The Whisky Trail in Scotland, England

Whiskey is made from barley, yeast and stream water and each year, 524,009,191 million litres of whisky are produced in Scotland every year and each distillery, currently there are 71, believes with an unshakeable conviction, that their whisky is the finest in the world. You can see the proof of these claims everywhere on the Whisky Trail.  A 70 mile (112kms) long signposted tour that takes in several malt whiskey distilleries.

The trail is focused around the town of Dufftown in the Grampian district in the heart of the Scottish Highlands

Dufftown was laid out in 1817 by James Duff, the 4^th Earl of Fife, initially to give employment after the Napoleonic Wars, and has the appearance of a particularly well-appointed Scottish village.  The first of numerous distilleries were established in 1823 and gave rise to the couplet “Rome was built on seven hills Dufftown stands on seven stills"

The route takes in such distilleries as Glenlivet, Glenfarclas, Cardgu, Macallan, Glen Grant, Strathisla and Glenfiddich  to name only a few.

If there’s a catch, then it is this. You can’t really do the Whisky Trail without a car.  There is no real public transport that can take you along the route and drop you off at each distillery.   And if you do bring your car then you can’t really taste any of the whisky at the conclusion of each tour of these producers of fine Scotch!

Fortunately there is a solution, as the district has more than enough pubs and hotel bars whose shelves are very well stocked with many, many choices of the local scotch. So create your own whisky trail and leave the car and get the barman to pour you a large one.

Some important factors to consider when choosing your scotch is that it will take time to select the scotch, which is right for you.  There are an estimated 2,500 Scotch whiskies. In making your selection of the correct drink you must consider the history, as every distillery has its own folklore, the geography as Islay malts are the generally the smoky ones and the Speyside ones the more rounded, the aesthetics such as the look and feel of a bottle and its label are important.

To water or not to water this is the question.  This is a hotly contended issue among Scotch drinkers. Some say whisky is designed to be watered in order to bring out its full qualities, others say that it is made to be drunk neat.  It is best to try your scotch both ways, just to make sure.

It’s important to acknowledge the drink by inhaling the aromas.   Don’t feel you have to put a name to the aroma, just enjoy the whole experience and there is something distinct and sublime about the aroma of a fine scotch.

Finally take a nip, enough to coat the tongue well.  Hold the drink awhile on your tongue to truly experience the taste as it’s been said that a quality single malt should taste like an angel crying on your tongue.

That’s a big claim, but there are few drinks that are so much part of a national culture and pride as Scotch Whisky.

Below is the route as shown on Google Maps

The Photo stitch application that I have on my computer is a WONDERFUL tool.

The Photo stitch application that I have on my computer is a WONDERFUL tool.  I took these three photos

and merged them in Photostitch and now look at the finished photo!

I just wish I could remember the exact spot in Tuscany WHERE I took these!

Free Self Guided Diving Map of the Top Dordogne Medieval Villages

This route explores the department of Dordogne in the Aquitaine region of France.

The Driving Route will take you to some of the top medieval Bastide villages and Castles of the 100 Years War in the Dordogne Region of France

During the Hundred Years War (1337-1453) the Dordogne region was the theatre for numerous struggles of possession, influence and occasionally battles between the English and French monarchs and Dukes. As a result there are over 300 bastide towns and castles in the region.

Bastide towns are fortified towns that were built in the 13th century, by both the English and the French, to encourage settlement of areas before the Hundred Years War to lay claim to the surrounding countryside over their enemies. As a result, the towns were created with defense in mind and have a fortified perimeter, a geometric patterned streets around the central market square with narrow alleys between the houses all for aid of defense of the town from attacking forces.

This Self Guided Drive takes in some of the most famous Bastide towns and Castles in the Dordogne. The starting point of this drive is Sarlat (Sarlat-la-Caneda), and continues to Domme, La Roque-Gageac, Castelnaud-la-Chapelle and finally Beynac-et-Cazenac. Straight driving this route will take about 45min.

Sarlat-la-Caneda possesses one of the highest concentrations of Medieval, Renaissance and 17th century buildings in France, thanks predominately to a conservation law passed in 1964. The town is also famous for one of the best markets in all of France, which takes place every Saturday where the produce of the season is for sale, horses, poultry, foie gras, nuts, truffles and so much more. Another highlight of the town is the Cathedrale Saint Sacerdos. The church was originally part of a 9th century Benedictine abby but over the centuries has been expanded, renovated and rebuilt in a mixture of styles to create a unique structure that not quite Gothic, Renaissance nor Neo-Classical but a mixture of all. During the Hundred Years War the town was loyal to the French crown, which shows in its wealth and quality of its buildings from that time.

Take the D46 southwards and cross the river at Vitrac, to Domme

Domme is a fortified Bastide town that sits upon a rocky hill-top beside the Dordogne River. It saw its hands change side many times during the Hundred Years War, but it still retains many of it defensive structures. To understand these elaborate defenses all you need to do is to take a look at the impressive fortified stone tower gates, Porte des Tours, which guard the main entrance into the town, to see the lengths rulers needed to take to protect their holdings.

