The next morning we drove to a local Scottish tartan mill. There was a display which showed how tartans were made -- starting with the wool that is sheared to the dyeing process to the weaving process. We were given a tour of this display by a retired Scotsman in a kilt. Quite a character. There was a large store.
Then we went to the Glenlivet Whisky Distillery. They described the process of distilling whisky. (It is "whiskey" only if it isn't made in Scotland.) They actually start by making a kind of beer out of malted barley (soaked barley that is dried and baked over peat fires). That gets distilled twice. The result is single malt whisky.
We passed a building that was castle-like. I believe that Derek described this as the Royal hunting lodge. Apparently, Prince Charles and Camilla Bowes were photographed in a house near here.
We went to Balmoral Castle - the only property which the Queen actually owns. We were only allowed in one room. It was not that interesting. It was disappointing, actually. One of the things on display was a very impressive ship in stirling silver. It was a gift to the king and queen (I forget which ones) on their 50th wedding anniversary from their servants. Brenda and I just wondered how much each person had to contribute to give a rich gift to some very rich people.
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