22 NJSL | FEBRUARY 2009 NJSL 23

> Savvy Travel

For all those who’ve said, “Someday I want to go to

Scotland,” this is the year to go. The entire country

is celebrating the 250th birthday of beloved poet

Robert Burns with dozens of special events, including

concerts, historic pageants, whiskey tastings, piping com-

petitions and golf expositions.

And with so much going on, it’s tempting to

pack in as many events as possible, but make

sure to leave some time to explore the other

side of Scotland — offbeat sites that spotlight

the country’s natural beauty. For example,

we found a captivating bed and breakfast

by Loch Tay where you can try your

hand at salmon fishing, meander

down a country lane dotted with

black-faced sheep — or simply curl

up with a book and a glass of

scotch in front of a toasty fireplace.

(See page 26 for details.)

So whether you’re a Scotsman at

heart, a golf enthusiast or just want to

explore the culture, you’ll find more than

enough to meet your fancy in 2009. Here’s a list of

special events, along with some everyday pleasures

for a vacation as delightful as the finest blend of

Scotch whiskey.

2009 –A Bonnie Year for

Scotland

C O N T I N U E D O N N E X T P A G E

B Y J U D I R O T H E N B E R G

The Duke of Argyll leads a toast to the Spirit of the WestFestival in front of his home, Inveraray Castle

Highland Games courtesyof Visit Scotland

Shopping in Edinburgh, Anta (above)Totty Rocks below

Photo courtesy of Visit Scotland

for a multitude of anchorages along the way,

with planned activities at the distilleries at Oban,

Skye, Talisker and Lagavulin. www.worldcruis-

ing.com/classicmaltscruise

MUSIC AND ART

Piping Live! Music of the Clans, Glasgow,Aug. 10-16A showcase of talented international pipers at

various venues throughout the city leads up to

the World Pipe Band Championships (Aug. 15)

with more than 8,000 pipers and drummers com-

peting for the title at Glasgow Green. www.pip-

ingfestival.co.uk, www.seeglasgow.com/piping

Mackintosh 100, GlasgowThe centenary celebration of the 100-year-old

building designed by native son, Charles Rennie

Macintosh, at the Glasgow School of Art. The

acclaimed architect and designer’s art nouveau

influences can also be seen at the Willow Tea

Room where you can dine on one of Mackin-

tosh’s iconic high-backed chairs and at House

for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park. Visitors

can tour a suite of rooms, lunch in the cafe and

stroll the grounds. www.gsa.ac.uk, www.house-

foranartlover.co.uk, www.willowtearooms.co.uk

Year-Round Best Bets

TASTE

Join the residents and stroll the Edinburgh

Farmers' Market every Saturday at the base of

Edinburgh Castle. Meat and seafood purveyors

and farm-fresh vegetables are sold alongside

prepared foods like Prince Bishop Pie with veni-

son, red currant jelly and brandy from North

Country Lass, cheddar cheese from the Isle of

Arran, freshly baked bread, organic beer and

homemade porridge bars from Stoats.

If you’re attending one of the many events at

Inveraray Castle, the finest and freshest seafood

24 NJSL | FEBRUARY 2009 NJSL 25

Homecoming Scotland’sSpecial Events/Activities for 2009HERITAGE

The Gathering 2009, Edinburgh, July 25-26This ambitious event is expected to be the largest clan gathering since 1862.

A parade of nearly 8,000 clans people will march in front of 30,000 spectators

from the Palace of Holyrood down the Royal Mile to the esplanade of Castle

Rock for a pageant filled with piping and dance. On Sunday, the 2009 World

Highland Games Heavy Events takes place with events like “tossing the caber”

and “putting the stone.” www.clangathering.org

International Genealogy Festival,University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, July 21-24A worldwide celebration of Scots’ genealogy, family history and heraldry

with exhibitions, lectures and historic walks. www.strath.ac.uk/homecom-

ingscotland

Find Your ClanMacDonald or MacGregor? Don’t know? Then use Rabbie’s “clan finder” and

join one of six different clan tours to trace your ancestors’ roots on a two

to four day small group tour (16 people or less) with a knowledgeable guide.

Various dates and locations, www.rabbies.com

GOLF

2009 Scottish Golf Show, Exhibition & Conference Centre,Glasgow, March 20-22More than 100 exhibitors let you try the latest equipment on putting greens,

short game areas and a driving range. Free lessons from professional golfers

and trick shot demos. www.thescottishgolfshow.co.uk

Homecoming Scotland Drive it HomeScotland's biggest ever golf promotion offers a free foursome for overseas

golfers and other savings. Ongoing, www.driveithome2009.com

The Open Championship at Turnberry, July 17-18Depart Edinburgh on the Orient-Express Northern Belle and enjoy Cham-

pagne Bellinis with a full Scottish breakfast en route to Turnberry. Attend the

Open Championship followed by a champagne reception as the Northern

Belle returns to Edinburgh. www.turnberry2009.com

WHISKEY

Spirit of the West, Inveraray, May 16-17A weekend celebration during the “Whiskey Month” of May on the splendid

grounds of Inveraray Castle, home to the Duke of Argyll. Whiskey tasting,

food sampling and cookery demonstrations will run alongside historical

trails, fashion shows, music, arts and crafts and golfing activities. www.spir-

itofthewest.co.uk, www.inverarary-castle.co.uk

Classic Malts Cruise, Islay, July 11-24Those with a passion for sailing and single malt scotch are invited to join a

200 mile voyage from the southern shore of Islay, the most southerly island

in the Inner Hebrides, to the northwest of Skye. The two-week journey allowsFrom top: A personalized whiskey blend from Glengoyne; Totty Rocksin Edinburgh, and Demijohn, the ‘liquid deli.’ Bottom: courtesy of VisitScotland, floral display at St. Andrews Golf Course.