Leave going west through Domme on the D46, cross the river and turn left onto D703 to La Roque-Gageac

La Roque-Gageac is an interesting and unique village as it only has one road. The golden-stone houses seem to be built out of the steep cliffs on one side of the road and are reflected in the placid river on the other. The town was built as a port and way-point on the Domme River.

Continue on the D703 and turn left onto D57 direction Catelnaud-la-Chapelle/ Chateau de Castelnaud

Castelnaud-la-Chapelle is a town built around the Château de Castelnaud. Chateau de Castelnaud is a 13th century castle, once owned by Richard the Lionheart, who spent much on his life in this area of France protecting his land holdings, inherited from his mother, in the Aquitaine region. The Chateau is a medieval fortress overlooking the Dordogne River. It was erected to face its rival across the river, the Château de Beynac.
During the Hundred Years' War, Chateau Castelnaud owed their allegiance to the English Kings. Today the Château is a museum of medieval warfare, featuring reconstructions of siege engines, amour and weaponry.

Retrace D57 to D703 turn left direction Beynac-et-Cezenac/ Chateau de Beynac

Beynac-et-Cazenac is a fortified village surrounding a precipice upon which is situated the Chateau de Beynac. The castle was built from the 12th century onwards. On one side there is a sheer cliff face which was sufficient to discourage any assault from that side, the remaining defenses were built up on the plateau: and include double crenellated walls, double moats, and double barbican. At the time of the Hundred Years' War, the fortress at Beynac was in French hands. Currently the Chateau is being restored to recreate this medieval time with its great halls, torches and period furniture.

Straight driving this route will only take about 45min but allow yourself the entire day to stop and admire what the towns and castles have to offer you.


Here is the route as shown on Google Maps

Free Self-Guided Driving Route of the Burgundy Region of France

The starting point of this self-guided drive is Beaune and continues to Aloxe-Corton, the Canal de Bourgogne, Vezelay and finally Autun before returning to Beaune. Straight driving this route will take about 4hrs.

Beaune is the center of the Burgundy wine region. The old town center, which is enclosed within ramparts, holds the Hotel- Dieu, Hospices de Beaune where its multi-coloured glazed roof tiles, iron works, and gabled dormers make this more a wealthy mans house then a place for the poor. On the third weekend of November there is Les Trois Glorieuses, an annual festival, culminating in a charity wine auction held at the Hotel-Dieu, which sells the wine of the wineries owned by the hospice. But there are many other sites and squares that fill the city which should not be missed.

Take the D18 north from Beaune towards Permand-Vergelesse. Just before the town turn right/ east on D115D to Aloxe-Corton.

Aloxe-Corton lies in the center of the grands cru of Burgundy. There is a signed drive through some of the best wineries in the Cote du Beaune. The Route Touristique des Grands Crus de Borgogne. Though there are numerous caves and cellars within Aloxe-Corton, which sell these delicious reds.

Return to the D18, the latter part of D18 follows the banks of the Canal de Bourgogne. Stop in the town of Vandenesse en Auxois. Here take a stroll, or cycle, alongside the canal where the countryside offers a lush backdrop. Walking north-west for about 3.5kms there are numerous locks that lead to the beginning of this section of the Canal de Bourgogne. Walking south-east you again have numerous locks but this time against the backdrop of the feudal castle of Chateauneuf.

Continue on the D18 and join up with the autoroute A6. This is a toll road. Head north towards Paris. Take exit 22 towards Avallon and merge onto A646. After the roundabout bear right/ west on D50 and D606. At the roundabout take D957 towards Vezely.

Vezely is a hilltop hamlet that is a medieval time capsule. Believed to be the finial resting place of Mary Magdalene it was once a great pilgrim site of the Christian world. It was here that was the rendezvous point in 1190 for the 3rd Crusade to expel the Sacrens from Jerusalem, drawing such notables as Richard the Lion Hearted and King Philippe of France. The 12th century Romanesque Basilique Sainte-Marie Madeleine is only just smaller then Notre Dame in Paris, and is a wonder of spires, carved figures over doorways and pillars engraved with biblical scenes. The town is closed to all automobile traffic and can only be visited on foot.

Take the D957 back to Avallon and turn right/ south on D606 and D906 in the direction to Saulieu. In Saulieu turn right onto D980 direction to Autun.

Autun was founded at the end of the 1st century BC by the Romans. It was a very important which is shown by the size of it amphitheatre, capacity for 20,000, which was one of the largest anywhere at that time. Before you reach the town, on the right/ west are the remains of the Temple of Janus. Not to be missed is the Cathedrale St Lazare, a Gothic/ Romanesque wonder of carvings and colour. The area around the Cathedrale hold many wonders such as the fountain in the Place du Terreau and the Musee Rolin, a private collection of religious artwork and Gallo-Roman artifacts.

Take the D973 all the way back to Beaune.

Straight driving this route will take about 4hrs


The Burgundy Driving Route in its entirety on Google Maps

View self guided drive in Burgundy in a larger map