If it's not Scottish it's Crap! (1 Viewer)

[Jeff]

Mrs. Jeff and I are heading over to Edinburgh Scotland for a close friend's wedding. The itenerary includes a few days in the highlands. I'm looking for recommendations for whiskey distilleries to tour (Balvenie and Cardhu are my favorites, so Speyside is a likely destination). Also looking for cool places to eat, stay and go see on the trip north of the wall. Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[Blaster]

 

[lnlver]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_whisky_brands

 

[DJ Mack]

Ah the homeland. It's tough to give a solid recco on places to eat because like most urban centres things change often. The best advice I can give is to just go and wander. When you're hungry you'll find a place to eat. I can't remember the name of the place but there was an Italian joint near the castle that had the most amazing pizza ever, you could order haggis if you wanted, or in my wife's case salmon. When the girls are a little older we are definitely going back.

 

[slisk250]

Mrs. Jeff and I are heading over to Edinburgh Scotland for a close friend's wedding. The itenerary includes a few days in the highlands. I'm looking for recommendations for whiskey distilleries to tour (Balvenie and Cardhu are my favorites, so Speyside is a likely destination). Also looking for cool places to eat, stay and go see on the trip north of the wall. Anybody have any suggestions?

I recommend getting drunk with @Toby

 

[pltrgyst]

If you're going to Edinburgh and then up the A9 to Speyside, you'll be going right past the town of Pitlochry, home of Edradour (historically, the smallest distillery in Scotland, and worth a visit) and Blair Athol. It's a really beautiful little town, well worth stopping for a meal and a dram or three.

And once you get to the Speyside area, wow!

In Rothes, you've got Glen Grant and Glenrothes about a half-mile apart -- awfully hard to beat that one-two. Throw in Knockando, Aberlour, and Craigellachie nearby along the river --how can you go wrong? We really love Knockando.

(Coincidentally, just last week we had some Scottish friends over for dinner, and I broke out one of my most prized bottles -- a 1954 Glen Grant. It was stupendous, and we did it major damage. / Glen Grant is one of the true greats.)

Have a great time!

 

[Jeff]

If you're going to Edinburgh and then up the A9 to Speyside, you'll be going right past the town of Pitlochry, home of Edradour (historically, the smallest distillery in Scotland, and worth a visit) and Blair Athol. It's a really beautiful little town, well worth stopping for a meal and a dram or three.

And once you get to the Speyside area, wow!

In Rothes, you've got Glen Grant and Glenrothes about a half-mile apart -- awfully hard to beat that one-two. Throw in Knockando, Aberlour, and Craigellachie nearby along the river --how can you go wrong? We really love Knockando.

(Coincidentally, just last week we had some Scottish friends over for dinner, and I broke out one of my most prized bottles -- a 1954 Glen Grant. It was stupendous, and we did it major damage. / Glen Grant is one of the true greats.)

Have a great time!

Thanks! I'm looking forward to the drive, and a friend had suggested taking a break at Pitlchry too! Did you have any trouble adjusting to driving on the opposite side?

63 year old bottle of scotch? Holy cow.

 

[GrumpyCatMalaka]

Go to all of them and then give us recommendations

 

[Toby]

Whoops!

 

[Toby]

Mrs. Jeff and I are heading over to Edinburgh Scotland for a close friend's wedding. The itenerary includes a few days in the highlands. I'm looking for recommendations for whiskey distilleries to tour (Balvenie and Cardhu are my favorites, so Speyside is a likely destination). Also looking for cool places to eat, stay and go see on the trip north of the wall. Anybody have any suggestions?

I've always wanted to eat at The Witchery in Edinburgh. It's right next to the castle. And looks amazing.

http://www.thewitchery.com

There are loads of great eateries in Edinburgh. You can't go too far wrong.

I've not visited any of the distilleries but want to, when the kids are older. Edradour is supposed to be really nice.

Or Glengyle? Tomatin? I'd always prioritise by my faves.

Myocal knowledge is extraordinarily limited. With three young'uns I don't get out at all.

@hod would be a better bet!

 

[Jeff]

Thanks, Toby! The witchery looks pretty fancy!

I just heard back that I can't get into Balvenie...they're all booked. Bummer. Their Portwood is my favorite scotch. Looking into others to see. A few don't require appointments, but seems like most do. Some only take a handful of people through.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Thanks! I'm looking forward to the drive, and a friend had suggested taking a break at Pitlchry too! Did you have any trouble adjusting to driving on the opposite side?

You will start to drift out of your lane on long drives. It's because we know exactly where we're supposed to be by the relationship of our body to the lane markings. Your passenger will let you know, because they will be riding on the shoulder.
Most of the time (after a few minutes of adjustment) there were no problems adjusting. The only other incidents we encountered were:

• A cul-de-sac at the end of a dead end of a residential street. A bicyclist was entering the at the same time we were. There was no island in this particular cul-de-sac, and I did as I always do, driving counter-clockwise (wrong answer). The cyclist was not happy.
• A grocery store parking lot. As usual, I was driving in the middle of the isle. A car was coming in the opposite direction, also in the middle of the isle. As if on cue, we both shifted to one side to allow room. Me to the my right, he to his left for (what would have been) a head-on collision.

