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St. Andrews, Falkland Palace and Fishing  Villages Tour Experience from Edinburgh

St. Andrews, Falkland Palace and Fishing Villages Tour Experience from Edinburgh

  • Tour ID: 1106
  • Tour theme: Whisky Tours , Edinburgh Day Tours (Group Tours) ,
  • Duration: 1 Day - 9 hours approx.
  • Starts from: Edinburgh

Day tour from Edinburgh to St. Andrews, home of golf, and the Kingdom of Fife, Falkland Palace, and Kingbarns Whisky Distillery, St. Andrews Tour Edinburgh...

Whisky Tour

Rosslyn Chapel, Scottish Borders and Glenkinchie Tour

Rosslyn Chapel, Scottish Borders and Glenkinchie Tour

  • Tour ID: 1012
  • Tour theme: Luxury Coach Tours , Whisky Tours ,
  • Duration: 1 Day - 8 Hours approx.

Day tour from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel from the Da Vinci Code movie, Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders, and Abbotsford House...

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Islay Whisky Adventure Tour

Islay Whisky Adventure Tour

  • Tour ID: 1074
  • Tour theme: Whisky Tours ,
  • Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights

This tour takes you away to Scottish island paradise of Islay. Stunning scenery, ancient history, traditional culture and 8 Scotland finest whisky distilleries.

Loch Lomond, Whisky, and Stirling Castle Tour Experience from Edinburgh

Loch Lomond, Whisky, and Stirling Castle Tour Experience from Edinburgh

  • Tour ID: 1102
  • Tour theme: Edinburgh Day Tours (Group Tours) , Whisky Tours ,
  • Duration: 1 Day - 9 hours 30min approx.

Day Tour to Loch Lomond Tour and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh, including a Whisky stop at Clydeside Distillery. Castles, lochs and whisky, a perfect day out.

Speyside Whisky Trail Tour

Speyside Whisky Trail Tour

  • Tour ID: 1125
  • Tour theme: Group Sightseeing Tours (Multi-days) , Whisky Tours ,
  • Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights

A warm welcome awaits you in Speyside, home to more than half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries. Your 3 day tour adventure of Speyside whiskies of Scotland

The Ultimate Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

The Ultimate Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

  • Tour ID: 1533
  • Duration: 1 day - 10 hours approx

Whisky tour departing from Edinburgh going to Dewars Aberfeldy Distillery for Whisky and Chocolate tasting then to Deanston Distillery, Doune Castle, Loch Leven

Speyside Whisky Private Tour

Speyside Whisky Private Tour

  • Tour ID: 1518
  • Starts from: Edinburgh, Glasgow

Enjoy a 3 day whisky tour to Speyside with private guide and distillery tour bookings and whisky tastings. Tailor made to your specific request. All group sizes

Highland Whisky Private Tour from Edinburgh

Highland Whisky Private Tour from Edinburgh

  • Tour ID: 1163
  • Duration: 1 day - 9 hours approx

This memorable whisky tour visits two distilleries set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Scottish Highlands. Glenturret, Deanston, Doune Castle, Highlands...

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Home » Discover the Many Fantastic Attractions in Scotland » A guide to every whisky connissuer’s dream, Scottish Whisky Trails by Scotland.com

A guide to every whisky connissuer’s dream, Scottish Whisky Trails by Scotland.com

Scotland is famous for its whisky and if you've ever tasted it, you'll know why. Be sure to follow at least one Scottish Whisky Trail while you are touring Scotland. As you travel to the various distilleries on these trails, you will gain insight into the world of whisky. Discover how the distilleries use barley, water, yeast and peat to create the distinctive taste, texture, color and smell of whisky. You will also be treated to some different whiskies and learn all about the varieties available. Many of the Scottish whisky distilleries can only be visited by booking in advance. You can either join an organized trail or create your own. Below is a list of whisky trails & working distilleries in Scotland.

Aberdeen & the Grampian Highlands

There is a long tradition of Scottish Whisky making in the Grampian Highlands – especially in the Spayside area. Here you will find a fabulous Malt Whisky Trail which includes eight different distilleries each with their own special feature as well as a cooperage.

Aberfeldy Distillery in Scotland Ardmore Distilleries in Scotland The Balvenie Distillery in Scotland Dallas Dhu Distillery in Scotland Glendronach Distillery in Scotland Glenfiddich Distilleries in Scotland Glengarioch Distillery in Scotland Royal Lochnagar Distilleries in Scotland

Edinburgh and Lothian

In the city of Edinburgh, you can learn all about whisky and see how it is made at the Scottish Whisky Heritage Centre. The centre provides fun and entertainment for the whole family by means of an interactive and informative display. If you’d rather get to the real thing, you will find the Glenkinchie Distillary in the West Lothian.

Glenkinchie Distilleries in Scotland

Loch Lomond

In Loch Lomond you’ll only find two distilleries, but both are beautiful and produce many different types of whisky. Inchmurrin and Old Rosdhu were both established in 1965 and are worth a quick visit.

Perthsire has both the smallest and oldest distilleries in Scotland. The trail includes the distilleries in Aberfeldy, Crieff and Pitlochry. As you get a taste for their malts, you will also discover the stories behind the well known Dewar’s, Grouse, Bell’s and Edradour whiskies.

Auchentoshan Distilleries in Scotland Blair Athol Distillery in Scotland Dalwhinnie Distilleries in Scotland Edradour Distilleries in Scotland Glenturret Distillery in Scotland

Angus and Dundee

The beautiful amber colour of whisky may well remind you of the calm glens, rolling hills and beautiful beaches of Angus and Dundee. The two go hand in hand quite nicely in this region so if you are in the area, you might well enjoy a visit to one or more of the following distilleries:

  • The Fettercairn Distillery
  • The Glencadam Distillery

Despite the relative sparseness of the settlements in the highlands, there are a few great distilleries that are accessible to visitors. Here you will find a warm drink in a traditional Scottish setting. Some of the distilleries worth viewing in the highlands are:

Aberlour Distillery in Scotland Balblair Distilleries in Scotland Ben Nevis Distillery in Scotland Campbell Distilleries in Scotland Clynelish Distillery in Scotland Dalmore Distillery in Scotland Glen Grant Distillery in Scotland Glengoyne Distillery in Scotland Glenmorangie Distilleries in Scotland Oban Distilleries in Scotland Pulteney Distillery in Scotland Strathisla Distillery in Scotland Talisker Distilleries in Scotland Tamdhu Distillery in Scotland

Isle of Skye

Situated on the Isle of Skye in Carbost, just above the highlands, you’ll find the Talisker Distillery. Talisker is open most of the day most days of the week but tours of the distillery planned for the period of December to February should be made in advance by appointment.

Isle of Mull

In Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, you’ll find the Tobermory Distillery. This charming old distillery was established in 1798 and is still housed in its original buildings on the edge of the waterfront. The distillery has been somewhat unproductive for short periods of time during its history but was reopened in 1990 and has since been producing both a malt whisky and a blend. The Tobermory Distillery is also sometimes called the Lediag Whisky Distillery and both names are sometimes given to their products.

Tobermory Distillery in Scotland

There are two main whisky producing areas in Argyll – Oban and Cambeltown. Cambeltown was at one point in it’s history given the label of ‘the Whisky Capital of the World’ when it had 34 distilleries in operation. Since then, however, things have changed. Today only two distilleries remain in cabeltown – Springbank and Glen Scotia. Cambeltown whisky has a distinctive taste due to the use of peat in it. The Oban distillery is situated in the small fishing hamlet of Oban, directly below McCaig’s Tower. It has had a difficult history, but survived all the turmoils with a fine whisky worth tasting.

Glasgow and Clyde Valley

Not too far from Glasgow, you’ll find the Glengoyne Distillery. Producing whiskies of a more subtle taste that newcomers find easier to appreciate, the Glengoyne distillery is a great choice for first timers. Nearly 200 years old, this grand distillery is situated in a wooded valley close to a river. These surroundings provide a picturesque setting for the building creating a beautiful environment in which to sample the local whisky.

The Highland Park Distillary in Orkney was founded by a smuggler and is one of six Scottish disitillaries which malts is own barley. Visitors to the centre will have the pleasure of learning about and viewing this process. Not too far away, the Scapa Distillary also welcomes visitors.

The Isles of Islay and Jura

The whiskies from this region have a very distinctive taste that does not appeal to all taste buds. This difference comes about as a result of the using of peat in the malt kilns which occurs on a larger scale here than anywhere else. Some love the taste, other hate it while still others learn to love it. Why not find out which category you fit into by sampling some? There is only one distillery in Jura – quite simply named ‘The Isle of Jura Distillary’. The Island of Islay has the following distilleries:

Ardbeg Distilleries in Scotland Bowmore Distilleries in Scotland Bruichladdich Distillery in Scotland Caol Ila Distillery in Scotland Isle of Jura Distilleries in Scotland Lagavulin Distilleries in Scotland Laphroaig Distilleries in Scotland

Isle of Arran

The Isle of Arran Distillery is open through most of the day throughout the year though in winter, their opening times may vary. A visit to this little distillery can be somewhat inspirational and afterwards you can enjoy some more of their distinctive flavor at the bar or enjoy a hearty meal at the restaurant. Book in advance if you plan to bring a group.

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Be careful if you admit not to have heard of Ardmore, for it is a common ingredient of many top whiskey blends! Ardmore uses barley with such extreme peat qualities that only the discerning can appreciate its characteristic pungency. Most of the production from the stills of Ardmore is used by independent brand owners, but aficionados can locate the company’s original brands on occasion. You ...

Blairgowrie

High above the narrow and deep valley of Strathmore, spills the mighty River Ericht. Its immense strength has long been a source of life for the twin towns Blairgowrie and Rattray that came to rest on the embankments of this river many hundreds of years ago. Unlike so many other villages and towns of old, Blairgowrie had already begun to establish itself as an expanding town with the ...

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The Malt Whisky Trail is a uniquely immersive whisky experience — but the journey you’ll take along The Trail is about so much more.

As you embark along the road through malt whisky country, you’ll encounter a huge variety of sites to see and things to do.

You’ll find globally renowned textiles mills, cosy seaside cafes, and world-class outdoor pursuits.

As you follow the mighty River Spey from sea to source you’ll find everything you need for a relaxing short break or longer holiday. Learn more about what you can see and do on The Malt Whisky Trail here.

With so much to do, The Malt Whisky Trail is the perfect spot for getaways long and short. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend break or a few days on the road, inspire yourself with one of our suggested itineraries.

To the north of The Malt Whisky Trail lies the famous Moray Firth, so why not combine a visit to some of our sites with a trip to the coast?

At the south of The Malt Whisky Trail you’ll find forests and mountains, perfect for adventure lovers.

We all know the weather in Scotland can be a little unpredictable, so if you find yourself caught out, we’ve got you covered (literally!).

Consider following one of our Two Day itineraries, and add this on.

With five days, you’ll have ample time to journey The Malt Whisky Trail.

The Malt Whisky Trail puts a real sense of escape within easy reach. Wherever you’re coming from, Moray Speyside is simple to get to by air, rail and road.

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scotland tours whiskey trail

Whisky Explorer

The Whisky Explorer tour plan guides you on a whisky trail around Scotlands Lowland, Highland and Speyside distilleries.

The tour route also takes in iconic Scottish landmarks such as Culloden, Loch Ness, Balmoral castle and the Cairngorm Mountains.

Allow a minimum of 7 days to drive this tour route. The guide contains extra day trip suggestions for extending the tour to 10+ days

PLEASE NOTE: The Guides come in the format of PDF files. After payment, you will receive an automated email that enables you to access your Scotland Tour Itinerary.

scotland tours whiskey trail

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We are so confident that you’ll be delighted with your guide that we offer a full Money Back Guarantee. Read More .

Tour Stats :

Guide Updated - 23 December 2023

Core Route Mileage:

Approximately 482 miles / 775 Km

Tour Duration:

7 to 10 Days

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Tour summary.

