Trip to Scotland
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- WarPig
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Re: Trip to Scotland
We're back, have been for a few jetlag-filled days. Will post pics as soon as I have some non-work time. I have become a whisky ponce.
"Your test assignment will vary depending on the manner in which you have bent the world to your will." - Cave Johnson
- WarPig
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Re: Trip to Scotland
I'm posting my journal from the first week of our Scotland trip, spoilering for those who don't wanna deal with TL;DR. I am no judge of my own writing skills, I basically wanted to get it all down while it was fresh in my mind, so some might be personal. I can post pictures of other things as well if requested. If there's any interest at all, I can do another post and spoiler the second week.
Also, some pictures. And the names of our traveling partners have been changed to protect the guilty.
EDIT: Site that was hosting my pics was taken down.
Also, some pictures. And the names of our traveling partners have been changed to protect the guilty.
Spoiler:
Last edited by WarPig on Thu Aug 21, 2014 7:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Your test assignment will vary depending on the manner in which you have bent the world to your will." - Cave Johnson
- Anonymous Bosch
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Re: Trip to Scotland
Good for you for trying some haggis. Was it the real deal though, or the more sausage-y knock-off that tends to prevail nowadays?
You also lose points on your Scotch-tasting cred for referring to it as whiskey. For shame!
You also lose points on your Scotch-tasting cred for referring to it as whiskey. For shame!
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." — P. J. O'Rourke
- WarPig
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Re: Trip to Scotland
I tried haggis on multiple occasions to try to get the "true" taste of it, not some premade grocery store freezer stuff. They all tasted slightly different, with the one at the Moulin having the gamiest, most like liver flavor, with a crumbly texture. I also have found that they often like to fry it lightly on a cooktop, giving it a bit of a crust, which happened with black pudding while we were in England as well.Anonymous Bosch wrote:Good for you for trying some haggis. Was it the real deal though, or the more sausage-y knock-off that tends to prevail nowadays?
You also lose points on your Scotch-tasting cred for referring to it as whiskey. For shame!
I wrestled for a long time about whether to stay with whisky instead of whiskey in my journal. I think I inserted the e by habit the first time then decided I had to stick with it. To be fair, many Scotch labels insert the e, though I don't know if that's for the American market.
"Your test assignment will vary depending on the manner in which you have bent the world to your will." - Cave Johnson
- Harkonis
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Re: Trip to Scotland
I'm going to Scotland/England in Feb. Looking forward to it.
Gonna try the 65% alcohol beer Armageddon
Gonna try the 65% alcohol beer Armageddon
I loved DP too! - ChesspieceFace
- Anonymous Bosch
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Re: Trip to Scotland
Re: Haggis. An authentic haggis has the sheep's 'pluck' encased in an actual sheep's stomach (though nowadays it's more commonly prepared in a sausage casing). And as nauseating as that may sound to some, I found eating traditional pie n' mash to be far more off-puting.
Just yanking yer chain over the spelling of whisky. Anyway, I quite enjoyed reading your write-up, and I hope you'll also post your write-up for the second week.
Just yanking yer chain over the spelling of whisky. Anyway, I quite enjoyed reading your write-up, and I hope you'll also post your write-up for the second week.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." — P. J. O'Rourke
- AWS260
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Re: Trip to Scotland
Arise, thread -- I'm going to Scotland! My retrospective thanks to everyone who commented above.
We (me, spouse, 4-year-old) are spending a week in Oban at the end of September / beginning of October. I am very excited, and also terrified by the thought of driving on the wrong side of the road.
We (me, spouse, 4-year-old) are spending a week in Oban at the end of September / beginning of October. I am very excited, and also terrified by the thought of driving on the wrong side of the road.
- gbasden
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Re: Trip to Scotland
I was awfully intimidated last year when I had to drive five of us around England for two weeks. It wasn't too bad, although when there wasn't any traffic to remind me I did find myself reflexively driving on the right a few times. A good GPS was key for me, though. There were lots of ambiguous traffic circles and I'm pretty sure the stress of navigating would have gotten to me pretty quickly.
- Jag
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Re: Trip to Scotland
Check out Outlander on Starz. It's a new show about a woman from 1945 going back in time to 18th century Scotland. A little slow at times, but the battles and scenery are nice.AWS260 wrote:Arise, thread -- I'm going to Scotland! My retrospective thanks to everyone who commented above.
We (me, spouse, 4-year-old) are spending a week in Oban at the end of September / beginning of October. I am very excited, and also terrified by the thought of driving on the wrong side of the road.
- RunningMn9
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Re: Trip to Scotland
Driving was a pain at first, but you get used to it pretty quickly.AWS260 wrote:Arise, thread -- I'm going to Scotland! My retrospective thanks to everyone who commented above.