After 10 days driving on the opposite side, it was only the "quick" decisions that caused real issues. That, and the first dime driving back in the States.

 

[Jeff]

You will start to drift out of your lane on long drives. It's because we know exactly where we're supposed to be by the relationship of our body to the lane markings. Your passenger will let you know, because they will be riding on the shoulder.
Most of the time (after a few minutes of adjustment) there were no problems adjusting. The only other incidents we encountered were:

• A cul-de-sac at the end of a dead end of a residential street. A bicyclist was entering the at the same time we were. There was no island in this particular cul-de-sac, and I did as I always do, driving counter-clockwise (wrong answer). The cyclist was not happy.
• A grocery store parking lot. As usual, I was driving in the middle of the isle. A car was coming in the opposite direction, also in the middle of the isle. As if on cue, we both shifted to one side to allow room. Me to the my right, he to his left for (what would have been) a head-on collision.

After 10 days driving on the opposite side, it was only the "quick" decisions that caused real issues. That, and the first dime driving back in the States.

After driving for 39 years a lot is instinct, and I can imagine it will require more purposeful thought. I am looking forward to the auto pilot in those cars (my wife screaming directives) keeping me on the right heading.

 

[pltrgyst]

.... Did you have any trouble adjusting to driving on the opposite side?

I don't think driving on the left is too hard -- you might find roundabouts (circles) a bit challenging, though.

IMO, the hardest part is sitting on the right side of the car and staying centered in your lane, especially on the A roads. Even more than driving on the right side of the road, we're conditioned to position ourselves in the left half of the lane.

But you'll adapt quickly.

63 year old bottle of scotch? Holy cow.

Distillery bottled, but no bottling date on the bottle. I picked it up in London about 15 years ago, in preparation for my wife's 50th birthday in 2004.

When I moved to DC in 1983, there was a liquor store that had stock of Gordon &McPhail bottlings back as far as 1943 Glenugie and 1947 Glenrothes, for quite reasonable prices, since single malts weren't yet popular. Those days -- and bottles -- are long gone now.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Getting into the car is a stumper too. You walk to the car, pause a second, and then walk over to the other side of the car.

 

[pltrgyst]

Getting into the car is a stumper too. You walk to the car, pause a second, and then walk over to the other side of the car.

And then, if you've rented an Isetta, you give up and walk away in frustration:

 

[Toby]

Thanks, Toby! The witchery looks pretty fancy!

I just heard back that I can't get into Balvenie...they're all booked. Bummer. Their Portwood is my favorite scotch. Looking into others to see. A few don't require appointments, but seems like most do. Some only take a handful of people through.

Yes, the Witchery looks fancy/"uptight". Probably a great fine dining experience but it's likely up itself and a decidedly unrelaxing experience. I've half a mind to take the family there and have my kids ruin it for everyone!

If a distillery tour is looking problematic, you could always do the Whisky Society HQ. Or head to some of the great whisky bars. Or if you make it to Glasgow, you could visit the Bon Accord (home of Black Cat [now Card Shark, as it's run by a peer now]). The Bon has won whisky pub of the year and has a boggling array of malts. Crazy selection. They recently opened up a whisky shop too, so you can buy bottles to go. They even have a bottle of Glenlivet 70 - you can grab a dram for a cool £900. Ask for a double with Coke if you go - I do that on every visit and it's certified hilarious!

The Bon also always has no fewer than 8 real ales on the go at once. Why I moved the game there.

 

[hod]

Apologies, I've been meaning to reply to this thread for days.

When are you here - if it's during the festival (August) then there is a gazillion extra shows etc etc to do/comedy etc etc. Crazy busy but good fun and the bars/clubs are all open much later too. Nothing is cheap though!

I've never been to the witchery, it's a cut above what my disposable income allows... (and I squander that on chips, just don't tell Mrs hod). But yes it's one of the top restaurants in Edinburgh.

If you like Thai food, I'd really recommend Chaophraya (I think I spelled that right) - great restaurant and if you're organised enough book in advance for views straight over to Edinburgh castle. Took my wife there for our anniversary.

If you're not making a distillery tour, there's several whisky bars/societies in Edinburgh, many in really nice surroundings. Not sure if this is the one Toby was referring to or not -

https://www.smws.com/queen-st

I don't like whisky, so I can't really comment!

There's a lowland distillery (Glenkinchie) only about 45 minute drive to East Lothian if time is an issue. Glenkinchie is a bit marmite though, people seem to love it or hate it.

As for the rest of Scotland, I'd recommend going up the West Coast, Skye direction for some stunning mountains on the way (Glencoe particularly), and white sandy beaches when you get there. Just don't expect to be cutting about in your speedos when you get there.

Plenty of golf in and around Edinburgh if that's your thing, and historic borders abbeys in the likes of Melrose if you go that way.

Edinburgh Castle is interesting but if you like ancient places, Craigmillar castle in Edinburgh is far less sanitised and touristy, more interesting in my opinion (not a museum as large parts of Edinburgh castle are really).

You'll be fine with the driving, Edinburgh's traffic is pretty bad so you won't go anywhere fast. Parking is expensive and a PITA too, so if you're central I'd imagine you wouldn't use the car much at all, unless you're leaving the city.