Once again we had a bunch of 28 loveable whisky freaks come to Scotland with us from Finland! In fact, The Malt Whisky Association of Finland, who visit us twice a year, from their 500 strong whisky membership. We are always pleased to see them, led as usual by the Club President Mika Jansson, who arrived a day early, staying in Perth with us, sharing drams at Paul’s hoose.
The MCLEANSCOTLAND crew for this tour was Liz Gillespie and Paul McLean (Partners/owners) and Mark Burgess, driver and drambassador from Belfast, where our coach also came from. We named this tour “The Viking Raid” for obvious reasons. When we designed this tour and sent it to Finland, it was advertised in the Association – it completely sold out in 60 seconds, we had to almost double the planned group size.
Tuesday 30 June saw us departing Perth for Aberdeen airport. Collect our group followed by a transfer to Elgin for a pre booked lunch! From there to Golspie and the Golspie Inn, just for drinks you understand. Finally to the Wick hotel – checking in, relax in the bar before a whisky dinner. At the airport we had 3 who arrived late (2 hours), so Paul hired a car from the airport, stayed around with Mika to meet them, then tried very hard to catch up the coach at Wick – we passed the coach at Golspie! A good first day, we all caught up and met up for the whisky dinner! Thanks to Andrew and his staff.
Wednesday 1 July we started the day at 8.45am sharp departing for the Old Pulteney distillery. Paul took the car to drop at Wick airport whilst pal Ian (whisky on tour fame) brought him back to the distillery. Malcom did a grand job for us there, thanks to him and the staff. Departing the distillery 11.30 for a 45 minute drive to the ferry in Gills Bay for the 1pm sailing. Please – if you ever use this ferry, avoid the burgers like the plague, ughh, worse than a piece of old carpet! We arrived at St. Margaret’s Hope 2pm and headed to the Scapa distillery for a 3pm tour. We split into two groups and had a good tour and set of drams, thanks again to all concerned. This evening Dinner at hotel where we had a special guest; Martin Markvardsen Brand Ambassador for Highland Park. Paul had pre arranged this with Martin, also for the tour tomorrow. Great to see him again.
Thursday 2 July all onboard for the 10.00am visit to Highland Park Distillery, I must say a brilliant tour here (in 2 groups), another Martin took our second group. The group was split into two for the tour & taste. Martin did the guiding – as arranged, but then somehow we ended up with BOTH Martin’s on the coach, guiding us around the mainland. A 1 hour drive to Skara Brae for a visit to this outstanding historic site. At Yesnaby cliffs Martin had brought drams of Thor and the 1987 edition. We all enjoyed these drams with Odins hammer before our eyes – a rock formation sticking out of the sea. Then the peat bog, where we were told about the significance of different peat layers. Return to the Hotel – a great day thanks to the Martin’s!
Friday 3 July; We left the hotel At 9.30 for Stromness, some free time here before the 11am ferry. Lunch on ferry – great this time, grand ferry, very smart. We had amazing views from this sailing back to the mainland. Wolfburn Distillery, a tour, warehouse visit and two drinks of new spirit, departing at 2.30pm for Clynelish distillery, where I was a wee bit annoyed they hadnee told me of the work going on. They had decorators in so the visitor centre was moved to Brora, doon the hill, then back up the hill for a tour of the distillery, then back (again) doon the hill for a tasting. Oh well. Departing distillery at 5pm ish we headed south to Inverness. A good hotel overlooking the river, food and drams tonight? We all split up doing our own thing – Liz, Mark and myself had a wee pub crawl and food at the Italian, others moved around the city, many doing beers at the Castle Tavern.
Saturday 4 July; We left Inverness 8.30 and headed to Elgin, where we did a wee town tour (wasting time actually) – then arriving at 9.50 at Glen Moray distillery. Iain and the gang did wonders here as we knew they would. I had arranged this one (Mika arranges most via distributers back in Finland) and I can honestly say it was one of the tour highlights. The distillery shop took a battering ! Many whisky lovers dragged out of the shop asked if we could do the tour again ! Words like awesome, superb were used. Well done Iain in the tasting stakes, the 30 year old flew from the shelves.
With 4th July being a Saturday we managed the 6 Pillars tour at Macallan. Can I just say to Mark (driver) you did a great job getting us there on time. As it is such a large group we split into 3 smaller groups. The final distillery tour of the whole tour, but – one final stop we had arranged; Duncan Taylor Whiskies of Scotland. Many thanks Andrew for coping so well on your own mate! Finally heading to Aberdeen – loaded down with whisky purchases, the Holiday Inn in the city centre. Everyone headed out for those final drams/food, Brew Dog bar took a big hit. The tour ended at the hotel after breakfast.
All in all, another successful tour, hard working crew and a happy bunch of Fins (mostly), but with a large group as this we couldnee please everyone all the time. Thanks to everyone on board, crew and guests, thanks Mark for grand driving and a clean coach everyday, looking forward to the next tour now !
Some comments…
“Excellent Viking Raid! It was very much to Your credit Paul, Liz and Mark!”
“Thanks Paul/Liz/Mark! (as well as all the old and new finnish faces on the trip). Great tour once again”
“Thank you for all the arrangements again to you and Liz!! This trip was a dream come true to many who come on the tour. For me, it was great to see you two again, and Mark as well! Many thanks for all the arrangements and kind help!”
“Back at home. Out standing trip, incredible views, mind blowing whiskies, hilarious company, phenomenal distilleries, stupid flight company (KLM), and magnificent new contacts! Thank you again Scotland!” Authors note; the photo – Guitar made from casks presented to Highland Park made in Finland by Jani Bergström.
“Hello Paul and Liz, you are awesome people! Nicely organized program. The weather was great! I have no idea how you managed to arrange that! This Norseman is going to bed, and will continue the whisky raid tomorrow.”
“On ferry to Orkney even seen a killer whale as we came into port”
“The wee traveller is finally home after a very bumpy ride over Germany…thank you all who was on the trip, it was awesome!!!”
The Viking Tour. Malt Whisky association of Finland completed a tour in Scotland 30.6 – 5.7.2015. Our group consisted of 28 whisky enthusiasts. We visited 7 distilleries. Some highlights from the tour.
In Old Pulteney we could get own bottling of 25 yo OP! In Highland Park we were shown almost every corner of the distillery. In HP peat field we were told about the significance of different peat layers. At Yesnaby cliffs we got drams of Thor and the 1987 edition. In the Wolfburn distillery we were offered two of their new makes. In Glen Morays warehouse we got to taste port wine finished GM and Madeira finished GM. Both from 1988. Oh my! In the visitor centre we had a nice tasting. The highlight was of course a 30 yo GM. Stunning. Trying to recover from the tour!
Scots need not to worry when it comes to whisky. Tasted some mind blowing stuff e.g. Old Pulteney 25, Talisker 1956, Scapa 16, Highland Park 1987, Glen Moray 30, Balvenie 22, Balblair 1990…only few to mention.
http://www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/
