Emma Macalister Hall
2025 is a week old already and Christmas and Hogmanay seem like distant memories. There are reminders though – the fake tree is still sitting at the bottom of the stairs waiting to be reinterred into one of the rooms-of-doom upstairs, half a tub of cranberries sits hopefully in the fridge and will no doubt still be there in June and there are pine needles EVERYWHERE (even the fake tree shed).
It was a wonderful family time and all the indulgence was justified. Surely turkey is the most economical meal? Our twelve pounder from McGeachy’s in town fed 12 of us on the day itself then a minimum of 6 for days after. We enjoyed turkey stock hot and sour soup, turkey stuffing meatballs and turkey fricassee amongst other turkey-based delights. If I never see another slice of turkey until next year it will be too soon.
The inbetweeny bit (see also Festive Perineum, Crimbo Limbo, Twixtmas….) was very relaxed with just the odd walk in the rain breaking up jigsaw fever, endless darts on telly and eating constantly. The festivities started all over again at Hogmanay (same shit, different guests) and we saw in the new year with family, friends and neighbours and several rounds of Killer pool.
As is my way, all the decorations came down on the first as I do like a clean start, and everything (except the damn tree) is back in the room-of-doom for eleven and a half months of solitude (sounds BLISS).
The flickering lights on December 23rd did turn out to be a precurser for a powercut on the 2nd. A dodgy transfromer (thanks SSE) blew fuses everywhere, including at our bothies who were left with no hot water. They were very lovely about it and Niall got one of the heaters working so at least they could wash but hopefully that will be all the drama for at least a few weeks.
It’s good to be back at my desk in our distillery office, planning the year ahead. As usual there is a LOT going on with wellness events, parties, gin tours, gin school, woodland school, pop-ups and whatever other bright ideas Niall has come up with over the holidays.
If you are planning your 2025 holidays, keep Kintyre in mind, and Torrisdale in particular. It’s a unique and special place and we feel very privaleged to be able to share it.