We (me, spouse, 4-year-old) are spending a week in Oban at the end of September / beginning of October. I am very excited, and also terrified by the thought of driving on the wrong side of the road.
My group of friends have decided to go back next year to take care of some things we missed last year. We will be spending a few days on Islay (staying at the Bowmore distillery), and visiting Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. The Laphroaig "Water to Whisky" experience is supposed to be the most comprehensive tour in Scotland. We did five last year, so this may be the only planned tour this time. There's only so many ways you can make whisky.
Last year out base camp was up in Banff on the northeast coast. This year we will be returning from Islay to the Edinburgh area (which we skipped last year). As this is likely our last trip to Scotland, we decided to go big, and we rented out or own castle to stay in for that part of the trip (Fenton Tower).
Should be fun. Of course we will all be sad bears if we aren't picked in the lottery to play the Old Course.
And in banks across the world
Christians, Moslems, Hindus, Jews
And every other race, creed, colour, tint or hue
Get down on their knees and pray
The raccoon and the groundhog neatly
Make up bags of change
But the monkey in the corner
Well he's slowly drifting out of range
Christians, Moslems, Hindus, Jews
And every other race, creed, colour, tint or hue
Get down on their knees and pray
The raccoon and the groundhog neatly
Make up bags of change
But the monkey in the corner
Well he's slowly drifting out of range
- WarPig
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Re: Trip to Scotland
Great spot, Oban. Beautiful country, even though we only got to drive through it. Also, real close to Islay and Skye. Great time of year to go as well; most of the locals we talked to in October of 2012 said that most of the tourists are gone by mid-September because the weather can get squiffy. We had light rain (as per usual UK weather) and the last couple of days we were in the highlands we had snow. If driving is a concern, do your best to avoid smaller roads (A roads Are the biggest, B smaller, C are basically single tracks, just in case).
I'm excited to see someone else going! Get lots of pictures, it is so gorgeous, and have fun!!!
I'm excited to see someone else going! Get lots of pictures, it is so gorgeous, and have fun!!!
"Your test assignment will vary depending on the manner in which you have bent the world to your will." - Cave Johnson
- AWS260
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Re: Trip to Scotland
Thanks! We've got a cottage reserved just outside Oban, and it looks like we'll have plenty to do. We'll definitely do the Oban distillery tour, and probably Tobermory as well (we've already agreed that if any of these distilleries don't allow 4-year-olds on their tours, we'll take turns).
- WarPig
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Re: Trip to Scotland
We toured 5 different distilleries during our 2 weeks in Scotland and I distinctly remember the Glenmorangie distillery tour including a family with smaller kids with no issues. Our tour guide actually enjoyed answering some of the basic science questions they had. The kids were probably 5 and 7 years old. Listening to a 5 year old local Scottish boy ask where the bubbles (in the mash tun) come from in that accent has to be one of the cutest things I've ever heard.
I'm still pining for the highlands. Watching Outlander is just making me want to go back even more.
I'm still pining for the highlands. Watching Outlander is just making me want to go back even more.
"Your test assignment will vary depending on the manner in which you have bent the world to your will." - Cave Johnson
- RunningMn9
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Re: Trip to Scotland
Yeah, as long as the 4yr old isn't screaming, I can't imagine any tour being off limits.
And in banks across the world
Christians, Moslems, Hindus, Jews
And every other race, creed, colour, tint or hue
Get down on their knees and pray
The raccoon and the groundhog neatly
Make up bags of change
But the monkey in the corner
Well he's slowly drifting out of range
Christians, Moslems, Hindus, Jews
And every other race, creed, colour, tint or hue
Get down on their knees and pray
The raccoon and the groundhog neatly
Make up bags of change
But the monkey in the corner
Well he's slowly drifting out of range
- AWS260
- Posts: 12689
- Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:51 pm
- Location: Brooklyn
Re: Trip to Scotland
Leaving on the redeye tonight! I can't wait.
We'll be just in time for the World Stone-Skimming Championship, which is on a tiny island very near where we are staying.
We'll be just in time for the World Stone-Skimming Championship, which is on a tiny island very near where we are staying.
- RunningMn9
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Re: Trip to Scotland
Godspeed!!AWS260 wrote:Leaving on the redeye tonight! I can't wait.
And in banks across the world
Christians, Moslems, Hindus, Jews
And every other race, creed, colour, tint or hue
Get down on their knees and pray
The raccoon and the groundhog neatly
Make up bags of change
But the monkey in the corner
Well he's slowly drifting out of range
Christians, Moslems, Hindus, Jews
And every other race, creed, colour, tint or hue
Get down on their knees and pray
The raccoon and the groundhog neatly
Make up bags of change
But the monkey in the corner
Well he's slowly drifting out of range
- WarPig
- Posts: 1054
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:36 pm
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
Re: Trip to Scotland
Keep the heid and haste ye back! Have a great time!!
