New Year's Day!
Since not much would be open we decided we'd climb Arthur's Seat. Since I wasn't able to secure a ticket for the Loony Dook, I figured we'd go with plan B. Why not climb a really really tall hill, mountain thing. It was a long trek and more suitable for a mountain goat, but I managed and so did Dad. It was a good time and we had company. We didn't get to walk out along the Crags but stuff happens, right?
Afterward we did some more shopping since we connected with the Royal Mile at Holyrood Palace. We tried to get into the World's End bar, but it was a 45 minute wait. We headed out and ended up at Whiski. This bar was exactly what you picture a pub to be like in the UK. Dark wood, classy but totally laid back. Unpretentious and homey. I naturally felt at home right away.
We decided to split from the group at that point and head back to the hotel to rest our feet/legs. We had some fish and chips from the hotel restaurant and just kind of hung out and prepared for tomorrow's journey to Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Hogmanay in the UK
Ah, New Year's Eve, here at last! The day of Hogmanay is upon us!
Today was a day of shopping since most shops will be closed on the 1st and 2nd for the holiday. They sure know how to party over here!
We started the day off heading up to the Royal Mile to go to the Scotch Whisky Experience. We got in on the 10:30 tour. Hey, it's 5 o'clock somewhere! (I was slightly bummed that William Wallace wasn't out this AM.) The first part of the tour was a whisky barrel ride to see how whisky is made. It was cool--reminded me of the Chocolate World ride at Hershey, but the treat at the end was much better! After the ride you walk upstairs to the tasting room. There are benches around three of the walls and a video screen on the fourth. Our guide, Tom, talked about the different areas of whisky production in Scotland. In front of us on a bench-like table was a Glencairn glass, five colored dots (red, blue, green, yellow, and a dot with all four colors) and a card with red, blue, green and yellow sections similar to a color wheel.
The disc of colors were scratch and sniff to help find a whisky flavour you would like. The green one was first and is from the Lowlands. The taste is more fruity or citrusy. The yellow one is from the Highlands. These have a more nutty or toffee like flavour, sometimes grassy. Next was the blue from Speyside (in the North East). These have a more vanilla flavour. Last, the red Islay (pronounced Isle-ah), these are smoky because of the peaty area they are made in.
After choosing what you'd like to try for your first tasting (I went with the Islay Malt) we took it into the largest collection of whisky in the world to learn how to drink it. First you start swirling your whisky in the glass to get the aromas flowing. After that you "nose" it (smell for you uncultured folks). Check out the different flavours! Then you swirl some more and nose again. And again...and again. Like our guide, I could do this all day and see the different scents you get. Then it's time for tasting. Remember to keep swirling. (You can also check the color in the light to see the aging, and also check the driplets coming down the glass to see if it's heavy or not.) It's a very involved process. Sip your whisky and let it sit on your tongue for 4 or 5 seconds. (Don't just throw it back, that's a waste.) You can add some water to help the whisky release its aromas and taste more. (But you don't have to drown it.)
My sample taste was a Bowmore from Islay. After that we meandered over to the whisky bar for our tasting plate. We started with a Lowland, Glenkinchie 12yo--it was okay, but my least favorite. Next was the Highland, Glengoyne 10yo--very nice. I like the fruitiness of it. Speyside, Glenlivet 12yo--lovely vanilla notes, my 2nd fav. Last but not least, Islay, Caol Ila 12yo ("Song of Islay")--my favorite! I really enjoy the heavy smoky flavours!
When we finally left William Wallace was at it again, getting pictures with the crowd and giving the English a razz or two. We headed down the Royal Mile, shopping along the way.
Eventually we made our way to the National Museum of Scotland. I could've spent an entire day there. The amount of things in the collection is amazing! Not to mention they have more things and not all of the museum was open because of refurbishments! I will definitely be back.
After that we headed to the hotel to change for dinner. Then we started heading down to Amicus Apple cutting across the Hogmanay street party area. Dinner was excellent. It started off with a shot of a tomato and basil reduction with something else. Next was the beef carpaccio. And I split it with Dad's mussel and leek soup. Next was my main course: Lamb Shank! Finally my dessert, Twisted Raspberry Crannachan. I need to find a recipe for this! It's apparently some kind of mix with oatmeal and whisky that turns out like a pudding.
We hung around the restaurant until around 10. Then we headed out into the street to find our spot. We were right on Princes Street very close to the castle. It felt like forever until midnight. For the birthplace of Auld Lang Syne they definitely sing it better in New York City. Or maybe it was just the area I was in...IDK. I don't think I'd do the street party again and I'd definitely like to get over here when there isn't a festival going on. A good time was had by all. We went back to the restaurant for our "midnight feast" stuff and grabbed a hot dog appetizer thing and started heading back.