Edinburgh is a compact city and easy to explore on foot. We provide directions for 3 walking routes that show you different sides of the Capital city; a walk down the historical Royal Mile , a riverside path to the Botanic Gardens that escapes the hustle & bustle of city life and a more energetic hike to Arthur’s Seat with the option to continue to a pub with lots of history.

Edinburgh boasts a great range of atmospheric old pubs and we steer you to a selection of our favourites where you can sample some single malts with the locals.

The guide also includes options for day trips around the surrounding area by car, bus or train.

The day trips by car include the option of a tour of West Lothian where you can notch up the first distillery visit on this Whisky Trail

Stopover in Edinburgh

Two route options are provided for this drive that ends in Pitlochry area where you find several distilleries that represent the Highland region of this Whisky Trail:

The longer route takes you west, via Stirling , and then into the Trossachs National Park. “Outlander” fans can stop to explore Doune Castle (“Castle Leoch” in the TV show), and further along the route we guide you to stone circles where you can try to travel through time. After a photo stop at the Falls of Dochart , you travel along the shores of Loch Tay towards Aberfeldy and Pitlochry , where you can end the day with a choice of distillery tours .

Driving Distance: ~111 miles

The shorter route allows you time to spend a full afternoon in Pitlochry. Heading north from Edinburgh, you cross the Forth estuary with views of the famous Forth Rail Bridge . You then speed north to Perth , but can extend the drive with a visit to the pretty village of Falkland where Mary Queen of Scots had her favourite palace. Falkland has also featured in the filming of "Outlander" . From Perth to Pitlochry, we suggest a back road route that visits Scone Palace , the ancient crowning place of Scottish Kings, and the romantic ruins of Dunkeld Cathedral beside the River Tay.

Driving Distance: ~81 miles

Short tours around Pitlochry -  If you arrive early in Pitlochry, or wish to stay for several nights, you will enjoy the 2 short tour options supplied in this guide. These tours feature the grand Blair castle and scenic Loch Tummel as well as less obvious places such as a deserted Blackhouse village.

Stopover in Pitlochry / Aberfeldy area

You could start this day with a visit to nearby Blair Castle as the drive to Braemar in Royal Deeside does not take long. On the way to Braemar, you follow the path of an 18th century military road that was built through Glen Shee to enable the deployment of Redcoat troops into the “Jacobite” heartlands.

From Braemar , you can explore the quaint villages, verdant woodlands and wild mountains that Queen Victoria fell in love with.

Continuing the Whisky Trail theme, you can take a tour of the Royal Lochnagar distillery that supplied Queen Victoria during her visits to Balmoral Castle. But we wouldn’t recommend you copy her idea of mixing the whisky with port.

Driving Distance: ~56 miles Additional Sightseeing - If you arrive in Royal Deeside early, or wish to spend 2 nights in the region, you could explore further afield with our route directions for a tour of   Castles and Standing Stones.  This region has some of the most interesting and complete castles in Scotland, but it is also home to a large number of stone circles in secluded corners. We guide you on a trail that includes the castles of Crathes , Drum , Fraser & Craigievar , whilst also steering you to discover atmospheric Neolithic monuments where time stands still. ~ 70 miles

Stopover in Royal Deeside area

Today you traverse the Cairngorm mountains via one of the highest roads in Scotland. It is not far to drive so you have time to immerse yourself in the  Speyside Whisky Trail.   

The famous distilleries along this route are Glenlivet , Glenfarclas , Cragganmore ,  Aberlour, Glenfiddich  and Macallan , but we include directions for exploring many more.

If you want a break from whisky tastings, you may enjoy a visit to Elgin with its magnificent cathedral and cashmere mill . We also give you tips on the best bars for continuing your whisky sampling into the evening.

Driving Distance: ~52 miles

Stopover in Craigellachie / Elgin area

A short drive via the Moray coast with options to mix your whisky with Scottish history.

You can explore Cawdor Castle with its curious legends, the spooky burial tombs at Clava Cairns , the imposing defences of Fort George and the windswept battlefield of Culloden Moor .

The day ends in the lively town of Inverness, or the quieter villages of the nearby Black Isle. Our guide gives suggestions on where to find live music and a great whisky bar with a very knowledgeable landlord.

Driving Distance: ~57 miles

Stopover in Inverness area

From Inverness, we provide a choice of route directions for the drive past Loch Ness . You can either take the main tourist trail past Urquhart Castle and the “Nessie” attractions, or you can follow a less travelled road along the south shore.

You continue through the Great Glen to Spean Bridge where you turn east to follow an old military road through the central Highlands. Along the way we will guide you to explore waterfalls, picnic spots and the origins of the River Spey.

The journey ends in the Cairngorms National Park where you might be able to arrive in time for a sheepdog demonstration , or a nostalgic steam train ride .

Driving Distance: ~108 miles

Stopover in the Cairngorms (Aviemore) area

The last journey leg of this Whisk Trail tour is a relatively direct drive back to Edinburgh that can be done in under 3 hours. But, if you aren’t in a hurry, we have an alternative route that lets you explore the outdoor activities and lovely woodlands of the Rothiemurchus estate before picking up the main road south.

On the way south, you can fit in one last distillery tour with a visit to  Dalwhinnie  which holds the title of the highest operational distillery in Scotland.

Driving Distance: ~128 miles

Tour Gallery

Aberlour

Accommodation

To help you book the best places to stay, we offer a guide to Recommended Accommodation along the route of this tour.

We personally visit all the accommodation featured in the guides and only select places where we would wish to stay ourselves. Read More...

When you "Checkout" , you will have the option to buy the Accommodation Guide.

Preview Accommodation Guide

Car Hire - How to Save Money

When you buy a Secret Scotland Tour Itinerary you will receive a Discount Code that gets you a 10% reduction on the cost of Car Hire from Arnold Clark Rental .

Simply use the Secret Scotland code when you book via the Arnold Clark website and your car hire discount will automatically apply.

Testimonials

I convinced my other half to get the Scenic Tour 4-5 Days guide (even though he very much wanted to do it all himself), and it was the best experience ever. In fact, ever since this trip, we're trying to re-create the experience. Of course, Scotland can hardly let anyone down, but this guide truly made it an adventure. We found so many hidden and not so hidden gems, and everything was perfectly laid out for us so that all we had to do was decide how much time we had and what we wanted to see next. I can't recommend it enough and wish more guides like this existed!

scotland tours whiskey trail

Excellent! We thought the information provided was fantastic and allowed us to see things I am sure we would have missed. Mike was very helpful in sending the itinerary through again for us when we had trouble with our downloads. Would definitely recommend this site. We have been travelling for a number of years and normally would just rely on the internet and books but decided to give this a go. So glad we did.

scotland tours whiskey trail

Secret Scotland is EXCEPTIONAL in providing guidance for itinerary planning and accommodation referrals for those wanting a self guided driving vacation in Scotland.... Simple to use.  Thorough in suggesting ‘must see’ venues. Complete - sites, restaurants, pubs and experiences.” That is how I would describe what they do and provide.  Exceptional accommodation recommendations. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

scotland tours whiskey trail

The itinerary Secret Scotland provided was a trip saver. We loved the suggestions for sight seeing, eating, and places to stay, but the best part was the detailed driving directions. Driving on the opposite side of the road from the opposite side of the car was a little easier without having to worry about how to get there! We will definitely use this service the next time we visit Scotland!

scotland tours whiskey trail

Secret Scotland's itineraries, accommodations guides, and other resources are incredible value with great attention to detail.  Their owners, Mike and Aury, are experienced and honest, and they helped us so much as we attempted to narrow down a very long list of things we hoped to do during our time in Scotland.  I feel so much more prepared for our trip and can now just look forward to our approaching vacation!

scotland tours whiskey trail

We have just got back from an EXCELLENT holiday following the Borders to Orkney route suggestions. We can't say enough about how much the detailed information enhanced our experience in Scotland. We had a wonderful time seeing so many interesting sites that we would have passed by without your guide. Thank you so much.

scotland tours whiskey trail

These guys really are the best.  We used Mike's Flexi Days East to West itinerary last July and it was truly indispensable.  His itinerary is full of detail, including driving directions and options.  Mike is also very responsive if you have any questions.  We had such a wonderful time we are going back again this year, and we will be using his itineraries again for our planning.  I would also recommend his accommodations guide.

scotland tours whiskey trail

Just like pictures of Scotland can’t do justice to the magnificence of the actual landscape, words can’t do justice to the brilliance and sheer volume of work you put in your guide. The level of detail provided on each stopover sheet, in all the different itinerary options and on all the B&B features exceeded even my most crazy expectations.

scotland tours whiskey trail

Mike and Aurey from Secret Scotland prepared a fantastic itinerary for us. It was a huge ingredient in the success and huge enjoyment that we got from our trip. It was absolutely worth every penny and there is no way we could have seen so much and so well without their itinerary. We felt like we belonged in Scotland, we knew what we were doing and what it all meant at every step. We recommend their services wholeheartedly. Scotland is such a marvelous place. Thank you Mike and Aurey... and we will be back!

scotland tours whiskey trail

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Whisky Wheels

SPEYSIDE WHISKY TOUR:

The malt whisky trail – stunning speyside, book our speyside whisky tour and follow the malt whisky trail.

The world’s definitive whisky experience!

scotland tours whiskey trail

For our tours we select three distillery tours or tastings per day, depending on availability from the list below:

Macallan, Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie, Glenfarclas, Aberlour, Benromach, Benriach, Cardhu, Dallas Dhu, Glenallachie, Glen Grant, Glen Moray, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, Speyside Cooperage (cooperage tour), Strathisla and Glendronach.

Whisky included

We operate our tours so that our customers receive tastings at each of the distilleries we’ve selected. Our Speyside whisky tours are a mix of local expert led full distillery tours and tutored tastings. Usually two or three samples available at each stop.

  Accommodation Is Included

We include accommodation If you decide to do a two day or three day tour we know the best local hotels, B&Bs and restaurants for your stay in this once in a lifetime trip. We recommend and can book bed and breakfasts and hotels such as the Aberlour hotel, the Dowans hotel, the Spey valley resort similar standard properties.

For transport on our Speyside whisky tours, we use comfortable, new and well maintained saloons or spacious 8 or 9 seat vehicles from Mercedes, Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen. Larger vehicles available on request.

Larger Groups

If you require a reservation for over six people, please call or email us. It would be great to hear from you and we are experienced with groups of all sizes.

We can also tailor the tour to your needs to make your Speyside Whisky Tour is the best possible and customizing tours is something we specialise in. Contact us for more information, let us know your favourite whiskies and must see distilleries. Group discounts are available if you email or call us.

Speyside Whisky Tours - Whiskywheels

If you decide to do a two day tour we know the best local hotels and restaurants for your stay in this once in a lifetime trip. We recommend bed and breakfasts such as the Aberlour hotel, the Dowans hotel and the Spey valley resort.

Whisky included We operate our tours so that our customers receive tastings at each of the distilleries we’ve selected. Our Speyside whisky tours are a mix of local expert led full distillery tours and tutored tastings. Usually two or three samples available at each stop.

Transport For transport on our Speyside whisky tours, we use comfortable, new and well maintained saloons or spacious 8 or 9 seat vehicles from Mercedes, Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen. Larger vehicles available on request.

Larger Groups If you require a reservation for over six people, please call or email us. It would be great to hear from you and we are experienced with groups of all sizes.

We offer customisable whisky tours in Speyside

One day whisky tour, choose your tour date:.

