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We will introduce you to the history of this medieval city, which is more than 3000 years old. We will walk through its most picturesque streets, such as the Royal Mile, Chambers Street or Victoria Street. Learn about the alleys where people lived in the 17th century. We will tell you how they died during the Black Death and about the beaked doctors who tried to cure them. Exciting stories await you!


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This project was born from work, humility and experience in order to make people who visit Scotland feel part of its history and its legends.

If you would like an experience tailored to you, we offer personalized packages with a variety of options. You can choose the duration of the tour, focus on specific aspects of the city's history, and explore the locations that are of interest to you.

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## 1. King's Knot

The King's Knot is a geometric, stepped octagonal earthwork in the ancient royal gardens, where jousting tournaments, hunting and falconry used to take place.

In 2011, archaeologists from the **University of Glasgow**, in collaboration with the Stirling History Society and the Stirling Archaeological and Countryside Society, carried out a survey. Their findings showed that there exists a round feature on the site that predates the visible earthworks.

This discovery has been linked to **the legend of King Arthur**, as it is not the first time it has been said that **King Arthur**'s table could be found in [**Stirling**](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/things-to-see-and-do-in-stirling). Around 1375, the Scottish poet John Barbour said that 'the roundtable' was to the south of Stirling Castle; in 1478 the English chronicler William of Worcester told how 'King Arthur kept the roundtable in Stirling Castle'; and Sir David Lindsay, a 16th century Scottish writer, added to the legend in 1529 when he said that Stirling Castle was home to the royal chapel and the Round Table.

Perhaps King Arthur is less of a myth than we assumed...

![Kings Knot.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Kings_Knot_7956923267.jpg)

## 2. John Damian

John Damian was an Italian cleric who promised **King James IV** immeasurable amounts of money which he would produce by means of secret alchemical processes learned in Italy.

Damian directed the construction of alchemical furnaces at **Stirling Castle**, receiving aqua vitae (i.e. wine spirits), mercury, ammonium salt, alum, litharge, orpiment, saltpetre, silver, sugar, sulphur, tin, verdigris, vinegar and white lead for this purpose in his laboratories. These are all standard alchemical substances of the **medieval period**.

Damian never succeeded as an alchemist and to save his name he had to fall back on other ideas. In December 1507, the alchemist declared to the king that he could "fly to France" from **Stirling Castle** using a pair of artificial wings.

On the day of take-off, Damian arrived bearing huge wings. The entire court attended the event. Damian climbed the wall and jumped off like Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story movie - and the rest is history. Damian fell, plummeting down, but the good news is that he survived the fall and only broke his leg.

![Bird Man.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Bird_Man_5e7d1fc678.jpg)

## 3. Douglas Garden

Named after **William Douglas**, because King James II threw him out of a window of the old King's building and Douglas was buried here.

In 1452, **King James II** invited the Earl of Douglas to dinner at the castle in order to iron out their differences. A few years earlier two of Douglas' nephews had been murdered in **Edinburgh Castle** in a somewhat cruel manner in the presence of the king (an episode known as the Black Dinner of Edinburgh Castle). The dinner with William Douglas was to be a dinner of death, music, entertainment and the finest delicacies; the king wanted the two of them to abandon the rivalry between their houses. When the king saw that William would not listen to reason, he flew into a rage and threw William out of the window. The window can be seen from the courtyard and from inside the building.

## 4. The christening feast of the future king of Scotland

On 30 August 1594 the christening feast of Prince Henry Stuart, son of James Stuart, was held. This banquet was held in the Great Hall of the castle, where of course the best dishes of **Scottish gastronomy** would have been served; but the highlight of the event was the presentation of a wooden boat measuring 5.5 metres long by 12 metres high and floating on an artificial sea, from which fish and seafood were served. It also sported 36 cannons on its sides for firing blanks.

![Great Hall Stirling.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Great_Hall_Stirling_a008c46908.jpg)

## 5. Stirling heads

These are a series of carved wooden cartouches, decorated with the heads of queens and courtiers also known as **'Stirling Heads'**. Described as 'among the **finest examples of Scottish Renaissance wood carving** now in existence', the cartouches in the King's apartments are replicas of the Stirling Heads, which were removed after a roof collapse in 1777. Of the estimated 56 original heads, 38 survive. The original 38 are on display in the upper floor of the palace, in a gallery accessed from the inner courtyard.

