In 2024 I finally made it to Scotland. I travelled North through the Highlands touring whisky distilleries on the way. Finally I made it to MacKay Country. Then I pushed further North to Orkney before flying South to Edinburgh to storm the castle. Eventually however I had to return to Calgary Alberta…

I had committed to attending the Highland Whisky Academy in March so I didn’t make it to Edinburgh until after I’d traveled through the Highlands and onward to Orkney. So you could say I took the scenic route to Edinburgh.

When you look at where Thurso is on the map and you see the ferry is right near by, it is hard not to push further North to the Orkney Islands with their unique Norwegian heritage…

Inverness is known as the capital of the Highlands but a lot of people just pass through, I decided to spend two nights there and explore the city and surrounding area…

Now I’m not a whisky fanatic. I drink a whisky every now and then. I buy bottles and dutifully let them collect dust. However as I learned while planning this trip, somethings are closed in Scotland between October and April 1st, but apparently not whisky distilleries…