“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the Clachaig is so delightful, a roaring fire and whisky within, to the Inn, to the Inn, to the Inn…”
Ina not entirely unusual turn of events, it’s hammering it down in Glen Coe. The sort of rain that’s bouncing so hard off the tarmac that as much seems to be coming up as is coming down. It’s windy too. Every so often a strong gust will catch the drops and whisk them off their downward or upward trajectory and hurl them sideways instead.
It’s been doing it all day, so walking in the hills has been off the cards since breakfast. Instead, we’ve explored the gear and gift shops of Fort William high street, restocked supplies from Ballachulish Co-op and, having walked the gauntlet of pinball raindrops along the lane from the Red Squirrel campsite to the Clachaig Inn, are currently huddled in the Boots Bar, waterproofs steaming by the fire.
We have a plan though. The summits may be out of bounds, but the mountains permeate every aspect of life in these parts. The Clachaig Inn is a mountaineers’ pub, with ice axes for door handles, hills filling every window and picture frame, and a staggering range of whiskies behind the bar – many of which bear the names of mountains. What better way to indulge our orophilia* while remaining warm, dry and comfortable than working our way through a round or four of the Clachaig’s magnificent collection?
It may be a tough task, but we’re up to it… *
ROUND 1
◼ MOUNTAIN REFERENCE: Ben Nevis. Obviously.
◼ THE CLACHAIG SAYS: “Full-bodied with a whiff of peat, lots of tropical fruit, and hints of coffee and dark chocolate.”
◼ WE SAY: “I can’t help but feel that this sells more based on its name than its taste.”
Royal Lochnagar 12 £4.50
◼ Mountain reference: Lochnagar
◼ THE CLACHAIG SAYS: “Planed wood, light toffee. Linseed oil behind, and later a lychee-like acidity”
◼ WE SAY: “Ooh, I like this. Not as fiery as some but loads of flavour. Nice!
Jura 19 The Paps £11.95
◼ Mountain reference: The Paps of Jura, perhaps?
◼ THE CLACHAIG SAYS: “Subtle green apple sharpness, swiftly balanced by layers of thick caramel and chocolate chip cookie dough.”
◼ WE SAY: “Probably a perfectly pleasant dram but compared to the Royal Lochnagar it’s lacking something.”
ROUND WINNER: Royal Lochnagar 12
ROUND 2
◼ MOUNTAIN REFERENCE: There are loads of mountains called Ben, aren’t there?
◼ THE CLACHAIG SAYS: “At once sweet and heavily smoked. Peppery spice tingles, iodine, a warm nuttiness.”
◼ WE SAY: “It’s not an actual mountain? Sounds like one. Doesn’t matter