The Macallan on Speyside whisky tour - Whisky Wheels

One Day Example Itinerary

Departure – 6:30am from Edinburgh (Later if you are located nearer to the tour location or we can adjust tour times if required)

  • Glenlivet – 10:00am-11:15pm
  • Macallan – 12:00pm-1:30pm
  • Stop for lunch in Aberlour – 1:40pm-2:30pm
  • Cardhu – 3:00pm-4:00pm

Return to Edinburgh around 7:30pm

All itineraries are examples we use as a guide, but there may be slight adjustments due to availability

Two Day Whisky Tour

Speyside Whisky distilleries

Two Day Example Itinerary

  • Departure – 6:30am from Edinburgh (Later if you are located near to the our location or we can adjust tour times if required)
  • Stop for lunch – 1:40pm-2:30pm
  • Highlander Inn whisky tasting (One whisky flight per person) – 3:00pm – 4:30pm
  • Return to accommodation – 5:00pm
  • Glenfiddich – 10:00am-11:30am
  • Lunch – 12:00pm to 1:15pm
  • Cragganmore – 2:00pm to 3:00pm
  • Dalwhinnie whisky and chocolate tasting – 4:00pm-4:30pm
  • Return to Edinburgh – 8:00pm 

Three Day Whisky Tour

Speyside Whisky Tours

Three Day Example Itinerary

  • Departure – 6:30am from Edinburgh (Later if you are located near our tour location or we can adjust tour times if required)
  • Lunch at the fantastic Glenfiddich Malt Barn  – 12:00pm to 1:15pm
  • Cardhu Johnnie Walker experience – 4:00pm-5:00pm
  • Return to accommodation around 5:30pm
  • Speyside Cooperage – 10:00am-11:00am
  • Ballindalloch Castle (Or Equivalent) – 11:30am-1:00pm
  • Lunch at Granton on Spey – 1:30pm-2:30pm
  • Dalwhinnie whisky and chocolate tasting – 3:30pm-4:30pm
  • Return to Edinburgh – 7:00pm
  • Return to Edinburgh – 8:00pm 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your covid-19 policy.

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff.
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience.
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas.
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use.
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized.
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands.
  • Regular temperature checks for staff.

What does the Speyside whisky tour ticket price include?

  • Free pickup and drop off from your accommodation or from a location in Edinburgh. If outside Edinburgh contact for a bespoke quote.
  • Three stops per day for whisky distillery tours and tastings or sightseeing – at least 3 whiskies provided per stop
  • Accommodation included – well-reviewed hotels and B&Bs. Examples above.
  • Driver Guide
  • Bottled water provided in the tour vehicle
  • Itinerary booked and planned and communicated by text or email
  • Lunch table booked each day
  • Free time in the evening
  • Extra whisky

What group size is the whisky tour?

When does the whisky tour run, the tour dates i need are fully booked, i have another question.

If you have any questions not addressed here, please email us at [email protected] or call us on: 07549839684

Sample the best Speyside single malt Scotch whisky with WhiskyWheels

We provide bespoke whisky tours in Scotland.

07549 839 684 (UK)

+19299230210 (USA)

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Whisky Trails

Discover world-class whisky & stunning scenery.

A self-drive whisky tour around Scotland’s world-renowned distilleries is so much more than whisky – you will travel through breathtaking scenery, alongside spectacular coastline, and past some of the country’s most celebrated historical landmarks. Indulge in unforgettable flavours as you sample exceptional single malts in the most incredible of locations.

The holiday suggestions on our website are examples of the amazing trips we can offer , which are created uniquely for you by our award-winning specialists. Think of the itineraries below as inspiration for your specialised tailor-made escape. These can be customised to suit your preferences and individual requirements. Our packages include hand-picked accommodation, a personalised information pack, and 24-hour support from our dedicated team.

Highlands & Islands Malt Whisky Trail

Speyside malt whisky trail, islay & the west coast whisky trail.

Talisker Whisky Distillery, Skye

From £1035pp

  • The Malt Whisky Trail including visits to Glenfiddich & the Macallan Distilleries
  • Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile & The Scotch Whisky Experience
  • The magical Isle of Skye & Talisker Distillery

Glenlivet distillery

From £620pp

  • Tour the famous Malt Whisky Trail including Glenfiddich and Macallan distilleries
  • Dewars World of Whisky & Edradour Distillery in Pitlochry
  • Explore mountains and lochs in one of Scotland's most picturesque regions

Sunset over Lagavulin Distillery, Islay

From £1135pp

  • Experience the beautiful Isle of Arran and sample The Arran Malt
  • Explore the world-famous distilleries on Islay, including Laphroaig, Ardbeg & Lagavulin
  • Visit Tobermory Distillery on the beautiful Isle of Mull

English

  • Speyside Way Whisky Trail

Why go hiking on the Speyside Way Whisky Trail?

  • Spare those legs of yours! The route offers (mostly) easy walking along old railway lines and riverside tracks and through woodlands and heather moors teeming with wildlife.
  • Leading through the heart of the malt whisky capital of the world the Speyside Way Whisky Trail passes close to more than 20 distilleries.
  • Visit world-famous distilleries for a taste of Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Macallan, Glen Grant, Cardhu, Chivas Regal or Aberlour Whisky.
  • Get in touch with Scottish history on a visit to the magnificent Ballindaloch Castle or enjoy two of Scotland's Heritage railways at Dufftown, Boat of Garten and Aviemore.

What's Included:

  • Top-Choice Accommodation
  • Detailed Itinerary, Maps & GPS Tracks
  • Baggage Transfer
  • Insider Tips
  • 24/7 Support
  • Access your tour details & documents on the go with your designated Hillwalk Tours account

What's Excluded:

  • Travel to and from tour start and end points
  • Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
  • Travel insurance
  • Hiking equipment
  • far fa-ticket Entry tickets to Whisky Distilleries (booking in advance recommended)

Speyside Way Whisky Trail

The Speyside Way is one of Scotland’s Great Trails and it runs for 116km from Buckie on the shore of the Moray Firth coast in a south-westwards direction to Aviemore and Kincraig on the edge of the Cairngorm Mountains.

For much of its route the trail follows the valley of the River Spey and passes through the heart of the Speyside Whisky region. This area has the largest concentration of whisky distilleries in Scotland and the whiskies produced in the more than 30 distilleries there include some of the most famous in the world, such as Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet and The Macallan.

The first section of the route, from Spey Bay to Ballindalloch, was opened in 1981. This has been extended over the years with a number of additional route options such as a loop walk to Dufftown, the home of Glenfiddich, and a spur from Ballindaloch to Tomintoul which passes by The Glenlivet distillery. The route is currently being extended past Aviemore and Kincraig to Ruthven Barracks near Kingussie.

The well marked trail offers, for the most part, easy and level walking, often on former railway tracks, a military road and on forest tracks. As well as the many distilleries along the route there is also plenty of nature and wildlife and the route passes through pine and birch woodland, over heather moor and along riverside tracks.

Choose Your Hike

Prices / what's included, accommodation, extra days/activities, travel info, why choose hillwalk tours, more reading.

We offer different tour grading levels depending on the balance of physical challenge and comfort level that you require

Gentle Hikes

Our Gentle Hiking Tours are designed with the part-time hiker in mind.

People for whom taking photos, meeting the locals and enjoying a long lunch are as important as the hike itself.

Look out for the 🥃 symbol: These tours have a strong focus on whisky and spend a large portion of their itineraries in the heart of the Speyside Whisky Region with some of its most famous distilleries (Macallan, Aberlour, Glenfiddich, Cragganmore, Glenlivet).

Average Hiking Distance: 16-17km (10-10.5 miles) per day Average Hiking Time: 4-6 hours per day

Moderate Hikes

Our Moderate Hiking Tours will suit people who are used to regular exercise.

Hikers will appreciate the chance to cover plenty of ground each day without going beyond their limits.

Look out for the 👣 symbol: This itinerary covers the entire Speyside Way trail from Buckie to Aviemore

Average Hiking Distance: 22-24km (13.5-15 miles) per day Average Hiking Time: 5-7 hours per day per day

Challenging Hikes

Are you the type of hiker who sets off in the morning and doesn’t stop until they reach their destination?

If yes, then our Challenging Hiking Tours will be just right for you.

Average Hiking Distance: 25km (15.5 miles) per day Average Hiking Time: 6-8 hours per day

The Speyside Way Whisky Trail starts at Buckie on the coast of the Moray Firth, a large roughly triangular inlet (or firth) northwest of Inverness. The trail follows the coast to the mouth of the river Spey at Spey Bay. Here the route turns south and follows the course of the river to the town of Fochabers and onwards past Rothes, located on the other side of the river, to Craigellachie. Rothes is home to a number of well known distilleries, such as Glen Grant, and the famous Macallan distillery is located near Craigellachie.

At Craigellachie many hikers pay a visit to the fascinating Speyside Cooperage, where whisky barrels are made and repaired using traditional methods, before taking a detour on the Dufftown loop, which passes the Glenfiddich Distillery and Balvenie castle. The Speyside Way then continues along the Spey past Aberlour, home to Walker’s famous shortbread, towards Ballindaloch.

Here many hikers will take another detour which crosses some higher ground as it leads from Tomintoul to Glenlivet, with its distillery, and back to Ballindaloch. After Ballindaloch the trail again shadows the River Spey on its way to Grantown-on-Spey where the route enters the Strathspey, or wide valley of the Spey. From Grantown the route leaves the river Spey for a while and passes through Nethy Bridge and close to Loch Garten, with its Osprey Visitor Centre. From Boat of Garten the trail follows the tracks of the Strathspey Steam Railway to Aviemore and you might see passing steam trains.

Aviemore has been the finishing (or start) point of the Speyside Way Whisky Trail for many years. It is located at the edge of the Cairngorm Mountains which form part of the UK’s largest national park. The town is famous for outdoor sports and is known as the winter sports capital of Scotland. The route is currently being extended past Aviemore to Kincraig and onwards past Loch Insh to Ruthven Barracks near Kingussie. However, at the time of our last visit in early 2019 this work had not been completed yet.

Terrain Overview

For much of the route the Speyside Way Whisky Trail follows fairly level and well-maintained footpaths and tracks. They often run beside the river and on former railway tracks and pass through woodlands and heather moors with good trail surface throughout.

While the route slowly ascends from the mouth of the Spey towards Aviemore the climb is generally slow and gentle. The main route stays in the valley of the Spey and for the most part looks towards the hills and mountains rather than climbing into them. The exceptions are the Dufftown Loop and the Tomintoul Spur which are more undulating and cross higher and, in places, more exposed ground. But here as well the paths are good and the climbs are short and not difficult.

Aggregate ascent over the whole route is approximately 2,400m, and there are almost no sustained or steep climbs. The highest point on the Speyside Way is Carn Daimh with 570m above sea level. It is located between Tomintoul and Glenlivet, on the wildest and most spectacular section of the trail.

Elevation Profile (Main route, not including the Dufftown Loop and Tomintoul Spur)

Elevation Profile Speyside Way Whisky Trail

Terrain by Stages

Buckie to Fochabers: Gentle, well maintained trails along grassy paths and forest tracks, with a short section of road walking through Portgordon. Initially beside the North Sea, then turning inland, next to the fast-flowing River Spey.

Fochabers to Craigellachie: Roads, forest tracks and paths. Fair amount of up and down, slightly muddy in places. Long sections of asphalt walking.

Dufftown Loop: First half to Dufftown offers easy walking along an old railway line followed by more rugged trail from Dufftown to Aberlour. One steep but short climb.

Craigellachie to Ballindalloch: Flat terrain next to the River Spey on paths and tracks along the line of the old Speyside Railway.

Tomintoul Spur: Clearly defined paths and tracks across beautiful, though exposed, mountain side and moorland. A gentle climb to the highest point on the trail at Carn Daimh and a moderate climb to the hill of Deskie between Glenlivet and Ballindaloch. Can be slightly muddy in places.

Ballindalloch to Grantown-on-Spey: Rolling hills and forest tracks interspersed with sections along the old railway line.

Grantown-on-Spey to Aviemore: Pleasant hiking mainly along the old railway line but also on peaceful forest paths and tracks.

What’s Included in the Price?

  • Stay in our friendly, family-run guesthouses
  • Relax in comfortable  en-suite bedrooms *
  • Big breakfasts will keep you going all day long
  • Luggage? Don’t worry, we’ll move it for you!
  • Detailed maps, route notes and GPS tracks mean you’ll never get lost
  • Walking directions written and updated by the Hillwalk Tours team
  • Local alternative/supplementary route options based on local knowledge
  • Our waterproof map-case keeps your maps and documents dry
  • If you need to contact us, we’re here 24/7 to help
  • Insider tips on the best places to eat and drink **
  • Explore the local history and culture in our fascinating guides
  • Discover the most interesting attractions on the trail
  • Need info on transport ? We’re happy to help

* Unless already booked out in which case we’ll try to secure a private bathroom

** You will have the opportunity to purchase picnic lunches and evening meals each day. If you are staying in a remote location, your hosts will usually look after this for you upon request.

