Dallas Dhu Distillery - 3

There are four main stages involved in whisky making. Stage 1 - the barley is malted to release its sugar.



I believe that Simpson's Barley makes the finest whisky!

Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods. It is used in soups and stews, and in barley bread of various cultures.

Armistice Day - 2011

Armistice Day (also known as Remembrance Day) is on 11 November and commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918. This year is rather special - as it is of course the eleventh year of the century.



O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:

Under the shadow of thy throne,
thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God,
to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
bears all its sons away;
they fly, forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be thou our guide while troubles last,
and our eternal home!



Almighty God,
from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed:
Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all men
the true love of peace;
and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth;
that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward,
till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Princess Royal

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal (Princess Ann) has graciously consented to become the first Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands.



The Chancellor is the titular head of the University and The Princess Royal’s role will be both ceremonial and ambassadorial, participating in conferring degrees at graduations as well representing the University in the UK and overseas.

“We are delighted The Princess Royal has accepted our invitation to be our first ever Chancellor,” said James Fraser, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands. “We welcome her to the university. The Princess Royal has been a longtime supporter and has already visited many of our campuses. She joins us as we seek to develop a university which will have a transformational effect on the Highlands and Islands and attract national and international interest.” (James Fraser can be seen in the photo wearing a white shirt and blue tie.)

Professor Matthew MacIver, Chair of the University court added: “This is a great honour for the Highlands and Islands and I’m certain that the patronage of The Princess Royal will be a tremendous boon to all involved in the creation of our new University.”

A date for the formal installation of the new Chancellor is expected to be set for 2012. I hope to be there myself!

The Princess Royal is the only daughter of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Christmas Stamps 2011

On Tuesday 8 November the Royal Mail issued their Christmas Stamps for 2011 - and what a surprise - they are really beautiful!



No Santa Claus or robins, but scenes from the gospels - Joseph's dream; the Virgin Mary bears a Son; Baby Jesus is laid in a manger; an angel appears to the shepherds; the wise men rejoice at the sight of the star. We are even given Scripture references on the stamps.

Well done Royal Mail - you will be helping to spread the true meaning of Christmas. Will all UK readers of this blog please make sure that they use these stamps - I have just purchased £48 worth! I suggest using them on your Christmas Cards, and then for all your mail between Christmas Day and Candlemas.

1st Class books of stamps cost £5.52 each, and 2nd Class books of stamps cost £4.32 each. Each book of stamps contains 12 stamps.

Dallas Dhu Distillery - 2

Sadly, the distillery no longer produces whisky, but it is still open to the public thanks to the heroic efforts of Historic Scotland.



The distillery rarely had an easy time, but it was Dallas Dhu's unreliable water supply that finally saw its demise; the supply even dried up entirely for a while during the drought of 1976. The works limped on, thanks to its use as a testing station for new variations in the production process, but the end finally came in 1983. The last barrel was filled on 16 March 1983, an event recorded on the filling store wall.

The whisky that you taste at the end of the tour is around 30 years old - but the supply will not last for ever. It is becoming a very rare whisky!

Dallas Dhu Distillery - 1

I recently visited the Dallas Dhu Distillery near Forres. The purpose of my visit was simply to get photos for the blog - it was nothing to do with the free tasting!



Work on building the distillery started in 1898, and production began on 29 May 1899. The first barrel was filled with whisky on 3 June.

Forres is a town and former royal burgh situated in the north of Scotland on the Moray coast, approximately 30 miles east of Inverness. Forres has been a winner of the Scotland in Bloom award on several occasions. There are many geographical and historical attractions nearby such as the River Findhorn, and there are many historical artifacts and monuments within the town itself.

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

In the gospel today we hear the familiar parable about the wise and foolish virgins.



Wake, o wake! with tidings thrilling
the watchmen all the air are filling,
arise, Jerusalem, arise!
Midnight strikes! no more delaying,
"The hour has come!" we hear them saying.
Where are ye all, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes in sight,
raise high your torches bright!
Alleluia! The wedding song
swells long and strong:
go forth and join the festal throng.

Zion hears the watchmen shouting,
her heart leaps with joy undoubting,
she stands and waits with eager eyes;
adorned with truth and grace unending!
Her light burns clear, her star doth rise.
Now come, thou precious Crown,
Lord Jesus, God's own Son!
Hosanna! Let us prepare
to follow there,
where in thy supper we may share.

Every soul in thee rejoices;
from men and angelic voices
be glory given to thee alone!
Thy presence never more shall leave us,
we stand with angels round thy throne.
Earth cannot give below
the bliss thou dost bestow.
Alleluia! Grant us to raise
to length of days,
the triumph-chorus of thy praise.



Advent must be getting close - yet it feels more like midsummer here in the Highlands!

Happy Sunday!