5 Members Go Mad in Wishaw

16/11/2018

Friday 16th November 2018

Destination Wishaw didn't disappoint 5 members made the trip this year, Dave, Graham, Mark, Sue and Andy.
With Mark and Sue travelling up from Clethorpes, Dave was the designated driver for the rest heading off at 10am Friday morning from the Midlands.

The M6 was delightful as usual.... We made slow progress opting to stop at the Lakes Distillery for light refreshments, it was a lovely day the sun was out and warming us all. We headed straight for the restaurant. The food was lovely with Graham and myself having the Distllers lunch and Dave having The Anglers lunch. The restaurant was very well presented and the staff warm and friendly and attentive. (This is Definitely on the radar for a visit in the future.)

We set off up the M74 making good time getting into Wishaw around 4.30pm and The Commercial to book. Mark and Sue were already waiting in the Bar, we checked in, a quick freshen up and up to the Artisan.

The Artisan - A Whisky lovers wet dream, thousands of open bottles to enjoy and fantastic food. It's like a bubble that you don't want to burst. Hugs all round from Fiona (Mrs Chef) and Derek (Chief bottle washer). We soon settled down to a beer and a look through the whisky list.... Some great whiskies were dispatched whilst we await our evening meal.
Surf and Turf fresh Lobster and Steak made for an enjoyable evening.We returned to the Laddie Lounge and a few more drams. We said good night and headed off to Bed at The Commercial.

Saturday 17th November 2018

Headed to the Cafe just up the road for bacon, egg and mushroom toasted sandwich and fresh tea. It did the job and set us on our way to the train station on our way to Glasgow Grand Central. Mark and Sue caught up with us at Wishaw station and a 30min journey to Glasgow. Once there we chose to walk along the Clyde a couple of miles to the Clydeside Distillery. (Get some steps in...) It's was another cracking morning fresh sunny with an easterly wind.

We had a tour booked at 11am arriving with 10 min to spare. On entry we were greeted with a welcome and a smile from one of the many staff in attendance. This unique location didn't disappoint stunning views around the Clyde and back into the City of Glasgow. The pictures speak for them selves.

Having done numerous distillery tours and visits in my time I never tire of the architecture and beauty of the buildings all diffrent in one way or another, offering insites to past history and heritage and this place has it in abundance.

After the tour which lasted around a hour we headed for the shop and restaurant for coffees all round. We decided to walk to the "Bon Accord" a famous bar a mile away. www.bonaccordpub.com A great range of beers and incredible whiskies. We headed back to Grand Central Station stopping off at the Pot Still another great whisky oasis.

We caught the train back to Wishaw and back to the Artisan to kill a few bottles and eat some more amazing food.

During the evening we were joined by International YouTube Star Aqvavitae an incredibly talented and knowledgeable Whisky evangelist I strongly recommend you check him out.

www.youtube.com/channel/UCYTM0afACsqCQxvSvf3VqRg

Conscious of the trip back in the morning we said our goodbyes and off to Bed. Another great trip to Wishaw. We will be back ...Guaranteed!!

1 Comment

Graham Ward

18/11/2018 22:06:31

Just adding to the excellent report from our Chairman.

The ride to Glasgow with Andy and Dave (thanks for doing the driving) was relatively uneventful, with us travelling much of the way to an accompaniment of Tim Hain’s Reggae and Blues including a new version of “One man went to mow”, which was all brilliant. Many of the membership will recall Tim from a Society Night. He is a wonderfully talented artist and Andy has some of his CDs at the very reasonable price of £9.99.

A stop off at Lakes Distillery, which I suggested as a founder member was well received, and the Bistro food was excellent.

On to Glasgow, to the Artisan Restaurant meeting up with Mark and Sue and our good friends Fiona and Chef Derek Mather. Friday afternoon was spent consuming a fabulous surf and turf, downing a dozen drams, laughing and joking as only our society can.

Saturday saw us catching a train - yes we managed to get on the right train at the right time and got off at the right stop. A most pleasant two mile walk along the Clyde to reach the Clydeside Distillery. A really friendly team welcomed us and a young fellow called Michael, taught us about the distillery and the family it. He even managed to answer Dave’s really geeky question about flow rates.

From the Clydeside we walked to the Bon Accord, having a pint and lunch in there. As we walked towards Glasgow Central Station I recalled that the Pot Still was nearby, so we went in there for a dram. On the way, Sue connected with her younger side by waving down at the drivers on the M8 until one waved back.

We negotiated the Glaswegian rail system for a second time, before returning to the Artisan, to more lobster and Monkfish. Unfortunately Erik and Laura could not make it Erik had gone down with the lurgi. Ludwig and his wife turned up but did not stay for the meal/drams. Roy Aquavitae, did turn up and was brilliant company all evening, impressing all with his knowledge, without in any way being condescending.

Apart from an obsession with Tormore (Sue you need to get more peat in your life, Andy you just need to leave it alone), we had a brilliant couple of days. Thanks all for your company, Derek and
Fiona, who were great hosts. Can’t wait for next year

BLOG IT

5 Members Go Mad in Wishaw

Leave a Reply.

Andy Purslow

Categories