Day #6 - 05 July 2009 - Pitlochry

Post for 05 July, 2009

Writing on 06 July, 2009 0729 GMT

Yesterday we had breakfast at 0830, Beth joined me by adding beans to her plate, we chatted with Joyce and Tom and then headed out for Pitlochry. Pilochry is about 70 miles from Anstruther. I have been surprised that everything is in miles and not kilometers. We were also surprised to note that our little Peugot is getting 60 miles per gallon! We're not even at 3/4 tank yet.

The driving to Pitlochry was fun, a mix of small farm roads, some with stone walls that are right beside the road and some highway driving. We're intrigued by some of the tractor trailers as they have large banks of lights across the top and in the grill - are they used for spotting deer?, we don't know and neither did Tom and Joyce.

Pitlochry is, of course, home to the Edradour Distillery, the smallest in Scotland. It was tucked back up in the hills along a little one way gravel road. They do a nice simple tour, give you a sample and then leave you in the shop (or is it shoppe?). We learned that it is all about the water, in this case they are using spring water and some of it flows through a fountain labeled "Bank of Scotland" and that you are not allowed to add ice, cold water (small amounts of room temp water is okay) or Coca Cola! Yes, we're bringing a little home, we're going to share some straight from the cask (56% alcohol) and some of their 10 year old whisky. Apparently we're each allowed to bring home one liter (or litre) of whisky. The Scots do not call it Scotch, it is whisky (not whiskey). One of the debates the distillery is having is whether they should start selling 5 year old whiskey as there is a market for it and the ten year old simple takes longer to be able to bottle and sell.

We're not having any luck with the phones in the UK. I tried to call Annie Bottoms (the Akins grew up knowing her as Anne Marie Higgins), but all I got was a list of numbers repeated back to me and I lost my pence. We tried again later this time using a credit card, but I still didn't have any luck.

Beth got a little car sick on the way in so we decided to take things slowly. We drove through Pitlochry and followed Joyce's recommendation and headed towards the House of Bruar (Brewer) outside of Blair Atholl. These were like outlet shops, but with a little bit of an attitude. Beth found a purse for ten pounds, we found a small water color that was similar to one of our photographs of Edinburgh Castle and got to poke around a little more. What Joyce and Tom had sent us there for was a path that went up to some waterfalls behind the shops. We did a little hiking and tried to take some photos, but they all look a little washed out. A highlight for Beth was a gentleman who was more than willing to stop and share his three dogs with her (see photo as the smile explains it all!). We aren't homesick, but we do miss the guys and hope all is well on Fairhaven Avenue.

Before leaving I had asked a colleague, Jeremy - principal at MW Savage Elementary to text me with news about about school's progress with AYP and No Child Left Behind. I realized I'm doing a great job vacationing because I hadn't even thought about that, now I'm curious, but we're not getting any mobile phone service over here so I'll have to wait until I check work email.

We spent a couple hours in Pitlochry walking through town and looking in shops, it was Sunday so places were closing by 1600. We've been doing really well with a big breakfast, snacks and then something for dinner. Yesterday it was snacks the entire afternoon including some Irn Bru (Scottish soda / pop) and shortbread. Irn Bru is a heavily caffeinated drink, like Mountain Dew, but it is orange and has a bubble gum taste to it. Beth's car sickness passed and we were home by 1900, we read for a bit and then walked down to the shore of Anstruther. It was sunny and there were lots of people, including some lobstermen!

Today we are leaving from Anstruther for Aberdeen. Tom suggested stopping in StoneHaven, so we'll make our way along the coast. I hope to make Aberdeen mid-day so that we can visit Fraser Castle today. I am also h0ping for better luck on the Kilt Kwest as the Gordon clan originates from the Abderdeen area - as does the Fraser clan.