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Fred Morris tour 4th to 15th June, 2025
4th June, 2025
I collected Fred and Halyna (she is known as Gala) from Glasgow Airport. They had two very large cases and two carry on cases. It all fitted into my boot space – just! Coming from Florida, they took very badly to Scotland’s temperature: at their home in Fort Myers, the temperature was 26C, in Glasgow it was 14C.
We headed north through some rain and stopped at Tarbet to stretch our legs, view Loch Lomond and take some photos.
I suggested coffee at Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, but it was turned down, Gala drinks tea. The Rest & Be Thankful was open despite the recent rain.
We stopped in Inverary for lunch at The George and a wander down to the harbour for more photos. Gala is an artist and, on her return, will paint many of the scenes she is photographing during her visit.
South to Campbeltown where Fred & Gala toured Springbank. They enjoyed the tour, but Fred expected more from the tasting. He purchased the first of the glasses he bought on his way around the country. Gala is not really a spirit drinker and, in most tastings, she took driver’s drams and gave them to me.
North again. I dropped them at Stonefield Castle Hotel and I stayed at The Anchor in Tarbert.
5th June, 2025
The early ferry! I collected them at 06:15. Both loved Stonefield Castle. We boarded the MV Isle of Arran which docked at Port Ellen two hours later. I took them to view the Kildalton Cross and the adjacent ruined church. They were amazed at the single track road.
We dropped in to Ardbeg where Fred tasted some whiskies and bought another glass. He decided that he would buy one at every distillery we visit. Then along to Lagavulin where Fred tasted a whisky, then to Laphroaig where I collected my rent and Fred bought a glass.
On to Port Ellen which was all locked up, but they were able to see the distillery buildings and the stills through the stillroom windows.
Finally, to Bowmore where Fred tasted a flight of whiskies and bought a glass.
Our accommodation was Lambeth House.
We all ate at the Bowmore Hotel. I had walked down to Peatzeria to learn that it was full, so walked in to Lucci’s to find them almost finished their meal. I shared drams with Fred, opening his eyes to the delights of Bunnahabain which he had previously not been keen on.
6th June, 2025
To Bruichladdich in the sunshine, where they both took a tour and whiskies were bought.
Out to Portnahaven which was beautiful in the sun. Lots of pics taken both there and at Port Wemyss.
Then to Kilchoman where Fred tasted a range and we both bought a bottle of Sanaig Cask Strength which was the stand out from the previous night’s tasting.
We turned down to Machir Bay where the car park was full! As a result, I was expecting that there would be quite a number of people on the beach, but no, other than ourselves, there were only another two groups on the beach. We supped Nc’Nean Huntress Orchard Cobbler which both enjoyed.
Our final Islay distillery was Caol Ila where Fred took a tour and Gala and I watched eider ducks and vessel activity on the sound.
They ate at Peatzeria and I ate at the Lochside.
7th June, 2025
We took the ferry back to the mainland and headed north through showers of rain to Kilmartin Glen where we stopped and walked amongst the standing stones. We looked at the gravestones in the kirkyard at Kilmartin. Fred & Gala walked down to look at the closest cairn, but decided not to go through the exhibition.
North again to Oban, passing over the Falls of Lora where the tide level allowed them to see the falls in action. At Oban, I took them up to McCaig’s Folly to let them see the views and show them where we were heading in the morning.
At the distillery, Fred did a tasting flight of four of the distillery’s offerings, none of which impressed him.
I took them to Dungallan Country House Hotel which had lost its chef the week before and was not offering dinners, while I stayed at the King’s Knoll.
Fred & Gala ate at Cuan Mor while I sadly ate at Rio. My calzone was uncooked in the middle and had to be sent back to the kitchen and my wine choice was not available, its alternative was poor. There was no discount despite the problems. I will not recommend Rio again.
8th June, 2025
Our ferry was brought forward by Calmac from 09:55 to 08:45, so I had breakfast on the ferry. Our journey from Craignure to Tobermory had two cars in front of ours. Before we hit the single track road at Salen, I said that the car in front of us was a tourist who had a hire car judging by the way that he was driving. When we reached Salen, they both slowed down to a snail’s pace. Both cars went into the passing places as if there were a vehicle approaching from the other direction; the car directly in front went off the tarmac several times. At one point, I thought that it must have been damaged the way that its nearside wheels went into a deep hole.
I had emailed Tobermory distillery in an attempt to get a tour for Fred. The Brand Home Manager, Olivier McLean, took him around while Gala took lots of photos of the scenic harbour.
We had lunch at The Gallery and did some shopping and sightseeing.
South to Duart Castle where we climbed all the way to the top of the tower. We were informed of some of the castle’s history by a tour guide.
Back to the car just as the rain came down and north again to Craignure. The rain stopped as the ferry was docking and we had a dry crossing to Oban.
All our ferry crossings had been on very smooth seas.
Fred & Gala ate at E’eusk and I ate at Cuan Mor where the service was slow and confused, my choice of steak frites at 7:30 was not available and my alternative of a bacon cheeseburger was ordinary at best.
9th June, 2025
I had breakfast at Taste of Argyll Kitchen which was excellent.
We headed north to Fort William where Fred tasted three whiskies at Ben Nevis distillery. Amazingly, there were bottles of 10yo on the shelf.
I then took them to see Neptune’s Staircase. The rain came on and unfortunately there were no vessels proceeding through the locks at the time.
North again through showers to Urquhart Castle where they took a tour and I paid £4.50 for a cappuccino! £4.50!
I stopped at the lochside for them to take photos, but the weather was too overcast and hazy for any decent pics.
When we reached Inverness, we went into Uilebheist distillery which is only two doors away from the Glenmoriston where Fred & Gala were staying, but they advised that, if we wanted a tour, it would have to be the following day. We paid £33.00 each for a tour.