![Stirling heads.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Stirling_heads_3139801422.jpg)

## 6. The hunt for the unicorn

In the tapestry room we find "**The hunt for the unicorn**". These tapestries were commissioned by Historic Scotland and were woven in the castle itself, in the area where the stables used to be. The originals used as a model date from the 16th century and can currently be found in the **Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York**. The creation of the replicas is the work of 11 years (2002 - 2013) and more than 16,000 hours of work.

The set of 7 tapestries is the story of the hunt for the unicorn's horn, which possessed magical powers of purification. The scenes are instructive with rich Christian iconography: the unicorn is an image of Christ, and the maiden represents the Virgin Mary. The climax is reached with the death and rebirth of the unicorn as a representation of the Passion and Resurrection.

![Sala tapices Unicornio.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Sala_tapices_Unicornio_940230c61b.jpg)

## 7. Wars of Independence

During the **Wars of Independence**, 1296-1357, the castle played a very important role, changing hands several times due to its strategic location. In 1296, the first year of these wars, **Edward I** took the castle without any opposition, as only one soldier was found to be in charge of opening the entrance gates. Just 8 years later, in 1304, Edward I wanted to besiege the castle, which was again in Scottish hands; the Scots surrendered before the planned siege, using 17 engines of war, took place. But as Edward had had a **siege weapon** built for the occasion, which he had christened the ‘Warwolf’, he ordered a number of Scottish soldiers to be brought inside the castle so he could test his weapon.

## 8. The world's oldest football

In 1981, a football made of pig's bladder dating back to the 16th century, was found during renovation work. It is known from records that football was already being played at that time and was becoming a popular sport, but the truth is that it was disliked as it was dangerous and led to many injuries. Today the football is housed in the **Smith Art Gallery in Stirling**.

![Primer Balon.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Primer_Balon_157b6f91fe.jpg)
_<center>Photo taken at Stirling Museum, Smith Art Gallery.</center>_

## 9. Coronation of Mary Stuart

Mary was crowned "**Queen of Scots**" on 9 September 1543 in the Chapel Royal at **Stirling Castle** when she was only 9 months old, with crown, sceptre and sword – imagine a baby with all that on her! The ceremony was officiated by Cardinal David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews Cathedral.

There are no remains of the chapel, but if you visit **Stirling Castle,** you can see marks on the floor in the inner courtyard which indicate where it once stood.

## 10. The castle rock

The rock on which **Stirling Castle** stands was formed over 350 million years ago after the eruption of a volcano. During the second ice age, the melting ice sculpted the rock which you can see today, making the castle an **impregnable fortress** from the north and west, as the rock is almost vertical.

The crag has been lived on for 3,000 years and has been inhabited by people from the Romans to **Queen Elizabeth II** herself, although she probably welcomed the Romans.

## 11. The Lady in Green

Lady in Blue, Lady in Pink, Lady in White. Stirling Castle is full of **female ghosts**, but the best known is the Lady in Green.

The Lady in Green is said to have been a servant of **Mary Stuart**. She was a girl from the **Scottish Highlands** and had a premonition that if her queen slept in the old fortress one day, she would not live to tell the tale.

On the night of 13 September 1561 Mary was staying at Stirling Castle. The servant decided to spend the night near her queen to protect her, but the night was very long, and the servant fell asleep in such an unlucky position that she brushed against one of the candles next to the queen's bed, and the whole thing went up in flames. Mary was able to save her own life, but the maid died in the fire, thus becoming the **ghost called Green Lady**.

![Green Lady.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Green_Lady_37faff6bc5.jpg)

## 12. Castle Ghost known as Highland Ghost

The most active ghost at **Stirling Castle** is the **Highland Ghost**. On more than one occasion staff and visitors have seen him appear, in full traditional costume. Mistaken for a tour guide on many occasions, visitors are surprised when they approach him and he simply turns and walks away, **disappearing before their very eyes**.

In 1935, this **mysterious ghost** was apparently captured by the camera of an architect who was conducting some surveys for upcoming construction work. If you encounter it, don't panic, it won't harm you.

![Highland Ghost.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Highland_Ghost_1d77e6b380.jpg)

Football, boats, unicorns, ghosts... this castle is full of life and the occasional lost soul. I hope this guide can help you on your **visit to Stirling Castle**, a magnificent fortress with a fascinating history.


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12 Fun Facts about Stirling Castle

## 1\. For its history and industrial past

The **River Clyde** has been the raison d'être of this city since ancient times, as it was the gateway to the Atlantic Ocean. The area is believed to have been settled since the Bronze Age, thanks to the natural space it offered for fishing and hunting.

