Speyside Whisky Trail

by Nicola Young · Published May 28, 2009 · Updated August 23, 2010

Ye Ha ! The caravan season is upon us again. It’s a late start for the Fergusons, due to unforeseen circumstances, but off we go for our first outing to none other than Aberlour in the heart of the Speyside Whisky Trail, and also, smack in the middle of the Speyside Whisky Festival 1st – 10th May.

So Thursday 7th saw Catherine and I, with the “Twa Dugs” out and about in Aberlour scouring for information on what’s on ,where ,and when. Our search took us to the Tourist Information Office (used to be the Railway Station pre Dr Beeching) where we stocked up on pamphlets for our Itinerary.

It is thirsty work this pamphlet picking, so, lo and behold when we stepped out of the Station/Tourist Information Office there it was “The Mash Tun”, “Whisky Bar” formally the Station Hotel (pre the good doctor), and so gaily, in we traipsed. “Do you allow Dogs”, I humbly asked ?, “Yes was the reply, so long as they are well behaved”, “I wouldn’t have it any other way” says I. So down we sat to a lovely pint of Belhaven Best and a special offer Malt of the week, Glenfarclas 10 year old whilst waiting for our order of Haggis balls, salad, crusty bread and a whisky cream sauce to arrive, which ,when it did was delicious. Each meal is prepared and cooked to order, which showed in the fresh crispness of the finished article, but we were in no hurry as the

Glenfarclas was such an enjoyable aperitif we just had to have another. Catherine found it smooth, very pleasant with a sweet almost flowery finish, I found it sweet and creamy with some fruit/nuttiness showing through, perhaps it was the friendly ambience of the pub,or the good food that had helped, but we decided there and then that one of the distilleries we would have to visit this week would be Glenfarclas.