We met with Marcus & Liz for a drink; they, like me, were staying at the Premier Inn West.
Fred & Gala ate at the Glenmoriston whose food they said was excellent and Marcus, Liz & I, having attempted to eat at the Fig & Thistle which was full, ate at Little Italy which was good, but the service was slow.
10th June, 2025
We headed north in the sunshine, enjoying warmer weather. The first stop was Glenmorangie. Then on to Balblair where Fred would have bought a bottle of fill your own, but the cask was empty; the staff were waiting for labels for the new cask and these were still a couple of days away.
On to Dunrobin Castle which was mobbed, the main car park was packed and the overflow (dirt) car park was almost full when we arrived.
We had a takeaway lunch from a Harry Gow bakery in Golspie, then on to Brora and Clynelish. Tours of Brora cost £900! Clynelish’s new visitor centre is very impressive with the balcony of the bar giving a broad view of the land down to the sea. Fred tasted a flight.
Then back to Inverness, stopping at The Storehouse where they bought gifts to take home and walked down to the shore to take photos.
Fred & Gala ate again at the Glenmoriston. I intended to be lazy and, at 7:30 asked for a table at the Premier Inn to be told that one would not be available until 9 o’clock! The place was half empty. I called a taxi and ate at MacGregor’s where my first plate of scampi was overdone, even burnt and was replaced, but their whiskies were tasty.
11th June, 2025
Our first visit was to the Clava Cairns where both were amazed at the age of the site. Then on to Culloden where they toured the exhibition and walked over a little of the battleground.
We turned north again to Findhorn where they saw a woman swimming in the bay It was far too cold for them to even consider a swim.
We dropped in to Benromach where Fred tasted a flight.
We stopped at Linkwood which is being rebuilt, so we were unable to see the inside of the buildings, but the manager took us up to the back to show us the pond which is no longer in use for process water and hasn’t had swans on it for a few years.
South again to Benriach where they both took a tour.
They were staying at Kilmorie House, while I was at the West End Guest House.
Fred & Gala ate at The Drouthy Cobbler and I ate at The Granary.
12th June, 2025
Fred enjoyed a tutored tasting at Aberlour which is being rebuilt, doubling its capacity while Gala & I visited Walker’s shortbread factory and took a walk down to the Spey.
When he learned that I was in Speyside, Callum, the manager at Glenfarclas, said that I should drop in. We did and Callum poured some fabulous drams for Fred. We both bought the Spirit of Speyside bottling.
Next was GlenAllachie where Fred tasted a flight & I bought him a dram of Meikle Toir Cinquapin.
Lunch was had at the Gather’n Café in Aberlour.
Then up the hill to the Speyside Cooperage where Fred & Gala took a tour.
On the way back to Elgin, we stopped at Craigellachie for them to see and photograph the old bridge which was designed by Thomas Telford who also designed Neptune’s Staircase.
Fred & Gala ate at an Indian restaurant and I ate at the Drouthy Cobbler and had what was probably the best fish supper that I have ever eaten.
13th June, 2025
Out into the middle of nowhere it seemed for a visit to Glendronach where Fred tasted a couple and the tour guide recognised me from GlenAllachie where he worked last year when I visited.
To Huntly for a visit to Strathisla and photos of the distillery’s architecture.
On to Lossiemouth where I showed them the marina and the East Beach and we had a very tasty lunch at the Firth Hotel.
Back to Elgin where they enjoyed a tour of Elgin Cathedral and we were hit by a shower of rain.
The final distillery of the day was Glen Moray where we had a wee blether with Iain Allan, their Global Brand Ambassador.
The temperature had risen to 24C today.
I intended to eat at Toscana, but couldn’t find it, so decided to have a pizza at Planta, walked in and found Fred & Gala just about finishing their meal.
14th June, 2025
First stop today, Tamdhu as Fred is a fan. We were able to walk around the edges but not see inside.
I wrongly allowed the satnav to lead us to Grantown on Spey and it took us by the shortest route along several B roads but we saw some countryside that I had never seen before.
Then on to Tomatin to allow Fred to taste some whiskies and buy a glass of course!
We dropped into Dalwhinnie on the way south for a whisky and chocolate tasting.
Lunch was enjoyed at the Apiary Café in the village.
On the way south, I took a few minutes out for a drive down Pitlochry’s main street to show Fred & Gala the town’s various eating places.
A run over to Aberfeldy. We were early for the tour, so I took them to Wade’s bridge to allow them to photograph that and the river.
They then took the Aberfeldy distillery tour.
I took them to the Rosemount Hotel in Pitlochry and I stayed at the Ballinluig Inn.
15th June, 2025
The final day.
We made a surprisingly easy journey round both the Inveralmond and Broxden roundabouts and stopped at Tullibardine, distillery – no 30, the final one. Fred knew next to nothing about Tullibardine, so it was good to finish with an unknown. He enjoyed all three drams and we left for Stirling Castle which was very busy. They had timed their visit well as they were able to join a tour with a guide which was setting off as they arrived.
I then took them to the Falkirk Wheel which was turning just as we arrived, so they were able to see it in action.
I slowed down on the M9 as we passed the Kelpies to allow Gala to take photos.
We took a fairly circuitous route into Edinburgh in order that they could see the Georgian architecture. The centre of the city was very busy despite it being a Sunday.
I dropped them at No. 11 for them to explore Edinburgh for the next two days.
Good weather and stunning scenery, they thoroughly enjoyed the country and are talking about coming back again.
12 days, 1,241 miles, 51.525 mpg, 30 distilleries, 4 ferries, 5 hotels/guest houses, 3 castles, 2 cathedrals, 2 very happy Floridians. Fred took the photo, thanks Fred!
