whisky tour of scotland

Mclean Scotland Whisky Tours

Guided whisky tours in scotland.

With over thirty years-experience and our extensive contacts in the whisky industry, we ensure you enjoy the best of Scottish hospitality, from the moment you arrive until your final dram. We believe the wonders of Scotland should be experienced by all, which is why we carefully design tours to meet all budgets.

Please do not compare us to the big tour companies. We have the competitively priced customised tours at good prices that create lasting impressions.

Scottish Whisky Tour Ideas

Find Out More . . .

Scottish Distilleries

Mclean Scotland

Scottish whisky tours tailored to your taste, experience the very best of scottish whisky.

We take you to distilleries, arranging tours from beginners and connoisseurs. All transport and accommodation is prearranged, from lovely local guest houses, to hotels – booked by us, with care. There are nearly 150 active whisky distilleries in Scotland and growing, split into five regions:

• Campbeltown

Our Journal

Loch Lomond Whiskies

Barley – What You Need to Know to Make a Good Dram.

Peated whisky, love it or hate it, it’s here to stay.

Customer testimonials.

Thank you McLean Scotland for creating and delivering the Tour of a Lifetime!!

I HIGHLY and STRONGLY recommend this company for your Scotch tour!! 

This comment might seem strange, but to be honest, we didn’t really believe the quote we got for Liz and Paul. It was around 5-6k. We actually replied, 5k per person, right? We were surprised to find that was the total. The going rate for a week(ish) tour with big box (non-bespoke) companies in 2021 were 3-4k per person. If the price seems too low, it might raise red flags. It did with us, which is why we asked Liz and Paul to video chat to make sure it was real! I’m not suggesting that you jack up prices, but maybe address your pricing philosophy face up?

“We believe the wonders of Scotland should be experienced by all, which is why we carefully design tours to meet every budget. Please don’t compare us to the big tour companies. We have the flexibility to offer very competitively priced customized tours at reasonable prices that will create lasting memories."

Hi Paul. Back in Sweden and delighted to find my wonderful lab still recognises me (as does my wife). I think we had a brilliant tour, in fact the best ever, and as always it's a pleasure being on the roads with you. Apart from being a great companion, you share so much about Scottish history and culture which you know I'm always keen to learn more about.

I liked in particular the scenery going from Ballachulish to Tyndrum in Glencoe – a road I'd never travelled before. The best views I've ever had in Scotland. I think we have a solid plan for next year so let´s keep in touch about that.

First time we used MCLEANSCOTLAND.  They were honest about what we would be able to see. It truly was a vacation of a lifetime. It was everything we dreamed about! And we saw as much of Scotland that we could possibly fit in 10 days. Forward five years – we decided to do a whisky tour with them.

They did all the driving, so many distilleries, so many laughs, drank so much whisky and had the time of our lives. Our whole trip was truly magical!  There are not enough stars to give them rating they deserve.

MCLEANSCOTLAND are an absolute joy to communicate with. Professional, knowledgeable, courteous, friendly, and awesome with communication. The way they communicate is vastly different from the other 7 companies that I contacted for the tour. The tour schedule was WOW!! So detailed, well planned, organised and thought out.

You guys truly listened and tried your hardest to schedule events tailored to our wants and it definitely showed! Once again, totally different from the 7 other companies I contacted. The price was great! You scheduled an incredible tour to the budget that I gave.

Your long experience was evident and we very much enjoyed stories about Scotland such as details about the clans and other information he provided along the way. One hotel you chose was fantastic for us. Quirky and fun, the host seemed very energetic. The dining room and bar were surprisingly busy for mid-week and the food was excellent. It was nice to take a bit of a rest in such a peaceful place and we stood in a field looking at stars for a good hour. Breakfast was excellent. We loved every bit of Islay.  Our walk on the beach was wonderful. We were happy to catch the standing stones on the mainland, definitely worth the stop at least for us. After switching drivers we were able to make a detour to the Glen Coe area and stopped at a pull-in to take some pictures...a highlight of the trip for us...it was quite impressive.  Overall, we had an absolutely incredible time and made a ton of new memories. I would write more about it how wonderful it was, but I have to be off to work now!!! Thanks again, and we really are excited about our next trip...which would have to include the Isle of Skye.

Contact Mclean Whisky Tours

If you're looking for local, Scottish Whisky experts who also share a love for Scottish whisky then look no further than Mclean Scotland Whisky Tours.

For more information please email: [email protected]

Luxury Scotch Whisky Tours

EXPECT MORE

Scotland’s Unique Whisky Tours

Creating your scotch grand tour.

Personally curated tours of Scotland’s Whisky heritage. Allow us to create the most immersive Scotch Whisky Tour experience you could imagine.

At Scotch Grand Tour we have second-to-none experience of Scotch, Scotland and travel. As every one of our guests is unique, no two tours are the same. We curate each tour to suit your desires and taste.

Allow us to guide you in your once in a lifetime dream Scotch experience.

At Scotch Grand Tour we take great pride in only including the best options possible. Thus, resulting in Grand Tours of Scotland’s whisky-producing regions tailored specifically to you and your group.

INSPIRATION

• Campbeltown & Islay
• Glasgow & Edinburgh
• Hebrides & West Coast
• Highlands & Speyside

Edinburgh Whisky Tour

Speyside Whisky Tour

Lowland Whisky Tour

Campbeltown Whisky Tour

Islay Whisky Tour

Hebridean Islands Whisky Tou

Get inspired for your next scotch grand tour.

Learn about the Scotch Whisky regions of Scotland, each with its own individual charm. Find inspiration from our regional overviews.

Whisky Tours

‘the water of life’.

So, you fancy yourself a wee dram of malt whisky while you’re here in Scotland?

Och, good on ya. It’s our national drink for a reason.

It’s hard to know for sure how long the process of whisky distilling has been around. At least the 15th century, probably long before.

We gather up the barely and soak it in water before spreading it out to germinate. After six or seven days, you’ve got green malt, perfect for the kiln. After it’s smoked in peat, it’s mashed down into a coarse grist and now its ready to ferment. Into the ‘pot’ it goes and so begins the distilling process. Only the purest liquid makes it through. Only the best .

There’s far more to it than that, but you’re just here for the drink, no?

So, go on then, enjoy yourself some uisge beatha … ‘water of life’.

Explore whisky tours

Why you'll love learning about Scotch whisky

Nuanced Flavours

Whisky has simple ingredients: barley, wheat or rye, yeast and water. The Scots drink it straight or with a dash of water.