Please Note:

We occasionally charge additional supplements on the Speyside Way Whisky Trail for tours starting during the high season. This is due to higher costs involved in booking our upgrade option or in cases where our normal accommodation suppliers do not have availability, and an alternative, more expensive, supplier is sourced with your approval.

We do not book visits to distilleries and other attractions and those visits are not included in your tour.

The Speyside Way Whisky Trail combines great hiking with some of the best whisky in the world. Treat yourself to a day off along the way!

Here are some places we recommend you stop and spend an extra day. We will organise any additional accommodation required – just let us know when you are booking your hiking tour.

Craigellachie / Dufftown / Ballindalloch: Spend a day in the heart of the Speyside whisky region and take tasting tours in some of the nearby distilleries. (Some visits may require the use of a taxi. Note that we do not book visits to distilleries and they are not included in your tour price.)

Aviemore: Scotland’s Adventure Capital: Get your adrenaline pumping with activities from gorge walking and mountain biking to abseiling and white water rafting.

Grantown-on-Spey: Kick back and take a day off to explore this pretty little town – visit the Craig Bar for some of the best pies in Scotland .

Booking Extra Days

  • Choose WHERE you wish to stay.
  • Decide HOW MANY NIGHTS you need.
  • Go to the BOOKING FORM and fill in the ‘Extra Nights Required/Other Requests’ section

The costs of extra nights during your Speyside Way Whisky Trail hiking tour start from £70 per person per night and from £80 for single hikers who will have their own private room. 

Please note that if you book any extra nights in a location not included in your tour itinerary, you will have to make your own arrangements to transfer your bags to this location. Please also note that we do not book visits to distilleries and other attractions and that those visits are not included in your tour.

Staying at the very best accommodation during your time in Scotland can transform a “good” hiking tour into a “great” hiking tour.

That’s why, at Hillwalk Tours, we take the quality of our accommodation partners seriously. So much so that you will find we strive to only work with high-quality and well-reviewed accommodation. Additionally, most of our accommodation partners have been personally checked by a member of the Hillwalk Tours team to ensure your comfort.

As keen hikers ourselves we know you’ll want somewhere relaxing to put your feet up in the evening. A place where a warm smile from your hosts makes you feel welcome as soon as you step through the door. If your hiking gear gets wet, it’s nice to know that you can dry it or, if you ask, it may even be taken from you and returned nice and dry the next morning.

Comfy beds, en-suite bathrooms (where available), tasty breakfast menus, and a friendly & cosy atmosphere – these are all the things that we like so you can rest assured that we’ll do our best to find them for you as well.

To find out more about the types of accommodation you can expect to find on a Hillwalk Tours walking holiday, read here: Accommodation on your Walking Tour

In addition, if you’d like to stay an extra night at any location during your hiking tour, just let us know.

Due to limited accommodation options in some locations on your tour, we may need to book you into accommodation which will require transfers to/from your hike start/end point or where you will have private bathroom facilities instead of an ensuite. We may also need to book you into the same accommodation for more than one night to cover multiple locations. The cost of this is covered in your basic tour price and will not affect your tour itinerary.

In general, we try to book accommodation which is as close to the local amenities as possible. If you are staying in a remote location (where access to local pubs/restaurants is not feasible), the hosts of the accommodation that you are staying at will ensure that you are well fed.

Getting to and from your Speyside Way Whisky Trail hiking tour is easy… when you know how!

In your hiking pack, you will receive all the necessary public transport information you need to make your journey as convenient as possible.

In the meantime, if you’d like to do some advance planning yourself, here are our tips:

Most Convenient Airports

  • Inverness Airport
  • Edinburgh Airport
  • Glasgow International

Sustainable Travel (from Europe)

  • Travel by Ferry to the UK Sail from ports in the Netherlands, France, Ireland and Spain to Dover, Hull, Harwich, Portsmouth & others in the UK. See list of Routes from Continental Europe & Ireland to UK Ports
  • Travel by Train to the UK From Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam or Amsterdam to London via Eurostar
  • Travel by Bus to the UK From Europe to London / Manchester From Europe to the UK From the Netherlands & France to London

Public Transport

  • Buckie Public Bus Services
  • Fochabers Public Bus Services
  • Craigellachie Public Bus & Train Services
  • Aberlour Public Bus & Train Services
  • Ballindalloch Public Bus & Train Services Possibly a taxi from Aberlour (due to infrequent bus service)

Departing from Aviemore or Ballindalloch after your Hiking Tour:

Use public bus or train services to Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow. You possibly have to take a taxi from Ballindalloch to Aberlour due to infrequent bus services.

Travelling by car?

If you would like to leave your car at the first or last accommodation on your tour, for the duration of the tour, then you can directly contact the accommodation owners before the start of your tour to check that this is possible. We will provide contact details for the accommodation provider.

  • About Our Tours

Tour Grading

How to book, don't forget.., during your tour, about our scotland hiking tours.

In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to book a single room along the West Highland Way. Many B&B’s along the trail do not have single rooms and are simply unwilling to take solo walkers in their double/twin rooms, unless they are part of a larger group (e.g. a group of three people). For this reason, Hillwalk Tours can only offer walking tours for solo walkers along the West Highland Way in the months of March, April & October. Unfortunately it’s not possible for us to book West Highland Way tours for solo walkers in all other months. For a solo walker who is part of a larger group, we will continue to try and book a single room (maximum of one) throughout all months of the walking season. We are of course still offering walking holidays for solo walkers, without restrictions, in all of our other hiking regions in Scotland, England, Ireland and Spain. Thank you for your understanding.

A self-guided hiking tour means you are hiking without a guide.

Hillwalk Tours will provide you with all the resources you need to successfully complete the trail alone or in the company of good friends. We’ll plan your route, transfer your bags and show you all the best places to visit but you decide whether you want that extra hour in bed in the morning! All this gives you the freedom to enjoy the trails and the wonderful countryside at your own pace.

Find out more about the benefits of a self-guided hiking tour in comparison to a guided tour here .

Choosing the right hiking tour can be tricky. It’s important to consider the balance of physical challenge and comfort level that you require. To make your decision easier, we have drawn up a menu of Gentle, Moderate and Challenging hiking tours.

Before we explain the difference between the various grades, it is important to note that each hiking tour within a specific region follows the same official hiking trail. For example, if you choose to go walking in Kerry in Ireland, it doesn’t matter whether you pick a ‘Gentle’ tour or a ‘Challenging’ tour – you will still be walking along the official ‘Kerry Way’ trail. To make these walking trails more accessible to all walkers, we have either 1) picked out the sections of the walking trails that are less demanding or 2) shortened the average daily hike between accommodations.

  • Same Trail, Easier Sections: For example, on the Kerry Way in Ireland, our ‘Gentle’ tours are restricted to the less demanding sections of the trail while our ‘Challenging’ tours cover the entire trail including the most difficult sections.
  • Same Trail, Shorter Distances: For example, on the Hadrian’s Wall Path in England, you can walk the entire trail on a 8-Day Challenging Tour, a 10-Day Moderate Tour or a 11-Day Gentle Tour. However, while the Challenging tour requires you to keep up a brisk pace of 23km (14.5 miles) per day on average, the Moderate tour has a more leisurely average of 18km (11.25 miles) per day and the Gentle tour only requires an average walking distance of 15km per day.

Below is a general overview of each tour grading level. Note that the figures for ‘Average Daily Hike’ and ‘Hiking Time’ may vary between regions. Poor weather conditions can affect the average hiking time which is based on a person of normal fitness walking at a moderate speed of around 4km/h (2.5 mph). The hiking time takes into account the terrain covered but not the time required for lunch stops, photos, etc. For more details on daily distances, the level of ascent and the terrain the trail crosses; refer to the itinerary page of each individual tour.

12-18km (8-11 miles)  3-6 hours

Our Gentle Hiking Tours are designed with the part-time hiker in mind. While you can still expect some climbs, these tours offer the shortest average daily hikes, which in turn means less ups and downs. This will give you plenty time to enjoy the sights and scenery, take photos, have a long lunch and, if necessary, negotiate the more tricky sections of a walk.

 16-23km (10-14 miles)   4-7 hours

Challenging

 22-30km (14-19 miles)   5-9 hours

Our core purpose at Hillwalk Tours is to create experiences that make people happy. Some of the ways we try to achieve this, and ensure you have the best possible experience with us, include;

The biggest choice of itineraries for the trails we offer, guaranteed – We want you to explore these areas of outstanding natural beauty at your own pace, with nearly 400 itineraries to choose from across 21 different trails (and we’re always looking to add more).

We book your tour direct, always – We don’t book third-party companies to organise tours for our customers. We don’t resell tours from other third-party companies. We always directly book and operate all of our tours ourselves.

Creating memorable self-guided hiking tours is all we focus on, nothing else! – We just focus on creating and organising self-guided hiking tours, and nothing else! And we’ve been doing it for quite some time (since 2008), with over 20,000 hiking tours taken with us so far, and growing…

You can access your tour information easily – You will receive a designated Hillwalk Tours account where you can login to access all your tour documents, trail GPS file, and other important details. Access your tour information anytime, anywhere, and on any device.

We don’t do off-the-shelf guidebooks – We personally walk each trail we offer & create our own detailed route notes. By doing so, it allows us to provide you with more itineraries, route options and alternatives than any other walking tour company!

We come highly recommended by other hikers – Our tours & service have consistently received 5* reviews from walkers. Check out our reviews on Google ,  Facebook  &  Tripadvisor .

You can start your tour on any day / date you like – We don’t confine you to book your tour on specific dates. Instead, you can book your tour to start on any day / date you like during the walking season.

We have itineraries to match your fitness levels – We provide 3 levels of hiking; ‘Gentle’, ‘Moderate’ & ‘Challenging’, which are designed to suit all types of fitness levels and abilities of hikers.

You can walk at your own pace – As all our tours are self-guided, you can walk the trails at your own pace as opposed to adhering to a strict schedule, allowing you the freedom to enjoy the beautiful nature & surrounds.

We’re here to support you 24/7 – You can reach us by phone 24/7 if you ever need additional support while on the trail.

We have a very low booking deposit – Our booking deposit of £100 is one of the lowest, if not the lowest, in the industry.

Guided hiking tours are not available from Hillwalk Tours.

However, don’t be put off doing a self-guided hiking tour. With help from the documentation that you are provided in advance i.e. Route Notes & Directions, Local History & Attractions, Places To Eat / Evening Meal Suggestions etc., you are well prepared, making it perfectly manageable to complete the trail by yourself – and without missing out on any of the local information & history as you walk along the trail!

You can start your hiking tour on any day / date you wish within the walking season. Generally, the walking season for most of our hiking tours takes place between March to October, but there are some exceptions. Please see the individual trail pages for further information on the start and end dates of the walking season for each individual trail.

Our 7-Day tours include 5 days of hiking. The first and last days of all our hiking tours are travel days used to transfer to/from the town where your hike will begin/end. If you would like to hike for 7 days, simply select one of our 9-Day tours.

Our 7-Day tours include 6 nights of accommodation – specifically the first 6 nights on your hiking tour. Your tour finishes on the seventh day when you check out of your last B&B.

A single supplement is an additional charge for walkers booking single accommodation (a room for one person).

This is due to the fact that most accommodation providers price their rooms for double occupancy, meaning that they don’t discount the rooms even if they are only occupied by one person. Furthermore, accommodation providers have outlined that the cost of cleaning the room is the same regardless of how many people are in it, and also the potential cost of giving up a double occupancy (or more) sized room for just one person at a cheaper rate, when they could sell the room to more than one person at the normal rate, is too high.

