After a gruelling start to 2015, Josh, Julien, and Philip needed a drink... and so we went to Dalwhinnie Distillery and Cairngorm Brewery. Unfortunately, Michael was too ill to join the trip; it is suspected that he over-indulged at Christmas. On Tuesday 6th January, we survivors took a train to Dalwhinnie and explored the secrets of Scotland's favourite tipple. In time-honoured fashion, a livener was required before the distillery tour, and the post-tour dram with cuboid of chocolate was welcomed afterwards. After a thorough survey of Dalwhinnie's facilities, we moved on to Newtonmore via Kingussie (and a pint). The Glen Hotel provided a warm welcome, comfortable rooms, more beer, and good food. Julien made the critical error of having bought a bottle of whisky, and because we had to road-test our souvenir Dalwhinnie glasses, the evening ended on a slurred note. On Wednesday 7th January, we took a train to Aviemore to snout around, visit the Cairngorm Brewery, and keep hydrated. On the way to the Brewery - and in the middle of a housing estate - is Aviemore's 4000-year old stone circle. At the Brewery, James provided a highly entertaining tour and informative account of brewing, as well as samples of 12 types of beer. Since it was by now tipping it down with rain, James very kindly drove us to The Winking Owl, Aviemore's premium outlet of the Brewery's beers! So, for a few hours, we ate, drank, and watched the changing weather. Timing our escape to perfection, we managed to make it to the train station without getting drenched. We then enjoyed four bottles of Cairngorm Brewery's finest - and a not-so-wee dram - on the dark train-ride home.