Although **[Glasgow](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/things-to-do-and-see-in-glasgow)** was founded in the 6th century, it was not named a Royal Burgh until 1611. Its commercial port was of little importance until the 18th century, and the arrival of trade with the Americas in sugar, tobacco, cotton, linen and other important commodities of the time.

The Scottish Enlightenment produced great minds, but it was none other than **James Watt** whose improvement of the steam engine sparked the **Industrial Revolution**. It was the basis of the locomotive and, therefore, of the railway and the consequent development of communications that led to a spiral of progress in which we still seem to be involved today.

![Glasgow city.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Glasgow_city_feab1f20d7.jpg)
_The River Clyde. Photography: Adam Marikar_

## 2\. For its museums

Glasgow offers a wide range of culture, with **more than 20 museums** and galleries of all kinds; **you won't get bored in 2 days**. From the classic museum to a motoring museum on the banks of the River Clyde, to one of the most important modern art galleries in Scotland.

Between all its museums there are more than 1.5 million objects on display, some by artists as important as Van Gogh, Monet or Degas. On second thoughts, you might need more than 2 days to see them all.

![Glasgow Museums.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Glasgow_Museums_47296d0bd8.jpg)
_Kelvingrove Museum_



## 3\. Because it's a UNESCO City of Music

From festivals to small concerts, **Glasgow** has an impressive music culture. You'll find concerts every day of the year: bagpipes, jazz, funk, electronica and a whole host of other musical styles - it's a city that makes a lot of noise.

The **SSE HYDRO** is one of the largest concert venues in the world, and has hosted performances from **Paul McCartney, Backstreet Boys, Bruno Mars, Arctic Monkeys, Prince, Ed Sheeran, to Elton John and Madonna**.

![Glasgow HyDRo.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Glasgow_Hy_D_Ro_314dc1da30.jpg)
_<center>The SSE Hydro</center>_


**Glasgow** is also the birthplace of bands such as Travis and Franz Ferdinand. Before you visit Glasgow, I recommend you check this website to see if there are any concerts or festivals that you like.

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## 4\. For its green spaces

With **more than 90 parks**, Glaswegians can boast about their green spaces, where you can play golf, or attend concerts and festivals.

**One of the largest is Glasgow Green**, a 55-hectare park relatively close to the historic centre. Also quite large is the 34-hectare Kelvingrove, next to which you can find the museum of the same name and the University of Glasgow. And another one I would like to highlight is the Botanic Garden, which is a bit more secluded, but if you visit the city outside the winter months it is a recommended visit.

![Glasgow Green.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Glasgow_Green_99392d6a3d.jpg)
_Glasgow Green_


## 5\. For its shops

With just **over 1,500 shops spread across the city,** **Glasgow** is a shopper's paradise, second only to London in this respect. You'll find the most exclusive brands as well as those that are not quite as exclusive.

The main street for clothes shopping is Buchanan Street and it is a favourite shopping street not only for locals, but also for people from the surrounding towns and even Edinburghers. I hope you don't get lost in the fitting rooms and have time to visit the city.

![Buchanan Street Glasgow.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Buchanan_Street_Glasgow_565b5750d2.jpg)
_Buchanan Street_

## 6\. For the football

Although England invented football, **the first professional football player was Scottish and born in Glasgow**, by the name of Fergus Suter. Netflix recently released a miniseries telling his story: "The English game".

Glasgow has a great football culture with its two big football clubs and bitter rivals: **Celtic, a Catholic team**, and **Rangers, a Protestant team**. If you get the chance to visit the city on match day, I recommend you try to get a ticket to see it at the stadium, the fans are a pure spectacle, especially at Celtic's grounds.

![Glasgow Futbol.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Glasgow_Futbol_630f1b931f.jpg)
_<center>Football logos. Celtic and Rangers FC</center>_



**Football, museums, parks, shops, history... I think these are more than enough reasons to give this great city a chance. The city with the friendliest people in the UK, but a horrible Scottish accent.**

Glasglow PPL.jpg

6 reasons to visit Glasgow

**Top 10 places to eat in Stirling**

Enjoy the Scottish cuisine

One of the things you can't neglect, even when you're on holiday, is eating. It takes a lot of energy to do all the tours we want to do, doesn't it? And I'm sure most of you have already been scouring the internet to find out what you can find to fill your stomach in this cold country.

