The Whisky Tour 2018
Day 1 - Newcastle to Blairgowrie
After a fine crossing on the DFDS ferry we arrived in Newcastle. Took sometime to get off and through the border check but then we were on our way. Already way over 25 degrees and no clouds in sight we headed to the border for the usual photo shoot at the border crossing.
After the border onwards across the new Queensferry bridge arriving in Blairgowrie around 1630. Overnight stay was at the Heathpark Lodge B&B.
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Day 2 - Blairgowrie to Abelour
Again, very hot from early in the morning we headed out east towards Glamis with a quick stop at the castle. Continuing west across the Cairn ó mount via Fettercairn with stunning views from the summit but very windy. After the summit we dropped down to Aberdeenshire and headed towards Dufftown. As we were still early we stopped at the first distillery for a tour. The Glenlivet. Arrived at the Dowans Hotel in Abelour around 1900 just in time for an excellent dinner. Hotel was very good, comfortable with great food. A worthy stop!
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Day 3 - The Whisky tour
first stop the famous Glenfiddich for an early morning tour and a dram before 1200! Thereafter we headed south towards Grantown and passed a number of other distilleries en route. A brief lunch in Grantown and then headed back to the hotel in Abelour.
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Day 4 - Abelour to Blairgowrie
Again a very warm with beautiful sunshine as we headed south towards the Cairngorm mountains. Crossing just before Tomintoul the wind had us holding on to avoid being blown off the road. Great ride down into Ballater and a quick visit to Balmoral before heading for a tea stop in Breamar.
We arrived back in Blairgowrie in time for dinner and a rest
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Heading over the Cairngorm Mountains towards Braemar
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Day 5 - Blairgowrie to Romaldkirk
The longest day of the tour. We had 360 km to cover but luckily the first 150 were back down the motorway across the Queensferry bridge and south towards Galashiels. We lost one of our party along the way but after our lunch stop in Jedburgh we hooked up again just outside of Corbridge and headed down the Penines via Alston to Romaldkirk. That evening we stayed at the Rose and Crown. Great accommodation but the food was less that expected. Finally the first rain showers accompanied by thunderstorms luckily occurred during the night.
Day 6 - Romaldkirk to Hull
Unfortunately we awoke to slight drizzle only for it to get quite heavy as we were planning to leave. We waited until 1030 and then headed out. We were caught a bit short about 10 minutes into the ride and got quite a heavy downpour which luckily lasted only 5 minutes. A lunch stop at the Tearooms in Hovingham and then on to the ferry port. Dinner on board was excellent. All in all a really great tour with exceptional weather.
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