Highlights
- Enjoy a guided whisky tasting in Edinburgh
- Explore a distillery and sample aged whiskies in Stirling
- Learn about the artisan coopering process in Inverness
- Visit Scotland's finest single malt distilleries in Speyside
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Edinburgh, Scotch Whisky Adventure Tour & Tasting | Edinburgh |
| Day 2 | Drive to Stirling, Experience the Deanston Distillery Tour | Stirling |
| Day 3 | Drive to Inverness, Unveil the Timeless Craftsmanship of Coopering | Inverness |
| Day 4 | Immerse Yourself in the Speyside Whisky Trail | Inverness |
| Day 5 | Return Drive to Edinburgh, Visit Glenkinchie Distillery | Edinburgh |
| Day 6 | Depart Edinburgh |
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Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh, Scotch Whisky Adventure Tour & Tasting
Welcome to Edinburgh, Scotland's capital! Upon arrival, pick up your vehicle and drop it off at your hotel in the city center, where you'll get settled in and rest up. This afternoon, you'll kick off your six-day whisky-tasting adventure with a guided tour to uncover the history of Scotland's iconic spirit. Located on the cobbled Royal Mile in Edinburgh's UNESCO-listed Old Town, the Scotch Whisky Experience starts with a whisky barrel car ride to illustrate the production and maturation process.
Continue with a sensory journey that introduces you to different whisky aromas, and savor a taste of Scotch whisky (or the ever-popular local Irn Bru soda for nondrinkers) while you admire the world's largest whisky collection in the Diageo Claive Vidiz Scotch Whisky Collection. You'll have the chance to take home a crystal-tasting glass as a keepsake at the end of the tour. This evening, take your pick of Edinburgh's renowned restaurants, whether you're in the mood for haute cuisine or cozy pub fare.
Day 2: Drive to Stirling, Experience the Deanston Distillery Tour
This morning, drive from Edinburgh to Stirling, a journey of just over an hour. As you head northwest along the Firth of Forth, you can stop at some interesting attractions like Midhope Castle or Blackness Castle, both dating from the 15th century. You'll also pass by some 17th-century stately homes, such as Hopetoun House and the House of the Binns, as well as Linlithgow Palace, the medieval birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.
When you arrive in Stirling, settle into your accommodation, then head out to visit the Deanston Distillery for a comprehensive whisky-tasting experience. Featuring drams from Deanston and its sister distilleries, Bunnahabhain and Tobermory, you'll begin with their core range whiskies like Deanston 12 Year Old, Virgin Oak, and 18 Year Old before moving onto their premium, complex offerings. Delve into their rare and hard-to-find whiskies, then finish with a selection from their Highlands and Islands tasting, including Bunnahabhain 12, Ledaig 10, and Tobermory 12 Year Old whiskies.
Day 3: Drive to Inverness, Unveil the Timeless Craftsmanship of Coopering
Begin the day by driving to Inverness, a journey of about three hours heading north. You'll pass through several towns along the way, where you can visit attractions like the Dunblane Cathedral, Huntingtower Castle, and the Centre of Scotland Stone, among others. If you fancy a hike or bike ride to stretch your legs, stop off in the Cairngorms National Park, which features towering mountain peaks, heather moors, and scenic lochs.
Once in Inverness, settle into your accommodation, then meet your driver for the 1.5-hour journey to Speyside Cooperage. When you get there, a former cooper will walk you through the visitor center, complete with a 4D cinematic presentation. Witness coopers and apprentices crafting and repairing casks in real-time from a viewing gallery, and even try building a miniature barrel yourself. Conclude your experience by savoring a dram of their exclusive 10-year-old single malt whisky in a keepsake tasting glass, accompanied by detailed tasting notes.
Day 4: Immerse Yourself in the Speyside Whisky Trail
Today will be a highlight of your trip as you set off on a guided journey along the famous Speyside Whisky Trail. From Inverness, you'll hit the road to discover Scotland's finest single malt distilleries in a comfortable eight-seater vehicle.
Begin with a tasting at the historic Tomatin Distillery, followed by a visit to Cardhu Distillery, established by former whisky smugglers in 1824. Enjoy lunch at the Mash Tun whisky bar in Aberlour before heading to the renowned Glenfiddich Distillery for another tasting. Conclude your tour with a traditional experience at Glen Moray Distillery, sampling their "Elgin Heritage" range of 12, 15, and 18-year-old single malts.
Day 5: Return Drive to Edinburgh, Visit Glenkinchie Distillery
Drive back to Edinburgh today, a journey of 3.5 hours. Once you've arrived and settled into your hotel, discover the art of making Scottish whisky with a guided visit to Glenkinchie, which at 30 minutes away, is the nearest distillery to Edinburgh city center. Choose between the Standard Tour or the Flavours of Scotland Tour, both of which last between 1-1.5 hours, providing an immersive experience in the creation of "The Water of Life."
As you explore the distillery, you'll learn about the various stages of whisky production, from malting and mashing to fermentation and distillation. You'll also gain insights into the aging process with a visit to the atmospheric warehouses where the whisky matures in oak casks for a minimum of three years. No visit to a distillery would be complete without a tasting, and your experience will culminate in a sampling of some of the finest Scottish whiskies. After the tour, enjoy a scenic transfer back to the city center with stops at excellent vantage points for memorable photo opportunities of Edinburgh's landscape.
Day 6: Depart Edinburgh
Say goodbye to Edinburgh today! Drive to Edinburgh Airport and drop off your rental car, then prepare to catch your flight home. Safe travels!
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