Name: Lake District, Edinburgh & Speyside Whisky Trail (from London) 2022
Brand: DHTour
SKU: 1
Price: 1,990 pp
Availability: InStock

Lake District, Edinburgh & Speyside Whisky Trail: 2 nts Keswick, 2 nts Edinburgh, 2 nts Grantown-on-Spey

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

The best things in life take time.

Think about whisky. The oak trees grow for over 70 years before being made into casks. The drink needs to distil for at least three years. And to enjoy it, you must sip it slowly.

And then there’s the Lake District. The beautiful sheep pastures have evolved since Roman times, travellers have etched in the paths for hundreds of years, and you can’t get anywhere in a hurry on the little lanes.

So, on this tour, you take the slow lane and enjoy these two emblems of Britain.

You take the train to the Lake District, stay in Edinburgh, venture through the Highlands, and visit a few of the Speyside Whisky Trail’s finest distilleries.

So, join this tour and enjoy the finer things in life.

7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS / MAX 16 GUESTS

Tour Details

Places you explore

Ullswater – The second largest lake in the English Lake District is famous for its sublime, tranquil beauty.

Aira Force Waterfall – A lovely stone bridge crosses the fabulously flowing waterfalls.

Lake Windermere – You can choose to wander the shores or put on your sailing hat and go for a cruise.

Edinburgh – Scotland’s Medieval capital city boasts spectacular architecture and fascinating history.

Cairngorms National Park – Gaze in awe at Scotland’s most beautifully rounded peaks.

The River Spey – One of Scotland’s most important rivers for salmon farming and whisky distilling.

Elgin – Visit this town and explore the best little whisky shop in the world.

Four Whisky Distilleries – Compare and contrast the whiskies of four distinctly delectable distillers.

Royal Deeside – Throughout history, the Royal Family have loved exploring this gorgeous region of Scotland.

Pick Up Location & TIme

London (Google Map)
9:30am – London Euston Train Station, Kings Cross, London NW1 2DU

Drop off Location & Time

Edinburgh
6:30pm

Price Includes

6 nights Bed 'n Breakfast accommodation or hotel accommodation
Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
Air conditioning as standard
Daily full English breakfasts
The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide

Meals

6 breakfasts
0 lunches
0 dinners
0 teas

Price Excludes

Entry fees to visitor attractions
Airfare
Transfers
Pre / Post hotel nights
Driver / Tour Leader gratuity is at your discretion
Travel Insurance

What to Expect

Explore in 16 seat mini-coaches, always taking the scenic route, you have great views through large windows, and you’re free to sample the local tipple without worrying about driving. Our driver-guides are famous for their knowledge, facts, quirky stories, history, and fairy-tales. They truly take you beyond the guidebooks and into your adventure. You make your trip your own. We provide the timetable; and you can choose where you want to eat and which attractions you pay to see. So, if you want to skip a castle and read your book by a mountain view, you can.

Itinerary

Day 1London - Keswick

You collect your train ticket at the London Euston Station and head north to the historic Cumbrian market town of Penrith. The town’s uniquely coloured castle played a key role in defending the border from its invading Scottish neighbours.

After arriving in Penrith and meeting your Rabbie’s Guide, you enter the Lake District National Park and travel along the northern shores of Ullswater. This lake is often described as England’s most beautiful lake, and it’s here we give you the chance to take a forest walk and see the mighty Aira Force waterfall.

You then travel towards Keswick, stopping outside the town to visit the mysterious Castlerigg standing stones, thought to have been built over 5,000 years ago and a hub of ancient pagan rituals.

You have a short journey into the lively market town of Keswick* where you’re dropped off at your accommodation and free to explore the charming town.

*Please note all tours that depart in July will stay in Bowness-on-Windermere instead of Keswick

Day 2Keswick

After breakfast, you take in views of Ullswater as we head along country roads to its southern shores.

