The official description of Locknagar: a long, gradual ascent on clear tracks and rough footpaths. Wonderful mountain and moorland scenery, and part of the route by the side of Loch Muick. Length 13 miles Height Climbed 2500 ft. We felt so good about our walk yesterday that we felt we were ready for a larger … Continue reading Lochnagar – Episode Nine
Apparently Benetictine is to Louisville KY, what pate is to Paris or baked beans are to Boston. It's history can be traced back to a caterer called Jennie Benedict, who wrote The Blue Ribbon Cookbook. Benetictine is omnipresent at Louisville parties, where it is served in the form of tea sandwiches, often paired up with crisp … Continue reading Benedictine (the spread not the drink)
Now having arrived back in the Eastern Highlands, the weather had changed, blue sky peeped through the clouds as we ate yet another traditional Scottish breakfast. We were staying the Darrochlee B&B in the town of Ballater. Ballater is a handsome village, the hiking looked to be excellent, the weather was supposed to be nice. … Continue reading Loch Muick – Episode Eight
So much for me feeling smarter than the rest of the world. This has always been a flaw of mine. So I do all of this research on Scotland, where to go, where to stay, what to eat, where to hike, and what to wear. Ahaa, what to wear, there's the rub. We're going to … Continue reading The Laundromat in Bathing Suits – Seventh Scotland Blog
I know most of you are cringing and are waiting for some horrific story. But nah, nah, nah. Sorry to deny you. This happened today. Learnings: occasionally (best during lunch because they are less busy) drop in to a store to check with your mobile phone provider. You might be able to get a better … Continue reading A Trip to AT&T
Our son James wrote this paper for his English Composition class final in 1999 when he was 16. I had forgotten the paper but found it stuffed into our Scottish journal. James wrote an astounding summery and an enjoyable interpretation of an experience and a discovery. This all happens in James' recounting of a ten … Continue reading Skye Walking – 6th Blog
We saw this recipe in Bon Appetit and it looked really tasty. I made a few improvisations. For instance, I did not use sake. I could have, but once you open a bottle of sake, it has a finite shelf life and I am not a big fan of sake, so I would probably not … Continue reading Soy and Ginger Steamed Fish
After breakfast we bid a fond farewell to The House of Kiel....again, this time we remember our jackets and coats. Jump in the car and listen to Scottish BBC weather, stating the weather should clear in the Northwest. We're now off to the Isle of Skye. Glencoe is amazing, James has lugged a huge leather … Continue reading Isle of Skye – 5th Blog
After a great night's sleep we awoke to a magnificent breakfast in Allison's large and stately dinning room. Seriously, it was directly out of Downton Abbey. There we ate along with a couple from a small village near Lake Constance in Germany and a couple from Paris. We have stayed in touch with many people … Continue reading Glencoe – 4th Scotland Blog
On the way home from Portland, we stopped in Cottage Grove for lunch. While there our waiter mentioned there was a bottle shop associated with the restaurant and took us over to it after we finished lunch. It was loaded with exotic beverages, but he pointed out one in particular and said that it went … Continue reading Lemon, Lime & Bitters with Gin
