Aberdeenshire - Day 2

Stewart & Carol arranged a very extensive day of touring Aberdeenshire today.  I feel like I've had a good dose of all things Scottish and learnt a few Scottish sayings/words along the way.  Very good teachers they are!

The day started rainy and cloudy and cold and we left the house wondering what the weather was going to be like.  But being the optimists that we are, we stepped out into what turned out to be another glorious day of sunshine. Please let it not end.

First stop, Huntly, to visit THE BEST shortbread - Dean's.  Had a cup of coffee with scones and then a look at the factory and the hardworking workers packaging all those delicious goodies.  Even got a wave back from them ;-).  The gift shop was also part of the tour, with sufficient purchases being made.

We then drove to Keith to a distillery called Strathisla which is the home of Chivas Regal whisky.  I've learnt today that Scottish whisky is spelt 'whisky' and Irish whiskey is spelt 'whiskey'!!! There you go. Let it not be said that you can't learn stuff on blip. 

Next, to the Baxter's factory in Fochabers.  I didn't even know that Baxter's was a Scottish company.  We had a lovely time pootling around the shops and going through the history of the Baxter's family from start to present day operations.  Also had the opportunity to try some very nice gin, which is making a resurgence in the Scottish market.  Extra shows the gin available there and two very special people.  

We then drove through Castle Gordon, Banff, Macduff, Newpitsligo, and stopped to take some photos of Strichen deer park, from where Charlie17 brings us close up images of the deer.

A very exciting day of driving through beautiful countryside and farms and wind turbines and cows and sheep and tractors and bales of hay and breathtaking views of Aberdeenshire. Extremely picturesque, as is this picture which I love.

It's been a blip rich day again and hope you can have a look at the extras as well.

The CBLs have shared their part of the world with me very generously.  I'm in awe.

P.S.  I forgot to say that I had haggis for the first time ever yesterday!!!!!!!!! And it was good :).