Flowers I saw in Scotland…

It’s mid-June and there are a lot of flowers out in nature and in town. I don’t know the names of most of these flowers, but many feel familiar. One man told me that this has been a very good year for buttercups and I think that’s true for many of the wild flowers. I took many of these photos on Islay.

I first saw these on Islay but they showed up all over Scotland and up into Orkney—although there seemed to be fewer flowers on Orkney, where the landscape is more exposed to wind.

The buttercups give the fields a bright yellow tint…

Maybe this is Heather? Whatever it is, it’s all over the place.

Plants take a foothold anywhere they can.

On one walk in a nature preserve, there was this sign… None of us read “ditch” at first 🤣.

From here on out, ditches at the sides of the road were bitches. And they may forever stay that way in my head… Back to flowers!

Plants growing in water that seemed bog-like.

And what the heck is this? (Helpful readers told me it’s Gunnera.)

It was taller than me, with thorns! It was growing near the water so can tolerate the salt that is sure to spray up. This plant felt prehistoric… and there was more than one of them.

Purple and yellow were everywhere, so other colors called attention to themselves.

Lots of roses, both wild and domestic…

And garden flowers were very happy!

Everywhere there are stacked stone fences. I love them!!!!

You have to love the colorful spring flowers in Scotland :-).

Last full day on Islay and the sun came out!

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.

Living dangerously…

We visited the American Monument today honoring soldiers and sailors who died on ships that sank nearby in 1918. It’s a bit of a hike to get there.

American Monument Plaque

We walked through a small herd of Highland Coos (cows) that appeared docile. But cows make me nervous and these have horns!

Highland Coos

Part of the trail ran alongside the top of cliffs. Not the most giant cliffs you may have ever seen, but falling off would kill you. of course my sons tempted fate and went to the edges 😳🙄😱😬.

Jeff and Chris
Lorna had to look away.
Steve near The American Monument
Jeff, near the cliff edge wayyyyyy up there to the right of the Monument

I stayed back from the edge :-).

Bowmore Distillery was closed for a private event so tomorrow will be a 4 distillery day!

Monday… distilleries!

Each distillery has whiskies that are not available where we are in Texas. Those are what the boys especially are interested in tasting.

Ardbeg

Our only scheduled tour of the trip was in the Ardbeg warehouse rather than in the distillery which was “quiet” for cleaning and maintenance. I learned a lot and enjoyed the smells of the whiskey.

The casks are oak, and many come from American bourbon makers.

Laphroig came next. My people loved it 🥰.

Laphroaig

The last stop today was Lagavulin where I had a lovely mocktail!

Lagavulin
Tonic with a nonalcoholic distilled plant-based spirit that was a lot like gin.

It was here that a man behind us noticed me knitting (I wasn’t drinking so knitted instead 😊). He and his wife had never seen anyone knit in the American way—“throwing” the yarn with the right hand. Turns out they were with a group of friends from Bavaria who call themselves the Whiskey Pilgrims. They have been visiting distilleries in Scotland since 2013… what an amazingly good idea!

The gentleman on the left was a knitter in until his 20s and work got in the way.

Everyone was happy, especially our boys 😊.

Islay, Sunday, June 9

The day started with a rainbow!

Steve and I walked in the village before most people were up.

Rainbow outside our door.

Went walking in nature.

Jeff, Steve, Lorna, Chris

There are sheep with little lambs…

Baby lamb, chowing down.

And Highland cows!

We also visited Kilchoman and Bruichladdich distilleries where I failed to take photos—or drink because I was the driver!!! Hello left side of the road and one lane two-way streets! So exciting, and we got home just fine.

We made it to Scotland!

Flew from Dallas to London and London to Edinburgh with minor hitches. Had a rental van adventure (#1 had tire issues, #2 would not go forward and it wasn’t our fault 🤣, #3 is perfect!).

On the drive to Tarbet.

Got up today and drove to Kennacraig to catch a ferry…

And now we are on Islay and it is beautiful 😊.

In the village of Portnahaven, Islay

This is our house, for many days 🙂
And we can swim 🤣!