But the drink is also complex. There's an abundance of different 'cask strengths', 'blended malts', and 'single grains'. Take a tour and learn the nuances.

Serene Surroundings

Whisky makers say distilleries are in remote locations because of fresh water sources. But this isn’t always true.

In the 18th century, distillers relocated to avoid tax collector routes. This was bad for distillers, but it’s great if you want to enjoy a dram near a delightful view.

Treacherous Tales

Distillers avoided tax by malting at night. Glaswegians rioted when Britain imposed a malt tax. And dragoons and highwayman patrolled the roads searching for whisky smugglers. Take a whisky tour and let your guide bring the history to life.

The Water of Life

Many of Scotland’s literary legends were influenced by the taste of whisky. Robert Burns penned entire poems in the drink’s honour.

Find out why the Scots call it ‘The Water of Life’ and you may be inspired to write a verse or two yourself.

Scottish Whisky Tours

Select by month

Highland Lochs, Glens & Whisky - 1 day tour

Sublime lochs, smooth whiskies, and serene glens... the Highlands of Scotland are calling.

Prices from £64.00

DEPARTING FROM: Edinburgh

Discover Malt Whisky - 1 day tour

Whisky means a lot to us here in Scotland, so it's time for a dram of our "Water of Life".

Prices from £51.00

Islay & the Whisky Coast - 4 day tour

Savour the distilled essence of Scotland's fine landscapes and even finer whisky.

Prices from £389.00

Cairngorms National Park & Whisky - 1 day tour

Time to mix mountain magic with mouthwatering whisky as you journey through the Cairngorms and Speyside.

Prices from £41.00

DEPARTING FROM: Inverness

A Whisky Journey: Drams & Distilleries - 1 day tour

The perfect day for whisky lover's as you explore the best Speyside distilleries.

Speyside Whisky Trail - 3 day tour

You can't visit Scotland without experiencing a dram of Speyside's finest malt whisky.

Prices from £195.00

Whisky & Loch Lomond - 1 day tour

Two unique whisky distilleries and the beauty of Loch Lomond? What more could you want.

Prices from £45.00

DEPARTING FROM: Glasgow

Speyside Whisky Trail - 1 day tour

Sample the best flavours in Scotland's premier whisky region, Speyside.

Prices from £53.00

DEPARTING FROM: Aberdeen

Bonnie Lochs & Bold Whisky - 1 day tour

Ground beneath your feet, breeze against your face, whisky thrumming in your veins... Its time to get to know Scotland up close and personal.

Prices from £61.00

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Tour (Starts Inverness) - 1 day tour

Within the Cairngorms National Park, get ready for some of the finest Speyside whiskies in the world.

Home » Whisky Tour Scotland

Private Whisky Tours of Scotland

Discover the Taste of Scotland

Scotch Whisky is world-famous for its smokey, peaty, and smooth flavors, and with over 120 active distilleries around the country , you’ll not be short of ideas of where to visit on your private tour. 

Our bespoke Scotch Whisky Tours allow you to experience the art and craftsmanship of Scotland’s world-famous whisky brands and regions – soaked in history and legend.

Choose your own perfect blend of distilleries

With so many incredible distilleries around Scotland, it can be difficult to decide where to start; our Private Whisky Tours allow you to customize your itinerary and visit all your favorite distilleries and see some beautiful sites along the way – although depending on how many distilleries you’ve visited throughout the day, you’ll likely find everything beautiful! 

Our private tour expert will make recommendations and help you organize each step of your scotch whisky experience and transport you in luxurious comfort to all your desired destinations, all you have to do is decide how long you want your tour to last .

Click on some of our most famous whisky regions to see some of the distilleries Scotland has to offer and get in touch with us by clicking ‘Create my custom tour’ below and we can start planning your unforgettable whisky tour.

Please note: Alcohol is not included in the price of our private tours.

Popular Braw whisky tours

Talisker Whisky

Visit the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye, set on the shores of Loch Harport in the village of Carbost: Talisker.

Glenmorangie Distillery

By the tranquil shores of the Dornoch Firth, amidst the golden barley fields, lies the famous Glenmorangie Distillery…

Blair Athol Distillery

Blair Athol Distillery stands at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands in the picturesque town of Pitlochry, Perthshire…

Glenlivet Distillery

Visit one of Scotland’s favorite distilleries & enjoy a unique tasting tour with your own private guide…

Macallan Distillery

Visit the recently revamped distillery & visitor center with your private guides in the heart of the beautiful Macallan Estate…

Laphroaig Distillery

Renowned for the rich, unmistakable taste of its whisky, Laphroaig was first established in 1825 & still employs the traditional methods…

Request Your Whisky Tour Of Scotland

All our whisky tours are completely customizable and tailor-made to suit you and your group’s needs and wants. Our tour experts can make recommendations and help you plan each and every sip of your whisky tour experience while transporting you safely from distillery to distillery. 

Whether your group is new to our famous spirit, or connoisseurs looking to visit your favorite distilleries, get in touch by filling out the form below and start planning your perfect whisky vacation today!

Or Call Free +44 141 674 9535

Free for US, Canadian & UK numbers

Itineraries to inspire your tour to Scotland

28 Day Driver-Guided Scotland Tour

Discover Scotland's natural beauty and historic charm like never before on this comprehensive 28-day driver-guided...

3 Weeks Driver-Guided UK Tour Itinerary

Explore the UK with your private driver guide on our 3 week itinerary. England, Scotland...

18 Day Tour of Scotland Itinerary

Discover the wide range of activities & sites Scotland has to offer in this fantastic...

16 Day Guided Tour of Scotland

Explore a wide selection of Scotland's best sites over 16 day magical days, including Edinburgh,...

14 Day Tour of Scotland & Ireland

Explore the best of these two Celtic nations in this 14-day driver-guided tour. Get in...

12 Day Tour of Scotland Itinerary

Explore premier Scottish sites with your driver-guide on this 12 day tour including Edinburgh, Stirling,...

10 Day Tour of Scotland Itinerary

In this exciting 10 day tour, our private driver-guides will expertly chauffeur you to some...

7 Day Private Tour of Scotland Itinerary

In this wonderful 7-day tour, our private driver-guides will expertly chauffeur you to some of...

6 Day Tour of Scotland Itinerary

Spend just under a week with our expert guides exploring fantastic Scottish sites including Edinburgh,...

5 Day Private Tour of Scotland Itinerary

In this fantastic 5 day tour, our private driver guides will expertly chauffeur you to...

