Arrived at Roy's Croft B&B, Aberlour, ~5:30 pm. Talked with Mrs. Mitchell (Sheena) a bit; wrote postcards and mailed them on the way to dinner.
Dined at the Dowans Hotel (bar food: I wasn't good enough for the dining room). Listened to the "proper" people up from London pontificate on flyfishing... put me in mind of "The Magic Christian":
"A quick kill, that's the way of it!"I could've sworn I saw Hyacinth Bucket ("Keeping Up Appearances") in the flesh: "Why of course we have two Mercedes... ." Her husband's name was even Richard.
"My gawhd! He's shot a beater!"
Chatted with Peter Neep, Proprietor (wife: Penney). A nice enough guy after the gentry left: Sold his business in England and bought this place out of receivership when he retired.
The fillet of venison was passable. Full cost of dinner was £30.25 -- cheaper than the Stakis Grosvenor, and superior food.
Met the Mitchell's grandaughter upon return to Roy's Croft: Alanoch (pronounced "Allana"). About three years old and inquisitive in semi-Gaelic: "Wot's that mani doin'?" "Where's the mani goin?"
Scotland Journal, 5/24/98
Woke at 6:00 -- drank tea, watched a pair of pheasant across the road;
wrote some more postcards.
Booked a bed at The Cherrytrees in Duirinish; talked with Sheena and Dave (her husband) for awhile. Turns out Sheena used to work in the office at the MacAllen distillery.
Filled the car in Aberlour: £24! Ouch!
Took photos of the distillery and highland cattle at MacAllen, but it was closed on Sunday.
Toured the Glenfiddich distillery.