Therefore, the total tour price for individuals who request a single room is “the price per person plus the single supplement”. This added supplement covers the extra costs associated with accommodating a single person in their own room.

It is not possible to bring your dog on a Hillwalk Tours hiking holiday. Unfortunately, the majority of our accommodation providers do not accept pets of any kind. Furthermore, on many of the trails you will pass through farmlands where livestock are present, and where dogs are not permitted as a result.

Yes, most bus and train tickets can be purchased online in advance of your trip. Specific transport information is available on the tour pages of each hiking region. See the Travel Info section for each tour for more information.

Upon booking you will also receive a step by step public transport guide which will outline some potential public transport options you can take in order to get you from your arrival airport to the start location of your tour.

We can generally arrange for you to park at your first accommodation.

If you are bringing your car, please contact us in advance.

About Luggage Transfers and Accommodation

No, on all our Scottish hiking tours your luggage will be transported to your next accommodation each day as you walk and will arrive before 4pm. Weight limits apply to each piece of luggage, and vary from trail to trail, so please refer to your walking pack documents and communications sent to you in advance of your tour for the maximum weight limit allowed per bag on your selected tour.

You will mostly be staying in traditional Scottish Bed & Breakfasts (B&B’s) / Guesthouses and small Hotels during your hiking trip. B&Bs / Guesthouses are often private lodging houses, where the friendly hosts welcome travellers into their homes. To ensure your comfort, most accommodation you will stay in has been personally checked by a member of the Hillwalk Tours team. At your accommodation, you can expect a warm welcome, en-suite facilities (where available) and a tasty breakfast each morning (but usually no other meals).

For more details on the types of accommodation you can expect to find on a Hillwalk Tours walking holiday, read here:  Accommodation on your Walking Tour

Yes, you will receive a list of all accommodation that you will be staying in prior to the departure of your travels. Once final payment for your tour has been received, you will be sent an email with a digital PDF copy of your walking pack documents such as your route notes, accommodation details and evening meal suggestions etc. It’s within PDF copy of your walking pack documents that you’ll be able to find what accommodation you will be staying in each night*. You will also be posted a walking pack (either to your home address or the first accommodation on your tour) which will include essential physical items for your tour such as the required maps for the trail and luggage tags.

*If you’d prefer to receive a physical copy of your full walking pack documents too, it’s essential that you reply by email within 48 hours of booking your tour in order to let us know.

In general, we try to book accommodation which is as close to the local amenities as possible. If you are staying in a remote location (where access to local pubs/restaurants is not feasible), the owner of the B&B / Guesthouse or Hotel that you are staying at will ensure that you are well fed.

Please be aware that occasionally, due to the limited supply of accommodation, we may have to make reservations for you at a nearby B&B / Guesthouse or Hotel and arrange transfers to and from the walking trail accordingly. In most locations, this is not a concern but in certain places, availability can be an issue. For more information, just have a chat with the person who is booking your tour.

A ‘twin’ room is a room for two people with two separate beds. A ‘double’ room has just one large bed (for two people).

For more detailed information on the different room type options, please see the following page: Room Types

About Your Walking Pack

Once final payment for your tour has been received, you will be sent an email with a digital PDF copy of your walking pack documents such as your route notes, accommodation details and evening meal suggestions etc. You will also be posted a walking pack (either to your home address or first accommodation on your tour) which will include essential physical items for your tour such as the required maps for the trail and luggage tags*.

A breakdown of the documents and items you can expect to find in your walking pack are as follows; – Route notes (prepared by a member the Hillwalk Tours team who has walked every step of your tour) – Detailed hiking map(s) – A high-quality waterproof map-case – Full details of your accommodations and where you will be staying – Our tips on the most interesting attractions to visit along the trail – A look at fascinating local history – A guide to the best places to eat and drink – Safety information, emergency contact details & the country code for walkers

You will find GPS coordinates for each overnight accommodation on your tour in your walking pack, which you will receive prior to departure. Additionally, you will find the GPS coordinates for the trailheads (i.e. the start and end points of your daily hikes) for most of our tours.

GPS tracks for your walking route will also be provided and available to download prior to your tour. Please note that while we are reasonably confident that the tracks are correct and up-to-date, we recommend that they are not used as the only tool for navigation. The most important means for navigation should be the way markers along the trail, our route notes and the maps we provide in the walking pack.

Once final payment for your tour has been received, you will be sent an email with a PDF copy of your hiking documents. This PDF document can then be forwarded to as many people within your walking group as you’d like.

For the walking pack which includes physical items such as luggage tags, map-case, maps etc. and which will be posted to you (or awaiting at your first accommodation) – one walking pack will be provided per four people. Therefore, for a group of 1 – 4 people, one walking pack will be sent. For 5 – 8 people, two walking packs will be sent, etc.

The contents of your walking pack (route notes, accommodation information, history, etc.) will all be in English .

About Fitness Levels

We believe that the beauty of the Scottish countryside should be enjoyed by everyone.

We try to provide trail itineraries that cater to a large range of hikers & abilities. To achieve this, we provide 3 different levels of difficulty i.e. Gentle, Moderate, and Challenging itineraries. The difference between each level of difficulty is in the average distance that you will walk each day. It does not differ in relation to the elevation, as the exact trail will still be followed. Therefore, the same elevations (the up’s and down’s) of the trail are usually present regardless of the level of difficulty. Depending on the trail, you may find in your route notes some alternative & easier route options for sections of the trail in order to help you navigate & bypass more difficult parts of the trail, but this isn’t always the case.

It’s important to note that levels of difficulty provided by Hillwalk Tours should only be used as a guide against where your own level of fitness is at, and what you feel you will be able to manage on a daily basis. At the end of the day, it’s you that knows your own level of fitness best. We strongly encourage you to review the distances & walking times for each itinerary that you may be considering, along with any additional notes on the specific tour page, in advance of booking.

The difference between these tours is the distance that you will hike each day:

  • Gentle tours cover an average of 12-18 km (8-11 miles) per day
  • Moderate tours cover an average of 16-23 km (10-14 miles) per day
  • Challenging Tours cover an average of 22-30 km (14-19 miles) per day

For a more detailed breakdown of how we grade our hiking tours, please see the following question: Tour Grading

Yes, we are more than happy to organise an additional night for you at any location along your tour.

Suggestions on interesting places to take a rest day are available on the tour pages of each hiking region. See the ‘Extra Days/Activities’ section of each tour for more information.

About Money, Flights and Insurance

ATMs (cash machines) are available in most larger cities, towns and villages. Remember that your home bank will likely charge you for withdrawing money overseas. Additionally, if you have a debit card, you can often get cash through the ‘cashback’ system at some shops and pubs when you make a purchase with the card (ask for ‘cashback’).

Credit and debit cards can now be used for payment almost everywhere. However, there are still some smaller businesses that may only accept cash, such as smaller shops, B&Bs (for packed lunches) or taxis (for transfers to or from restaurants). We therefore recommend that you carry some cash (local currency) with you as a back-up.

Contactless card payments are also increasingly accepted in many places (please check daily card limits in advance of use).

The currency used in the United Kingdom (i.e. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) is Pound Sterling (£). Therefore, if you are taking any hiking tour in Scotland you will need Pound Sterling.

Flights and transport to the start and from the end of your hiking tour are not included on our tours. However, we do provide a detailed step-by-step guide of suggested options on how you can make it to the start location of your hike by public transport from numerous major airports. In addition, for further travel information, see the ‘Travel Info’ section on the individual tour page for each trail.

Although travel insurance is not required to take a hiking holiday, we strongly encourage you to take out adequate insurance cover prior to travel.

Unfortunately 3rd party travel insurance is not available through Hillwalk Tours, and must be booked separately.

Which Scotland Hiking Tour Should You Choose?

Choosing the right hiking tour can be tricky. It’s important to consider the balance of physical challenge and comfort level that you require. To make your decision easier, we have drawn up a menu of Gentle, Moderate and Challenging hiking tours.

Before we explain the difference between the various grades, it is important to note that each hiking tour within a specific region follows the same official hiking trail. So, if you choose to go walking along the  West Highland Way , it doesn’t matter whether you pick a ‘Gentle’ tour or a ‘Challenging’ tour – you will still be walking along the official ‘West Highland Way’ trail. But to make these walking trails more accessible to all walkers, we have shortened the average daily hike between accommodations for the gentle and moderate tours.

  • Same Trail, Shorter Distances:  For example, on the  Rob Roy Way  you can walk the entire trail on a 6-Day Challenging Tour, an 8-Day Moderate Tour or a 10-Day Gentle Tour. However, while the Challenging tour requires you to keep up a brisk pace of 31km (19.5 miles) per day, the Moderate tour has a more leisurely average of 19.5km (12 miles) and the Gentle tour only covers a relaxing daily average of just over 15km (9.5 miles) per day.

Below is a general overview of each tour grading level. Note that the figures for ‘Average Daily Hike’ and ‘Hiking Time’ may vary between regions. Poor weather conditions can affect the average hiking time which is based on a person of normal fitness walking at a moderate speed of around 4km/h (2.5 mph). The hiking time takes into account the terrain covered but not the time required for lunch stops, photos, etc. For more details on daily distances, the level of ascent and the terrain the trail crosses; refer to the itinerary page of each individual tour.

1. Browse through our website to find your preferred hiking trail.

2. Choose the type of hiking tour you want to take: ‘Gentle’, ‘Moderate’ or ‘Challenging’.

3. Next, identify the number of days you want to spend on your hiking tour.

4. Click the ‘Make a Booking’ button on the top right of our webpage.

5. Finally, fill out our booking form and make a €100 deposit per person.

Deposits and Final Payments can be made using:

1. Credit Card – through PayPal, for Euro Payments, or through Stripe, for Sterling Payments

Paypal is used by 180 million people worldwide to make secure online credit card payments. Please note if you have opened a PayPal account at any stage in the past, you must log in to your account in order to make the payment.

Stripe is a quick and secure way to accept credit card and debit card payments online. Stripe handles millions of transactions every year for businesses around the world and is now the preferred payment partner for many major companies.

2. Bank Transfer – Instructions & account details on how to make a bank transfer payment can be found on our booking form and also within the final payment email. Alternatively, you can contact us directly for the required account details.

1. If you paid by credit card or debit card, you will receive an e-mail within 24 hours verifying receipt of your booking form and deposit payment.

In this email, you will be asked to confirm your tour details. If you paid by bank transfer, payment will take a few days to reach us. Therefore you will receive your email confirmation and request to confirm your tour details shortly after we have assigned the bank payment to your booking form. In this case, you may receive an automatic email outlining that a booking form has been received, but no deposit has been received – you can disregard this email.

2. Once your confirmation is received that all details on your booking form are correct, we will begin making the arrangements for your tour. Therefore, the sooner you send us this confirmation, the sooner we can start to book your tour.

3. After all the arrangements for your tour have been confirmed (this process can normally takes between five to ten working days) you will be sent a breakdown of the balance outstanding for your tour and a due date for payment.

4. Once your final payment has been received, we will send you an e-mail confirming receipt.

5. PDF soft copies of your walking pack will then be sent to you by email which will include all your tour details, and physical items required for your tour (e.g. maps, luggage tags etc.) will be posted to your home address, or to the first accommodation on your tour where it will be waiting for you on arrival. Alternatively, if you have requested that your full walking pack be printed, this will also be either sent to your home address or to your first accommodation on the tour where it will be waiting for you on arrival.

6. You will receive an automated email from us, one week in advance of your tour start date, providing you with some additional information to help with your preparation before travel.

7. During your tour, if you have any issues, you can reach us 24/7 on our emergency contact number which is found in your walking pack.

8. After your tour has finished, we will send you a feedback form in relation to your tour and how it all went. We place a huge importance on our customers feedback and experience of our tours, so when you have some free time, we strongly encourage you to fill out this feedback form as it helps us to continue to provide a high quality service and to further improve where necessary.

9. Lastly, if you would like to tell others about your experience with Hillwalk Tours, you can leave an online review on our Google , Facebook or Tripadvisor pages.