Most people who have typed "**Scottish food**" into the Google search engine have probably already read about **Scotland**'s most famous dish: **[haggis](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/what-is-haggis)**. But for those of you who are a little less well prepared, haggis is all those parts of a sheep that you don’t really want to eat, but much less waste: heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and so on. All these scraps are ground up and mixed with onions, oats and spices, and cooked in the animal's own stomach. Fortunately, nowadays it is usually wrapped in other, more hygienic materials and comes in two forms: meat-based and vegetarian. It's a pretty heavy meal, but it's definitely one of those things you have to try. Wherever you go...

**Haggis** is usually eaten with mashed potatoes and turnip mash (you'll see it as neeps & tatties on restaurant menus) and a whisky sauce. You can also find haggis in the full **Scottish breakfast**, not to be confused with the **English breakfast**, which is only served south of Dumfries.

But it's not just haggis that Scottish people live for. Another quite typical thing around here is soup or, as we would call it, a kind of chunky mash. It's usually made of various vegetables and lentils, with quite a strong flavour and, as I said, tends to be a bit thick. It's ideal for warming the stomach during the winter months and one of the most typical soups is **Cullen Skink**, a soup made from onion, potato and haddock (a fish that can be found off the coast of Scotland).

The last thing you can't leave without trying is the tablet, and no, I don't mean the one you used on the plane to watch Netflix or play Candy Crush, I recommend you don't sink your teeth into this one for your own good. The typical Scottish tablet is a sweet made from condensed milk, sugar and butter, usually flavoured vanilla or ginger. For me, it's definitely a must-try if you have as much of a sweet tooth as I do.

And now that we've finished our brief overview of Scottish cuisine, let's get down to what really matters to you: where can I eat in Stirling? Well, here are the 10 best places we could find to recommend:

## 1\. The Bannockburn Coffee House

Located next to the famous **Bannockburn** Esplanade (the one where William Wallace's battle was fought), here you can still taste the regional gastronomy at a very good price. It also has vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, and homemade cakes that you can feast your eyes on.

[**41 Main Street, Bannockburn, Stirling FK7 8LX**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Bannockburn+Coffee+House/@56.089917,-3.915009,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x2fd82548090483da!8m2!3d56.0908214!4d-3.9147324?hl=es)

## 2\. The Bluebell Tea Room

Tea rooms are a very British thing where people go, effectively, for tea. This one, located in the centre of **Stirling**, is an ideal example of what you would expect from such a place. They offer **breakfast, brunch and lunch**, and a wide variety of teas and sweets.

## 3\. The Allan Park Pub & Restaurant

Holding the title of best restaurant in **Stirling**, this is a pub offering traditional food located in the city centre. From breakfast to dinner, it has a varied menu (with alternative options of course), **great quality** and an unbeatable atmosphere, a place that is definitely worth a visit.

[**20 Allan Park, Stirling FK8 2QG, United Kingdom**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Allan+Park+-+Pub,+Restaurant+%26+Coffee+House+(w%2F+rooms)/@56.115987,-3.940077,13z/data=!4m8!3m7!1s0x0:0x53e0373a2173d204!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d56.1160019!4d-3.9401374?hl=es)

## 4\. Portcullis

Located near the castle, the name refers to those huge metal grates that could be raised and lowered to cut off access to the castle. **Considered the second-best pub in the city**, it offers a very local atmosphere and good food.

[**Castle Wynd, Stirling FK8 1EG, UK**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Portcullis/@56.121986,-3.944444,16z/data=!4m8!3m7!1s0x0:0xba05e15b8386f870!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d56.1219813!4d-3.9444207?hl=es)

## 5\. No 2 Baker Street

Could this be a reference to the famous private investigator Sherlock Holmes? Maybe. What is clear is that this is a great place to eat and drink, with an extensive menu in both respects. Elementary, my dear Watson.

[**No 2 Baker Street**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/No+2+Baker+Street/@56.1189262,-3.9385338,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x60e843be760cb53b?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwib98SY-v_1AhWGLMAKHRRGA-0Q_BJ6BAgmEAU)

## 6\. The Allan Water Cafe

Great cafe and restaurant in the centre of Stirling with a good number of years and a family history behind it. It has a wide variety of food on offer, the chippy or fish & chips being one of the most popular with locals, another must try.

