Invergordon (Inverness), Scotland - August 11
Originally known as An Rudha, "the point" or "the Ness", Invergordon received its name from Sir William Gordon, a local landowner of the early eighteenth century. For centuries the estate on which Invergordon now stands was known as Inverbreakie (the mouth of the Breakie); the Brfeakie presumable king the stream which enters the Firth at Rosskeen Bridge near the old parish church. The earliest mention of Inverbreakie occurs in the thirteenth century when theCastle, about a mile inland from t5he Ness, was occupied by a Fleming; placed there it is said by William the Lion. From a very early period there were a few thatched houses near the spot where the harbor exists these were known as "The Ferry Houses".
The Castle and the estate were purchased by Sir William Gordon around the beginning of the eighteenth century. Of Caithness descent Sir William represented Sutherland-shire in no fewer than five parliaments (1708-1727) and Cromarty-shire, as it was then called, in 1741-1742. During his lifetime the Castle, originally a modest dwelling, was considerably enlarged and at the same time the policies were improved and the plans laid for the building of a town near the Ness.
Today, the long awaited visit to Glenfiddich Distillery is on calendar!! It's another rainy day, but still the beautiful green and lush countryside charms us as we drive almost two hours to Glenfiddich. Should have taken barely an hour and a half, but our driver refused to go more than 45 mph!!! . . . and so we were late arriving. Lunch was late in coming, the tour was late in starting - so the day remained behind with a too quick whisky tasting at the end so we could rush back to the ship before sailing time!
The distillery is beautiful, in the Speyside region, has a rich family history and is still owned by the family that began it many years ago. The original building was built, stone by stone, by the father, his sons and daughter.
Lunch was delicious.
Cullen Skink (a fish soup). Fish Cakes
Haggis (I didn't have this, but should have!) Sticky Toffee Pudding w/ Ice Cream
Before the official whisky tasting, we went off to a warehouse where sniffed the contents of four barrels of whisky to decide which one we liked the best. When decided, we were handed a copper container, on the end of a long chain. We were instructed to drop the container into the barrel and listen to the "glug, glug, glug" as it filled, hoist it out of the barrel and pour the contents into a waiting 200 cc bottle, which we were to label and take home.
I chose a whisky that had been in a bourbon cask for two years and am bringing that home!
We were instructed not to take any photos in this area, as the alcohol level in the air is quite high, and the clicking of a camera could cause an explosion!!!
Then on to the tasting - an exquisitely set table with nibbles and five whisky's to taste. Of course, I liked the last one best, and had hoped to buy a bottle to take home. This was a 26-year old mellow scotch whisky, and for someone who doesn't normally like scotch whisky, it was quite delicious. The problem was though, when I got to the gift shop, it was a measly $500 dollars for the bottle. Needless to say, I left it there. So sorry, Jim B. You won't be having a taste o' that at my house!!!!
In Scotland, it's not unusual for one to drink whisky through a meal - never mind the wine!
So the accompanying nibbles were a bit different. With each glass we tasted something different, starting at the top, and going clockwise . . . (1) smoked salmon; (2) poached raisins; (3) smoked venison; (4) creme brûlée; (5) cheese with a walnut. Amazing how the whisky changed before and after each nibble - most interesting!
Back on the ship around 6:15 p.m. Didn't want to get ready to have dinner at a hosted table, so I opted for room service - a bottle of Malbec from the Mendoza Valley in Argentina, a good old American hamburger, a Caesar salad, and went to bed happy!!
The Castle and the estate were purchased by Sir William Gordon around the beginning of the eighteenth century. Of Caithness descent Sir William represented Sutherland-shire in no fewer than five parliaments (1708-1727) and Cromarty-shire, as it was then called, in 1741-1742. During his lifetime the Castle, originally a modest dwelling, was considerably enlarged and at the same time the policies were improved and the plans laid for the building of a town near the Ness.
Today, the long awaited visit to Glenfiddich Distillery is on calendar!! It's another rainy day, but still the beautiful green and lush countryside charms us as we drive almost two hours to Glenfiddich. Should have taken barely an hour and a half, but our driver refused to go more than 45 mph!!! . . . and so we were late arriving. Lunch was late in coming, the tour was late in starting - so the day remained behind with a too quick whisky tasting at the end so we could rush back to the ship before sailing time!
The distillery is beautiful, in the Speyside region, has a rich family history and is still owned by the family that began it many years ago. The original building was built, stone by stone, by the father, his sons and daughter.
Lunch was delicious.
Cullen Skink (a fish soup). Fish Cakes
Haggis (I didn't have this, but should have!) Sticky Toffee Pudding w/ Ice Cream
Before the official whisky tasting, we went off to a warehouse where sniffed the contents of four barrels of whisky to decide which one we liked the best. When decided, we were handed a copper container, on the end of a long chain. We were instructed to drop the container into the barrel and listen to the "glug, glug, glug" as it filled, hoist it out of the barrel and pour the contents into a waiting 200 cc bottle, which we were to label and take home.
I chose a whisky that had been in a bourbon cask for two years and am bringing that home!
We were instructed not to take any photos in this area, as the alcohol level in the air is quite high, and the clicking of a camera could cause an explosion!!!
Then on to the tasting - an exquisitely set table with nibbles and five whisky's to taste. Of course, I liked the last one best, and had hoped to buy a bottle to take home. This was a 26-year old mellow scotch whisky, and for someone who doesn't normally like scotch whisky, it was quite delicious. The problem was though, when I got to the gift shop, it was a measly $500 dollars for the bottle. Needless to say, I left it there. So sorry, Jim B. You won't be having a taste o' that at my house!!!!
In Scotland, it's not unusual for one to drink whisky through a meal - never mind the wine!
So the accompanying nibbles were a bit different. With each glass we tasted something different, starting at the top, and going clockwise . . . (1) smoked salmon; (2) poached raisins; (3) smoked venison; (4) creme brûlée; (5) cheese with a walnut. Amazing how the whisky changed before and after each nibble - most interesting!
Back on the ship around 6:15 p.m. Didn't want to get ready to have dinner at a hosted table, so I opted for room service - a bottle of Malbec from the Mendoza Valley in Argentina, a good old American hamburger, a Caesar salad, and went to bed happy!!
26-year old Scotch!!! Wow, that would have been great. But, at $500 a bottle, you were smart to pass it by. I'll stick with 12 yr. old or 14 year old Glenfiddich. That tastes pretty good. Good you had a chance to sample the 26- year old. I am envious.
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