ESSENTIALS: Please note: A detailed ‘Recommended Equipment List’ will be included in your walking pack.

WATERPROOF JACKET AND OVER-TROUSERS – You never know when you will need protection from wind and rain – so prepare for unpredictable weather by packing a waterproof, breathable jacket and over-trousers.

BASE LAYER  – This is what you wear against your skin and the best options are breathable and wicking fabrics instead of cotton. They will move moisture away from the skin so that you feel more comfortable when you are walking.

FLEECE – It keeps you warm in ethe cooler months and on top of the hills, and will allow you to shed layers when you are working hard in the summer.

LIGHT AND COMFORTABLE TROUSERS  – Make sure you choose trousers that are stretchy or allow enough space to move your legs freely. Denims are not suitable for hill walking and dry very slowly once they get wet.

WICKING SOCKS  – Choose non-cotton socks that fit well and will move moisture away from your feet to stop them feeling sweaty. This will help to reduce the likelihood of blisters and ‘hot spots’.

FOOTWEAR – We recommend you bring comfortable, waterproof, lightweight shoes or boots, that provide good ankle support and offer good grip on rock, grass and mud. Remember that the trails in many of our regions can become quite wet and muddy, after periods of rain.

  • If you are taking a walking tour on the Great Glen Way , we recommend you choose your footwear carefully and bring something suitable for prolonged sections of hiking on asphalt or hard packed dirt.
  • (T) Many walkers find hiking shoes sufficient and often more comfortable for the Speyside Way Whisky Trail, and for walkers hiking the asphalt section from Callander to Lochearnhead on the Rob Roy Way
  • Our tip: If you buy new boots or shoes for you holiday, make sure to try them out on one or two longer walks before your tour!

BACKPACK / RUCKSACK (with Waterproof Cover or liner) – To store all your essentials and keep them dry – including extra layers of clothing, your waterproofs, first aid kit, camera and your lunch, snacks and drinks. Don’t forget how important it is to stay hydrated and bring at least 1 – 2 litres of water per person each day, depending on the weather!

WARM HAT & GLOVES  – They can be essential in many regions, even in the summer, at higher altitudes and on exposed places.

CASH – Bring some cash to pay some smaller businesses that may not accept credit or debit cards, such as smaller shops, B&Bs (for packed lunches) or taxis (for transfers to or from restaurants).

FIRST AID KIT & FOIL BLANKET – It’s a good idea to have a small, basic first aid kit to deal with little injuries such as sprains, scrapes, cuts and blisters. Good things to bring are plasters & wound dressings, sterile cleansing wipes, pain killers, tweezers (for splinters & ticks), bandages, zinc oxide tape or elastoplast tape (for blisters or sprains) and a foil rescue blanket to keep you warm (or cool) in case of an accident.

WHISTLE & TORCH  – In the very unlikely event you need to signal for help (whistle) or if your walk takes longer than expected and you end up walking in the dark (torch).

MOBILE PHONE  – We recommend that you bring or purchase a mobile/cell phone. It will allow you to contact your accommodation and transfer providers from the trail and call for help in an emergency.

  • Visitors from other European Countries: Most European billpay and prepay customers can use ‘roaming’, but check with your operator for the best rates before you travel.
  • Visitors from the United States, Canada and elsewhere: Make sure that you have a GSM/UMTS phone compatible with European networks and a roaming service / suitable phone plan for the country you are travelling to. If your phone is unlocked and GSM/UMTS compatible, you can also purchase a UK SIM card from a variety of mobile phone stores and supermarkets and use it in your own phone.
  • Alternatively, you can purchase a cheap pre-pay phone when you arrive. It is possible to buy a basic pre-pay phone for as little as £15. You can then top-up with vouchers or a credit/debit card.
  • Make sure your phone is fully charged before you start your walk. You might not always have a phone signal on the trail but, in general, the level of coverage is quite good.

PLUG ADAPTER (/CONVERTER) – Three square pin plugs are used in the UK – voltage is 230V.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS: SUN CREAM, SUNGLASSES AND SUNHAT  (April to Sept) – Let’s hope you’ll need those!

MIDGE/INSECT REPELLENT & MIDGE NET (May to September only) – More important for Scotland, but can also be useful for other regions. Our tip: Smidge – a product developed in Scotland and considered the UK’s #1 Midge Repellent Spray.

CAMERA  – Vital for capturing photos of the stunning scenery along your trip, which help you brag to your friends about your holiday.

COMPASS – A compass (and the ability to use it) is a good idea.

WALKING POLES  – Assist forward movement, reduce impact on your knees, and help with balance in difficult terrain. A pair is best but many hikers also just use one.

GAITERS  – By covering your upper boot and lower leg these help to keep your feet and trousers dry in wet grass and boggy terrain.

EARPLUGS  – We know how important it is to get a good night’s rest. However, as there may be other guests in the guesthouse with different plans for their night, we recommend bringing a pair of earplugs to ensure sweet dreams!

Your room will be ready each day from 4pm at the latest and sometimes sooner.

Check-in times to your accommodation is generally not before 4pm. You may be able to check-in a bit earlier (e.g. around 3pm), but this is not guaranteed. To request an earlier check-in time, please contact your accommodation host in advance to discuss.

If you expect to arrive later than 6pm to your accommodation, please inform you accommodation hosts in advance (in particular B&B’s & Guesthouses). Reasons for this can be that your flight is delayed, that you are still on the trail or because you might have stopped for food or a drink before check-in. By letting them know in advance, it allows the hosts to plan accordingly and to also put their minds at ease that you are OK.

Check-out time is usually 10am , but it can vary, therefore it’s often best to discuss check-out times with your accommodation hosts directly.

Your luggage will arrive by 4pm each day.

A tasty breakfast is important to prepare you for the day of hiking & adventure ahead. At your accommodation you can find either, a hot breakfast, a continental breakfast, or perhaps even both!

In some cases, where we have no other option but to book you into accommodation where no breakfast is served, we will deduct the cost of the breakfast from your tour price which can instead be used to purchase breakfast in a nearby café / restaurant.

Most accommodation hosts will always try and cater for dietary requirements as best they can, provided they are notified in advance. Therefore, if you do have any dietary requirements (e.g. vegan, vegetarian, etc.) please let us know in the “Any Dietary Requirements/Allergies?” field on our booking form when booking.

Please note, not all businesses may readily accommodate dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc., especially in more remote and rural areas. If you require a specific diet, we recommend you enquire in advance or talk to your hosts. You may also find it useful to download an app such as Vanilla Bean or Happy Cow , both available on Android and iOS, to help you find a venue which meets your needs.

In your Route Notes, we list places where you should expect to find at least one café, pub, shop or restaurant along each day’s hike. However, opening times can change, some places may only open in afternoon, and businesses can close unexpectedly. We therefore recommend you also check with your accommodation hosts where you can get lunch the next day, either along the route or at the start of the hike.

If it is unlikely that you will be able to purchase food or drink during the day, you may wish to purchase a packed lunch before you start in the morning, especially if it is a long hike. If there are no shops nearby, your host will be able to provide a packed lunch at a reasonable price on request.

You can generally buy an evening meal in one of the local restaurants, cafes or pubs close to your accommodation. If there aren’t any restaurants/cafes/pubs in the local area, evening meals can be obtained from your host.

The majority of accommodation hosts will be able to assist you in drying your clothes and boots.

1 kilometre = 0.62 mile 1 mile = 1.61 kilometres

Many of the hiking trails can pass through private farmland. This means that farmers can have their livestock (such as cattle, sheep, goats etc.) grazing in the same fields that you walk through. Some livestock may look intimidating. However, don’t worry, you will find these animals are actually quite timid. Continue walking in a normal fashion (do not run) and you should have no problems. In addition, take note of any signs which the farmer may have put up.

You can find more information on how to deal with animals on your hike in the Safety Information & Country Code document you find in your walking pack.

Most areas have mobile / cell phone reception, even while you are hiking. However, you may pass through some remote areas where reception will be either limited or unavailable entirely.

It is important to note that, if you are ever in an emergency, mobile/cell phones can still contact the emergency service numbers even without mobile/cell phone reception.

Yes, in most accommodation Wi-Fi is available, however it’s not guaranteed. In addition, due to the remote locations of some accommodations, the Wi-Fi quality may not always be the best.

Yes, in general most routes are very clearly way-marked with a marker directly before and after each turn. If you are ever in doubt, you can also check the Hillwalk Tours route notes or maps provided in your walking pack.

Yes, it is possible that your tour may include taxi transfers to bring you to and from the trail. The reason for this is;

  •  Due to limited accommodation options in some locations on your tour, we may need to book you into an accommodation which will require transfers to/from your hike start/end point.
  •  Due to limited accommodation options or no availability in accommodation, we may need to book you into the same accommodation for more than one night to cover multiple locations, in which case taxi transfers will be required to bring you to and from the trail.
  •  Due to minimum night stay requirements in accommodations on certain trails, we sometimes have no other option but for you to stay multiple nights in the same location and use transfers to get you to and from the trail.

The cost of these taxi transfers bringing you to and from the trail is covered in the tour price, and they will not affect your tour itinerary i.e. you will still walk the exact route as listed.

The climate of Scotland is temperate, and tends to be very changeable. It’s not uncommon to experience all four seasons in one day! The warmest months are July and August with temperatures at an average 17 °C. Rain falls throughout the year and April, May and June are normally the driest months. Annual rainfall in the western Highlands can be more than 3,000mm while the east coast receives an average of less than 800mm. The prevailing winds are from the west and southwest, and are a constant feature in the islands and Highlands.

scotland tours whiskey trail

Ultimate Guide to the Speyside Way Whisky Trail

The Speyside Way is one of Scotland’s Great Trails and runs for 116kms. The trail largely follows the valley of the River Spey, while it also passes through the largest concentration of whisky distilleries in Scotland - home to renowned names such as Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, and The Macallan. 

Hillwalk Tours Ltd.

8 Reasons to Visit Speyside (If You Don’t Like Whisky)

The Speyside region, in north-east Scotland, is mainly known for one thing: whisky. And with good reason – this small area...

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8 Famous Distilleries Along The Speyside Way Whisky Trail

Those who hike the Speyside Way Whisky Trail can enjoy beautiful Scottish landscapes, charming villages and traditional meals. But it’s virtually...

Hillwalk Tours Ltd.

Hiking Speyside Way & Whisky Trail: Overview & Tips

If you love whisky and enjoy hiking (or the other way around), Scotland’s Speyside Way is the place for you. The picturesque long-distance...

Speyside Way Walking Holiday

The Speyside Way Whisky Trail – Route Overview

Want to know more about the The Speyside Way Whisky Trail – you’re in the right place. In this post,...

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Whisky Tours

‘the water of life’.

So, you fancy yourself a wee dram of malt whisky while you’re here in Scotland?

Och, good on ya. It’s our national drink for a reason.

It’s hard to know for sure how long the process of whisky distilling has been around. At least the 15th century, probably long before.

We gather up the barely and soak it in water before spreading it out to germinate. After six or seven days, you’ve got green malt, perfect for the kiln. After it’s smoked in peat, it’s mashed down into a coarse grist and now its ready to ferment. Into the ‘pot’ it goes and so begins the distilling process. Only the purest liquid makes it through. Only the best .

There’s far more to it than that, but you’re just here for the drink, no?

So, go on then, enjoy yourself some uisge beatha … ‘water of life’.

Explore whisky tours

Why you'll love learning about Scotch whisky

scotland tours whiskey trail

Nuanced Flavours

Whisky has simple ingredients: barley, wheat or rye, yeast and water. The Scots drink it straight or with a dash of water.

But the drink is also complex. There's an abundance of different 'cask strengths', 'blended malts', and 'single grains'. Take a tour and learn the nuances.

scotland tours whiskey trail

Serene Surroundings

Whisky makers say distilleries are in remote locations because of fresh water sources. But this isn’t always true.

