Day 10 - The Highlands — Wayfaring Abroad

Our day began with a big breakfast and a sad farewell to everyone. It felt bittersweet to leave. The weather decided that it wanted us to stay as well as snowing began to fall as I was packing up the car. The snow began small and slowly built into a solid morning downfall.

We headed out into the snow on our way to Glen Garioch Distillery. One of the things we wanted to do most was spend some time at distilleries. In fact the first plan for the trip include a day in Dufftown to visit two or three distilleries but unfortunately for us December is a time of rest and most distilleries are closed. However, while we were in Inverurie we were told that Glen Garioch would be open, so we jumped at it and headed there first thing.

When we arrived we were the only people there and were told that while they don't do tours over the break, they do do tasting tours. We leapt for that and spend a little time walking around the building looking at the timeline of the distillery and studying a map of the different whiskey regions in Scotland.

Our tour started with some information about the distillery and its history before heading to see the barrel house and to see the difference between the bourbon barrels used for the Founder's Reserve and the sherry casks used for their other whiskeys. After some quick information in their we headed back to do a small tasting where we tried a couple different whiskeys and enjoy the warm room as the snow fell outside.

Looking at the snow falling outside the tasting room at Glen Garioch.

From Glen Garioch we headed south by way of Aberdeen. We were heading for Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven. The drive south wound along the coast and from the snow into the rain and then into semi clear skies.

Dunnottar Castle was closed due to the weather which meant we couldn't tour the castle but we, along with many others, were able to walk the trails above the castle and look out at the North Sea. Once again the wind was ripping through our layers and our facing were freezing but we wandered along the trails to look at the castle from the north.

The sun was just by the clouds and the castle looked incredible. After a little while though the cold was too much and we headed off to see more of the countryside. We wound our way past farms and down south towards Glamis Castle. Glamis Castle was also closed but looking through the front gate at the castle in the distance it was clear how beautiful it is.

It was pretty late at this point but we had yet to have lunch so we found a small restaurant near the castle and enjoyed a nice meal just before the sun began to set.

The original plan had been to drive to St. Andrews and look around but seeing as the sun set we decided just to see St. Andrews the next day.