First a Brexit update. The Scots are not happy. As I may have mentioned before, they haven't been too crazy about the British for several hundred years already, this isn't helping. The newspaper stand at the local market it below. On the other hand, the British Pound is dropping like a rock. Our dinners are cheaper.
As we head north into the Central Highlands, (think Gallic and kilts), we enter the Scotch Whisky Trail. Sorta like the Napa Valley but with a designated driver.
It was recommended that we visit the Strathisla Distillery. It is the oldest continuously operating distillery in Scotland. It was built in response to the waning 'flax dressing industry' in the late 1700's. You ask, "what is the 'flax dressing industry'?" The making of linen. (Not sure how they got from Point A to Point B). Strathisla's went through a series of owners and fires and eventually Chivas Bros.bought them in 1950. And the rest, they say, is history.
Quite a process to make scotch whisky. We had a great tour of the facility, looking at all the malting, mashing, fermentation, distilling and maturation. We learned the difference between blended and single malts. For people who don't drink, we know a lot more about whiskey then people who do drink.
At the end, I had the opportunity to compare the different whiskeys. From simple to complex, (they told me). Very educational.
In the afternoon we visited the Culloden Battlefield. This battle took place on April 16, 1746 between the British Red Coats and the Highland Clans. It was explained to us as the "Scottish Alamo". 15,000 men battled for one hour, with 1,500-2,000 of the clansmen (Jacobites) killed or wounded, but only around 300 British killed or wounded. The Brit's first victory after many losses to the Jacobites, but it was such an overwhelming loss, that the Jacobite leader and figure-head, Bonnie Prince Charlie, abandoned the fight and fled to France.
After this resounding victory, the Brits came down hard on the clansmen. Killing many, pillaging the towns, outlawing Gallic, and the wearing of kilts. Anything Scottish. As I mentioned before, the Scots haven't forgotten. Indeed, a lot was going on in Europe during, before, and after our American Revolution.
As we head north into the Central Highlands, (think Gallic and kilts), we enter the Scotch Whisky Trail. Sorta like the Napa Valley but with a designated driver.
It was recommended that we visit the Strathisla Distillery. It is the oldest continuously operating distillery in Scotland. It was built in response to the waning 'flax dressing industry' in the late 1700's. You ask, "what is the 'flax dressing industry'?" The making of linen. (Not sure how they got from Point A to Point B). Strathisla's went through a series of owners and fires and eventually Chivas Bros.bought them in 1950. And the rest, they say, is history.
Quite a process to make scotch whisky. We had a great tour of the facility, looking at all the malting, mashing, fermentation, distilling and maturation. We learned the difference between blended and single malts. For people who don't drink, we know a lot more about whiskey then people who do drink.
At the end, I had the opportunity to compare the different whiskeys. From simple to complex, (they told me). Very educational.
 |
| A cold dreary day to view the battlefield. A line of 3 red flags denoting the British skirmish line, and a line of blue flags noting where the Jacobites started their march to the British. The slaughter of the Jacobites was very close to the red skirmish line. |
After this resounding victory, the Brits came down hard on the clansmen. Killing many, pillaging the towns, outlawing Gallic, and the wearing of kilts. Anything Scottish. As I mentioned before, the Scots haven't forgotten. Indeed, a lot was going on in Europe during, before, and after our American Revolution.
No comments:
Post a Comment