[**15 Henderson St, Bridge of Allan, Stirling FK9 4HN**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Allanwater+Cafe/@56.155629,-3.949886,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x230d85c334db4d5c!8m2!3d56.1556289!4d-3.9498861?hl=es)

## 7\. Brae

For quality Scottish food, using fresh, local ingredients. This restaurant has won several awards for its dishes in recent years.

[**5 Baker St, Stirling FK8 1BJ**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/5+Baker+St,+Stirling+FK8+1BJ/@56.1188004,-3.9409972,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4888629527d5f11b:0x5c2022a65c9c8d87!8m2!3d56.1188004!4d-3.9388085)

## 8\. Monterey Jack's

Can boast some of the best burgers in **Scotland**!!! Located in the Old Town, next to the Athenaeum.

Especially the cheeseburger is excellent.

[**1 Corn Exchange Rd, Stirling FK8 2HX, UK**](https://www.google.com/maps?ll=56.118274,-3.938715&z=16&t=m&hl=es&gl=ES&mapclient=embed&cid=10364910612201347664)

## 9\. Nicky-Tams

One of the oldest pubs in Stirling. It offers a wide variety of beers, and you can also eat here. Located in the **Old Town**.

[**29 Baker St, Stirling FK8 1BJ, UK**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nicky-Tams+Bar+%26+Bothy/@56.119113,-3.939453,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x689fb1cd12a5d9f6!8m2!3d56.1191302!4d-3.9394278?hl=es)

## 10\. Hermanns

Very elegant place, with Scottish and Austrian cuisine using local produce. Very **close to the castle**.

[**Mar Place House, 58 Broad St, Stirling FK8 1EF, UK**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hermanns/@56.121152,-3.943731,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xb8831a01a34b1635!8m2!3d56.121167!4d-3.9437219?hl=es)

Of course, these are just a few of what (in our humble opinion) are the best places to eat in the city, but if you find any other hidden gems, don't hesitate to recommend them - we always like to discover new things. And watch out for the **Haggis**, it is very filling.

| Best Tours in Other Cities |
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the ** HAGGIS ** is a typical Scottish dish? This preparation is served on BURNS day to the sound of bagpipes. Made with liver, heart and lungs of sheep, fat, oat flakes and mutton or beef,

7-mejores-sitio-para-comer-en-Stirling.jpeg

10 best restaurants in Stirling

The best or the worst **whisky** are born the same way, although there are many factors that affect the final product, such as water, grain, temperature, time in the cask, type of cask, type of yeast, **distillery** or stills. All these variables mean that a whisky can either win the world's best whisky award or you’ll find it on the supermarket shelf for around 10 euros.

It is also one of the most elaborate distilled beverages in existence, and the reason for this is that **by law in Scotland** whisky has to be aged in an oak cask **for at least 3 years**, otherwise you can't call it **whisky**. But do you know how it is made and what the ingredients are? There are three main ingredients: **water**, **grain** and **yeast**.

![Cata de whisky.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Cata_de_whisky_a90793bae9.jpg)

**Water**

In **Scotland** there is a mythical saying that goes "**today's rain is tomorrow's whisky**"; and how true it is. In these cold northern lands, water is plentiful, which is why many distilleries are located near lochs or rivers, as this is where they get their water supply. Although I can tell you that the tap water in Scotland is so good that some distilleries take it directly from there.

The most important question is that of the hardness of the local water, as the final result of the **whisky** will depend on it. Whether the water is hard or not depends on the amount of dissolved minerals it contains, such as calcium, zinc, magnesium and iron; the more minerals it contains, the harder it is. In Scotland, the water is generally soft.

![Killin, Tierras Altas de Escocia.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Killin_Tierras_Altas_de_Escocia_9b33289e0d.jpg)
_<center>Killin, Tierras Altas de Escocia</center>_

**Grain**

Wheat, rye, barley or corn are the grains commonly used in the **whisky-making process**. Each gives a different flavour to the distillate. Barley is usually the only grain used to make **Scotch whisky**.

One of the things we need to make alcohol is sugar (starch). The grain itself contains starch, and to free as much starch as possible it has to be malted. You have probably seen bottles that says "**malt whisky**" but this has nothing to do with the Mediterranean country Malta. For a whisky to be called malt whisky, the grain must first be malted, which is simply the process of germinating the grain. This releases enzymes that help to release a higher starch content.

However, there are also whiskies that are made from unmalted grain; these would be "**single grain**" or "**blended grain**" whiskies.