4 Day Tour of Scotland Itinerary

Explore Scotland with your own private driver-guides on this 4-day tour of Scotland itinerary, featuring...

3 Day Tour of Scotland Itinerary

Explore Edinburgh & the surrounding areas on this incredible 3 Day Tour of Scotland, including...

Make your dream tour of scotland a braw one

Stay connected

Private Tours

sample itineraries

Other Destinations

Braw Scottish Tours, 15 Linkwood Gardens, Glasgow, G15 7SY | Partnered with DABA Tourism Marketing

Highlands Whisky Region

Number of distilleries: 47

Oldest Distillery: Glenturret (1775) 

Most popular distillery: Glenturret, Famous Grouse Experience

Flavor profile: fruity, malty, spicy & swee t

The vast and wild Highland region of Scotland produces varied and unique Scotch from distillery to distillery. Some peaty, some with a strong salty presence from the coast, and some fresh, light, and fruity. The Highlands has a bit of everything: perfect for a group whisky tour with varying preferences, and taste ambitions. 

Speyside Whisky Region

Number of distilleries: 50

Oldest Distillery: Strathisla (1786) 

Most popular distillery: Glenfiddich

Flavor profile: fruity, sweet, spicy & vanilla

Home to some of Scotland’s best-loved malt whiskies, Speyside is Scotch perfection! This beautiful region is filled with incredible valleys, glens, and – most importantly – over 50 distilleries producing some remarkable fine malts: truly whisky heaven and a perfect region for your private Scotch adventure!

Campbeltown Whisky

Number of distilleries: 3

Oldest Distillery: Springbank (1828) 

Most popular distillery: Springbank

Flavor profile: fruity, peaty, sweet & smoky

Steeped in flavor and history, Campbeltown is Scotland’s smallest whisky region but offers up some of the finest malts known to man. With its maritime roots, Campbeltown’s whisky is distinctive and world-renowned: truly a must-visit for a whisky connoisseur while opening the eyes of those less experienced explorers.

Lowlands Whisky Region

Number of distilleries: 18

Oldest Distillery: Auchentoshan (1800) 

Most popular distillery: Glenkinchie

Flavor profile: light, unpeated, citrusy, sweet, floral

The Lowland whisky region in Scotland is famous for its light-bodied single malts that are unpeated and lighter, with a gentle, elegant palate. 

This is an ideal region for both whisky connoisseurs and those new to single malt whisky, as it’s these triple distilled malts are in great supply and are very easy to drink!

Isle of Islay Whisky Region

Number of distilleries: 9

Oldest Distillery: Bowmore(1779) 

Most popular distillery: Ardbeg

Flavor profile: powerful, peaty, smoky, sweet & salty

Situated on the west coast of Scotland, Islay is often known as the ‘Queen of the Hebrides’ and is an island built on peat and improved with whisky. Renowned for its beautiful scenery and beaches as well as its fine single malt Scotch, the Isle of Islay is a must-do for any true Whisky fan. Most famous for the big smokes of Laphroaig, Lagavulin & Ardbeg.

Visit the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye, set on the shores of Loch Harport in the village of Carbost, Talisker. You will see the 5 copper pot stills and the traditional worm tubs that make the Talisker so unique, then look at the casks in the warehouse where Angel’s Share is lost to evaporation during maturation.

By the tranquil shores of the Dornoch Firth, amidst the golden barley fields that border the Royal Burgh of Tain, lies the Glenmorangie Distillery where accompanied by their expert guides, you will journey through all stages of our award-winning whisky creation, from mashing and fermenting to distilling and maturation.

Blair Athol Distillery stands at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands in the picturesque town of Pitlochry, Perthshire. Set in open moorland south of the town, in the foothills of the Grampian mountains, Blair Athol’s ancient source of water – the Allt Dour – flows through the grounds from the slopes of Ben Vrackie, contributing to the whisky’s, mellow quality and smooth finish.

The Glenlivet Distillery has the distinction of being the first licensed distillery in the Glenlivet area. At one time there were around 200 illegal stills around this area and the name “Glenlivet” was used by many competing distilleries. Glenlivet’s owner, John Smith’s son of the founder, realized the importance of branding so in 1884 he took legal action to reserve use of the title “The Glenlivet”.

In the heart of the beautiful Macallan Estate sits Macallan Distillery. The Edrington Group, which owns the Macallan distillery, has taken the bold move to revamp the distillery and visitor center so it is now the most modern and high technology looking distillery in Scotland.

Where there were once large “sheds” for the mash tuns and still rooms, there are now cleverly landscaped semi-subterranean buildings that blend the distillery into the green fields of the landscape. The building is a stunning piece of modern architecture that combines functionality with organic shapes and materials. They have deliberately kept some pictures of the old distillery buildings in the gallery so you can see just how radically different the new distillery buildings are.

 Laphroaig (La-froyg) Distillery is renowned for the rich, unmistakable taste of its whisky and is the favorite of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and even bears his Royal Warrant.

Established in 1825 by brothers Donald and Alexander Johnston, Laphroaig still employs the traditional methods and time-honored skills that have been used for centuries to produce the most distinctive single malt in the world.

Sample Itineraries

Useful links

Request Your Free Tour Itinerary From Our Planners! Find out more.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies
• 3rd Party Cookies
• Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

More information about our Cookie Policy

Every Scotch Whisky Visitor Centre in one place

Our partners.

Start your whisky journey

Whisky inspiration this way

Drink, Sleep & Buy Whisky

Luvians St Andrews

Glenmorangie House

The Bon Accord

SCOTTISH WHISKY TOURS

Welcome to whiskywheels.scot, the website of Scotland’s premier whisky tour company. If you love whisky, you’ve come to the right place.

ABOUT WHISKYWHEELS

Whiskywheels  was formed in the summer of 2018. We decided to start whiskywheels.scot to provide a bespoke service that we could not find anywhere else in the Scottish whisky industry. In our line of work, we regularly speak to many local whisky enthusiasts and there is one topic that always comes up in conversation – whisky tours to Scotland’s famous distilleries! Many whisky drinkers want to design their own whisky tour and not have to worry about doing the driving! After completing extensive market research, whiskywheels.scot was born. Our goal is to provide top level Scottish whisky tours.

 SCOTTISH WHISKY TOURS ETHOS

 We believe our Scottish whisky tours offer a more personal experience and far better value than the average tour operator. Our aim is to provide a fantastic service to customers, combining our passion for whisky and the beautiful scenery Scotland has to offer.

