Serendipitous Shortbread

Thursday in Aberdeen

Having stayed up late visiting with David and Scott as well as their other houseguests, Terri and Neil, we were quite “knackered”. So we slept in on Thursday and by the time we’d had a bit of breakfast it was after 10:00. But we were armed with maps, information and a GPS system (thanks David!) to guide our way.

First stop the University of Aberdeen, King’s College. We were able to sweet talk the lady at the visitor’s center out of a parking pass, so were able to park on campus while we wondered around looking at the historic campus and chapel. The history of the place continues to fascinate - there are so many formerly Catholic churches/chapels, etc. that have been used for centuries now by protestants after some changes were made. For instance in the college chapel, there is a tomb for a former bishop smack at the front near the chancel. It used to have his effigy on top, but that has been removed and covered with a large slab of granite, so that it just looks like a marble table. The remnants of the reformation are everywhere here - and the very real truth of those who were killed (on both sides) for their faith is ever present.

After walking around the college a bit more, we stopped in the city house and met quite the ambassador for Scotland. He was a charming man who informed us that if we were driving around in the country side we should definitely make our way to Huntley in order to visit the local shortbread factory. While we were getting directions a young man came in to inquire about tours - one thing led to another and we came to find out that he is from Hood River, OR. Small world, eh? The gentleman at the city house finished giving us directions (along with lapel pins of the Scottish flag and pens as well) and we were on our way out of town.

Of course, we also found out that on the way to the shortbread place there was a whiskey distillery. And since it closed earlier, we decided to stop there first. The drive out was stunning. Farmland, sheep, hills covered with heather, and windmills producing power were all part of our view. We were well off the main road (and grateful for the satellite navigation system) when we pulled into the distillery at Glen . .. .? Which we later found out means “Valley of the Blackberry Brambles” - so maybe we could use that name for the Williamette Valley as well,eh? We were the only two for the tour, so we got a private showing of the facilities and a free taste of one of their whiskeys at the end. The woman giving the tour was really patient with our questions and we felt like we were beginning to really understand more about the process.

Then it was on to Dean’s Shortbread. It is quite the operation - having begun years ago as a simple fundraising idea for the local pipe band, it is now a huge company producing LOTS of shortbread every year. The gift shop had “seconds” - which were mostly shapes that hadn’t cut cleanly, so there were extra bits on the side, for sale. Since they were so cheap we decided we should buy some for ourselves and to share. This could be a dangerous place if it were close by!!

That evening we drove back to Aberdeen where David had prepared quite the feast for dinner - roast beef, yorkshire pudding, gravy, roasted potatoes, peas and carrots. It was a grand meal which we enjoyed before having to bid farewell to Terri and Neil as they left to catch a plane back to England. The rest of the evening was a lovely quiet night visiting with David and Scott.