Exploring the UK: Tain, Ross and Cromarty, The Highlands, Scotland

On our final day in Scotland, we decided to stay a bit closer to where we were staying and explore the town of Tain and the surrounding areas.

You can't visit Scotland without a trip to a whisky distillery can you? Luckily Glenmorangie was a five minute drive - if that! - from where we were staying in Tain so we had one on our doorstep. I'd been on a tour around a distillery before in Illinois so I had an idea of the process. But it was interesting to find out what separates Scottish whiskey apart from the rest. There's a reason why it's so sought after! Generations upon generations have worked at the distillery and it's such a fine art to make sure it's perfect. I always find the process of making alcohol fascinating - something you never really think about when you're ordering your voddy and diet coke in a nightclub.

After a couple of samples of whisky, we headed back to the town of Tain to find out about the history. We met a very enthusiastic lady who had moved up from Devon 30 years ago at the museum - she was a fountain of knowledge! Tain is pretty famous all over the world for it's production of silver. Who knew?! We marvelled at some pretty expensive artefacts before heading out to the St Duthac Collegiate Church to learn the story of medieval pilgrimage. King James IV of Scotland actually made 18 pilgrimages to this shrine.  As someone who doesn't particularly believe in God, I have a soft spot for religious buildings and often seek them out. St Duthac has the most amazing stained glass windows and is said to be one of the finest preserved medieval churches in the Highlands.

After exhausting ourselves with history, we got ready for dinner and headed to Tarbat Ness Lighthouse to watch the sun go down. Definitely one of the highlights of my trip. There's something therapeutic about climbing the rocks, breathing in the sea air and watching the sun set. I'd been promised there were seals in this part of the world so imagine my excitement when we caught them bobbing along in the water! In the summer they clamber on the rocks above so guess that means I'll have to plan a trip back.

Time flew and it was time to make our way over to Portmahomack for our dinner reservation at The Oyster Catcher. A seafood restaurant in what I can only really describe as someone's living room. The menu changes as they use local, seasonal, fresh ingredients with lots of emphasis on seafood. It was honestly one of the best dining experiences of my life. We had endless courses, good wine and quirky yet excellent service. I'm still dreaming about my lobster confit now.

It won't be too long until I'm back in The Highlands!