Speyside Whisky Journey

Join a private, local guide who will drive you from Edinburgh into the Highlands and Speyside regions. Combine sightseeing and tastings at the distilleries you want to visit. Your travel consultant and private guide will recommend and adjust distilleries and stops along the way based on your interests.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN EDINBURGH

Upon your arrival in Edinburgh, you will be greeted by a private driver who will take you to your hotel in the city centre. For those arriving early in the day, we recommend spending the afternoon walking through the city and exploring the Old Town and New Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also plenty of museums and landmarks to visit within the city centre, including the majestic Edinburgh Castle. You could also start your whisky tour by visiting the largest private collection of whisky at the Scotch Whisky Experience.

Spend the night in Edinburgh.

DAY 2: HISTORY OF WHISKY AND THE HIGHLANDS

Today your private tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in a comfortable vehicle. You'll then start your journey into the Scottish Highlands. As you cross the Firth of Forth, don't miss the scenic views of the UNESCO Forth Railway Bridge. On the way north, you'll have plenty of distilleries to choose from for tours and tastings.

Lindores is an ancient distillery where, it is said, distilling has been taking place since at least 1494. Edradour is one of the smallest distilleries in the country. And as you arrive into the Cairngorms National Park, you could pop by the highest altitude distillery in Scotland, Dalwhinnie.

Spend the night in Speyside.

Driving distance: 261 km / 162 miles

Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 8-9 hours

DAY 3: EXPLORE SPEYSIDE

You have all day to take in Speyside and its many whiskies. This region is home to over half of Scotland’s distilleries, so there are many different options for tours and tastings depending on your preferences. You could go for a tasting at the independently-owned Benromach Distillery and then visit the famous Macallan Distillery. Or tour Balvenie and discover more about Aberlour. You can spend some time exploring the beauty of the region too with a walk along the banks of the River Spey.

Spend another night in Speyside.

Driving distance: 97 km / 60 miles

Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 8-9 hours

DAY 4: CAIRNGORMS AND ROYAL DEESIDE

Today, you'll journey back to Edinburgh through the rugged Cairngorms National Park and Royal Deeside. You also have the choice to end your tour in Glasgow shall you wish to discover Scotland's largest city.

Along the way, you could stop for a few more distillery tours or tastings. Why not visit Glenlivet, one of Scotland's largest distilleries? Or you could stop by the Royal Lochnagar Distillery.

Spend the night in Edinburgh.

Driving distance: 238 km / 148 miles

Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 9-10 hours

DAY 5: DEPARTURE FROM SCOTLAND

On your day of departure, a private driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you directly to the airport. If your flight is in the afternoon, you may take your last few hours to do some last-minute shopping, visit one of Edinburgh’s many museums, or take one last stroll through the charming city centre.