BOOK YOUR SCOTTISH WHISKY TOUR TODAY

On our tours to whisky distilleries, combine the flavours of Scotland’s favourite drink with our professional transport.

We can also arrange guided transport. Why not book one of our local experts who will give you insight into Scottish history and legend, famous traditions, and world renowned sights.

Our departures can be from all over Scotland. Have a look at our Whiskywheels Scottish Whisky tours page.  Let us know your requirements via 07549 839 684 (UK) CLICK HERE  TO WHATSAPP USA ONLY  or [email protected] .

WHAT WE DO FOR OUR SCOTTISH WHISKY TOURS

We provide professional transport and guided Scottish Whisky tours to and from Scottish whisky distilleries.

Choose one of our identified routes or create your own bespoke route.

We can book accommodation for you and take you to the best pubs and restaurants around Scotland.

Why not combine a whisky tour with golf, sightseeing, fishing or a walking tour? We can tailor your tour to your requirements.

You do the drinking, while we do the driving!

We have access to a large fleet of vehicles. This helps us to take any number of people on our tours, from solo travellers and small groups to large groups of any size. We can offer luxury and premium vehicles for special occasions. Our pick ups and drop offs are flexible.  Contact us for more details.

HAPPY CUSTOMERS

“Whisky Wheels put together a record breaking scottish whisky tour program for the trip, visiting many distilleries – nine full whisky tours and the rest stopping for photos. Thanks to Euan we also managed to get quite a bit of history and culture. Already planning a new visit for next year. Cheers for now!”

We provide bespoke whisky tours in Scotland.

07549 839 684 (UK)

CLICK HERE TO WHATSAPP

[email protected]

A Taste of Scotland

A Scottish blend of whisky and cuisine. Fresh from your Platinum whisky tour, you’ll be seated in our award-winning Amber Restaurant to enjoy our renowned Taste of Scotland menu.

Taste of Scotland

This tour is strictly for those aged 18+ years old and is available in English only. Please bring ID.

Buy Taste of Scotland GIFT tickets here.

This tour includes:

The Platinum Tour PLUS

• Our three-course Scottish food experience menu in Amber Restaurant
• A ‘trio’ starter and a ‘trio’ main course, followed by dessert
• A dram of Scotch whisky matched with dessert
• Coffee or tea

The Platinum Tour includes;

• New! – Origins, The Art of Whisky Making, Maturation – an immersive whisky journey!
• Fully guided tour & tasting experience
• Sensory journey through Scotland
• Introduction to the art of blending
• Extended viewing of our world-famous Scotch whisky collection
• Membership of our Scotch Whisky Appreciation Society for 1 year
• A chocolate pairing
• Sample of a deluxe blend or blended malt in addition to 4 regional malt whiskies
• Gift bag which includes crystal whisky tasting glass and distillery map

Fantastic platinum tour with a fantastic selection of Whisky to taste too. We would also recommend the Taste of Scotland meal in Amber afterwards!

Thanks to all involved in our visit to Taste of Scotland Platinum Tour followed by traditional Scottish cuisine. All staff involved, from start to finish, were really pleasant and most informative, a real credit to The Scotch Whisky Experience.

We had the taste of Scotland tasting menu. 2 vegetarian and 1 meat eater. It was perfect. We could not fault it. Excellent flavours and the best meal I have had for a long time. The dessert was perfect - sticky toffee pudding with whisky.

We loved the haggis, vegetarian haggis, honey glazed carrots, tomato basil soup, and sticky toffee pudding for food! We also loved our whisky flight!

I was pleasantly surprised by the exceptional quality and taste of the food here—it exceeded all my expectations. Plus, the location is incredibly convenient, just a stone's throw away from Edinburgh Castle. I indulged in some delicious Haggis and sampled a variety of whiskies.

Book our Taste of Scotland Menu

Our Taste of Scotland menu is also available to book on it's own - the perfect end to any of our tours.

Our Tours & Experiences

Tasting tales, the gold tour, the platinum tour, the silver tour, looking for something else, gift tickets, plan your visit, private/group bookings, accessibility.

Classic Whisky

This Scottish whisky tour gives you a comprehensive taste of the range and variety of Scottish single malts with a driving route around the distilleries of the Lowlands, Highlands, Speyside & Islands. 

The tour itinerary isn't just about whisky and the driving route features some of the most scenic roads through the Highlands and along the rugged West coast of Scotland.

You could pace this as an 8 day Whisky tour, but if you are not in a hurry and want to follow our day trip ideas, you can adapt the plan for a 2 week tour of Scotland.

Allow a minimum of 8 days to drive this tour route. The guide contains extra day trip suggestions for extending the tour to 15+ days

PLEASE NOTE : The Guides come in the format of PDF files. After payment, you will receive an automated email that enables you to access your Scotland Tour Itinerary.

Money Back Guarantee

We are so confident that you’ll be delighted with your guide that we offer a full Money Back Guarantee. Read More .

Tour Stats :

Guide Updated - 20 January 2024

Core Route Mileage:

Approximately 571 miles / 920 Km

Tour Duration:

8 to 15 Days

Share this tour

Tour summary.

Edinburgh is a compact city and easy to explore on foot. We provide directions for 3 walking routes that show you different sides of the Capital city; a walk down the historical Royal Mile , a riverside path to the Botanic Gardens that escapes the hustle & bustle of city life and a more energetic hike to Arthur’s Seat with the option to continue to a pub with lots of history.

To get into the spirit of your Whisky tour,  we steer you to a selection of our favourite  traditional Edinburgh pubs where you can drink in the atmosphere and enjoy some good Malts. 

The guide also includes options for day trips around the surrounding area by car, bus or train.

The day trips by car take you to West Lothian where you can visit many of the sites used in the filming of “Outlander” and to East Lothian where you can visit some spectacular castle ruins, a whisky distillery , pretty villages and embark on boat trips to Bass Rock.

Stopover in Edinburgh

This route allows you time to spend a full afternoon in the Pitlochry area where there are 3 distilleries to be discovered.

Heading north from Edinburgh, you cross the Forth estuary with views of the famous Forth Rail Bridge . You then speed north to Perth , but can extend the drive with a visit to the pretty village of Falkland with its beautiful palace that was a favourite country retreat of Mary Queen of Scots.

From Perth to Pitlochry, we suggest a quiet back road route that visits Scone Palace , the ancient crowning place of Scottish Kings, and the romantic ruins of Dunkeld Cathedral beside the River Tay.

If you stay in Pitlochry or Aberfeldy, you can park up your car and walk to the nearest distillery to take full advantage of a good whisky tasting session. 

