Old Pulteney

Monday's weather was horrendous.  But in Caithness, you just have to go with it and my family did just that.  We went to the lighthouse and made a half-hearted attempt to go to shell beach; it was chucking it down.

We did see over a dozen seals near shell beach all moving toward us in the ocean.  Dad was convinced they were thinking what are you idiots doing outside.  He might have been right.  

On the way to Wick, we stopped at the Broch centre.  I need to do a bit of research on this, but it was very interesting and had a lot of similarities to Skara Brae - all of us (but mom who generally staying in the car) soaking wet by this time.

Then we went to our tour at Old Pulteney.  The tour was very interesting; it's a fairly simple process and all of the vessels with different stages of mash and liquid and then the warehouse with floor to ceiling barrels was too cool.  

We were all a bit surprised that this is relatively new industry that it is dependent on barrels from America in order for it to be authentic Scottish whiskey.

After the tour, we had a special tasting set up with the manager of the plant.  We all got to taste a 12-year, 17-year and their award winning 21-year.  I don't much care for whiskey and neither does mom, but we gave it a try and passed it on to the boys.

Aren't they gorgeous!!?!! They are MY brothers

The Nuclear Family does Whiskey

After the tour, we raced back to Thurso to see if the fishmonger was open and had fish.  He was, and we got some smoked salmon and hake for dinner.  I had never actually been to the fishmonger, and the smoked salmon was heavenly - hake was yummy too.  

I've been back twice in the last week for more smoked salmon (and cod and fish cakes and lemon sole).  I had a big smile on Saturday when I pulled up, I noticed he was leaving.  He did a u-turn and came back and opened up to sell me my fish.  Although he talked me through his hours, he wasn't in any hurry and got me everything I wanted and empathized that my people were gone.