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| Ireland / Scotland March 2003 |
| March 19: Dalwhinnie Inverness Loch Ness Great Glen |
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| Select button for addt'l photos |
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| 3/19 |
| Select Date for photo page. |
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| I took this pic so you could get a general idea of what it feels like to experience driving on the opposite-to-us side of the road. |
| Up for a $700 US bottle of Single Malt? |
| We found out that we were staying an hour away from the Dalwhinnie Distillery (serendipitously one of my favorite single malts - in total moderation of course). While at Dalwhinnie, we found we were an hour away from Loch Ness/ Inverness. So, we headed north on the east side of Inverness and then travelled on the west side of the Loch southbound to the Great Glen and eventually onto Pitlochry. |
| Quaich (pronounced "kwatch"; silver cup on left) From Gaelic meaning �shallow cup�. Originated in Western Highlands; used by Clan Chiefs. Traditionally used for welcoming visitors or bidding farewell to friends. |
| Dalwhinnie Distillery |
| Single Malt Whisky Facts: - UK & Ireland tax alcohol by % (Export ale and beer to the US has higher alcohol % than those in UK) - Scotch is actually more expensive in the UK than US (due to alcohol % and subsequent tax) - Scotch vs. Irish Single Malt Whisky: Differing # times of distillations (Scottish: 2 x ; Irish: 3 s) - Dalwhinnie is often featured as one of the great Single Malts of Scotland |
| I had a great conversation with this couple who were also visiting the distillery. They live in Edinburgh. We discussed Scottish immigration to the US and Canada. Additional topics included US bourbon and various Scotch whiskies. I don't know if friends/family would appreciate or be alarmed by my whisky knowledge. DOH! |
| Loch Ness Photos |
| This is Castle Urquart, a national park about mid way down the west bank of Loch Ness. It was closed the day we were there. This was as close as we could get. |
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| D i g i t a l G r a f i t t i |
| Views from the West bank of Loch Ness |
| "Ol' Nessie" the tourist trap statue that inspired a new, improv pub song. Trust me, you don't want to hear it... |
| People who have the "Cool Disease", where you have to appear to be and do "cool" things, won't like this. But hey, when you're a tourist, I say be a tourist and do all the stupid tourist things. That's what is cool. So, we made a visit to the Loch Ness Monster Visitor Centre and it was as touristy and funny as one could imagine. I likened it to "feeling like you're trapped in a 'Simpsons' episode about Loch Ness". It was very enjoyable - lots of great gifts there... |
| Photos from The Great Glen Area |
| "Scottish Highlands" Area |
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