C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 2 7

Cheese of Arran at the farmers’ market

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Cheese of Arran at the farmers’ market

26 NJSL | FEBRUARY 2009 NJSL 27

The Ardeonaig is a hidden treasure that quickly unfolds once

you get past the tiny foyer and reception room. Reserve

judgment, however, for you’ll soon discover that this is part of

the genius of the place.

As you meander down the corridor, you’ll find a series of sit-

ting rooms much more inviting and intimate. The white room

with its plump sofas is perfect for a pre-dinner drink; the study,

with oversized windows and view of Loch Tay, lends itself to an

afternoon tea, and the library is the place to while away a misty

afternoon with a scotch and a book by the fire.

There are lovely rooms in the main inn but the star accommo-

dations are the rondawels (individual bungalows) that line the

river bank with private patios. The thatched cottages are spacious

and well-appointed, with grand soaking tubs and separate walk-

in showers.

Chef/owner Peter Gottgens is zealous in his approach to pre-

senting the finest Scottish cuisine. The dishes may not be tradi-

tional but the ingredients are: Gottgens’ philosophy is to combine

fresh and seasonal local ingredients to showcase their true texture

and flavor rather than disguise them in a sauce.

On a recent visit, the menu included thick cut Uig Lodge

Salmon from the Isle of Lewis and line-caught Loch Tarbet

Seabass seasoned with herbs from the chef’s own garden. Lamb is

always a favorite here because it’s procured from the inn’s own

flock of sheep that grazes only on heather, per Gottgens’ directive.

Whether you dine upstairs in the restaurant or downstairs in

the wine cellar, be sure to reserve at least one night for the tasting

menu with paired wines. In a nod to the chef’s South African

heritage, the wines served are exclusively South African and many

are from small vineyards that produce less than 1,000 bottles a

year. Interestingly, Gottgens will create a dish to match a wine

rather than look for a wine to match a dish.

Nearby excursions include the picturesque town of Killin, with

its open view of water cascading over rocks at the Falls of Dochart.

The village is also home to the Breadalbane Folklore Centre, with

its giant waterwheel and presentations on Celtic traditions. To the

east, in Aberfeldy, is the Dewar’s World of Whiskey, where you can

tour the distillery before settling into a scotch tasting.

THE ARDEONAIG HOTELSouth Road Loch Tay, Ardeonaig, PerthshireTelephone: 01567 820400 • info@ardeonaighotel.co.ukwww.ardeonaighotel.co.uk

is served nearby at

Loch Fyne Oyster

Bar in Cairndow.

The unassuming

old farm building is

just off the shore

from Loch Fyne and

also houses a small market

full of treats. www.lochfyne.com

Demijohn defines itself as a “liquid deli” where you

are invited to sample everything from Rhubarb Vodka

to Lyme Bay Apricot. Once you’ve picked a favorite

(or two), choose a bottle to fill from the glass kegs

and personalize it with a marker. Branches in Edin-

burgh and Glasgow, www.demijohn.co.uk

Of course, no visit would be complete without a

whiskey tasting. With nearly 100 distilleries in Scot-

land you may want to visit several. The Glengoyne

Distillery, about 30 minutes from Glasgow, offers the

usual tour along with the novel opportunity to create

your own blended whiskey during a “Master Blender

Session.” www.glengoyne.com

FASHION

Tartan with aTwistHowie Nicholsby

turned Scottish

fashion on its head

when he started

offering kilts in

everything from

black leather to

pinstripes and

even a Desert

Storm camouflage

print. Not ready to

leave convention

behind? Nicholsby’s 21st Century Kilts shares space

with his father’s traditional made-to-measure

company, Geoffrey (Tailor) Kilt Makers, so there’s

something to please everyone. Glasgow and

Edinburgh, www.21stcentury-kilts.com

Anta is a family-run Scottish design and architecture

firm known for its modern interpretation of traditional

Scottish style. You’ll find gorgeous made-to-order silk

corsets in contemporary colors, lambs’ wool and silk

throws, men’s ties and enchanting stoneware dressed in

tartan. Edinburgh, www.anta.com

A hip young brand designed and produced

exclusively in Scotland, Totty Rocks uses tartan for a

wrap trench and accessorizes it with a traditional

sporran bag updated in red and white patent leather.

Edinburgh, www.tottyrocks.com

www.visitscotland.comGeneral planning information

www.homecomingscotland2009.comCalendar of special events

www.ancestralscotland.comFor help designing an itinerary tocorrelate with your family name

www.inveraray-castle.comSite of Spirit of the West festival,Connect Music festival, and ClanCampbell Gathering

www.rabbies.comJoin an organized small group tour(16 or less) for one to eight days toexplore the best of Scotland or havea tour tailor made.

RESOURCES

Secret Scottish Gourmet GetawayPhotos courtesy of the Ardeonaig Hotel

Mussels from LochFyne Oyster Bar

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