Driving Distance ~ 81 miles

Short tours around Pitlochry: If you arrive early in Pitlochry, or wish to stay for several nights, you will enjoy the 2 short tour options supplied in this guide. These tours cover the grand Blair castle as well as less well known places such as a deserted Blackhouse village, a 2000 year old tree and a stone circle that most tourists miss.

Stopover in Pitlochry / Aberfeldy area

You could start this day with a visit to nearby Blair Castle as the drive to Braemar and Royal Deeside does not take very long. On the way to Braemar, you follow the path of an 18th century military road that was built through Glen Shee to enable the deployment of Redcoat troops into the “Jacobite” heartlands .

After a visit to  Braemar , you can continue to explore the quaint villages, verdant woodlands and wild mountains that Queen Victoria fell in love with. Balmoral castle is one of the attractions that you can visit in this area, but there are many more great castles to be discovered in this region.

Of course, this is a whisky tour of Scotland so you can get today's whisky tasting at the Royal Lochnagar distillery that supplies the Royal family during their visits to Balmoral Castle.

Driving Distance ~ 56 miles

Stopover in Royal Deeside area

Today you traverse the Cairngorm mountains via one of the highest roads in Scotland. It is not far to drive so you have time to schedule a day exploring the  Speyside Whisky Trail .

Some of the famous distilleries on this leg of your Scottish whisky tour are Glenlivet , Glenfarclas , Aberlour, Glenfiddich, Balvenie  and Macallan .

If you want a break from whisky tastings, you may enjoy a visit to Elgin with its magnificent cathedral and cashmere mill . We also give you tips on the best bars for continuing your whisky sampling into the evening.

Driving Distance ~ 52 miles

Stopover in Craigellachie / Elgin area

You can continue your Scottish whisky tour with visits to the distilleries of Glen Grant, Glen Moray and Benromach, but today's route also features places of historical importance that are worth exploring.

You can discover  Cawdor Castle with its curious legends, the spooky burial tombs at Clava Cairns , the imposing defences of Fort George and the windswept battlefield of Culloden Moor .

The day ends in lively Inverness or the quieter villages of the nearby Black Isle . If you visit the Black Isle, we can tell you where to find a bar with over 200 "expressions" of Malt whisky on offer, including some incredibly rare bottlings.

Driving Distance ~ 57 miles

Stopover in Inverness area .

Inverness is a great touring base for exploring the Highlands and we supply you with directions for a range of day trips:

• Black Isle - A short tour of the Black Isle where you can visit a carefully preserved 18th century village and embark on boat trips to see wild dolphins.
• Glen Affric - A scenic drive into Glen Affric where you can see the last remains of the Ancient Caledonian Forest. This route includes options to explore a Neolithic burial chamber, a hidden Clan graveyard and a 150 foot high waterfall in a lovely woodland setting.
• Loch Ness – We guide you past Loch Ness on the drive to Skye, but this day trip does a complete circular tour of the loch with time to take a cruise, visit the “Nessie” exhibitions and wander the ruins of Urquhart castle.
• Dunrobin Castle - A day trip up the east coast to the spectacular Dunrobin Castle, which has all the opulence of a French chateau. You can return via a longer route that features a visit to cascades where you might see wild salmon leaping upstream.

Stopover in Inverness area

Starting with a drive along the shores of Loch Ness towards  Urquhart Castle (where you may wish to join a loch cruise), you then turn westwards to the wilderness of Wester Ross and the mountains of Kintail. The route passes the distinctive Eilean Donan castle on the way to the Skye Bridge , but you may wish to include a detour to see one of Scotland’s prettiest villages before crossing into Skye.

If you need a whisky fix, you could head to  Talisker Distillery or the recently opened Torabhaig Distillery , but we recommend you schedule a 2 night stopover on Skye so there is time to do other sightseeing activities on this day.

Driving Distance ~ 115 miles

Stopover on Skye or the nearby Lochalsh area

Skye is a large island with many of the places of interest located along dead end single track roads. As a result, you are limited in how much you can cover in a day and you need to schedule at least a 2 night stopover.

• Explore Skye - We provide directions for a tour that includes the famous scenic landmarks of Skye as well as Dunvegan Castle, Talisker Distillery, craft shops, tearooms, pubs and walks. More than enough to fill 2 whole days on Skye. ~138 miles
• Alternative Day Trip around Loch Alsh & Loch Hourn - Skye can be a very busy place so we also provide directions for a tour around this quieter area where you can take in one of our favourite viewpoints, soak up the atmosphere at mysterious Iron Age Brochs, or enjoy a cup of coffee in one of the remotest tearooms in Scotland. You can return to Skye via a tiny car ferry that operates from Easter – October.

Stopover in Skye & Lochalsh area

Today we guide you down the west coast to the lively town of Oban. We would recommend leaving Skye on the Mallaig ferry, but also provide you with directions for taking an inland route via the Skye bridge.

If taking the Mallaig ferry , you can explore the beautiful “Silver Sands” of the Morar beaches which look quite Tropical on sunny days. You follow the “ Road to the Isles ” which takes you to Glenfinnan , where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army of Jacobites first rallied in 1745. However, most people come here to see the railway viaduct made famous by “ Harry Potter ” and you might see the steam train (Apr – Oct). We also guide you to some less obvious film locations.

Both the ferry and bridge routes converge near Glen Coe and you may wish to detour into the glen for a photo stop before starting on the last journey leg down the Argyll coast. This is an area with a rich history and our guide gives details of some of its infamous characters and events.

The day ends in Oban where you can indulge in a whisky tasting session at Oban Distillery followed by a memorable dinner in one of the town’s great choice of seafood restaurants .

Driving Distance ~ 87 miles (plus a ~40 minute ferry crossing) – Mallaig to Oban

Driving Distance ~ 120 miles – Skye Bridge to Oban

Stopover in Oban Area.

We provide 2 route options for the drive back to Glasgow or Edinburgh .

• The longer route takes you through Glen Coe with its dramatic scenery and tragic history of the massacre of the MacDonalds. After Glen Coe, you cross the wild and timeless expanse of Rannoch Moor on your way back to the cities.
• The direct route option guides you inland past Loch Awe , Scotland longest loch. Along the way, you can stop at a smokehouse to buy some local delicacies for a picnic beside the ruins of Kilchurn Castle .

If heading to Glasgow , you travel down the length of Loch Lomond with opportunities for a loch cruise and a visit to a 300 yr old Inn where you might meet aone of the resident ghosts who has a favourite seat in the bar.

