A Bonnie Year to Visit Scotland
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Transcript of A Bonnie Year to Visit Scotland
22 NJSL | FEBRUARY 2009 NJSL 23
> Savvy Travel
For all those who’ve said, “Someday I want to go to
Scotland,” this is the year to go. The entire country
is celebrating the 250th birthday of beloved poet
Robert Burns with dozens of special events, including
concerts, historic pageants, whiskey tastings, piping com-
petitions and golf expositions.
And with so much going on, it’s tempting to
pack in as many events as possible, but make
sure to leave some time to explore the other
side of Scotland — offbeat sites that spotlight
the country’s natural beauty. For example,
we found a captivating bed and breakfast
by Loch Tay where you can try your
hand at salmon fishing, meander
down a country lane dotted with
black-faced sheep — or simply curl
up with a book and a glass of
scotch in front of a toasty fireplace.
(See page 26 for details.)
So whether you’re a Scotsman at
heart, a golf enthusiast or just want to
explore the culture, you’ll find more than
enough to meet your fancy in 2009. Here’s a list of
special events, along with some everyday pleasures
for a vacation as delightful as the finest blend of
Scotch whiskey.
2009 –A Bonnie Year for
Scotland
C O N T I N U E D O N N E X T P A G E
B Y J U D I R O T H E N B E R G
The Duke of Argyll leads a toast to the Spirit of the WestFestival in front of his home, Inveraray Castle
Highland Games courtesyof Visit Scotland
Shopping in Edinburgh, Anta (above)Totty Rocks below
Photo courtesy of Visit Scotland
for a multitude of anchorages along the way,
with planned activities at the distilleries at Oban,
Skye, Talisker and Lagavulin. www.worldcruis-
ing.com/classicmaltscruise
MUSIC AND ART
Piping Live! Music of the Clans, Glasgow,Aug. 10-16A showcase of talented international pipers at
various venues throughout the city leads up to
the World Pipe Band Championships (Aug. 15)
with more than 8,000 pipers and drummers com-
peting for the title at Glasgow Green. www.pip-
ingfestival.co.uk, www.seeglasgow.com/piping
Mackintosh 100, GlasgowThe centenary celebration of the 100-year-old
building designed by native son, Charles Rennie
Macintosh, at the Glasgow School of Art. The
acclaimed architect and designer’s art nouveau
influences can also be seen at the Willow Tea
Room where you can dine on one of Mackin-
tosh’s iconic high-backed chairs and at House
for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park. Visitors
can tour a suite of rooms, lunch in the cafe and
stroll the grounds. www.gsa.ac.uk, www.house-
foranartlover.co.uk, www.willowtearooms.co.uk
Year-Round Best Bets
TASTE
Join the residents and stroll the Edinburgh
Farmers' Market every Saturday at the base of
Edinburgh Castle. Meat and seafood purveyors
and farm-fresh vegetables are sold alongside
prepared foods like Prince Bishop Pie with veni-
son, red currant jelly and brandy from North
Country Lass, cheddar cheese from the Isle of
Arran, freshly baked bread, organic beer and
homemade porridge bars from Stoats.
If you’re attending one of the many events at
Inveraray Castle, the finest and freshest seafood
24 NJSL | FEBRUARY 2009 NJSL 25
Homecoming Scotland’sSpecial Events/Activities for 2009HERITAGE
The Gathering 2009, Edinburgh, July 25-26This ambitious event is expected to be the largest clan gathering since 1862.
A parade of nearly 8,000 clans people will march in front of 30,000 spectators
from the Palace of Holyrood down the Royal Mile to the esplanade of Castle
Rock for a pageant filled with piping and dance. On Sunday, the 2009 World
Highland Games Heavy Events takes place with events like “tossing the caber”
and “putting the stone.” www.clangathering.org
International Genealogy Festival,University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, July 21-24A worldwide celebration of Scots’ genealogy, family history and heraldry
with exhibitions, lectures and historic walks. www.strath.ac.uk/homecom-
ingscotland
Find Your ClanMacDonald or MacGregor? Don’t know? Then use Rabbie’s “clan finder” and
join one of six different clan tours to trace your ancestors’ roots on a two
to four day small group tour (16 people or less) with a knowledgeable guide.
Various dates and locations, www.rabbies.com
GOLF
2009 Scottish Golf Show, Exhibition & Conference Centre,Glasgow, March 20-22More than 100 exhibitors let you try the latest equipment on putting greens,
short game areas and a driving range. Free lessons from professional golfers
and trick shot demos. www.thescottishgolfshow.co.uk
Homecoming Scotland Drive it HomeScotland's biggest ever golf promotion offers a free foursome for overseas
golfers and other savings. Ongoing, www.driveithome2009.com
The Open Championship at Turnberry, July 17-18Depart Edinburgh on the Orient-Express Northern Belle and enjoy Cham-
pagne Bellinis with a full Scottish breakfast en route to Turnberry. Attend the
Open Championship followed by a champagne reception as the Northern
Belle returns to Edinburgh. www.turnberry2009.com
WHISKEY
Spirit of the West, Inveraray, May 16-17A weekend celebration during the “Whiskey Month” of May on the splendid
grounds of Inveraray Castle, home to the Duke of Argyll. Whiskey tasting,
food sampling and cookery demonstrations will run alongside historical
trails, fashion shows, music, arts and crafts and golfing activities. www.spir-
itofthewest.co.uk, www.inverarary-castle.co.uk
Classic Malts Cruise, Islay, July 11-24Those with a passion for sailing and single malt scotch are invited to join a
200 mile voyage from the southern shore of Islay, the most southerly island
in the Inner Hebrides, to the northwest of Skye. The two-week journey allowsFrom top: A personalized whiskey blend from Glengoyne; Totty Rocksin Edinburgh, and Demijohn, the ‘liquid deli.’ Bottom: courtesy of VisitScotland, floral display at St. Andrews Golf Course.
