The day started with clouds but ended clear. This was a 4 distillery day plus a last stop at Bruichladdich for a photo and a bottle of The Botanist from a 3-year cask which is quite nice.

The first 3 distilleries are close to each other. We started at Bunnahabhain, the farthest from us.

Everyone was very impressed and Steve bought me a tasting set to try later. I also got a small driver’s dram (maybe two). That’s a thing here… the driver can sometimes be given, or buy, a very small pour to have after driving, at the end of the day. Very civilized.

There was a group of Dutch folks who were on a whiskey tour from the sailing ship in the background. How fun! I have no idea where they boarded or how long their trip was.

I commenced to be the driver. I think I did a fine job. Anyone who might have driven their adult sons in similar circumstances knows that they might not agree with my statement 🙄.

Our 2nd stop was Ardnahoe, a young distillery only a mile or so up the road.

I didn’t taste anything other than a pumpkin spice latte—but that was very nice!

The 3rd stop was at Caol Ila which is a very large distillery owned by an even bigger multi-national company, Diageo. They own so many alcohol producers that I’m not even going to try to list them.

Of course the whiskey tried was lovely, or so I was told. The land in the distance is another island, Jura.

We stopped at Finlaggan Castle which is in ruins but very interesting. It’s a very small island surrounded by what looked to be a bog or shallow lake. it was the seat of the Lordship of the Isles until the 1400s.

And lastly, we went to the Bowmore distillery that was closed yesterday and was about to close for another private event today so our arrival was well-timed.

I like Bowmore’s whiskey! I wish I had been able to sample onsite but there you go.

We came home to sunshine and a clear blue sky. Many of those who live in Portnahaven were out enjoying the sun and one man said this is what June is supposed to be like!

Fingers crossed for more good weather as we travel back to the mainland. We take the ferry back to Kennacraig tomorrow and then drive to Stirling. Good thing the sun stays up nearly to 11PM.