The Cape Society
Mar
- Sat 29 Apr 2023
- Dams 'n' Drams
- The Cape Society is on a roll. We now have a Mini Modern Mega Manor to look forward to. Derran has arranged an excellent day trip to Pitlochry, including a tour around the Blair Athol Distillery. So far 12 Knights and guests have confirmed, however, the more the merrier.
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Rendezvous at Pitlochry train station at 12:30.
If travelling by train the plan is to meet at Waverley station and get the 10:33 train to Pitlochry.
Distillery tour at 15:00.
Return train either the 17:35 or 19:05.
Guests welcome (but you may need to take a different tour: we're limited to 12 per tour).
- Report
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The tone for the day was set early on with five
of the 14 knights and guests who jumped aboard this Blair Athol distillery manor
entertaining the miserably captive remainder of the train carriage to an unsavoury variation on the 70s cartoon Spiderman
theme song. Unfortunately, Mark, who was a no-show, missed out on this amazing artistry.
Colin, Martin, Phil, Rob, Derran, Steve, Helen and Anne were all on the Edinburgh to Pitlochry train,
Steve and Rob having joined the throng at Stirling (unusual train route, avoiding the Forth Rail Bridge, but only ScotRail can explain).
Ali and Terry were ready and waiting on the platform
on arrival of the Edinburgh train in Pitlochry and after a short meet 'n' greet,
Derran herded everyone in the direction of the visitor centre by the dam. There, Carol and Dave joined
the fun just in time to take part in Derran's dam(n) quiz; while Derran himself left for the pub?
Fortunately, there were only seven questions to answer and all knights and guests soon found themselves
with all the answers and heading to
the other side of the river and Fisherman's bar where tea, coffee, scones, cake and some beer and banter were enjoyed.
Thanks were given by Derran to all those attending and Worthy Sovereign thanked Derran for his organisation and
dedication in coming all the way from Denmark for the day's event. Derran also handed out some sweet treats
to all quiz participants and a book on the Pitlochry dam to quiz 'winner', Carol.
By 14.30 it was time to head to the distillery for the three o'clock tour. Back over the river and
a short, wet-foot walk across a grassy field later, Neil joined the company in time for the distillery tour.
Jeanette was the 'signature tour' guide and made an immediate connection when mentioning her dad was a member of the
Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) and favoured the Leith Vaults venue; well known to Knights of the Cape and
SMWS members Martin and Phil. The tour was short, sweet and pleasant enough for many of the well-seasoned
distillery tourists in attendance and, as normal, the tasting was very enjoyable with the signature,
easy-drinking Blair Athol 12 year-old,
a more complex, longer-aged Blair Athol and a Caol Ila (Diageo ownership connection?)
on offer: another whisky tasting glass to add to the collection.
With some time to spend before trains were due to part, the whiskiteers headed to the Old Mill Inn and enjoyed
some al fresco drinks before some Edinburgh-based knights headed for the train around five o'clock.
Derran, Anne, Helen, Neil and Steve hung on for the seven-o-five, time enough to say a fleeting, "hello", to Willie
who turned up in the guise of Neil's chauffeur to give him a lift back 'up the glen'. In good old train tradition, the
seven-o-five to Edinburgh via Stirling was cancelled. Shame. Back to Fisher's hotel to join in with the huge line-dancing
bash and gorge on a tea of chips, onion rings, beer and wine. The eight-thirty train was running and the last four whiskiteers
headed off in search of the Orient Express, ScotRail-style.
Some video...
Quizmistress Carol
Bridge Over Khazad-dûm: You Shall Not Pass
Washback Huge thanks to Derran who pulled out all the stops on concordia, fratrum and decus to arrange and execute an excellent day. Thanks to everyone who made the significant effort to support the Manor and thanks to the Cape Society for treating everyone to their first drink or scone of the day and to tickets for the distillery tour.