In the 18th century, distillers relocated to avoid tax collector routes. This was bad for distillers, but it’s great if you want to enjoy a dram near a delightful view.

scotland tours whiskey trail

Treacherous Tales

Distillers avoided tax by malting at night. Glaswegians rioted when Britain imposed a malt tax. And dragoons and highwayman patrolled the roads searching for whisky smugglers. Take a whisky tour and let your guide bring the history to life.

scotland tours whiskey trail

The Water of Life

Many of Scotland’s literary legends were influenced by the taste of whisky. Robert Burns penned entire poems in the drink’s honour.

Find out why the Scots call it ‘The Water of Life’ and you may be inspired to write a verse or two yourself.

Scottish Whisky Tours

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Whisky and Walking in Scotland

  • Taste Scotland's best single malts and explore the country's whisky-producing past
  • Visit the renowned distilleries of Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Lagavulin on Islay
  • Savor the elegantly rounded flavors of Speyside's 12 year-old Glenfiddich malt
  • Uncover the story of whisky while walking forested trails of the Speyside Way
  • Stroll Islay’s white sand beaches and flower-strewn "machair"
  • Visit Scotland's smallest distillery, Edradour, in the heart of Perthshire

A whisky-lover's dream come true; combine walking through beautiful scenery with visit's to some of the world's best, and oldest, whisky distilleries! This collection of self-guided walking holidays includes short breaks and longer tours of discovery.

Discover the country's "whisky regions", the forested landscape of Speyside that skirts the high Cairngorm mountain plateau in Scotland's largest National Park. Contrast this with island distilleries on the west coast, such as iconic Talisker on the rugged  Isle of Skye , and the islands of the Inner Hebrides where you'll find Lochranza on the  Arran . However, perhaps the most renowned single-malt distilleries of Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Bruichladdich are found on  Islay . Why not also make the hop over to Islay's neighbor - the little laid-back yet mountainous Isle of Jura, and it's lesser known distillery nestled on the island's east coast on our Islay & Jura Whisky Trails trip?

At Macs we have a few whisky connoisseurs within our ranks - read Erin's tasting notes blog from Scotland's whisky regions for some great inspiration.

scotland tours whiskey trail

Featured Tours - Whisky and Walking in Scotland

World Famous Lagavulin Distillery

Islay Whisky Trails

Jura

Islay & Jura Whisky Trails

Sample a local dram or two ...

Speyside Whisky Trail (6 days & 5 nights)

Glenfiddich Distillery

Speyside Whisky Trail Short Break

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Let us drive your whisky tour

Guided whisky tours in scotland, sample delicious whiskies whilst we whisk you around distilleries.

  • The REAL Scotland
  • Knowledgeable & friendly drivers
  • Stress-free, personal tours
  • Tasty local cuisine in friendly places
  • Luxurious and homely accommodation

Whether you feel like a weekend of whiskies or a tour getting right into the heart of our whisky, we’re the people for you. We work with you every step of the way to create a bespoke whisky tour.   We take you to distilleries, arranging tours to suit beginners and connoisseurs. We host fabulous tastings, whisky dinners and whisky schools.  All transport and accommodation is prearranged, from lovely local guest houses, to 5 star castles – booked by us, with care. With over thirty years experience and our extensive contacts in the whisky industry ensure you enjoy the best of Scottish hospitality, from the moment you arrive until your final dram. You drink, we drive!

A review by Ingvar Ronde, author of the Malt Whisky Year Book  & Keeper of the Quaich

“Hi Paul. Back in Sweden and delighted to find my wonderful lab still recognises me (as does my wife). I think we had a brilliant tour, in fact the best ever, and as always it´s a pleasure being on the roads with you. Apart from being a great companion, you share so much about Scottish history and culture which you know I´m always keen to learn more about. I liked in particular the scenery going from Ballachulish to Tyndrum in Glencoe – a road I´d never travelled before. The  best views I´ve ever had in Scotland. Also enjoyed Kilmartin very much. Glad I took pictures of the plates (or signs of what ever you call them) so that I could read them thoroughly later to find out about the very early years of Scottish history. I think we have a solid plan for next year so let´s keep in touch about that. Thanks and speak soon”.     Ingvar – www.maltwhiskyyearbook.com

Paul Liz and Charlie

Liz and Paul with Charlie MacLean

First time we used MCLEANSCOTLAND  They were honest about what we would be able to see. It truly was a vacation of a lifetime. It was everything we dreamed about! And we saw as much of Scotland that we could possibly fit in 10 days. Forward five years – we decided to do a whisky tour with them. They did all the driving, so many distilleries, so many laughs, drank so much whisky and had the time of our lives. Our whole trip was truly magical!  There are not enough stars to give Liz and Paul the rating they deserve.  Nicole Miller, USA The best tours ever!! Absolutely perfect. ❤️

Valerie Denny recommends MCLEANSCOTLAND for a tour of the Malt Whisky Trail; Forbes Magazine.  Malt Whisky Trail  in Forbes Magazine.

TravelDew Article on Whisky Tours by Paul Mclean

TravelDew – real travel experiences I’m Gabe Millar, the founder of TravelDew.  Thoughtful travellers have always sought out unique ways to learn about the places they visit, as this trend continues to grow, TravelDew seeks to help connect the professionals who create these experiences.

Paul McLean is from Connel on the shores of beautiful Loch Etive in Argyll, Scotland. This ‘West Coast Wanderer’ was raised in a land of natural beauty, complete with a history that can rival pretty much anywhere in Scotland.  An interview with Paul … http://www.traveldew.com/paul-mclean-owner-of-whisky-tours-scotland/

drams in hand, at a Speyside Whisky Festival

Theatre of dreams (drams)

Welcome to the theatre (Scotland). MCLEANSCOTLAND, in partnership with WHISKY TOURS, invites you to the Theatre of Drams, in an historic country called Scotland. With a promise to deepen engagement with whisky fans and friends [...]

peat for whisiy

Peated whisky, love it or hate it, it’s here to stay.

Peat is the decomposed remains of grasses, moss, sedges and reeds that have been compressed over centuries in the oxygen-starved, waterlogged conditions of bogs. Ireland and Scotland’s west coast are ideal locations. In Ireland they [...]

Ingvar Ronde at Tamnavullin Distillery

THE SECOND TOUR THIS YEAR, WITH MY PAL Ingvar Ronde.

The last tour was back in April to Campbeltown, Arran and Islay, this one was Speyside again. Due to my ill health, Marcus was driving making it easier to chat away. Ingvar arrived into Edinburgh [...]

Whisky Distilleries in Scotland

There are nearly 150 active whisky distilleries spread across Scotland, which are split into five whisky-producing regions: Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. Where a whisky is made can have a huge bearing on its flavour, everything from the source of the water to the presence of peat in the local area. Browse the listings in our Scotland's Whisky Distillery Map below to learn more or find a behind-the-scenes whisky tour near you.

scotland tours whiskey trail

Whisky samples at the Clydeside Distillery.

© Digital Tourism Scotland / Matt Davis

Map of Whisky Distilleries in Scotland

Explore distilleries.

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Whisky Distillery Regions in Scotland

Scotland is home to many whisky distilleries and experiences, as well as dedicated whisky regions; the Highlands, the Lowlands, Isle of Islay, Campbeltown, and Speyside. Each boast their own unique flavours in their whiskies, all of which reflect the landscapes and surroundings in that region. Have a dram of them all to see which is your favourite!

scotland tours whiskey trail

Lagavulin Distillery, Islay

Regarded by many as 'whisky island', Islay lies in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. It might be just 25 miles long and 15 miles wide, but Islay punches well above its weight for producing single malt Scotch whisky. There are nine whisky distilleries on the island, including the most recently opened Ardnahoe Distillery . 

Most of Islay's original distilleries - some long since lost to history - started as farm distilleries and retreated to secluded glens and caves during the 17th century when the excise man came calling. You'll find distillery staff much more welcoming these days and it's well worth taking a tour around all of Islay's whisky distilleries.

Number of distilleries: 9 Oldest distillery: Bowmore (1779) Most popular distillery: Ardbeg Flavour profile: powerful, peaty, smoky, sweet, salty

scotland tours whiskey trail

Whisky barrels at the Springbank Distillery, Campbeltown

Campbeltown

Although Campbeltown is Scotland's smallest whisky-producing region, consisting of just three distilleries (in its heyday there were more than 30), its single malts boast unique characteristics that are considered by serious malt lovers to represent a distinct region in its own right. The distilleries that survive today produce some of the finest malts you're likely to find.

Springbank malts are robust and smoky with hints of their maritime roots. Glen Scotia malts are lighter with grassy notes. Glengyle's Kilkerran malts are lighter and sweeter, but with the distinctive oily and salty notes you'd expect from a Campbeltown whisky. 

Number of distilleries: 3 Oldest distillery: Springbank (1828) Most popular distillery: Springbank Flavour profile: fruity, peaty, sweet, smoky

scotland tours whiskey trail

Glenfiddich Distillery

Speyside is whisky heaven! This breathtaking area sits in a fertile valley of rivers and secluded glens and accounts for half of Scotland's whisky production. 

Speyside is arguably the driest and warmest part of Scotland and the fertile farmlands in and around the region are ideal for growing barley, which when combined with soft local water tumbling down off the mountains, produces some of Scotland's best-loved malt whiskies.

Sample the remarkable flavours of Speyside's fine malts as you explore the region, and follow the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail™ - the world's ultimate Scotch whisky experience - comprising of nine 'must-visit' sites including seven working distilleries, Dallas Dhu historic distillery and the Speyside Cooperage - the only working cooperage in the UK.

Number of distilleries: 52 Oldest distillery: Strathisla (1786) Most popular distillery: Glenfiddich Flavour profile: fruity, sweet, spicy, vanilla

scotland tours whiskey trail

Glenkinchie Distillery & Visitor Experience

The distilleries of the Lowland region can be found picturesquely set amongst the lush, rolling countryside of southern Scotland. Reflecting the gentle, rolling hillscapes and fertile farmlands, Lowland Scotch whiskies offer the perfect introduction to single malts if you have never tried this tipple before, due to their lighter, sweet and floral tones. As a result, malts from this region have earned themselves the collective nickname of the 'Lowland Ladies'.

The area has long, historic associations with whisky, with Friar John Cor producing whisky here in 1494 for King James IV. Although you'll find fewer distilleries here than regions further north, this is an area growing in whisky production. For example, whisky production returned to Glasgow in 2017 with the opening of the Clydeside Distillery and Glasgow Distillery Company . 

Number of distilleries: 22 (+6 grain distilleries) Oldest distillery: Bladnoch (1817) Most popular distillery: Glenkinchie Flavour profile: light, unpeated, floral, citrusy, sweet

scotland tours whiskey trail

Isle of Raasay Distillery

The largest of Scotland’s whisky regions, the Highlands do not disappoint. With a vast range of changing landscapes, the whiskies you can find in this area of Scotland feature many aromas, both strong and gentles, fragrant notes, and tantalising tones.

There are many ways to experience the unique elements of the Highlands, from age old distilleries, educational tours, tastings and more, you’ve got plenty to get stuck into.

Explore the Highland whisky region

Scottish Whisky Distillery Tours

scotland tours whiskey trail

The Strathisla Distillery

© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Find a tour

There are many fantastic Scottish whisky tours to enjoy. Discover the art of constructing the barrel and find out how the master distillers craft the flavour to absolute perfection. Of course, you will get the chance to sample a dram or two! Each whisky is unique, so why not visit a few Scottish distilleries and see if you can find your favourite? 

What's new in the world of whisky?

For a traditional Scottish drink going back centuries, there's always something new to discover.

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Stirling Distillery

Stirling Distillery have filled their first whisky cask - the first time whisky has been made in the city for 171 years!

scotland tours whiskey trail

The Hearach

Sample the long-awaited release of single malt whisky from the Isle of Harris Distillery

scotland tours whiskey trail

New Whisky Tasting Events at Dewar's

Tours of this traditional distillery take place throughout the day, and include options for whisky aficionados.

scotland tours whiskey trail

Cirque du Soleil Spirit

Created by Cirque du Soleil in collaboration with The Macallan for its 200th anniversary celebrations. Enjoy a theatrical experience like no other!