"Your test assignment will vary depending on the manner in which you have bent the world to your will." - Cave Johnson
- AWS260
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- Location: Brooklyn
Re: Trip to Scotland
What a fantastic trip. This was the view from our holiday cottage:
- RunningMn9
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Re: Trip to Scotland
That's not too shabby at all.
And in banks across the world
Christians, Moslems, Hindus, Jews
And every other race, creed, colour, tint or hue
Get down on their knees and pray
The raccoon and the groundhog neatly
Make up bags of change
But the monkey in the corner
Well he's slowly drifting out of range
Christians, Moslems, Hindus, Jews
And every other race, creed, colour, tint or hue
Get down on their knees and pray
The raccoon and the groundhog neatly
Make up bags of change
But the monkey in the corner
Well he's slowly drifting out of range
- AWS260
- Posts: 12689
- Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:51 pm
- Location: Brooklyn
Re: Trip to Scotland
The country so nice, I visited it twice.
I'm back in Scotland this week, this time in the Speyside region. The view from our rental house, from closest to furthest, is sheep, more sheep, even more sheep, the Glenlivet Distillery, and the snow-capped Cairngorm mountains.
We made the wise decision to bring along my mother, who has done a wonderful job of keeping the 5-year-old entertained, and vice-versa. Makes it a lot easier to go on distillery tours, and to retain our sanity.
So far we've gone on two distillery tours: tiny Benromach and massive Glenlivet. While the overall process is the same everywhere, the difference in scale was astounding. At Glenlivet, two distillers manned a vast, six-still gallery, primarily by sitting at a desk and staring at monitors. At Benromach, a single distiller moved around a much smaller room, with two much smaller stills, staring at thermometers and periodically dipping a giant measuring stick into the spirit tank to see if it was full yet.
We just polished off the bottle of anCnoc that we purchased on arrival. Trying to decide if it's worth buying a second bottle to drink here, since we only have two more nights left. Leaning toward "yes".
I'm back in Scotland this week, this time in the Speyside region. The view from our rental house, from closest to furthest, is sheep, more sheep, even more sheep, the Glenlivet Distillery, and the snow-capped Cairngorm mountains.
We made the wise decision to bring along my mother, who has done a wonderful job of keeping the 5-year-old entertained, and vice-versa. Makes it a lot easier to go on distillery tours, and to retain our sanity.
So far we've gone on two distillery tours: tiny Benromach and massive Glenlivet. While the overall process is the same everywhere, the difference in scale was astounding. At Glenlivet, two distillers manned a vast, six-still gallery, primarily by sitting at a desk and staring at monitors. At Benromach, a single distiller moved around a much smaller room, with two much smaller stills, staring at thermometers and periodically dipping a giant measuring stick into the spirit tank to see if it was full yet.
We just polished off the bottle of anCnoc that we purchased on arrival. Trying to decide if it's worth buying a second bottle to drink here, since we only have two more nights left. Leaning toward "yes".
- em2nought
- Posts: 5373
- Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 5:48 am
Re: Trip to Scotland
This thread has gone and made me hungry for Pennsylvania Dutch Stuffed Pig's Stomach http://teriskitchen.com/padutch/pigstom.html Not sure why I only tried Haggis one time in three years over there.
"Four more years!" "Pause." LMAO
- AWS260
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- Location: Brooklyn
Re: Trip to Scotland
I'm heading back to Scotland for a week! This time, Glasgow. I'm excited for the incomprehensible accents.
- mori
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Re: Trip to Scotland
You seem more of a whisky fan but this article might be of interest to you.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/articles/1 ... -scotland/
https://www.beeradvocate.com/articles/1 ... -scotland/
- AWS260
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Re: Trip to Scotland
I didn't make it out to any bars, but I did drink quite a bit of Loch Lomond Brewery's output during my trip. (I was staying in a holiday rental near the brewery, and the local village shop had an extensive selection.) The standout was probably the Bravehop Dark IPA -- roasty and chocolatey alongside the expected hops.
Loch Lomond is pretty.
The farm on the right is where we stayed.
The neighbors.
We ended up spending less time in Glasgow proper than I had anticipated. They have some nice museums and a hands-on science center that's amazing for kids, but with child in tow we weren't really able to sample the nightlife or arts scene.
Loch Lomond is pretty.
The farm on the right is where we stayed.
The neighbors.
We ended up spending less time in Glasgow proper than I had anticipated. They have some nice museums and a hands-on science center that's amazing for kids, but with child in tow we weren't really able to sample the nightlife or arts scene.