Monday 15th to Wednesday 17th June, Wick

By the time we arrived in Wick we were ready for a rest from the sea. We spent the next few days learning about silver and gold barrels - silver for the silver herrings which were salted and packed in barrels, and gold for the very fine whiskeys produced by the Pulteney  Distillery based in Wick. We had several good walks along the river and around the headland to the south.

A pleasant walk along the river looking back towards the town.

Whilst looking around the harbour we came across the old herring mart dating back to 1892. A chance encounter with Anthony Sinclair of the Wick Society at the mart resulted in a very happy couple of hours learning about the herring industry and looking over the lovingly restored herring drifter 'Isabella Fortuna' moored in the marina.

Wick Herring Mart, now the home of the Wick Society. 

The Herring Drifter 'Isabella Fortuna'

On our last day in Wick we had a tour of the Old Pulteney distillery, not to be missed as the smells in the distillery and warehouses were seriously intoxicating! 

The distillery building blackened by a reaction with 'fumes' from the alchohol.

The second of two stills used in the production process.

Barrels of 'Gold' - a small selection of thousands maturing.

The entrance to the harbour. 

View over Wick Harbour including the marina.

Having stocked up with whiskey we made our plans to leave Wick and head further south.