Aug 6

We left our hotel in Brora early in the morning. Just as we were pulling out of the driveway, I discovered. I didn't have my iPad in my backpack. I jumped out of the bus, and ran back to go to our room. There was no one behind the desk, so I ha to go around and pick my key myself. Luckily, it was on the nightstand where I had left it. I returned to the bus to a round of applause. Luckily, I discovered it before we had gotten too far away!! Brora is way in the north of Scotland, and had been a center of industrial activity in the past: coal mining, steel, and farming. It didn't seem so mighty now, just a sleepy town. We had stopped in yesterday to the Brora Industrial Museum, all of 3 rooms, to see some of the artifacts.
We drove south and crossed Dornoch Firth and Cromerty Firth and Beauly Firth to get back to Inverness. There was a lovey rainbow, but I wasn't able to get a picture. You'll have to take my word for it.
We came to a little town called Carrbridge which had an ancient bridge (for wagons and people, not cars). Picturesque.
We proceeded to a small farm where we had a dog and sheep show. There were Border Collies who were unbelievably well trained to follow the master's spoken and whistle commands. They brought the sheep in, and we got a shearing demonstration.
Trying to get to our next destination, the Blair Athol Distillery, became a chore. There was an accident on the highway, and the main road was almost at a standstill. We were stuck for about an hour, and we weren't sure we were going to make our 2:45 appointment. We stopped in a little town for lunch, and had 30 minutes. We all got fish and chips, and ate it in the parking lot. Then we got to the distillery on time.
We had a little tour, showing us how Scotch Whiskey is made from the grains, fermented and aged in barrels from Kentucky Bourbon! Aging must be for at least 3 years, but mostly they age 12 years. We saw some barrels dating to 1968! Actually the vast majority of their output goes into blending of other whiskeys, such as Johnie Walker and others. They wouldn't let us take any pictures of the process or the barrels.
Then down to St. Andrews, where we are spending the night. We are right on the Old Course, overlooking the famous 18th hole. We went into town for dinner (Fish curry, actually very good) and walked back by way of the 18th hole. We crossed over the famous stone bridge going up to the 18th green. Amazing to think of the golfing greats who have also walked there.
We walk the town tomorrow, then down to Edinborough.