C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 2 7
Cheese of Arran at the farmers’ market
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Cheese of Arran at the farmers’ market
26 NJSL | FEBRUARY 2009 NJSL 27
The Ardeonaig is a hidden treasure that quickly unfolds once
you get past the tiny foyer and reception room. Reserve
judgment, however, for you’ll soon discover that this is part of
the genius of the place.
As you meander down the corridor, you’ll find a series of sit-
ting rooms much more inviting and intimate. The white room
with its plump sofas is perfect for a pre-dinner drink; the study,
with oversized windows and view of Loch Tay, lends itself to an
afternoon tea, and the library is the place to while away a misty
afternoon with a scotch and a book by the fire.
There are lovely rooms in the main inn but the star accommo-
dations are the rondawels (individual bungalows) that line the
river bank with private patios. The thatched cottages are spacious
and well-appointed, with grand soaking tubs and separate walk-
in showers.
Chef/owner Peter Gottgens is zealous in his approach to pre-
senting the finest Scottish cuisine. The dishes may not be tradi-
tional but the ingredients are: Gottgens’ philosophy is to combine
fresh and seasonal local ingredients to showcase their true texture
and flavor rather than disguise them in a sauce.
On a recent visit, the menu included thick cut Uig Lodge
Salmon from the Isle of Lewis and line-caught Loch Tarbet
Seabass seasoned with herbs from the chef’s own garden. Lamb is
always a favorite here because it’s procured from the inn’s own
flock of sheep that grazes only on heather, per Gottgens’ directive.
Whether you dine upstairs in the restaurant or downstairs in
the wine cellar, be sure to reserve at least one night for the tasting
menu with paired wines. In a nod to the chef’s South African
heritage, the wines served are exclusively South African and many
are from small vineyards that produce less than 1,000 bottles a
year. Interestingly, Gottgens will create a dish to match a wine
rather than look for a wine to match a dish.
Nearby excursions include the picturesque town of Killin, with
its open view of water cascading over rocks at the Falls of Dochart.
The village is also home to the Breadalbane Folklore Centre, with
its giant waterwheel and presentations on Celtic traditions. To the
east, in Aberfeldy, is the Dewar’s World of Whiskey, where you can
tour the distillery before settling into a scotch tasting.
THE ARDEONAIG HOTELSouth Road Loch Tay, Ardeonaig, PerthshireTelephone: 01567 820400 • [email protected]
is served nearby at
Loch Fyne Oyster
Bar in Cairndow.
The unassuming
old farm building is
just off the shore
from Loch Fyne and
also houses a small market
full of treats. www.lochfyne.com
Demijohn defines itself as a “liquid deli” where you
are invited to sample everything from Rhubarb Vodka
to Lyme Bay Apricot. Once you’ve picked a favorite
(or two), choose a bottle to fill from the glass kegs
and personalize it with a marker. Branches in Edin-
burgh and Glasgow, www.demijohn.co.uk
Of course, no visit would be complete without a
whiskey tasting. With nearly 100 distilleries in Scot-
land you may want to visit several. The Glengoyne
Distillery, about 30 minutes from Glasgow, offers the
usual tour along with the novel opportunity to create
your own blended whiskey during a “Master Blender
Session.” www.glengoyne.com
FASHION
Tartan with aTwistHowie Nicholsby
turned Scottish
fashion on its head
when he started
offering kilts in
everything from
black leather to
pinstripes and
even a Desert
Storm camouflage
print. Not ready to
leave convention
behind? Nicholsby’s 21st Century Kilts shares space
with his father’s traditional made-to-measure
company, Geoffrey (Tailor) Kilt Makers, so there’s
something to please everyone. Glasgow and
Edinburgh, www.21stcentury-kilts.com
Anta is a family-run Scottish design and architecture
firm known for its modern interpretation of traditional
Scottish style. You’ll find gorgeous made-to-order silk
corsets in contemporary colors, lambs’ wool and silk
throws, men’s ties and enchanting stoneware dressed in
tartan. Edinburgh, www.anta.com
A hip young brand designed and produced
exclusively in Scotland, Totty Rocks uses tartan for a
wrap trench and accessorizes it with a traditional
sporran bag updated in red and white patent leather.
Edinburgh, www.tottyrocks.com
www.visitscotland.comGeneral planning information
www.homecomingscotland2009.comCalendar of special events
www.ancestralscotland.comFor help designing an itinerary tocorrelate with your family name
www.inveraray-castle.comSite of Spirit of the West festival,Connect Music festival, and ClanCampbell Gathering
www.rabbies.comJoin an organized small group tour(16 or less) for one to eight days toexplore the best of Scotland or havea tour tailor made.
RESOURCES
Secret Scottish Gourmet GetawayPhotos courtesy of the Ardeonaig Hotel
Mussels from LochFyne Oyster Bar
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