Jim Malcolm

Meep! Meep! The Wiley Coyote is going to require a serious investment in Acme products to take down this roadrunner which commands a view over Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Headed down to Tucson past the iconic Picacho Peak, scene of the most westerly confrontation during the Civil War….

My discerning hosts took me to the new Hamilton distillery in Tucson where they are making Del Bac single malt whisky. The malted barley is dried using mesquite wood as an alternative to peat, giving it a very distinctive flavour. It is matured in new oak casks, these are small ones which in the hot climate can bring the spirit to maturity astonishingly quickly. It is proving to be very popular and they are selling out – the next batch won’t be ready until February. As a picky Scotsman I was very impressed with their ethos and operation.

Their still looks quite different from the traditional Scottish ones but certainly produces a guid wee drappie!

Had a great couple of shows in Prescott and Flagstaff. Cameron MacNab took me for a spin in his Lincoln – the longest car I’ve ever been in.

Drove up to Flagstaff through Sedona which has the most spectacular red rocks. I have not nearly done it justice with these snaps, but it was quite difficult to find somewhere to stop.


Spent a couple of hours fly fishing in Oak Creek Canyon. This beautiful stream is stuffed with trout who were up for it after the previous days rain – first time I’ve seen it rain in Arizona.

A plucky wee broon troot with lovely red spots the same colour as the surrounding rocks.

Just about to turn on to the road where one can allegedly get ones kicks.

A long haul to Phoenix Arizona, but worth it to see the sheer beauty of the desert. The big cactus is called a saujro and they are limited to two areas north and south of Pheonix . The smaller ones to the fore are called jumping choyas and I was attacked by one of the light spiky bits which pinged off (hence jumping) and stuck itself to my shoe. I had great difficultly getting it off and ended up with it digging to my bare foot. Attactus by a cactus! The desert is a wonderful place but it seems that everything is out to get you..

Scenery north of Pheonix with a type of rock formation known as a butte. There are hundreds of saujro cactus on the hillside.

Went to buy a fishing licence at Cabelas which is a massive supermarket size huntin’, shootin’, fishin’ store.

Wish I had asked what a gun library is..

I’m off to Arizona tomorrow to begin a US tour through the Southern States. It is a route I have done many times before and I’m looking forward to seeing a bunch of old pals and hopefully making some new ones! I have not been in the US since February which feels too long so I am itching to get back out west. I’ve got a brand new cd called ‘Live in Perth’. Very much hoping to cast a line or two along the way… Yeehaw!