You continue further south and travel over the narrow and winding Kirkstone Pass towards the wonderful Windermere. Here you have the option to take a leisurely cruise on the Lake or eat lunch while enjoying sublime views of the surrounding scenery.

After lunch you travel around the southern tip of Windermere and on towards Coniston Water. Your next stop is the picturesque conservation village of Hawkshead, where the poet William Wordsworth attended Grammar School.

After exploring the cosy village, you take the narrow country lanes north towards Grasmere, which Wordsworth described as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”.

There’s free time to visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage, taste the legendary gingerbread, or enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden by the River Rothy.

In the late afternoon, you return to Keswick*. (B)

* Please note all tours that depart in July will stay in Bowness-on-Windermere instead of Keswick

Day 3Keswick - Edinburgh

We head for the Whinlatter Forest Park and over the Whinlatter Pass into the most dramatic landscapes that the Lake District has to offer.

You journey along winding lanes, past the shores of Crummock Water and Buttermere, and towards the Honister Mountain Pass.

Stopping amongst the mountains you have the opportunity to visit old slate workings, where a small number of Cumbrians continue to make their living.

After refreshments, you continue through the forests of Borrowdale, passing Derwent Water, where there’s free time for lunch and shopping.

Once you’ve eaten lunch, you begin your return journey, heading towards Penrith and north towards the border. After crossing into Scotland, you take a stop in the town of Biggar, a royal burgh since 1415. From here, it’s a leisurely drive through the rolling border hills to Edinburgh. (B)

Day 4Edinburgh

Today is a free day to explore Edinburgh.

We think you should start with our included Edinburgh City Tour to familiarise yourself with the history, geography, and laugh-out-loud tales of the city.

And after that, what you do is up to you; You can venture deep under the city on ghost tours, hike to the lofty heights of Arthur’s Seat, or even just relax in the many beautiful gardens.

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

Day 5Edinburgh - Grantown-on-Spey

Back on the road again and you 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.

After lunch in Pitlochry, you can sample 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)

Day 6Grantown-on-Spey

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)

*Speyside Cooperage is only visited on Monday and Wednesday departures.

Day 7Grantown-on-Spey - Edinburgh

In the morning you visit Glenlivet, which is both a distillery and a beautiful glen with serene walks and wonderful wildlife. You then enjoy the majesty of Royal Deeside. You pass by Balmoral Castle, and stop in the village of Braemar in the heart of the National Park.

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

Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

Dates and Prices - Authentic Bed 'n Breakfast accommodation

Departure Dates and Days	Double/Twin (pp)	Single Rate
2022: April 4 to May 30 – Monday & Thursday (except April 7, 14 & 21)	$1,990	$2,490
2022: June 2 to July 28 – Monday & Thursday	$2,070	$2,570
2022: August 1 to August 29 – Monday & Thursday	$2,260	$2,880
2022: September 1 to September 29 – Monday & Thursday	$2,070	$2,570
2022: October 3 , 6, 10, 17, 24 – Monday & Thursday	$1,990	$2,490

All guaranteed departures.

Dates and Prices - Hotel accommodation

Departure Dates and Days	Double/Twin (pp)	Single Rate
2022: April 4 to May 30 – Monday & Thursday (except April 7, 14 & 21)	$2,220	$2,750
2022: June 2 to July 28 – Monday & Thursday	$2,300	$2,830
2022: August 1 to August 29 – Monday & Thursday	$2,490	$3,130
2022: September 1 to September 29 – Monday & Thursday	$2,300	$2,830
2022: October 3 , 6, 10, 17, 24 – Monday & Thursday	$2,220	$2,750

All guaranteed departures.

Pricing

Pricing is per person (pp) based on twin/ double occupancy.
Rates are in $ CAD.

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

Ask us for the best available pricing for your dates & choice of airline.

Notes
Mobility: All of our tours involve walking and require our guests to board and disembark our vehicles several times a day making this tour unsuitable for those with reduced mobility.

Luggage: You’re restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.

Lake District, Edinburgh & Speyside Whisky Trail (from London) 2022

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