• Amy Hogben
  • Amy Hogben

Hogben's Big Adventure

August - October 2019 Les mer
  • All of the peat

    19. september 2019, Skottland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    A beautiful sunny morning had us driving along the coast to Ardbeg where Cade enjoyed a wee tour and some tastings seeing behind the scenes. We then went to Lagavulin and Laphroaig and spent some time enjoying the beautiful sun both managing to lose our jumpers in the surprising sun. We spent the evening at the pod watching a spectacular sunset over the bay.Les mer

  • Bowmore Distillery

    20. september 2019, Skottland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    This tour was what dreams are made of for Cade. We met at the distillery at 10.30 before getting in the van and driving further off the beaten track into the heart of Islay to visit the unique water source, the River Laggan where we learnt the story of the cleverly designed and meandering water-way, the Bowmore Lade. After a morning taking in the magnificent scenery around Islay we visited Cafaidh Blasda based at the local Gaelic college where we enjoyed a traditional ploughman’s platter lunch. Thereafter we returned to the Visitor Centre and embarked on an in-depth tour of the distillery which included a warehouse tasting in the legendary No.1 Vaults of 20year old whisky. We finished the day off with Chinese at the pod watching the sunset.Les mer

  • Onwards to Oban

    21. september 2019, Skottland ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    One final quick stop to Kilchoman provided Cade with a special distillery only edition whisky which was completely made at the distillery using their own grown malt something unique to Kilchoman. Our last ferry for the trip took us to the shores of Oban back on the mainland where Amy enjoyed some of the freshest seafood and a lovely stroll along the wharf. After dinner we watched the sunset from McCaig's Tower before heading back to our Airbnb.Les mer

  • Ullapool and the straw bale home

    22. september 2019, Skottland ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    A morning drive to walk through the Dunstaffnage Castle started our day off. We then started the long drive to Ullapool stopping along the way at Ben Nevis to go for a beautiful walk to the Steall waterfalls. Cade was brave enough to walk across the 3 cable bridge. We drove through some beautiful mountain ranges around Loch Ness and visiting the Urquhart castle. With the scenery constantly changing until we reached Ullapool and settled in for the evening in a home made from straw.Les mer

  • Highway 500

    23. september 2019, Skottland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Using the Highway 500 for inspiration for our driving route we made our way up the coast to Balnakiel Village and went for a walk along the beach. We then drove to Smoo caves and had a walk along the coast line of Scotland before making the drive around the northern coast to Wick. Once in Wick we visited Old Pulteney Distillery and took part in a tour before Cade got to bottle and wax his own 12yr old Bourbon cask whisky.Les mer

  • Battle for sun

    24. september 2019, Skottland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Another foggy start to the morning had us driving towards the sun and Fortrose. We walked down the Whalingoe Steps and watched the wild ocean hit against the rocky shores then drove onto Carn Liath, a 2000 year old dwelling. From here we had a walk around the stunning Dunrobin Castle and gardens and watched a falconry presentation. The afternoon was spent tasting some Dalmore, Glen Ord and Glenmorangie Whisky and Black Isle brewery beers before finishing off with a lovely forest walk to Fairy Glen Falls and dinner in town.Les mer

  • Speyside whisky

    25. september 2019, Skottland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    We spent a morning walking around Fortrose Castle and tried to spot some bottlenose dolphins off Chanonry point before driving towards the Speyside distilleries. We stopped in at Tomatin, Glenlivet, Aberlour and finally made our way to Macallan. Amy finally got to pat a Highland cow making her day and Cade drank some more lovely whisky.Les mer

  • Elgin and surrounds

    26. september 2019, Skottland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    A little bit of walking around the streets of Elgin started our morning off before we drove out to Balvinie and Glenfiddich to look at the distilleries and have some lunch. We stopped in at the Speyside cooperage which was an enormous production and then drove out to Glenfarclas Distillery. On our way back into town we walked the Craigellachie Bridge and then we wandered the grounds of the Elgin Cathedral climbing to the top of one of the towers.Les mer

  • Off to Edinburgh

    27. september 2019, Skottland ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    A big, long morning of driving was briefly interrupted by one last whisky stop at Glendronach and lunch in Dundee before making the drive into Edinburgh. We went for an explore of Edinburgh Castle and then walked the city at night before eating dinner at El Cartel.Les mer

  • The Royal Mile

    28. september 2019, Skottland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    A quiet morning in was followed by a walk along the Royal Mile and St Giles Cathedral. We watched some street performers, looked through some shops and enjoyed a cocktail in the sun. We finished the night off with a tour of the real Mary King's Close underneath the streets of Edinburgh.Les mer

  • Our final day

    29. september 2019, Skottland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    After playing tetras with our luggage and finally getting all Cade's whisky and memorabilia packed we drove to the Botanical Gardens and wandered the grounds for a few hours. We spotted many grey squirrels and viewed a fantastic exhibition, Microscultpure- The insect portraits of Levon Bliss. We then had a lovely walk along Water of Leith to the Stockbridge Market. Finally the time came to head to the airport and start the long flight home.Les mer