Description

This tour combines the famous whisky region of Speyside with Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands. Spend the first few days exploring the many distilleries of the Highlands and Speyside, then take a break from the whisky tastings as we guide you through a landscape full of history, scenery and a certain monster named Nessie. Experience the Spirit of Scotland with Go Scotland Tours.
We offer this customised tour to be tailor made to include the distilleries and historic sights of your choice. Below is our recommended 4 day itinerary with some options along the way.

Highlights

– Explore the whisky regions of Speyside and the Highlands
– Visit iconic distilleries including Aberlour, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, Dalwhinnie, Benromach and more
– Scenic drives through the Cairngorm Mountains, The Lecht, Great Glen, Glencoe and Rannoch Moor
– Historic visits including Blair Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Elgin Cathedral
– Optional experiences at Loch Ness including boat trips, Urquhart Castle or the Loch Ness Exhibition
– Overnight stays in Speyside and Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands
– Fully customised private tour with a knowledgeable driver guide

Day 1 – Blair Castle, Dalwhinnie and into Speyside

As we begin our drive north, your guide will give you an introduction to whisky so you have a good idea of the process before reaching your first distillery. To understand whisky, you also need to know a bit about Highland culture, shaped by a diverse clan system with a proud history.
Our first visit is Blair Castle, a white‑harled castle marking the entry to the Cairngorm Mountains. It is the seat of the Duke of Atholl and Chief of Clan Murray, and home to the only private army in Europe. You will have time to explore this grand stately home.
Afterwards we continue to Dalwhinnie Distillery, the highest distillery in Scotland. Dalwhinnie produces a classic single malt with a flagship 15 year old. Here you can sample some of its whisky paired with handmade chocolates. We do not plan a full distillery tour here as several others are included later in the trip.
Overnight will most likely be in Craigellachie, Aberlour or Grantown on Spey.

Day 2 – Aberlour, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet and The Lecht

We begin at Aberlour Distillery, one of the first to market tours for whisky aficionados. Enjoy a tutored nosing and tasting of six drams. The distillery production areas are not open on this visit, as this experience is focused solely on the tasting.
Next we visit Glenfiddich, founded in 1887 by William Grant, who built the distillery by hand with the help of his nine children. Still owned by the Grant family today, Glenfiddich grew from a small Speyside operation into one of the world’s best‑known single malts. A visit to their tasting lounge offers a chance to sample whiskies that reflect this remarkable family story and the evolution of the distillery over five generations.
At The Glenlivet you can enjoy a special tutored tasting with a dram drawn straight from the cask. The distillery was one of the first in the Highlands to gain a legal licence in 1824, helping set the standard for Speyside whisky. Its remote valley location, once home to illicit stills, shaped the early character of the spirit. Availability is limited.
We then take a scenic drive over The Lecht, a high mountain pass linking Speyside with the upper Dee Valley. The route climbs through open moorland and rolling hills, offering wide views across the Cairngorms and a real sense of the landscape that shaped the region’s whisky tradition.

Day 3 – Speyside Cooperage, Elgin, Benromach and Culloden

In the morning we visit the Speyside Cooperage to see skilled coopers at work. This is one of the most important crafts in the whisky industry, as around 70% of a whisky’s flavour comes from the cask. Watching the coopers repair and rebuild barrels by hand gives a real insight into the tradition and precision behind every dram. The visit ends with a taste of a local whisky liqueur.
We then continue to the Moray Firth and the town of Elgin, once known as the Lantern of the North. You have the option to visit the ruined cathedral, and as a special treat we can visit Johnstons of Elgin, makers of cashmere and fine woollens since 1797.
Driving along the coastal road, we reach Benromach Distillery, the smallest malt whisky distillery in Moray.
We end the day at the historic Culloden Battlefield, the site of the pivotal 1746 battle between the Jacobites and the Redcoats. If time allows, we also visit the prehistoric standing stones of Clava Cairns.
Overnight will be in Inverness.

Day 4 – Loch Ness, Great Glen, Glencoe and Rannoch Moor

In the morning we head to Loch Ness, a long, deep Highland loch known for its dark waters and the legend of the Loch Ness Monster. The loch sits along a natural fault line running coast‑to‑coast, giving it its long, narrow shape and famously deep waters. You can take a boat trip, visit Urquhart Castle, or explore the Loch Ness Exhibition to learn more about the story.
We continue along the Great Glen, passing Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Britain, before reaching Fort William.
Heading south, we travel through Glencoe and Rannoch Moor, an awe‑inspiring landscape full of history. This is where the Massacre of Glencoe took place in 1692, and the dramatic scenery has featured in films such as Highlander, Outlander and Harry Potter.
If you are being dropped off in Edinburgh, we pass by Stirling Castle. If travelling to Glasgow, we pass by Loch Lomond.

Why Choose Us

We only hire fully qualified guides and experienced driver‑guides who know the Highland roads, the distilleries and the stories that bring them to life. We look after the planning, timings and bookings so your days run smoothly, and along the way we share the history, landscape and whisky knowledge we’ve gathered over years of guiding. It’s a relaxed, informative way to explore Scotland with people who genuinely enjoy talking about its past, its places and its drams.

FAQ

How many distilleries can we visit in a day
Normally we visit two to three distilleries per day, depending on timings and the type of tastings you choose.
Can we choose the distilleries
Yes. This is a fully private, tailor‑made whisky and Highlands tour.
Do distillery tours need to be booked in advance
Yes. Many Speyside distilleries sell out, and we handle all bookings.
Is this tour suitable for non‑whisky drinkers
Absolutely. We include castles, scenery, coastal stops and historic sites.
Can you pick us up from Glasgow
Yes. Pick up from Glasgow is available.
What type of vehicle is used
Comfortable, modern vehicles suited to your group size.

Speyside Whisky, Loch Ness and Highlands Tour