Driving Distances: Direct ~90 miles  /  Via Glen Coe ~118 miles to Glasgow

If returning to Edinburgh , you drive through the Trossachs National Park  with opportunities for a photo stop at the Falls of Dochart and / or  a visit to the grave of " Rob Roy ". You continue back towards Stirling and then join the motorway for a fast drive back to the Capital.

Driving Distances: Direct ~117 miles  /  Via Glen Coe ~145 miles to Edinburgh

Stopover in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Tour Gallery

Accommodation

To help you book the best places to stay, we offer a guide to Recommended Accommodation along the route of this tour.

We personally visit all the accommodation featured in the guides and only select places where we would wish to stay ourselves. Read More...

When you "Checkout" , you will have the option to buy the Accommodation Guide.

Preview Accommodation Guide

Car Hire - How to Save Money

When you buy a Secret Scotland Tour Itinerary you will receive a Discount Code that gets you a 10% reduction on the cost of Car Hire from Arnold Clark Rental .

Simply use the Secret Scotland code when you book via the Arnold Clark website and your car hire discount will automatically apply.

Testimonials

I convinced my other half to get the Scenic Tour 4-5 Days guide (even though he very much wanted to do it all himself), and it was the best experience ever. In fact, ever since this trip, we're trying to re-create the experience. Of course, Scotland can hardly let anyone down, but this guide truly made it an adventure. We found so many hidden and not so hidden gems, and everything was perfectly laid out for us so that all we had to do was decide how much time we had and what we wanted to see next. I can't recommend it enough and wish more guides like this existed!

Excellent! We thought the information provided was fantastic and allowed us to see things I am sure we would have missed. Mike was very helpful in sending the itinerary through again for us when we had trouble with our downloads. Would definitely recommend this site. We have been travelling for a number of years and normally would just rely on the internet and books but decided to give this a go. So glad we did.

Secret Scotland is EXCEPTIONAL in providing guidance for itinerary planning and accommodation referrals for those wanting a self guided driving vacation in Scotland.... Simple to use.  Thorough in suggesting ‘must see’ venues. Complete - sites, restaurants, pubs and experiences.” That is how I would describe what they do and provide.  Exceptional accommodation recommendations. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

The itinerary Secret Scotland provided was a trip saver. We loved the suggestions for sight seeing, eating, and places to stay, but the best part was the detailed driving directions. Driving on the opposite side of the road from the opposite side of the car was a little easier without having to worry about how to get there! We will definitely use this service the next time we visit Scotland!

Secret Scotland's itineraries, accommodations guides, and other resources are incredible value with great attention to detail.  Their owners, Mike and Aury, are experienced and honest, and they helped us so much as we attempted to narrow down a very long list of things we hoped to do during our time in Scotland.  I feel so much more prepared for our trip and can now just look forward to our approaching vacation!

We have just got back from an EXCELLENT holiday following the Borders to Orkney route suggestions. We can't say enough about how much the detailed information enhanced our experience in Scotland. We had a wonderful time seeing so many interesting sites that we would have passed by without your guide. Thank you so much.

These guys really are the best.  We used Mike's Flexi Days East to West itinerary last July and it was truly indispensable.  His itinerary is full of detail, including driving directions and options.  Mike is also very responsive if you have any questions.  We had such a wonderful time we are going back again this year, and we will be using his itineraries again for our planning.  I would also recommend his accommodations guide.

Just like pictures of Scotland can’t do justice to the magnificence of the actual landscape, words can’t do justice to the brilliance and sheer volume of work you put in your guide. The level of detail provided on each stopover sheet, in all the different itinerary options and on all the B&B features exceeded even my most crazy expectations.

Mike and Aurey from Secret Scotland prepared a fantastic itinerary for us. It was a huge ingredient in the success and huge enjoyment that we got from our trip. It was absolutely worth every penny and there is no way we could have seen so much and so well without their itinerary. We felt like we belonged in Scotland, we knew what we were doing and what it all meant at every step. We recommend their services wholeheartedly. Scotland is such a marvelous place. Thank you Mike and Aurey... and we will be back!

Need Ideas For Your Scotland Tour?

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive 5 free guides.

Whisky Tours of Scotland

Whisky takes its name from the gaelic for ‘water of life’., you can find distilleries all over scotland..

Each area adds its own flavour and character to whisky. Salty sea air, peaty fires, and natural spring water: each can play a part in Scotch whisky. Follow the story from barley to barrel to bottle.

Whisky takes its name from the Gaelic for ‘water of life’. You can find distilleries all over Scotland. Each area adds its own flavour and character to whisky. Salty sea air, peaty fires, and natural spring water: each can play a part in Scotch whisky. Follow the story from barley to barrel to bottle.

• Glenfarclas is amongst the favorite tipples of TV "shrink", Dr Frasier Crane.
• Bruichladdich is Scotland's most westerly distillery.
• At 1164 ft (354 m) above sea level Dalwhinnie is thought to be Scotland's highest distillery.
• Glenmorangie means "Glen of Big Meadows".
• Deanston Distillery is located in a old cotton mill that dates from 1785.

Things to see..

Glengoyne (lowland).

Named after its location in the wooded valley of Glen Guin, or ‘glen of the wild geese’, Glengoyne Distillery has been producing the water of life for almost two centuries. Generations of expertise go into its Highland single malts, which are uniquely matured in the Lowlands. Discover more of its secrets with a tour and taste 200 years of history for

The Glenlivet (Speyside)

Romantic tales of smuggling, jealousy and intrigue abound at the home of this famous malt. Wind your way through the intrguing and isolated Livet valley and you’ll soon be rewarded with an unforgettable tour and tasting. Learn how the distillery was founded in 1824 and how its global reputation saw it conquer illicit rivals to be christened ‘The’ Glenlivet .

Laphroig whisky distillery

Founded in 1815, Laphroaig is a peaty single malt whisky produced on the west coast isle of Islay. It is considered one of the most richly flavoured of all Scotch single malts.

Glenkinchie

Sample the very finest Lowland malt with an in-depth tour of this traditional distillery. Nestling outside Edinburgh among the rolling East Lothian farmlands, its carefully crafted whiskies are noted for their lightness of touch and sweet and malty tones. Try one for yourself and enjoy the true taste of Scotland with a distinctively dry and fruity finish.

