A brief encounter with Speyside and the “Beast from the East” 

by Paul Mclean

Wednesday 31 March. I left Perth early morning, en route to Speyside.  With Liz also away I thought a wee trip into Gods Country might be a good idea. I stayed at Boat of Garten, thought with the Beast from the East rampaging, I would get up there handy. The beast was the snow and wind from Russia that covered Scotland in deep snow.

Thursday 1 March. Drive north, onwards and upwards into whisky country – well, Scotland IS whisky country. I stayed the night in Grantown on Spey. A good Maclean’s Bakery there! Friends of ours. Did a few calls today including our pals at Glenfarclas. Good meetings and good day in the snow!

Friday 2nd March.  Met another friend Robert Ransom for breakfast, where he introduce3d me to his new whisky range – from Switzerland, sample happily taken, thanks Robert. The over to Macallan, update on new distillery and tours to book in with them for this year.  To be honest they were not that helpful. Then a pre – arranged meeting with friend Derek Hancock in the Glen Moray cafe at 2.30. Derek has worked in the Scotch Whisky industry for over 40 years. As a senior executive responsible for Single Malt Scotch Whisky exports. He became a Keeper of the Quaich in 2001. Derek drives/guides tours for us when needed. A wee call to see another contact, a hotel owner this time, things happening at the hotel we use often for our tours. Then it is away along to Dufftown where my apartment awaits. Called by more distilleries and scenic locations as usual.

Saturday 3 March. Another day dawned and another drive, local distilleries and a couple of antique hunts. Trawled around today to distilleries and whisky related locations, saying hello, catching up etc. Met my pal Vic Cameron (ex Diageo), 10am Drouthy Cobbler. That afternoon I drove along to Portsoy and Cullen, great scenery along the coast, a few meetings etc. Back to Dufftown and dinner with my pal Louise and her pal Agnus!

Sunday 4 March. Driving south today back to Perth.

This whole trip was also in preparation for my whisky sojourn with Ingvar Ronde later in April, we will be appearing at many, many pre booked meetings at distilleries, research for the Malt Whisky Yearbook 2019.  Ingvar has used our services for many years now …  “Paul and Liz put together a record breaking program for the trip, visiting 43 distilleries – nine full whisky tours and the rest stopping for photos. Thanks to Paul we also managed to get quite a bit of history and culture. Cheers for now!” – Ingvar. 

The photos are all on facebook https://business.facebook.com/whiskytours Another wee tour done and dusted, lots of distilleries, inc the Cooperage, meetings and fun, some grand food and drink consumed once again. MCLEANSCOTLAND offer whisky tours in Scotland and Ireland all year round

www.mcleanscotland.com   www.whiskytours.scot