3 Day Speyside Whisky and Loch Ness Route

This tour is offered byScottish-routes and should be booked directly with them. www.scottish-routes.com Tel: +44(0)131 347 8886.   Will@scottish-routes.com.

 
At last, a tour that will show you the best that this often-neglected part of Scotland has to offer. Around half the working distilleries in Scotland are in this region of the Highlands, but you will discover a lot more than just whisky as you journey with us. Ancient castles, sweeping valleys, majestic mountains and mighty rivers, all combine to offer you an unforgettable experience.

This is the perfect tour for those of you who already love whisky, as well as those who want to find out more about it. You will find yourself being transported through ever-changing landscapes that are steeped in history, folklore and the odd dram or two.
As you travel with us, high mountain plateaus will give way to long, glacial valleys and rivers; tales of clan battles and feuds will echo in your ears; a strong and ancient culture will begin to unfold and all of these you will find reflected in our national drink: Whisky, or Uisge Beatha in our native Gaelic - The water of Life.

There are so many whiskies to choose from in Scotland, and this tour will give you an insight into this fascinating world. You will visit distilleries that have been hand-picked by us for their friendly welcome and informative tours. You will discover the secrets of whisky's early (and often illegal) past, along with more modern production methods. You will learn why all single malts are different and how to recognise those differences. Find out about the angels' share, and why we don't begrudge it... too much.

As well as whisky, you will have a chance to visit Blair Castle, the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl; take short walks through the stunning countryside of Perthshire and Speyside; go Nessie spotting at Loch Ness; visit Culloden Battlefield and see the ancient stone circles at Clava Cairns (made famous by the Diana Gabaldon Outlander novels).

We will never make you visit a distillery and, if you feel like you would prefer something else, there are always other options at all the distilleries we visit. This might be a cup of tea and a cake, a spot of souvenir shopping or a walk by the river. We will even take you to the home of Walkers Shortbread.

The exact distilleries we visit will depend on seasonal availability and preferences of the group. A selection of ones we get on well with are: Blair Atholl, Glenfiddich, Aberlour, Cardhu and The Glenlivet.

Once you return to Edinburgh, you will have fallen in love with Scotland, the Scots and our national drink. Slainte Mhath (good health).

Itinerary- Day 1
Edinburgh - Grantown on Spey
Highlights include: Forth Rail Bridge, Fife, Perthshire, Blair Atholl distillery, Pitlochry, Blair Castle, Drumochter Pass, Ruthven Barracks, Cairngorm National Park and overnight in Grantown on Spey (or nearby).

Day 2.
Full day Exploring Speyside
Highlights include: River Spey, whisky galore, Balvenie Castle, distillery visits.

Day 3
Grantown on Spey - Edinburgh
Highlights include: Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Great Glen, Caledonian Canal, Glencoe and Stirling.

Why choose us?

We will take the stress out of your holiday. Relax as our guides show you the best that Speyside has to offer, as well as unfolding the history and stories of the area and it's people.

As we will be doing all the driving, this leaves you free to enjoy your whisky experience to the full.

This tour is offered byScottish-routes and should be booked directly with them. www.scottish-routes.com Tel: +44(0)131 347 8886.   Will@scottish-routes.com.