Find experiences

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How to Tackle the Kentucky Bourbon Trail From Lexington to Louisville

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  • Travel Guides

After 25 years, there are more than 45 distilleries on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Here's an expert's guide to navigating eight standout stops.

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The reports of bourbon’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Recently it’s been reported that agave spirits sales are outpacing American whiskey, likely due in part to the glut of celebrity-backed brands like 818 and Teremana. But make no mistake, America’s native spirit (or “distinctive product of the U.S.” as Congress much more blandly labeled it in 1964) is still incredibly popular. Unicorn bottles from brands like Pappy Van Winkle, George T. Stagg, and Michter’s continue to command exorbitant prices on the secondary market, and overall the category remains a fan favorite.

Judging by legacy brands’ recent expansions and the ever-growing number of craft distilleries, the people still want their bourbon. Kentucky is, of course, the boozy beating heart of the industry. Although bourbon can be produced anywhere in America, about 95% is made in the Bluegrass State. So it makes sense that the Kentucky Bourbon Trail would be an excellent place to start for curious tourists and whiskey aficionados looking to expand their knowledge, explore a few centuries of liquid history, and drink a whole lot of bourbon.

According to Mandy Ryan, director of Kentucky Bourbon Trail Experiences, when the Bourbon Trail was founded in 1999 there were just seven inaugural members: Four Roses, Heaven Hill, James B. Beam Distilling Co. (aka Jim Beam), Maker’s Mark , Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, and Buffalo Trace (this last distillery is no longer a member). There are now 46 distilleries on the Bourbon Trail, including 28 that are part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour representing smaller operations like Willett, Kentucky Peerless, and Copper & Kings. Last year, four new members were added to the Craft Tour — Augusta Distillery, Pensive Distilling Co., Fresh Bourbon, and RD1 Spirits — and Ryan says that even more are set to join this year.

A lot has changed over the 25 years since the Bourbon Trail’s creation, according to Ryan. “In 2016, we got a monumental piece of legislation passed that allowed for distilleries to have cocktail bars and restaurants on site,” she says. “Now…visitors can enjoy cocktail classes, barrel thieving experiences, world class dining, vintage spirits, and more.” All this has helped the bourbon industry to become a key component of Kentucky's economy. According to recent data, it contributes $9 billion to the state annually, employs more than 23,000 people, and is a vital source of income for local farmers with 21 million bushels of corn and grain purchased by distillers in 2023. There are now nearly three barrels of bourbon aging in Kentucky per resident (the equivalent of 12.6 million casks), so clearly the industry is feeling bullish about the future.

The Bourbon Trail has become more popular as a travel destination every year, with 2.5 million people visiting in 2023 to tour distilleries and sip whiskey. Lexington is the “official gateway” to the Bourbon Trail due to its close proximity to many distilleries, but Louisville works as a good home base as well. Wherever you choose to embark from, there are some highlights that should not be missed.

Can't-miss Kentucky bourbon distilleries

Maker’s Mark stands out as one of the trail’s most beautiful distilleries, with a fantastic restaurant onsite called Star Hill Provisions and a tour that culminates with the option to hand dip your own bottle. Wild Turkey is another legacy distillery worth visiting, and you might just run into legendary master distiller Jimmy Russell at the gift shop signing bottles.

In Louisville, Angel’s Envy is a thoroughly modern operation that is walking distance from many hotels and has a beautiful bar that offers cocktail classes. Other Whiskey Row distilleries include Old Forester and the Evan Williams Experience, which features a working microdistillery. The Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery offers a comprehensive tasting of the entire lineup as well as one "mystery bottle." And if you're staying in Lexington, it's just a short drive to Castle & Key and Four Roses, which has a new visitor center and an in-depth tour of the distillery from fermentation to distillation.

There are many other distilleries to visit on the Bourbon Trail, each offering its own take on this distinctly American whiskey category. Whether you want to take a deep dive into production, from milling to maturation, or just tuck into a bourbon tasting flight, there’s a distillery experience perfect for you. Follow the Kentucky Bourbon Trail however you like and in whatever order you choose, but consider coming back for a repeat visit because this icon of whiskey tourism is growing every year.

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COMMENTS

  1. Speyside's Malt Whisky Trail

    Set in the heart of stunning Speyside, this trail takes in seven world-famous working distilleries, one historic distillery and the fascinating Speyside Cooperage. Speyside is often called 'Malt Whisky Country' as its home to more than half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries and is one of the country's five whisky regions. Start / Finish.

  2. Whisky Tours in Scotland

    Tour theme: Edinburgh Day Tours (Group Tours), Whisky Tours. , Duration: 1 Day - 9 hours 30min approx. Starts from: Edinburgh. Day Tour to Loch Lomond Tour and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh, including a Whisky stop at Clydeside Distillery. Castles, lochs and whisky, a perfect day out.

  3. Scottish Whisky Trail

    Highlands - especially in the Spayside area. Here you will find a fabulous. Malt Whisky Trail which includes eight different distilleries each with their. own special feature as well as a cooperage. Aberfeldy Distillery in Scotland. Ardmore Distilleries in Scotland. The Balvenie Distillery in Scotland. Dallas Dhu Distillery in Scotland.

  4. Speyside Whisky Trail

    The regions of Speyside and Strathspey are home to almost half of the 100 or so malt whisky distilleries in Scotland. This self guided walk follows way marked trails between distilleries is specifically chosen to provide the best combination of walking and whisky. Each days' walking allows you to visit distilleries and experience the processes ...

  5. Whisky Walking Tours in Scotland

    Highlights. Taste Scotland's best single malts and explore the country's whisky-producing past. Visit the renowned distilleries of Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Lagavulin on Islay. Savour the elegantly rounded flavours of Speyside's 12 year-old Glenfiddich malt. Uncover the story of whisky while walking forested trails of the Speyside Way.

  6. Speyside Whisky Trail Tour

    Speyside Whisky Trail Tour. Take a Journey around some of the Spey Valley Distilleries Including Glen Moray, Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenlivit including some of the best Speyside scenery this is a day to remember. 45 minute stop at Cardhu with tasting of the 4 corners of Scotland the corner stone of Johnny walker Blended Whisky.

  7. Malt Whisky Trail

    The Malt Whisky Trail is a uniquely immersive whisky experience — but the journey you'll take along The Trail is about so much more. As you embark along the road through malt whisky country, you'll encounter a huge variety of sites to see and things to do. You'll find globally renowned textiles mills, cosy seaside cafes, and world-class ...

  8. Whisky Trail Scotland

    The Whisky Explorer tour plan guides you on a whisky trail around Scotlands Lowland, Highland and Speyside distilleries. The tour route also takes in iconic Scottish landmarks such as Culloden, Loch Ness, Balmoral castle and the Cairngorm Mountains. Allow a minimum of 7 days to drive this tour route. The guide contains extra day trip ...

  9. Islay & The West Coast Whisky Trail

    Islay & The West Coast Whisky Trail. This island-hopping whisky tour blends incredible scenery with unforgettable wildlife and wonderful single malt whisky for a truly unforgettable holiday in the islands of Scotland. Explore the natural beauty of the West Coast on this self-drive tour.

  10. Speyside Whisky Tour

    Speyside Whisky Distilleries Tour. Our Speyside whisky tour takes you on a magical trip through this special area of Scotland that has the highest concentration of whisky distilleries in the World. Around 40 distilleries can be found within a 25 minute drive between each distillery. Great for groups of all sizes, couples and for solo travellers.

  11. Islay & Speyside Scotch Whisky Tours in Scotland

    From £620pp. Self-Drive Holidays. Duration 4 Nights. Tour the famous Malt Whisky Trail including Glenfiddich and Macallan distilleries. Dewars World of Whisky & Edradour Distillery in Pitlochry. Explore mountains and lochs in one of Scotland's most picturesque regions. Find out more.

  12. 8 Famous Distilleries Along The Speyside Way Whisky Trail

    The tour runs right through Speyside and thus past a large number of distilleries. Hence, the trail is called a 'Whisky Trail'. History of Speyside. The Speyside region of the Scottish Highlands is named after the River Spey. The fertile valley around this river is today the heart of Scotland's single malt whisky production.

  13. The Malt Whisky Trail in Scotland: Complete Guide + Itinerary

    The Malt Whisky Trail in Scotland. The Malt Whisky Trail was the first trail of its kind in the world, having been established in Scotland in the 1950s. But Speyside has been home to the bulk of Scotland's whisky distilleries for far longer. There are roughly 50 distilleries in Scotland's Moray Speyside region (a region focused around the River Spey in northeast Scotland) producing whisky ...

  14. Hiking Scotland

    The Speyside Way is one of Scotland's Great Trails and it runs for 116km from Buckie on the shore of the Moray Firth coast in a south-westwards direction to Aviemore and Kincraig on the edge of the Cairngorm Mountains. For much of its route the trail follows the valley of the River Spey and passes through the heart of the Speyside Whisky region.

  15. Private Whiskey Tour to Scotland

    Scotland Whiskey Trail. Tour rating: 4.89 / 5, Based on 102 Reviews. Private tour to United Kingdom. Get a taste of Scottish whiskey-making traditions, perfectly blended with glorious historic castles. This customizable program takes you around the best distilleries in Scotland which you explore with expert guides and enjoy degustations.

  16. Scotland Whisky Trail

    Scotland Whisky Trail. Tour Speyside's many distilleries sampling renowned drams as you go. Balmoral Castle, Scottish home of the royal family, set in the Cairngorm National Park. A variety of tours, tastings and masterclasses at iconic single-malt distilleries. Imposing Dunnottar Castle perched on the dramatic seacliffs of Aberdeenshire.

  17. Scotland Whisky Tours 2024

    Prices from£338.00. Learn More. Discover whisky tours of Scotland & uncover the smokey, peaty, bold & smooth flavours. Make it personal when booking a private tour with our winter offer.

  18. Scotland Whisky Trail by Luxury Train & Taste of Edinburgh

    Scotland Whisky Trail by Luxury Train & Taste of Edinburgh. Hark back to a bygone era with this Classic Malt Whiskey journey through Scotland in a Luxury steam train with your very own Whisky Ambassador from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. There is simply no finer way to see the beauty of Scotland. Please note this tour has limited departures ...

  19. Distillery Tours of Scotland, Walk the Whisky Trails

    Taste Scotland's best single malts and explore the country's whisky-producing past. Visit the renowned distilleries of Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Lagavulin on Islay. Savor the elegantly rounded flavors of Speyside's 12 year-old Glenfiddich malt. Uncover the story of whisky while walking forested trails of the Speyside Way.

  20. Guided Whisky Tours in Scotland

    Sample delicious whiskies whilst we whisk you around distilleries. The REAL Scotland. Knowledgeable & friendly drivers. Stress-free, personal tours. Tasty local cuisine in friendly places. Luxurious and homely accommodation. Whether you feel like a weekend of whiskies or a tour getting right into the heart of our whisky, we're the people for you.

  21. The Edinburgh Whisky Trail Walking Tour

    The Edinburgh Whisky Trail. The Edinburgh Whisky Trail invites locals and visitors alike to taste, learn, and explore the very best in authentic Scotch whisky experiences, throughout the city. Our whisky walking tours offer convenient and engaging ways to discover the city of Edinburgh and its unique outlets, each with their own whisky offering.

  22. Scotland's Whisky Map

    Try a Scots whisky tour today. Explore Scotland's whisky distilleries with our interactive map! Browse 100s of whisky distilleries, from Edinburgh to Inverness. ... Sample the remarkable flavours of Speyside's fine malts as you explore the region, and follow the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail ...

  23. The Royal Scotsman Train

    Day 1 - Edinburgh. Meet your whisky ambassador in the Balmoral Hotel and enjoy a welcome dram before departure Belmond Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh Waverley Station and travels north across the Firth of Forth over the magnificent Forth Railway Bridge. Afternoon tea is served as you journey through the former Kingdom of Fife.

  24. How to Tackle the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

    Here's where to taste whiskey, shop for bottles, tour distilleries, and eat on the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail with Lexington or Louisville as a home base.