EDINBURGH

ITINERARY

Day 1:

Sample the sights and seafood of Oban

Venture through the legends and landmarks of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park

Explore Scotland’s ancient past in Kilmartin Glen

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.

It was once the strategic heartland of great feuding clans. Here, you will have time to enjoy a dram and indulge in delicious local seafood for lunch.

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:

Sample Scotland’s most heavily-peated whiskies

Admire Islay’s rugged coastline

Explore the town of Bowmore

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, the oldest licenced distillery on the island.

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.You head back to Bowmore where you can either stumble back to your room for the night or relax and explore the village.

Day 3:

Discover the island’s ancient religious past

Taste the most famous Islay whiskies

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.

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 on the island.

Day 4:

Get a sense of the old history of Inveraray

Wander along the banks of Loch Lomond

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.You arrive in Edinburgh in the early evening.

Day 5:

Wander over cobbled lanes past medieval window panes and under Gothic spires in Edinburgh

Savour exclusive lunch and whisky tasting at an excellent restaurant

Today is a free day to explore Edinburgh, the historic capital of Scotland. There are so many options available here - why not take our city tour to familiarise yourself with the 'Old' and 'New' towns of the city.In the afternoon, savour a special three-course lunch with two whisky tastings at an excellent restaurant in the city.

And after that, what you do is up to you. You can venture deep under the city on a ghost tour, hike to the lofty heights of Arthur’s Seat, or even relax in Edinburgh's gorgeous gardens.

Day 6:

Travel through the inspirational landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park

Sample your first delicious Speyside whisky of the tour

In the morning, join the next leg of your adventure at Edinburgh Bus Station and head north through the Kingdom of Fife to Lindores Abbey Distillery.

After lunch in Pitlochry, you can taste the delights of Scotland's highest distillery at Dalwhinnie, near the source of the River Spey. Once you’ve warmed with this dram of “the gentle spirit”, you continue through the Cairngorms National Park before reaching Grantown-on-Spey, your base for two nights.

Day 7:

Understand the craftsmanship of the whisky cask at the Speyside Cooperage

Discover a distillery pioneered by a woman

A whole day exploring Scotland’s most famous whisky region. After a scenic drive towards the coast, your first stop of the day is at the family-owned Benromach Distillery, where you can go on a personalised tour.

After lunch in nearby Aberlour, you visit Cardhu Distillery, which is the first distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming. Today, Cardhu is the most important whisky in Johnnie Walker Black Label.

From here you travel back to Grantown-on-Spey.

Day 8:

Admire the peaks of the famous Cairngorms National Park

Walk in the footsteps of the Royal Family in the beautiful Royal Deeside region

In the morning you visit Glenlivet, which is both a distillery and a beautiful glen with serene walks and wonderful wildlife.

Then, it's time to say goodbye to Speyside and head to the majestic Royal Deeside, her Majesty’s favourite holiday spot. You pass by Balmoral Castle, and stop in Braemar, a lovely little village in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.

From here the route south passes over Scotland’s highest mountain pass, through Perthshire, and back to Edinburgh.