Project journals

Pat Trotter

August 1, 2022. Castles

My journey is nearly over but there is still a lot more I will be doing. Today it was a move from Campbeltown back to Edinburgh – a full day’s drive with stops at Inverary Castle, headquarters of Clan Campbell, and the incredible Stirling Castle. The drive alone was worth the

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July 31, 2022 Arran

Today it was back up the Kintyre Peninsula to catch the ferry at Claonaig to the Isle of Arran. It’s known as ‘Scotland in miniature’, as it shares some of the characteristics of the Highlands and Lowlands, the mainland and the Western Isles. A drive around the island revealed stunning

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July 30, 2022 Springbank

Springbank Distillery was not in my original plans when I was designing my trip to Scotland and my visits to distilleries on Islay.  In fact I had to alter my travel plans to add a trip to Campbeltown as I was encouraged by a friend to visit this particular distillery,

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July 29, 2022 Whisky and the Paps of Jura

Awoke this morning to blinding sun coming through the window of my room at the Island Bear B&B. It was a nearly cloudless day for most of the morning and my journey took me  north up to Port Askaig and the distilleries up in that part of the island. Port

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July 28, 2022 Landscape and History

The island of Islay presents a varied landscape from peat bogs to hills and densely packed forests to coastal vistas and ragged rocks.  Sheep are seen grazing almost everywhere from the tops of cliffs to the rolling hills. Driving around I have tried to capture the essence of this landscape

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July 28, 2022 Whisky and Mull of Oa

Today was all about whisky and an afternoon walk to the American Monument on the Mull of Oa. A quick in and out visit to Laphroaig and Lagavulin was made to check out the visitor center, buy my tasting glass (I have been collecting them all along the journey) and

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July 27, 2022 Wandering on the Rhinns

Visited the Islay Woolen Mill on the way down the Rhinns and then headed to Kilchoman, Port Charlotte and Portnahaven. The weather has been cooperating as I travel around Islay allowing for some dramatic photos of this amazing landscape.  A mix of sun and clouds followed us all day and

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