me that it had been an excellent stay. We set off south and stopped at Balmenach Distillery for the Caorunn Gin Experience which they really enjoyed. I gave Nick a taste of the Speyburn 50. South to Dalwhinnie Distillery where we had coffee and cake in the Apiary Café. Finally into Stirling where they visited the castle.
The weather was unbelievably good every day with temperatures hitting 23C. Scotland shone and, even although they have visited Scotland previously, they were blown away by how beautiful the countryside is.
11th May, 2025 I collected Amber & Nick Foster along with her parents from Glasgow Airport. They had a lot of luggage, the boot space was full. We stopped for a comfort break and photo opportunity at Tarbet on Loch Lomond. We also stopped for a view of St. Conan’s kirk in Loch Awe before arriving in Oban just before 5pm. Cuan Mor was where they ate and thoroughly enjoyed it.
12th May, 2025 As the Mull ferry wasn’t until 5:30pm, I took them up to McCaig’s Folly where they were stunned by the view. Then to the bridge over the Atlantic on Seil Island and to Dunstaffnage Castle. They were interested in ancient architecture. They did a tasting at Oban Distillery where they bought their first bottle.
Finally, I took them to Oban Whisky & Fine Wines where they bought another bottle. We sat in the sun and ate ice cream before catching the ferry to Craignure and travelling to Tobermory. The Carnaburg Guest House was fine. We all ate at MacGochan’s. We walked along the seafront and had drams in the Mishnish.
13th May, 2025 We travelled to Fionnphort where we caught the ferry to Iona. They were amazed at the narrow, single lane with passing places roads. They visited the abbey.Back in Tobermory, they toured the distillery and bought whisky and gin.
We all ate at the Galleon Bistro which was better than MacGochan’s.
14th May, 2025
We caught the 09:30 ferry from Tobermory to Kilchoan.
We stopped at Ardnamurchan Distillery where they partook of a tasting and purchased bottles and gifts. Gordon Mackenzie, the distillery manager took them through seven samples and I spoke with Graeme Mackay, Ardnamurchan’s brand ambassador who is a former student of mine.
We crossed the Corran Strait and drove to Neptune’s Staircase at Fort William. They were lucky, there were two yachts being brought down through the locks from Loch Lochy, so they were able to see the process in operation.
We stopped at Dornie to view Eilean Donan Castle and for a comfort break. Although their opening times show a 6:00 pm closing, everything, other than the toilets, was closed at 4:00 pm. As we had arrived at 4:15, the car park was free.
We arrived at Plockton and had dinner at the hotel.
15th May, 2025
The Appletons decided that they didn’t want to go to Applecross, so, instead, we went to Torabhaig Distillery at the south of Skye where they did a tour and tasting, buying bottles and clothing. The Appletons, like me, had packed for Scottish traditional weather and had to buy, as did I, short sleeved shirts. We then headed north to Sligachan where we had lunch and then further north to Dunvegan Castle which they toured.
Back to Kyle of Lochalsh where we visited the Skye Bridge distillery and shop
Dinner was again had at the Plockton Hotel as the owner of the distillery informed us that the Plockton Hotel was far better than the other two options.
16th May, 2025
We set off for Portree where they did some shopping and had lunch. Then on to Uig for the ferry to Tarbert. A very smooth crossing, almost a flat calm with sightings of puffins, gannets, guillemots, minke whales and dolphins. On to Stornoway and the Caladh Inn where we had dinner and decided that we would not repeat that experience.
17th May, 2025
South again to Tarbert where they visited the Harris Tweed shop.
We visited the Isle of Harris distillery where they tasted both the whiskies and the gins both of which they bought. South again to Luskentyre beach where the water looked Caribbean. The sea and lochs on both Harris & Lewis were impossibly blue.
South again to St. Clement’s Church which Amber and Nick visited.
Lunch was had at the Isle of Harris brewery at Leverburgh.
North to Stornoway where they visited Lews Castle. Unfortunately, they were unable to see much as there was a private function in the castle..
Back to Stornoway where we ate at La Balena, an Italian restaurant which was excellent.
18th May, 2025
An easy day with a late start, south to Callinish where they viewed all three of the standing stone locations and the Broch at Dun Carloway.
Back to Stornoway for lunch at the New Lewis, beer at the Star Inn and back to the hotel.
19th May, 2025
Up early for the 7:00 am ferry. Breakfast was had on the Loch Seaforth. Again, it was a very smooth crossing to Ullapool. We stopped at Corrieshalloch Gorge where Nancy was the first to experience a midge bite.
Our next stop was lunch and a comfort stop at Tarvie Services. It was surprisingly good.
Next stop was Benromach Distillery. On to Pluscarden Abbey which we wandered around. Then into Elgin where I dropped them off at Kilmorie House.
I walked into the town centre having looked online at what my dinner options were when I saw a sign pointing to one of them, the Drouthy Cobbler. I went in, was taken to a table and handed a menu. I was studying it when Nick came over and said, “Hello.” They were in the same restaurant and were mostly though their dinner before I arrived.
20th May, 2025
A late start and run south to Speyburn for a tour and tasting. The Appletons voiced the opinion that it was the best tour that they had experienced; they bought whiskies and gifts. The distillery manager, a former student of mine, gave me a sample of Speyburn 50yo from a 1975 cask that they had broached to use during the Speyside Festival.
Then on to Glenallachie for a tasting of the Core Range; to which I added the Meikle Toir Chinquapin.
North again to Benriach for a tasting. They ate at Panache, an Indian which they said was excellent. I ate at Toscana, an Italian restaurant which was quite good.
21st May They were bid farewell by one of the owners of Kilmorie House and advised me that it had been an excellent stay. We set off south and stopped at Balmenach Distillery for the Caorunn Gin Experience which they really enjoyed. I gave Nick a taste of the Speyburn 50. South to Dalwhinnie where we had coffee and cake in the Apiary Café. Into Stirling where they visited the castle.
The weather was unbelievably good every day with temperatures hitting 23C. Scotland shone and even although they have visited Scotland previously, they were blown away by how beautiful the countryside is, John
