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A Roadtrip up to Scotland for a few days and then on to Northumberland for a week.

Day 1. Oxford – Hexham

It was decided to break the journey into two parts. We stayed with a friend in Hexham, a perfect half way house on the way to the Highlands.

 

 

 

 

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Day 2. Hexham – Tomintoul

We then made the further 5 hrs to Tomintoul. It was a stunning drive.

 

 

 

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Day 3. Glenlivet distillery, Speyside cooperage, Johnsons of Elgin

We firstly visited The Glenlivet distillery, on the Glenlivet Estate in Ballindalloch.

We were given a guided tour of the distillery, followed by a tasting session!

 

 

All the different distilleries have their own design of Still that gives their whisky a unique taste.

 

We then visited the Speyside Cooperage where the whisky barrels are made and repaired. It is still all done by hand, by a team of 14 craftsmen. A cooper can make 15 – 20 barrels a day or repair 25 – 30. Most whisky barrels are ‘tasted’ with Bourbon or Sherry before being sent back to Scotland for the Whisky.

We finally visited Johnstons of Elgin. Unfortunately the mill was closed to visitors when we arrived but it is possible to look round the mill if you get their early enough.