Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2017 | Page 61

“The drive north was
simply breathtaking and the
Highlands were at their best
for us, basked in a blanket of
coloured heathers against a
bright cloudless sky.”
Snapshot
water from the surrounding Highlands.
The days that followed included a visit
to Braemar Castle where the Queen had
attended a few days earlier to oversee The
Highland Games, and then into the Upper
Highland districts and malt whisky areas of
Glenlivet and Glenfiddich, which the Scottish
people were clearly proud to announce on
special road signs.
The drive north was simply breathtaking
and the Highlands were at their best for us,
basked in a blanket of coloured heathers
against a bright cloudless sky. The various
villages all seemed to boast specialist whisky
shops selling nothing else and where I was
treated to detailed explanations of each
bottle in which I had shown an interest and
offered a wee dram to sample! This was
not all, though, as there was also an array
of the most tempting bakeries and small
family run cafes where for the very first time
I experienced locally made haggis lasagne,
which was quite delicious. Needless to
say there were numerous gift and locally
produced clothes shops specialising in
tartans, kilts and the very best of Scottish
attire, all tapping into a desire to research
family clans where possible.
The way of life in these areas struck me
as uncomplicated and as I learnt, many
pastimes involved locally supported tourism,
Highland gatherings, game sports and
a wealth of shops selling locally sourced
food and hand-made woollens. The town
of Braemar in particular is the place to buy
woollens and tartans and where garments
can be specially made to measure.
The warmest of welcomes is extended to all
visitors to the area, and it was easy to see why
the Royal family have such a real affection for
this area and return as and when they can, to
relax from State commitments.
It is a country that has so much to offer -
and as an Englishman I am proud to boast
it as part of our United Kingdom. Long may
that continue!
www.visitilife.com
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