Tailor-Made Scottish Whiskey Trail

Edinburgh

Relax in a private transfer to your hotel, and take today to acclimatize.

Edinburgh

Half day private walking tour around Edinburgh (3 hours) – Your walking tour starts at The Palace of Holyroodhouse. This is the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty the Queen and was once home to Mary Queen of Scots. The Royal Mile is the famous cobbled street linking the Castle with The Palace of Holyroodhouse and passing St. Giles High Kirk, John Knox House, The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, Camera Obscura and many other museums and historic buildings of interest. Divert via The Grassmarket which retains the feel of a medieval market square. Stroll round the cobbled streets with spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh Castle, Scotland’s top visitor attraction stands high upon an extinct volcano. See the Scottish Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny in the Castle’s Royal Apartments. Rest of the time to explore on own. The Royal Yacht Britannia played host to some of the world’s most famous people, but above all was home for the British Royal Family for over 40 years. Now berthed in Leith, Edinburgh, you can discover the heart and soul of this most special of Royal residences. You’ll receive a truly warm welcome at Britannia’s Visitor Centre in Ocean Terminal before you step aboard this famous ship. Learn about the history of Royal Yachts and view displays and historical photographs of Britannia’s fascinating past.

Loch Lomond

Stirling Castle & Glengoyne Distillery This morning you will be met by your driver guide. A visit to Stirling Castle and later to Glengoyne distillery. CREATE YOUR OWN GLENGOYNE HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT We’ll welcome you with the Glengoyne 12 Year Old and an incredibly in-depth tour of the distillery – a chance for our guides to really share their knowledge. Then it gets extra special – you create your own single malt in the Sample Room. You can’t do this anywhere else in Scotland. THE MASTER AT WORK The Malt Master plays a crucial role in making Glengoyne, balancing the flavours from different casks. You take that role – and ranged before you will be samples from five very different Glengoyne single casks. You’ll see the difference in colour immediately – between the American oak and European, and between the previous fill of sherry or bourbon. A taste of each, and you’re away – adding a little from a bourbon cask here, bringing out a touch more sherry wood there. Like a chef, you’ll taste and tinker your way to a unique cask strength, un-chill filtered Glengoyne Single Malt. It’s a one-off creation, presented to you in a 200ml Glengoyne bottle, boxed with a label and a record of your recipe.

Loch Lomond

Touring with a Difference This morning enjoy a private seaplane tour, taking in the really spectacular rugged scenery and the coastal islands of the west. Flying at heights between 500 and 5,000 feet the route will take you down the Clyde Estuary past Greenock and Dunoon then you turn South towards the town of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, the ancient stronghold of Scottish kings. Look out for Toward Castle with its fascinating second world war history and the 12th century Rothesay Castle with its moat and drawbridge. Views of Arran and the Mull of Kintyre should be available as you make your way past Loch Striven towards the Kyles of Bute and the village of Tighnabruaich – with great visibility you can even see Northern Ireland! Your flight will then turn north up the eastern coast of Loch Fyne towards Otter Ferry on the Cowal peninsula and at this point the islands of Jura and Mull can usually be seen to the West. Look out for Minard Castle on the west coast of Loch Fyne. Approaching Tarbet on Loch Lomond the flight swings southward to give you a magnificent view of Ben Lomond and a low level cruise down the world’s most famous loch towards the islands to the south. Just a reminder that your Captain may have to vary the route on the day depending on the weather conditions – however, you can cover a great deal of ground in 45 minutes of flying – over 120 miles in fact ! No matter what the cloud base or visibility prepare yourself for a fantastic experience. After lunch take control of your own exciting Segway and take a ride around the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is a national park in Scotland centred on Loch Lomond, and includes several ranges of hills, the Trossachs being the most famous. The National Park boasts some of the most stunning scenery in the world from the breathtaking mountains and glens of the Trossachs to the vast tranquil beauty of Loch Lomond, mainland UK’s largest body of water. Try your hand at these fabulous, funky off road 2×2 machines – Segways. Enjoy a 1-hour guided safari and experience the real joy of the Segway.

