We had packed most things last night but still had bits to throw together which meant that, even though I woke at 4:30 (aka stupid o' clock), we didn't leave Congleton until after 6:30.
An uneventful and relatively quiet ride up to Tebay where we stopped but had our own coffee and buns, there being many people queuing for breakfast. On and round Glasgow (dear eldest Grandchild, please note there is no 'r' in Glasgow) to the Cumbernauld services which weren't, proper services, that is, so we moved to the garden centre for coffee.
We had spotted the Tullibardine Distillery just off the A9 on the map and went to check it out. A half hour wait for the next tour seemed reasonable so we hung about and Ian did the tour. I stayed in the bar, intrigued by the different nationalities of people turning up and being fed coffee by the receptionist. The owners are French, with links to the wine making industry, leading to them being the only importers of Burgundy barrels and the only distillery which produces a whisky with a Burgundy finish as part of their main collection.
Because of this, its popularity, and because he did like it, Ian decided to buy a bottle, even though he'd liked the idea of the Sauternes finish before he took the tour.
Onwards through the drizzle, to a cafe somewhere near Aviemore, just off the road, which served decent tea, OK cake but where the music was a bit grim. Lots of lupins in various colours, growing wild beside the A9.
The journey began to get really tedious as we kept going towards Inverness, stopped for fuel at a supermarket we remembered and crossed the bridge over the Moray Firth. The last leg took us onto the Black Isle with our first view of the sea for over a year. We clocked the Crofters Bistro I'd seen online while waiting for Ian to do the whisky tour and went back to it post haste after we had booked into our room. We were very early and fortunate to be given a table for a short while.
Ian - deconstructed chicken wrap, salad and chips served in a plant pot.
Sue - pan fried cod, Puy lentils, bok choi and mustard sauce (and some of Ian's chips) Delicious.
Back to the b&b in a bit of rain and, suitably dressed, walked along the bay to Chanonry Point to see if we could see the dolphins. No chance! A seal came in fairly close to say hello but that was all. Back to the b&b where we sat in the lounge and chatted to a couple of Americans who had just come in.
Night 1: Fair Isle bed and breakfast, Rosemarkie, near Fortrose, Black Isle.
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