We left the Coach House to sadness and tears (not really) but it was a wonderful week. Our first stop was at Pitlochry, a woolen mill town for coffee, good coffee. A little shopping and we were on our way to Blair Castle. This is a beautiful white castle on vast grounds. The castle has thirty rooms open. As we made our way through them, I realized that after ten rooms there was not much new to see. It was a beautiful castle though. Lunch there and off to the Whisky Trail.

We spent so much time at the castle so Allan had to put the “pedal to the metal” to get us to Dufftown before Glenfiddich Distillery closed at 4:30. We rolled into town at 4:15 and caught the last tour. Four others joined the four of us. That was the entire tour. This was certainly not a summer month! Afterward we sampled their product. Marian not being a whisky drinker (she can get the wine down with ease though) threw back the single malt and then the whisky liqueur. Both were delightful. Marian and Ann both bought the liqueur that is not available in the States.

Dinner was at the Taste of Speyside restaurant. Carol and her husband, Sandy, run the place. Since Marian said she would try haggis if I ordered it as an appetizer, I had to call her bluff. I got it and we both ate it. It was surprisingly good, made by the local butcher. I think this is an upscale version of the traditional oats, lungs, heart, and liver cooked in a sheep’s stomach variety. Allan and Marian had wild Atlantic salmon Ann and I had Angus beef. After we finished, Sandy, the chef, came out and talked to us. Ann got into a good-natured argument about Atlantic vs. Pacific salmon. I don’t think either argument “won” though.