Friday, November 25, 2005

THE TALISKER TREK

If your idea of a great weekend out is an exhausting trek around Skye’s Cuillin Hills, then the Talisker Trek next May might just fit the bill.

Diageo, the owner of the unique Skye malt, is inviting around 200 hardy souls to take part in a challenging fund-raising exercise on May 5, 6 and 7.

Trekkers who pay a £60 registration fee are expected to raise £500 each in sponsor money for the Woodland Trust that aims to plant 250,000 trees over the next three years.

Polar explorers Tom Avery and Sir Ranulph Fiennes will join participants in the first-ever Talisker Trek as they are split into teams of four to tackle the terrain around the Cullins.

They will be met at mainland airports and driven to the Glen Brittle campsite at the northern foot of the Cullins where the adventure will start. After an overnight stay groups will spend Saturday on a full day’s trek. Saturday evening dinner on the beach (weather permitting) is followed by a good night’s sleep under canvas.

The final day will see the hardy band arrive at Talisker’s Carbost distillery for lunch and the tree planting.

For registration details, go to http://www.taliskertrek.co.uk

Thursday, November 24, 2005

RAISE A GLASS TO ST ANDREW

The Lismore in Partick is getting into its St Andrew's Day stride early. From Sunday, Nov 27, mine host Stephen McBride will be presiding over whisky-tasting sessions that will run through till Nov 30.

On Sunday at 2pm Isle of Jura is in the spotlight, with the 10YO and 16YO.
The rest of the week will have two tastings - at 2pm and 8pm.

The programme is:
Monday 2pm Ardbeg
8pm Glengoyne 12 and 17

Tuesday 2pm Glenfiddich range
8pm Old Pulteney and Old Pulteney Liqeur

Wednesday 2pm Macallan 10, 15, 21 and Fine Oak
8pm Glen Garioch 15

On St Andrew's Day there will also be live music. There's no need to book - just turn up and enjoy.