In our surreal times, we all need a bit of help to take our mind off the pandemic and its consequences, both present and future. In my case – as anyone who is even cursorily familiar with me might easily guess – the thought of resuming traveling once the world goes back to normal is definitely something that brightens my day.
A wee dram of good scotch does not hurt either – and I am well stocked in that department to last a pretty long period of self-isolation. Most of the bottles in my stash come from distilleries that I have visited in person on my past trips to Scotland. Recollecting those places and experiences effortlessly achieves the task of whetting my appetite for future journeys to the land of scotch and castles.
And yes, castles are an integral part of my itineraries around Scotland. When it comes to visual memories, not many subjects can take you back better than a picture of a magnificent castle that you once admired up close.
Here is one of my all-time favorite shots, of the Eilean Donan castle in the Western Highlands.
Eilean Donan is a mainstay of any “top in Scotland” lists. It dates back to the 13th century but is, in fact, an early 20th-century reconstruction of the castle that was destroyed 300 years earlier during the War of the British Succession. Its dramatic setting at the juncture of three lochs makes it unmissably picturesque from every angle.
The drive towards the island of Skye goes past Eilean Donan, which means that on my next tour of scotch distilleries – which I expect to take place next year and to include the Talisker distillery on Skye – I will be able to see the castle in person yet again.
Mission accomplished – the day is brighter!