Islay, Edinburgh & Speyside Whisky 2021/2022

We know whisky tasting can be hard work, so you begin the day with a little sleep in.

After you’ve had an ample amount of breakfast, you enjoy a tour of Bowmore, the oldest licenced distillery on the island.

Your driver-guide takes you to Ardnahoe Distillery for a tour and a lunch of local treats. This modern distillery is the passion project of the Laings, a family who have loved whisky for generations. Today, you can admire their vision, craftsmanship, and unique spirit.

Your next stop of the day is at Kilchoman Distillery. This is a proud and independent whisky-maker whose tastes are as bold as their environmental ethos. You have time for a tour and whisky tasting here, before a walk down the beautiful white beach that lies close by.

You head back to Bowmore where you can either stumble back to your room for the night or relax and explore the village. (B)

Today you explore the southern side of the island, home to a few of the most famous whiskies in all of Scotland: Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg.

After you’ve made it out of bed and eaten your breakfast, you visit Ardbeg. You stay here for a tour, tasting, and lunch. The restaurant here is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy fine Scottish produce as you sip upon delightful drams.

You then visit Laphroaig. This 200-year-old whisky distiller is a favourite with the British royal family and bears the seal of the Prince of Wales to prove it.

Throughout the day, your driver-guide takes you to historical spots such as the ruins of Kildalton church and Dunyvaig Castle. And you can also stop at Lagavulin for some intensively flavoured, rich and smoky whisky.

You return to Bowmore for your last evening on the island. (B)

This morning, you take the ferry back to the mainland and replace the intoxicating fumes of whisky with the replenishing fresh air of Scotland’s West Highlands.

You travel through coastal scenery to the beautiful village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. The town is adorned with historic buildings, old boats, and a great whisky shop.

Leaving Inveraray, you take a drive up through the steep-sided mountains known as the Arrochar Alps to the great viewpoint at ‘Rest and Be Thankful’. Then, your trip continues to Loch Lomond where you have a chance to admire Great Britain’s largest body of water by surface area.

You arrive in Edinburgh in the early evening. (B)

Today is a free day to explore Edinburgh, the historic capital of Scotland. There are so many options available here – why not take our city tour to familiarise yourself with the ‘Old’ and ‘New’ towns of the city.

No visit to Edinburgh would be complete without a visit to her medieval castle. Sitting on a volcanic plug, the stronghold rises above the majestic Princes Street gardens and is a sight to behold.

In the afternoon, savour a special three-course lunch with two whisky tastings at an excellent restaurant in the city.

And after that, what you do is up to you. You can venture deep under the city on a ghost tour, hike to the lofty heights of Arthur’s Seat, or even relax in Edinburgh’s gorgeous gardens.

Just ensure you relax and prepare for the next part of your adventure. (B)

In the morning, join the next leg of your adventure at Edinburgh Bus Station and head north through the Kingdom of Fife to Lindores Abbey Distillery.

This modern Scottish distillery is built on the site of the first-ever recorded distiller in the country. Learn about the first whisky made in Scotland and sample their ‘Aqua Vitae’.

After lunch in Pitlochry, you can taste the delights of Scotland’s highest distillery at Dalwhinnie, near the source of the River Spey. Once you’ve warmed with this dram of “the gentle spirit”, you continue through the Cairngorms National Park before reaching Grantown-on-Spey, your base for two nights. (B)

A whole day exploring Scotland’s most famous whisky region. After a scenic drive towards the coast, your first stop of the day is at the family-owned Benromach Distillery, where you can go on a personalised tour.

You travel back up the Spey River to Craigellachie for a visit to the Speyside Cooperage, where you see another aspect of the whisky-making process.

After lunch in nearby Aberlour, you visit Cardhu Distillery, which is the first distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming. Today, Cardhu is the most important whisky in Johnnie Walker Black Label.

From here you travel back to Grantown-on-Spey. (B)

In the morning you visit Glenlivet, which is both a distillery and a beautiful glen with serene walks and wonderful wildlife.

Then, it’s time to say goodbye to Speyside and head to the majestic Royal Deeside, her Majesty’s favourite holiday spot. You pass by Balmoral Castle, and stop in Braemar, a lovely little village in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.

From here the route south passes over Scotland’s highest mountain pass, through Perthshire, and back to Edinburgh. (B)