Standing proudly amid snow-capped peaks at 1,164ft above sea level, this famous distillery is thought to be the highest in Scotland. Pay a visit to its remote and rugged location and you’ll be rewarded with the smoothest of malts, with just a touch of honey, fruit and peaty smoke. Alternatively, try a tasting matched with delicious hand-made chocolates.

Experts claim this distillery’s location beside a bustling bay give its malts a hint of brine and seaweed. So why not pay a visit and try for yourself? Tucked beneath a steep cliff, visitors are welcome to take a tour, enjoy a warming dram and learn some of the many secrets handed down since its formation in 1794 by brothers John and Hugh Stevenson.

A trip to one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries is one to cherish – and is rewarded with the chance to buy a rare malt. Combining long fermentation with slow distillation, Glen Ord has been producing whisky on the Black Isle since 1838 and still malts its own barley. Pay a visit and try its Singleton of Glen Ord , usually reserved for Asian markets only.

Glenfiddich

With its distinctive pagoda roofs and fields of golden barley, whisky heaven awaits at the home of this famous family-owned distillery. Meander through the ‘valley of the deer’ and you’ll be greeted by the world’s largest pouring collection of Glenfiddich . Learn how production has grown since 1886 and sample the innovative local fare at its restaurant.

Royal Lochnagar

Visitors to this historic distillery follow in the distinguished footsteps of Queen Victoria , who granted it a Royal Warrant after travelling from nearby Balmoral to sample its wares in 1848. With mighty Lochnagar Mountain looming over proceedings, see the traditional open mash tun and taste the finest mellow malts, made with crystal-clear Scarnock spring water.

Cross to the magical Isle of Islay and discover the many delights of this traditional distillery hidden in a secluded cove. Built on the site of a ruined castle more than two centuries ago, Lagavulin is famed for its unusual pear-shaped stills. Take a tour behind its whitewashed walls, see the distillers at work and savour a dram alive with distinctive peaty smokiness.

Tours that visit Whisky

Heart of the highlands.

If you only have a couple of days to discover the true beauty of the Scottish Highlands, then this is the tour for you.

Loch Ness, Whisky and Outlander

Sample the finest ‘water of life’; follow in Bonnie Prince Charlie’s footsteps and walk among the ancient locations of TV’s Outlander in this fascinating trip back in time.

Bonnie Scotland

Discover Scotland's unrivalled beauty on this feature-packed tour that includes city stays in historic Edinburgh and lively Glasgow.

Edinburgh Tattoo Experience

Prepare for your evening visit to the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with a relaxing day touring through stunning Highland landscapes.

Islay Whisky Connoisseur Tour

Explore the island of Islay, home to eight whisky distilleries whose lovingly produced malts boast a unique peaty aroma.

Rosslyn Chapel, Scottish Borders and Whisky

This combination of a visit to intriguing Rosslyn Chapel and the beautiful scenery of the Scottish Borders makes this tour the perfect day out.

Scotland's Highlands and Islands

Discover magical islands, sophisticated cities and the rugged beauty of the Scottish highlands on this far-reaching tour.

Scottish Clans and Castles

Discover the history of Scotland and her people on this inspiring tour through the Highlands which includes a trip on the famous West Highland Railway.

Scottish Dream

On this comprehensive tour experience many aspects of Scotland from the great cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow to the scenic beauty of the Isle of Skye.

Scottish Highlands, Islands and Cities

This epic tour will take you along some of the most famous routes in Scotland to visit Edinburgh, Glasgow and the islands of Skye, Orkney, Mull and Iona.

Scottish Isles and Glens

Be captivated by the beauty of the Scottish Highlands and Islands on this luxury tour that includes visits to the Orkney Islands, Skye and Bute.

Taste of Scotland

This short tour combines visits to Scotland’s two great cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow with a delightful tour through the beautiful Scottish Highlands.

The Essential Whisky Experience

Raise a glass to Scotland’s national drink with a tour of two traditional distilleries, sampling the finest drams and enjoying stunning scenery as you go.

The Scots and the Irish

This extensive tour of two Celtic neighbours focuses on the highlights of Scotland together with the north and west of Ireland

Whisky and Waterfalls

Discover the beauty of Highland Perthshire, take a waterfall walk then enjoy a tour and tasting at Scotland’s oldest whisky distillery. What an amazing day out!

Check out our brand new 5-day Islay & Campbeltown Tour!

SCOTTISH ROUTES

Small group whisky tours in scotland, our most popular tours.

• MOST POPULAR
• Map Marker Islay
• Hour Glass 4 days

Four-Day Islay Whisky Tour

This tour takes you to a Scottish island paradise. Islay is home to stunning scenery, ancient history, traditional culture and nine of Scotland’s finest whisky distilleries.

• Hour Glass 5 days

Five-Day Islay Whisky Tour

The ultimate Islay tour is for those who want to experience as much of Islay as possible. We visit every distillery on the island, taste a range of drams and explore its secret spots.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Heart We love what we do : We all love being able to show our guests around the incredible country we call home.

We take you off the beaten track : If you want to meet, eat and drink with the locals, a Scottish Routes tour is for you.

Star Outline Local knowledge and expertise : We are a small Scottish family-owned company with over 25 years’ experience, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Users Our guides : We believe our local guides are second to none. Our team is always ready to go the extra mile to ensure you have the trip of a lifetime.

Checkmark All tours and tastings are included : We’ve designed extra special and unique experiences at each of the distilleries we visit and it’s all included in the cost of your tour.

Wine It’s all taken care of : We’ve organized everything to be as low stress as possible. You can relax, enjoy the whisky and let us do the driving.

GIVE YOUR LOVED ONES AN UNFORGETTABLE WHISKY TOUR IN SCOTLAND

Top rated whisky tours in scotland.

Bespoke Whisky Tours in Scotland

Discover the gems off the beaten track, welcome to scotch mist.

The Highlands and Islands of Scotland are famous for their excellent whisky selections which are known worldwide. The unique and flavourful whisky alongside the beautiful landscape of Scotland create a paradise for anyone who wants to experience real whisky in its home country. At Scotch Mist we believe in the art and craft that goes into making whisky in Scotland’s distilleries. We are offering you the opportunity to visit and experience this with us by offering you bespoke luxury whisky tours. Whisky lovers who want to enjoy the beautiful Scottish countryside with a dram or two on the way will love our tours. Where  the whisky experience is concerned, we have done the research for you and identified the perfect distilleries for your tour. Our tours range from one day whisky tastings to various overnight tours where you will be whisky tasting with the help of trained staff members who have honed each aspect of whisky tasting and know where to take you to experience the best whisky that Scotland has to offer.

