Day 5 Scottish Tour

Day 5

This morning we drove a short distance from the Nairn hotel to "The Culloden Battlefield Visitor Center. I had been to Culloden field many years ago when the visitor center was non-existent, so it was interesting to see all the new exhibits that were there. Culloden is where the British Government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) in 1746.

The Culloden Battlefield

Although I usually don't care for 360 degree films, the film at the Culloden Visitor Center was only 4 minutes long and although it was gory, it did depict the battle quite well.

A costumed guide inside the visitor center.

This is the Old Leach Cottage that survived the battle and has been restored several times. The roof is thatched with heather and sod.






After Culloden, we drove along some pleasant farming countryside into the Speyside region where many of Scotland's distilleries are located. The pure water from the river Spey supplies the distilleries for whisky making.

We visited the famous Glenfiddich distillery, one of the last family owned distilleries in Scotland. It was founded in 1886 by William Grant, in a small place called Dufftown.

The back of the Glenfiddich distillery.

Distillery equipment.

Wooden Washback.

Our friendly guide at the distillery.

Copper Stills.

After touring the facilities, our tour group was invited to sample some of the whisky. Glenfiddich is a single malt whisky or Scotch as it is called in The United States, and the only grain used is malted barley. The whisky must be matured in oak casks for at least three years but most single malt whiskies are matured longer.

My three drams ready for sampling. Gelnfiddich 12, 15 and 18 years old. Glenfiddich 18 was the oldest and the best.

After Glenfiddich we drove to our 19th century manor house hotel near Blairs and 3 miles from Aberdeen. It is a Mercure hotel called Ardoe House and it was very beautiful both inside and outside.

The front entrance to Ardoe House.

Ardoe House Hotel

Ardoe House Hotel.

Ardoe House sits on 30 acres of peaceful countryside. It has 119 guest rooms.

The grand staircase in Ardoe House.

A nice piece of artwork in the entrance hall of the hotel.