Imagine the perfect whisky - maybe a fine 10 year old single malt from Islay.
Then consider this sunset.
The two merge into one: it is very rare that a drink reflects its origins in quite so dramatic a fashion.
You can drink anything you like. But you cannot fake a perfect Scotch.
One of my delights is travel, and my favourite destination is … Scotland.
Well, why not - I do live here, but it would take several lifetimes to explore every nook and cranny.
Its fun to explore the islands on foot or by car, bus, or bike.
It is also fun by sea, and many of our finest distilleries face the sea - to tease and delight the sailor.
Oh, that brings tears to the eye… and then this… you spy another boat, but where is she bound?
Perhaps to another isle, or perhaps to another place of spiritual magic ..
Well, whichever way you turn, another distillery beckons… it is too cruel to pass on by without taking a wee dram!
You can take various commercial ‘whisky trails’ and I am sure they are all good in their way, but in all honesty, the best whisky trail is the one you find for yourself.
There is no right way, and no wrong way to explore Scotland. I now avoid the crowds, because they are annoying and noisy. I’m just glad that I found that from the sea, Scotland appears in a different light. Still wild, still mysterious, still mostly undiscovered, and yet, still young.
For further advice on travel in Scotland and the Isles, visit https://www.visitscotland.com/inspiration/island-hopping
Enticingly written! Your newsletter makes me want to visit your country, expecially the places and experiences have described. That is unlikely to happen, since I can't afford to even help underwrite your post. You are kind to allow reading for free.
I have two grandparents from Scotland.
When I visited, as soon as we crossed over from England and stopped in whatever small town, I felt more comfortable than I had in England.
I also had an English grandmother.
And a Northern Irish grandfather, and they are a bit Scottish? What do you say about that ?