scotland
WALKING AND TALKING OUTDOORS , SHARING A TASTE OF THE FOREST , DODGING MINIATURE FLYING PESTS — I CAN ’ T HELP BUT FEEL THIS IS A BONDING EXPERIENCE WE ’ LL RELIVE AROUND THE DINNER TABLE FOR YEARS TO COME image : getty few miles from the iconic Skye Bridge . Based on the pictures , I expected Eilean Donan Castle to be an abandoned outpost , but it ’ s actually a well-developed tourist attraction with an enticing cafe , a gift shop supplied with locally made goods and a helpful information centre .
We head inside and discover Irn-Bru , the carbonated , orange soda considered Scotland ’ s other national drink , after whisky . What does it taste like ? That ’ s part of the lore . No one can agree on a common description — but it ’ s definitely not orange-flavoured , nor is it as sweet as American sodas .
The next day , half the group heads for a whisky tasting at Talisker Distillery in the seaside village of Carbost , on Loch Harport . Those under age break off to visit the hilltop home of Louise Mackenzie — proprietor of Lou Lou Designs — who repurposes vintage Harris tweed fabrics into purses , travel bags and hair accessories .
Louise usually displays her inventory at different farmers ’ markets , but today she ’ s letting us browse her studio shelves for souvenirs . She relates the ongoing saga of
Eilean Donan Castle near Kyle of Lochalsh spring 2024 • 41