a weeks walking and visiting Edinburgh with the French walking group

Group arrive Thursday 12th May into Edinburgh Airport, and as its late they catch the bus as the tram has closed for the evening

They get to the Hotel Piries, 4/8 Coates Gardens. but the night porter gets all confused and puts couples in twins and men and women in double rooms. Whats going on

Friday 13th - They catch the 16 seater and arrive in Pitlochry before us and head off to the post office to get some pounds, and the odd beer or two or three.

 

 

They Drop bags off , collect packed lunch and walk up to the distillery for tour and tasting-The Edradour Distillery used be the smallest. But not anymore. These micro distilleries have taken over that record.

So we have our lunch in the Hotel and climb the hill up to the distillery and try a wee dram and a small glass of whisky cream.
Then its a walk through the process with Alan doing the translation. And he was excellent.

Most people purchased a bottle or two. But not the whisky. It was the flavored cream that they really liked. Then it was back down the hill past the falls and up to the hotel for a quick swim and sauna. Although a few of them had to stop off in the local pub.

Dinner in the hotel restaurant before having an early night. Judith and l stretched our legs
and walked up to the small village a mile up the road to check out a pub that had also become a micro brewery. But the pub itself didn't seem very special.

Saturday 14th - breakfast and then up into the hills at 9.30 the Clunie Walk 11km 3 hrs followed by Craigower lookout 9k. But progress was slow, so we didnt get back until nearly 3pm. So the Craigower lookout was given a miss. In fact the group got split up and l brought the tail enders down a different route. Not planned. We were so busy chatting that we missed the trail and headed off into the forestry commissions land. 

Once we got back half the group went shopping or swimming and the other half came out for a flat walk a round the loch and back by the hydro electric plant.

Sunday 15th May - Day walk to Salmon ladder then onto Killiecrankie back down the river
for packed lunch. Then the bus collects us from visitor centre and takes us to Blair Castle
to visit castle house and Gardens. We were then supposed to on onto the House of Bruar for shopping, but everyone was enjoying the gardens they stayed on.

 Had the opportunity to see a couple dive off the bridge as we were passing on a bungee jump. Not for the faint hearted .
 

Then its picnic lunch, after which we coach the short distance to the castle.