The Whisky of Speyside Tour

Tucked up in the northeastern part of Scotland is Speyside, a region renowned for producing some of the world’s finest single malt Scotch whiskies. We depart Aviemore and head into the stunning Cairngorms National Park, and among the ancient forests and majestic mountains, it has plenty of stories to tell. And while some are etched into history, some are a little less certain but just as intriguing. Keep your eyes peeled for fairy mounts, or “knockers”, which are scattered about the landscape. Keep your distance though. Legend has it that they serve as portals to the realm of the fairies… and fairies aren’t the nicest of creatures.

But one thing the fairies approve of? A wee dram of whisky. So, we make our first stop at the Cairn Distillery, a modern home for ancient craft. Named after cairns – man-made stacks of stones – the distillery is devoted to inspiring people through their product and challenging both themselves and others to take on new paths. Pioneers and legacy builders, that’s who brought Cairn Distillery to life. And their mission is to build a legacy of exceptional whisky. This morning, we tour this wonderful facility and sample some of their best whisky. Stomach warmed and intrigue activated, we head into one of Speyside’s local villages for a bite to eat.

After a fortifying feed, we dive back into the rolling hills of the east Highlands into one of the highest villages in Scotland – Tomintoul. Its name means “Hillock of the Barn” and is a lovely wee spot for a visit. You may even recognise it from the 2004 film One Last Chance starring Kevin McKidd and Dougary Scott. But we’re here for the whisky. The Whisky Castle shop has been selling over 600 of the finest malt whiskies of Scotland for over 120 years. It’s not just a chance for you to shop and wander… you’ll receive a tutored tasting from the lovely staff at the Whisky Castle too, so you know where to start with so many amazing tastings on offer.