Day 51 - We flew to Scotland, got picked up by Norm (our workaway host) and brought to Cardu Country House. Our new residence for the next month is a small trailer in the back. Every morning we help clean the rooms, and every evening we help with dinner for the guests. All our afternoons are free.
Day 52 - After work, we did a whisky tasting at Cardhu, our local distillery. Also, with cows this fuzzy, we are starting to get concerned about the upcoming cold season!
Day 53 - It was a rainy day so we didn't do too much after work, but we did get to sample a few of the delicious desserts that Tina made for dinner... cranachan (a traditional Scottish dessert with raspberries and whisky cream) and banoffee pie (toffee and banana pie)!
Day 54 - After cleaning rooms and a few windows, we walked through the contryside down to Tamdhu, another nearby distillery, but they were not open for tours. We also strolled around the cemetery next door... whisky is clearly the answer to longevity since MANY of the people made it to their 90's and older!
Day 55 - In the afternoon, we did a whisky tour & tasting at Glenfiddich. We then walked to nearby Dufftown, with its claim to fame. We caught a bus to Aberlour and briefly walked along the river. We then did our evening chores of helping prepare dinner.
Day 56 - It was a short work day so we borrowed bikes and rode to a local hill for a hike on the moors.
Day 59 - In spite of a horrific cold storm that dropped snow on the nearby hills, we went to the Speyside Cooperage where they still make the whisky barrels by hand. After a wonderful tour, we got to try putting together our own small barrels.
Day 60 - The weather wasn't much better, so we consoled ourselves with yet another whisky tour and tasting at Aberlour Distillery. This region has the highest percentage of distilleries in all of Scotland.
Day 61 - We took the bikes and rode several miles along the Spey River to Cragganmore Distillery (of course, another tour and tasting!). The weather and scenery were gorgeous.
Day 62 - We rented a car (a Kia Picanto) for a week and drove to the coast for half a day, visiting Cullen, Portknockie, Findochty and Buckie.
Day 63 - We took another half day and climbed to the top of the cathedral ruins in Elgin, explored the ruins of Duffus Castle, shivered in the cold winds at the coast at Burghead, and hiked up to a lighthouse near Lossiemouth.
Day 64 - Today was the start of a 3-day trip! We scanned Loch Ness for its famous inhabitant, visited the Nessie museum in Drumnadrochit, toured the "Highlander" castle of Eilean Donan, and checked into Saucy Mary's in Nyleakin on the Isle of Skye (with a view of castle ruins from our window!)
Day 65 - We took the day driving around the Isle of Skye. The weather was amazing! We did a tour and tasting at Talisker Distillery; visited Dunvegan castle and gardens; savored scenic cliff drives; walked around the ruins of Duntulm castle on the coast; enjoyed a waterfall at Kilt Rock; and hiked up to the Old Man of Storr rock.
Day 66 - We left Skye and headed home. The further we went, the worse the weather became. We skipped some of our planned scenic drives and focused more on indoor things. We stopped briefly at Rogie Falls, visited an organic microbrewery (tour and tasting) at Black Isle Brewing, did a cheese tasting at Connage Highland Dairy (including some whisky cheese), toured the massive Fort George (and its Highlander museum), and hunted down the elusive Ardclach Bell Tower.
Day 67 - We swung by the Sueno's Stone (Scotland's tallest surviving cross-slab, covered with Pictish art) on our way to Lossiemouth, where we visited Windswept, a tiny microbrewery. We even got to taste some experimental beers right from the tap. Then came the ruins of Kinloss Abbey on our way to 'movie night' at the B&B.
Day 68 - The morning started with an amazing private tour and tasting at Glenlivet Distillery. This was followed with a wonderful raptor show at the North East Falconry Centre. We even got to participate! We had a brief stop at Loanhead Stone Circle, before quickly passing through the frustration of Aberdeen on our way to Dunnottar Castle. High winds, bitter cold and smattering rain eventually sent us home through heavy mist along the Cairngorm mountains.
Day 69 - We returned the rental car today. On the way, we stopped at Dallas Dhu, a distillery museum. It was nice to get a close-up view of the equipment (as well as pictures, which you can't do in a working distillery because all the alcohol fumes floating about could cause it to go 'boom').
Day 70 - Today was a big work day: helping with breakfast for 12 people then cleaning all 6 rooms of the B&B. The evening was spent folding towels and ironing with the big press. Unfortunately I zigged once when I should have zagged and got myself a nice little burn.
Day 71 - There was almost no work today. We had a lovely afternoon walk down to the Spey River among the fall colors.
Day 72 - We took an evening stroll past... not one... not two... but three local distilleries. It was a delight for all the senses.
Day 73 - It was a stormy, extremely windy day... so we just worked a bit in the house and stayed home in the trailer.
Day 74 - Another chilly, blustery day! I went for a short walk but then decided the warmth and comfort of the trailer was more desireable!
Day 75 - We tagged along on a shopping trip to Elgin, stopping briefly at the cemetery (located across from the distillery) at Rothes with its black headstones... due to a fungus that feeds off of airborne alcohol!
