Angels go north …  These are the photos and story of the trip north in December 2010, Scotland.

The tour north in the worst snow fall for many years!  Our Russian Ambassador Tim and Angel Founder Paul, went north to take a distillery tour in the middle of the heaviest snow fall in many, many years in Scotland.  Are they both mad? Maybe!  Tim flew in from Moscow and arrived Perth approx 5.30 pm on Wednesday, staying locally, Perth is where we had our December tasting, Tim, Paul and Willie took part, Liz was stuck in Dundee, whilst other Angels joined in from Ireland and Germany.

On the Thursday Tim and Paul headed north, first stop at Dalwhinnie distillery, snow bound, they stopped here for photos only. Onwards to Inverness (due to certain roads being closed with snow in Speyside) where they turned east for the next call, a good long visit to Glenglassaugh (not before a quick stop at Inchgower distillery!). Tim has a cask here, they were shown around by Ronnie and as the pictures show, there was a certain amount of snow! After struggling to get back onto the main road, they made their way (slowly) to Huntly where a visit had been planned at Duncan Taylor. A good long tour of the bottling plant and warehouse, greedily eyeing up casks they then returned to the office for “deals and purchases”. Many thanks must go to Mark for all his expertise and assistance during our stay.  They spent the night in a nice hotel in Huntly, just as well, Huntly was snowed in!!!  More drams followed and a good night rest, before rising early to wander around the deep snow covered grounds before breakfast.

The plan was to drive direct to Dufftown. However, the road was closed due to heavy snow, so away to Keith they went (slowly) and called in at Strathisla, a few purchases before a photo session at Glen Keith distillery – photos galore were taken everywhere! Along the snow covered lanes to Craigellachie where the Speyside Cooperage took them in. Tim enjoyed this visit immensely (Paul has been there – and many more – so often), a dram, Christmas cake and tea followed, before heading into Dufftown. The whisky shop was their next stop – as you do! More purchases before heading along to view more distilleries; Mortlach, Glendullan, Convalmore and Kininvie. Many photos taken here.  Macallan was due to be visited at 2pm, but was closed due to water pipes bursting. So, Glenfarclas was the target, a grand tour there with Donna, Tim was in his element buying a nice bottle etc! Coming back to the main road from the distillery, skidding here and there, slowly they returned to call in at Aberlour distillery, you guessed it, purchases! Great photos yet again!