September 12

Today was another get out and see something day. Aren’t they all? First off, we visited Ann’s favorite place to shop, the Islay Woolen Mill. This is an active wool fabric looming shop using Islay sheep’s wool. The owner, Gordon Covell, gave us a tour of his mid 19th century stone building and the period machinery. The old loom was in action this morning creating an amazing amount metal on metal clanking and crashing. The sound echoed from the thick stone walls of the building seeming to engulf us in pure noise. Of course, the owner knew Alistair and Judy. I guess everyone here does. The tour of the facility from this chatty Welsh tartan maker was a delight.

We then headed next to Finlaggan, the ancient home of the Lords of the Isles, the ancestors of the clan MacDonald. This is now a ruin on an island in Loch Finlaggan reached through a wooden walkway through the marsh. We were the only people there but the midges and wasps in the swamp area discouraged Ann and Marian so we left.

With the next stop Bunnahabhain Distillery, none of us were too upset about leaving Finlaggan. Getting there is exciting since the only access is by a single-track road with huge distillery trucks sharing our winding road. We had a nice chat with the young lady who opened the reception and gift shop for us. Casually but with purpose I mentioned that we were staying with our friend Alistair Ross, she immediately pulled out two bottles and gave us a tasting of their product. Since we received tours at Glenfiddich and Bowmore we now know enough so we could make our own whisky. We are now way too cool to take these “tourist tours”. We four are so much above the level of general tourists here in Scotland! Or so we think…

Our next stop, our sixth distillery on Islay, was Caol Ila (Coal-eela). A tasting of their 18 year old was offered there also. Then to Brigend Hotel for a late sandwich since we were going out to dinner at 8 with the Rosses and Susie.

After coming home and putting our feet up for a rest, we were off to Margaret and Islay Campbell’s house for drinks prior to the taxi picking us up. Islay Campbell was the distillery manager at Bowmore after Alistair moved to the head office of Stanley Morrison in Glasgow, the parent company of Bowmore Whisky. Islay’s pour of whisky is, as it was in 2000 when we were there, a fair measure – exactly like Alistair’s. That means a large glass is filled half way, at least, with the whisky, then water to fill the glass to the top. After a lovely hour with the Campbells, we got into our taxi for the ride around to the other side of Lochindaal to the tinier town of Bruichladdich.

With Susie, Alistair, and Judy there were seven of us in the party for dinner. It was a wonderful dinner. The food was excellent as were the four bottles of very nice wine. Allan and I split the $560 bill. By that time in the night we were in no condition to complain about the bill. Heck, we loved every dollar of it, one of the finest evenings imaginable. At least until we get the credit card bill next month! Since Alistair and Judy are allowing us the use of their house, it was the least we could do. Alistair was surprised we paid, as he did not plan for that to happen. Not often does one beat Alistair at anything.