We were behind the fences because of where the facade of the shop was and ended up walking past all the craziness. When we got to The Mound one of the security guards let us through and we walked with little trouble. It looks like there were quite a few people hurt during the evenings events (if more of the crowd was like the people in front of me, then I'm not surprised.) We walked over the mound, and saw one of the live bands, and a guy in a bunny suit smoking a cigarette. (IDK...and I wasn't about to ask.) We headed in, and had a drink at the bar in the hotel with our traveling companions. Then off to bed.
Today was a day of shopping since most shops will be closed on the 1st and 2nd for the holiday. They sure know how to party over here!
We started the day off heading up to the Royal Mile to go to the Scotch Whisky Experience. We got in on the 10:30 tour. Hey, it's 5 o'clock somewhere! (I was slightly bummed that William Wallace wasn't out this AM.) The first part of the tour was a whisky barrel ride to see how whisky is made. It was cool--reminded me of the Chocolate World ride at Hershey, but the treat at the end was much better! After the ride you walk upstairs to the tasting room. There are benches around three of the walls and a video screen on the fourth. Our guide, Tom, talked about the different areas of whisky production in Scotland. In front of us on a bench-like table was a Glencairn glass, five colored dots (red, blue, green, yellow, and a dot with all four colors) and a card with red, blue, green and yellow sections similar to a color wheel.
The disc of colors were scratch and sniff to help find a whisky flavour you would like. The green one was first and is from the Lowlands. The taste is more fruity or citrusy. The yellow one is from the Highlands. These have a more nutty or toffee like flavour, sometimes grassy. Next was the blue from Speyside (in the North East). These have a more vanilla flavour. Last, the red Islay (pronounced Isle-ah), these are smoky because of the peaty area they are made in.
After choosing what you'd like to try for your first tasting (I went with the Islay Malt) we took it into the largest collection of whisky in the world to learn how to drink it. First you start swirling your whisky in the glass to get the aromas flowing. After that you "nose" it (smell for you uncultured folks). Check out the different flavours! Then you swirl some more and nose again. And again...and again. Like our guide, I could do this all day and see the different scents you get. Then it's time for tasting. Remember to keep swirling. (You can also check the color in the light to see the aging, and also check the driplets coming down the glass to see if it's heavy or not.) It's a very involved process. Sip your whisky and let it sit on your tongue for 4 or 5 seconds. (Don't just throw it back, that's a waste.) You can add some water to help the whisky release its aromas and taste more. (But you don't have to drown it.)
My sample taste was a Bowmore from Islay. After that we meandered over to the whisky bar for our tasting plate. We started with a Lowland, Glenkinchie 12yo--it was okay, but my least favorite. Next was the Highland, Glengoyne 10yo--very nice. I like the fruitiness of it. Speyside, Glenlivet 12yo--lovely vanilla notes, my 2nd fav. Last but not least, Islay, Caol Ila 12yo ("Song of Islay")--my favorite! I really enjoy the heavy smoky flavours!
When we finally left William Wallace was at it again, getting pictures with the crowd and giving the English a razz or two. We headed down the Royal Mile, shopping along the way.
Eventually we made our way to the National Museum of Scotland. I could've spent an entire day there. The amount of things in the collection is amazing! Not to mention they have more things and not all of the museum was open because of refurbishments! I will definitely be back.
After that we headed to the hotel to change for dinner. Then we started heading down to Amicus Apple cutting across the Hogmanay street party area. Dinner was excellent. It started off with a shot of a tomato and basil reduction with something else. Next was the beef carpaccio. And I split it with Dad's mussel and leek soup. Next was my main course: Lamb Shank! Finally my dessert, Twisted Raspberry Crannachan. I need to find a recipe for this! It's apparently some kind of mix with oatmeal and whisky that turns out like a pudding.
We hung around the restaurant until around 10. Then we headed out into the street to find our spot. We were right on Princes Street very close to the castle. It felt like forever until midnight. For the birthplace of Auld Lang Syne they definitely sing it better in New York City. Or maybe it was just the area I was in...IDK. I don't think I'd do the street party again and I'd definitely like to get over here when there isn't a festival going on. A good time was had by all. We went back to the restaurant for our "midnight feast" stuff and grabbed a hot dog appetizer thing and started heading back.
We were behind the fences because of where the facade of the shop was and ended up walking past all the craziness. When we got to The Mound one of the security guards let us through and we walked with little trouble. It looks like there were quite a few people hurt during the evenings events (if more of the crowd was like the people in front of me, then I'm not surprised.) We walked over the mound, and saw one of the live bands, and a guy in a bunny suit smoking a cigarette. (IDK...and I wasn't about to ask.) We headed in, and had a drink at the bar in the hotel with our traveling companions. Then off to bed.
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