Glasgow Science Centre
I combined my love of space and my love of whisky this week by going to the Glasgow Science Centre. Situated on the south bank of the River Clyde, it is one of Scotland’s most popular paid-for visitor attractions. The event I attended was a whisky tasting with a difference. During the evening we tried six different whiskies, while the owner of the shop hosting the event covered the background to the whisky and an expert discussed the science behind it.
We were seated at round tables in groups of ten and I counted a dozen tables, so it was a sell-out. A variety of oatcakes were on offer to nibble on, along with a regular supply of water and I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
The sixth and final whisky of the evening accompanied us into the planetarium itself. This is a fulldome digital projection system, providing a view of the cosmos like no other. The presenter talked us through the show, while we relaxed on large reclining black leather seats, sipping our whisky and marvelling at the sheer scale of the universe.
The show is full of ‘wow’ moments, including right from the off, when we were viewing what the Glasgow night sky typically looks like due to the light pollution. We were asked to close our eyes and countdown from five and then when we opened them we could see the sky above Glasgow, if there were no lights to obscure our view. Spectacular.
For the record we tasted the following whiskies. The Good Spirits Co. Invergordon 25 year old. Glen Wyvis 2018 Batch 2. Arran 10 year old. Cask Noir ‘Flamenco For The Badger Clan’ Dailuaine 12 year old. Campbeltown Loch Blended Malt. Torabhaig Allt Gleann. My favourites were the Arran and the Campbeltown. The Badger was too strong and fiery for my taste, and the strongest of the lot, but was in fact the most popular whisky when we were asked to vote by a show of hands for our favourite at the end of the evening.
A great night, tasting some fine whisky and learning more about the moon, the stars and the vastness of space. I would certainly do this again and will keep an eye out for future events.
The Fiction Factory 