Description

This 4 day specialist whisky tour takes you to the “Queen of the Isles” and the Whisky Coast. Islay is home to 8 of Scotland's finest malt whisky distilleries Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich, Ardbeg, Caol Ila and Kilchoman. For the whisky enthusiast this tour will give you an in depth knowledge and even better - you won't need to drive anywhere yourself!

DAY 1: INVERARY - OBAN - BOWMORE
You escape the city of Edinburgh and head straight for the Highlands. Your first stop of the day is in the Trossachs National Park. Here, you can admire Scotland’s scenic beauty and enjoy some local delicacies. Your driver-guide may regale you with tales from Scottish folklore as you travel through the mountainous landscapes of the Western Highlands to Oban. This port town was once the strategic heartland of great feuding clans. But today, Oban is famous for seafood sourced fresh off the boats. It also boasts its own distillery where you can sample whisky that's been perfected for 200 years. Here, you will have time to enjoy a dram and indulge in delicious local seafood for lunch. You then venture through the Kilmartin Glen where you see standing stones and strongholds that are over 1,500 years old. At Kennacraig, you catch the evening ferry to Islay. The sail is around two hours; and if you peek out to the ocean, you may see the Paps of Jura. These mountains mark the way to Islay, Queen of the Hebrides. Once you’ve arrived on the island, you settle into your accommodation in Bowmore.

DAY 2: A FULL DAY EXPLORING ISLAY
We know whisky tasting can be hard work, so you begin the day with a little sleep in. After you’ve had an ample amount of breakfast, you enjoy a tour of Bowmore Distillery, one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. You have time for a tour and a whisky tasting here before you continue exploring the island. Next, your driver-guide takes you to Ardnahoe Distillery* for a tour and a lunch of local treats. This modern distillery is the passion project of the Laings, a family who have loved whisky for generations. Today, you can admire their vision, craftsmanship, and unique spirit.
After trying local larder, you travel through the beautiful countryside to the third distillery of the day. On Thursday and Saturday, you visit Bruichladdich**, the progressive distillery specialising in unpeated whisky. On Tuesday, you taste the unpeated and salty notes of Bunnahabhain in the most remote distillery on Islay. You head back to Bowmore where you can either stumble back to your room for the night or relax and explore the village.
*Please note, Ardnahoe Visitor Centre will be unavailable on 12th October 2023. Tours departing on 11th October 2023, visitors will be unable to visit the Visitor Experiences and shop.

DAY 3: ANOTHER DAY EXPLORING ISLAY
Today you explore the southern side of the island, home to a few of the most famous whiskies in all of Scotland: Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg*. After you've made it out of bed and eaten your breakfast, you visit Ardbeg*. You stay here for a tour, tasting, and lunch. The restaurant here is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy fine Scottish produce as you sip upon delightful drams. You then visit Laphroaig*. This 200-year-old whisky distiller is a favourite with the British royal family and bears the seal of the Prince of Wales to prove it. Throughout the day, your driver-guide takes you to historical spots such as the ruins of Kildalton church and Dunyvaig Castle. And you can also stop at Lagavulin for some intensively flavoured, rich and smoky whisky. You return to Bowmore for your last evening of the trip. 

DAY 4: ARGYLL - INVERARAY - LOCH LOMOND - EDINBURGH
This morning, you take the ferry back to the mainland and replace the intoxicating fumes of whisky with the replenishing fresh air of Scotland's West Highlands. You travel through coastal scenery to the beautiful village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. The town is adorned with historic buildings, old boats, and a great whisky shop. Your trip continues to Loch Lomond where you have a chance to admire Great Britain's largest body of water by surface area. You arrive in Edinburgh in the early evening. 

*Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

Please note: Glasgow pick up is no longer available. We suggest you make your own way by train to Edinburgh

For departure details refer to the "Prices, Dates, and What's Included" Section...

Discover the Great Whiskies of Islay!!