Fort William

Tour to Fort William Fort William is the most important town in Scotland south of Inverness, west of Stirling, and north of Glasgow. It forms the natural centre of a very large area and the focus of road and rail routes. Most visitors to the Highlands are likely to find themselves here sooner or later. The West Highland Museum in the centre of the town is excellent; and a couple of miles miles west at Corpach, on the Mallaig road, you can admire Neptune’s Staircase of locks on the Caledonian Canal (and also admire some of the best available views of Ben Nevis while you are at it). Consider stopping at Glenfinnan Station for a coffee – this is the Hogwarts Express line of Harry Potter fame. This afternoon enjoy a wildlife & scenic tour by a local in a 4×4 You will be taken through Achnacarry estate, along the side of Loch Arkaig in a 4×4 vehicle where your guide will tell you about local points of interest. The area is steeped in history, with connections to the Clan Cameron, Bonnie Prince Charlie & The Commandos. If you want to gain a closer look at the wildlife, we can also arrange a camera stalking tour where you will be taken up the hill in an Argo, then walk the ridges until some deer, are spotted. The professional stalker will take you in closer (which usually requires crawling and\or sliding) so you can get the perfect photograph without the deer ever knowing you were there.

Fort William

Explore Isle of Skye Explore the Isle of Skye and the very scenic road to the Isles through Maillaig. Follow the coast north from Arisaig to Mallaig – “The Silver Sands of Morar” – is one of the most attractive in the country and provides great views down Loch Shiel. The ferry from Mallaig lands you at Armadale, on Skye’s Sleat Peninsula, a fascinating area, which comes complete with the Clan Donald Centre. Head up to The Talisker Distillery and lunch in The Old Inn at Talisker (lunch payable direct), followed by a private whisky tour and tasting. The only distillery on the Isle of Skye, it is set on the shores of Loch Harport with dramatic views of the Cuillins. This alluring, sweet, full-bodied single malt is so easy to enjoy, and like Skye itself, so hard to leave. Back to the mainland via the new bridge at the Kyle of Lochalsh and follow the north shore of Loch Alsh before crossing the arm of Loch Long and following the shore of Loch Duich. On the shore of Loch Long you find the tiny settlement of Dornie with, nearby, Eilean Donan Castle: one of Scotland’s three most photographed castles (with Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle). Return to Inverlochy for the night. The day will be an hour to drive to Mallaig, a 30 minute ferry ride out to Skye and then just under 3 hours back to Inverlochy. This does not include stops.

Islay

Islay Today you will be transferred from Fort William to Oban. Flights from Oban to Islay Airport (own arrangements). Private transfer from Islay Airport to The Harbour Inn. A stay with at The Harbour Inn. The Harbour Inn and Restaurant is situated in the heart of the charming village of Bowmore within the legendary Bowmore Estate on the beautiful Hebridean Island of Islay. Recently refurbished, this old whitewashed inn by the harbour has been brought up to date with seven stylish bedrooms and a conservatory with views across Loch Indaal towards Jura.

Islay

slay & Distilleries This morning you will be met in the lobby of your hotel by your driver guide, who will be with you for the duration of the Islay part of your trip. With 2 days to explore, there are only few options for sightseeing and your guide will share some of their favourite places with you. These can include empty beaches, whitewashed villages, ancient sites, the Kildalton Cross, medieval strongholds, fresh seafood, local wildlife and traditional cultures. With only around 3000 people and 8 world class distilleries, the chances of finding a ‘wee dram’ on Islay are pretty good. The distillery and whisky experiences will give you an insight into Islay’s most famous export. One of our favourites – Laphroaig Distillery. Laphroaig Distillery is beautifully situated in the south of Islay and is one of the three “Kildalton Distilleries”. The Gaelic name means “the beautiful hollow by the broad bay”. Laphroaig is considered one of the most strongly flavored of all scotch whiskies, and is generally aged to 10 years. The 18 year old variety is also very popular as well as the Quarter Cask (matured in small casks often used in the 19th century). Laphroaig Distillery was established in 1815, by Alex and Donald Johnston. The ‘Johnston’ brothers were actually McCabes, of the Clan Donald, who changed their names following the failed Jacobite uprising, and settled on the Isle of Islay.

Islay

Enjoy your last day in Scotland at leisure.

On your final morning, enjoy a relaxed private transfer from your hotel to the airport. As your journey comes to a close, we hope you have enjoyed discovering Scotland and indulging in the finest whiskeys the country has to offer.

We trust you leave with lasting memories of history, place and hospitality, and a deeper appreciation of the stories that shaped these two countries.