![cebada.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/cebada_361a1b10ee.jpg)

**Yeast**

It is the **only organism** permitted in the production of this spirit. In order to produce alcohol, the fermentation process must take place, and yeast is responsible for this. The sugar extracted from the grain is converted into alcohol by the yeast. There are countless varieties of these **micro-organisms,** and each one gives a totally different flavour to the whisky than another.

Different types of grain contain **wild yeast**, and high-yielding cultured yeast is often added to start the fermentation process.

![fermentacion.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/fermentacion_58abb25b1d.jpg)
_<center>Levadura en fermentación</center>_

**The whisky-making process**

The first thing we need is **the best quality malt** in order to make the best **Scotch whisky**. The grain has to be ground in a mill to facilitate the extraction of the sugars in the mashing process.

The mashing process consists of mixing the grain with water in a tank at a certain temperature, which can range from 60ºC to 80ºC depending on the **distillery**. In this way the sugars are extracted from the grain. The resulting liquid **is called “wort”** and is very sweet due to the extracted sugars.

The next step would be fermentation, but first, the wort has to be cooled, because at a high temperature the yeast would be stressed, it would die and without it, **fermentation** would be impossible. This process is usually carried out in wooden or stainless-steel vats, with a capacity of between 20,000 and 250,000 litres. It normally lasts between 2 and 3 days.

![Cuba de fermentación.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Cuba_de_fermentacion_1337741215.jpg)
_<center>Fermentation vat at the [ **Abhainn Dearg**](https://abhainndeargdistillery.co.uk/), distillery on the Isle of Harris.</center>_

After several days, the micro-organisms have done their job and have transformed the sugar into alcohol; now all that remains is to distil it and to do so, the **fermented wort** has to be brought to a boil.

Alcohol reaches its boiling point at a lower temperature than water, at 78.4 ºC, when it turns into vapour, which is collected and cooled, thereby becoming an **alcoholic liquid**. This process is completed in copper stills, resulting in a clear liquid that will spend at least 3 years in an oak cask in a warehouse in the **Highlands** or Lowlands of this wonderful country.

![Alambiques de de la destilería Glengoyne.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Alambiques_de_de_la_destileria_Glengoyne_74d4eb2bfb.jpg)
_<center>[**Glengoyne** ](https://www.glengoyne.com/) Distillery Stills</center>_



The **oak cask** will have a major influence on the final product. Nowadays, virgin casks are not typically used, instead second-hand casks are used that have previously held Bourbon or wine.

![Barricas llenas de whisky.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Barricas_llenas_de_whisky_e6905c6f31.jpg)
_<center>Casks filled with whisky at the **Abhainn Dearg** distillery.</center>_ 



In short, depending on which water, which grain, which yeast or even which cask is used **to make the whisky**, you will get one flavour or another. The smallest detail in the production process can make a big difference, but it is because of this that Scotch whisky is exquisite, it is the best, but what best describes it: it is **Liquid Gold**.

If you want to know about the history of **Scotch whisky**, the different regions where it is distilled and the different types, [this article](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/whisky-history-and-more) tells you all about it. Plus, I'll help you choose whisky!

Some of the information in this article was taken from the [Illustrated Atlas of Whisky](https://www.amazon.es/gp/product/846771607X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=carlospaz-21&camp=3638&creative=24630&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=846771607X&linkId=38f7d70d520dcee3e822e33e24bdf038). For more books about whisky and Scottish history in general, check out my article [Books About Scotland](https://somosescocia.com/blog/14-libros-sobre-escocia).


Como se hace el whisky.jpg

How is whisky made?

Fantastic tour! Walking with Ian for the most emblematic monuments of the city was really good! I highly recommend.

Jen’s extensive knowledge of history, passion for her subject and her quirky sense of humour made her the perfect guide for our tour of Edinburgh castle

Thank you Jen for a fantastic tour of Edinburgh castle, loved the rich historical details and witty jokes.

I really enjoyed the tour e she’s great, I had an amazing time!!
Greetings from Brazil :)

This was one of the best tours we’ve ever been on! Jen was wonderful, and we appreciated all of her extra historical expertise.

Sonia was an amazing tour guide. Really put the effort in to give us the best experience would totally recommend doing this tour it was incredible listening to the history behind Edinburgh in great depth!!

We really enjoyed your informative and amusing tour. Thank you very much!

Sabi was great in the castle tour in Edinburgh and made it very fun in the way she informed us of the history of the castle and Scotland

Sabi was absolutely amazing. I loved this tour and her explanations were great. I very much recommend this!

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