Whisky tasting tours

Our team has extensive knowledge about each whisky tasting spot and that enables us to provide the experience you have been looking for all your life. Our guides will take you to the most picturesque whisky distilleries, and the folklores and scenery will take your breath away.

In addition to whisky tasting tours, we find the best luxury hotels for you to relax in and when you feel ready for your evening meal, after all of the whisky tasting, we will help you find the perfect restaurant to suit you. 

Trust, quality, dedication and enthusiasm

We work according to the core values of trust, quality, dedication, and enthusiasm and have made them the backbone of our business operations. While we design the perfect bespoke itinerary for you, we pay attention to each and every detail to ensure that you enjoy a first class experience with us.

Our mission is to ensure that you have an unbeatable vacation experience and we endeavour to show you the best of Whisky in Scotland.  Ultimately you will enjoy the sensational Scottish scenery and diversity of Scottish whisky while we take care of everything for you!

Scotland Trips International

Inbound – Outbound Quality Tour Operator & DMC

Luxury for your pocket since 2014, [email protected].

En: +44 7547 813827               Es: +34 627 477 709

English: +44 7547 813827 Español: +34 627 477 709

Scottish whiskey route tour, the most famous and romantic distilleries of the best whiskey, the "scotch", in the beautiful country where it was born, distilleries to visit and taste: chivas regal – cardhu – blair athol – royal lochnagar.

TOUR OF 4 DAYS + 3 NIGHTS + ACCOMMODATIONS + COMPLETE BREAKFAST INCLUDED! Optional Dinners and Airport Transfers

505 Miles / 815 Km April to October

UISGE-BEATHA (Whiskey) & ALBA (Scotland) are all one! Whiskey is the national drink of Scotland and it is logical since it is the country that saw it born or at least one of the first known where this drink began to be produced. Already the ancient Celts, the Picts in Scotland, produced it since they were experts in the distillation of barley and rye and it was great for them in the cold Scottish months to warm up, they had such a devotion to whiskey that they called it “The Water of Life” UISGE-BEATHA in Scottish Gaelic . As much devotion is had here in Scotland to the Whiskey as finances and employment produces for the country that at the moment more than 100 distilleries in Scotland and the number is currently increasing. The best and recognized brands in the world are of course produced here in Scotland, to name a couple of them: “Chivas Regal” and “Cardhu”, Well, if you are a whiskey lover you are with us in the right country: Scotland! One of the countries, rather, elected in 2017 the most beautiful and bucolic country in the world . What are you waiting for? Come on! We are going to take you to these beautiful and great distilleries at the same time that we will enjoy the most famous treasures and views of the country!

For lovers of Scotch and its country of origin: Scotland!

Our prices are always all-inclusive, with no extra outlay..

• The Caledonian Canal
• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
• inverness shire
• Cairngorms National Park and much more!

DAY 1: Blair Athol Distillery, Castles and incredible views!

Regions: Perthshire & Forest of Tay!

Are we ready? enjoy . During this wonderful and exclusive Tour program full of activities, we will live Scotland immersed in their culture like another native. For this of course, since it is the main purpose of this wonderful tour , we are going to do it through the Whisky , one of the main characteristics of this country present in any of its streets and landscapes. During these four beautiful days and through an incredible design and journey dedicated to whiskey, we are going to visit and taste some of the most famous distilleries of the country and we start with the beautiful Victorian town of pitlochry , world renowned as one of the most beautiful and tourist attractions in Scotland. On the way here we will also cross the bucolic town of dunkeld , founded in the year 820 by the Picto king "Caustantín son of Fegus" and an important religious center in the XNUMXth century where the relics of Columba were. Already in Pitlochry, at the entrance door to the Highlands , is the distillery of Blair Athol . Since the XNUMXth century and watered by the waters of these cold lands in the heart of Scotland, it produces soft whiskeys of great quality, being, of course, in our wonderful selection, one of the largest and most beautiful in Scotland, as we are going to verify. We will taste your Tour in addition to getting to know the entire bucolic distillery, we will taste some of their best and exclusive whiskeys . You will be surprised both by the beauty of the same distillery and the beautiful town where it is located; Pitlochry, besides the bucolic and incredible environment that we are also going to show you today as it is; the magical forest and lakes of Tay , the awesome Blair Castle and Gardens , the " viewpoint of the Queen " in the Tummel Lake , listed as the most beautiful sight in Scotland and the enchanted forest and lake . We are in one of the most beautiful areas of all Alba and this is saying a lot, so we are going to enjoy it and a succulent and pleasant dinner, perhaps an evening with some dances or music Celta and cozy night here at the foot of Cairngorms National Park , the largest and coldest in all of Scotland, but don't worry, you have plenty of whiskey to warm up! We deserve it, it really is a day and a zone magic where, perhaps, it is said, in a Celtic past time, they dwelt, Fairies, Goblins and Druids who enjoyed the "Water of life" just like us today!

  DAY 2: Edradour Distilleries, Royal Lochnagar, Castles and forests!

Regions: Cairngorms National Park.

Cinema! Our day yesterday was literally magical, but today on our second day we will continue to surprise you and we love Scotland so much in ScotlandTrips that makes it very easy for us! It hides corners and views that few countries in the world can find. Consecrated film directors like Steven Spielberg they taste very good because they roll in Scotland and you are going to see it in these great four days. Well, just outside the magical town of pitlochry we visit another type of distillery whiskey , the most "romantic" in Scotland !. Since 1825 Edradour and his farm, recognized as the most unique and small from Scotland , independently produce some of the most exclusive and select whiskeys in the country. Well, after passing through this picturesque distillery we entered the cairngorms To reach one of the proudest Scottish mountain villages and one of the coldest winter areas of the country, we visited the picturesque Braemar , where the typical games of the Highlands . We continue, we continue with our route of “ Scotch ”, In the heart of this National Park we visit or the Royal Balmoral Castle or the Braemar depending on the season and the most hidden distillery in all of Scotland and one of the most precious as well. To supply the British royal family, we visited the distillery of " Royal Lochnagar ”, Precious, next to its supplying lake we will taste the exclusive "Royal Tour" in which they will receive us with a great coffee and ice cream to warm up and after knowing their secret cares we will try two of their most exclusive and "Real" whiskeys ! Well, what a great day, a beautiful National Park, an area of mountain and comforted by the great whiskeys and coffees we crossed the Cairngorms and its incredible mountain landscapes to reach Grantown-on-Spey , we are already in the middle of the route and the whiskey area! Here we will spend our wonderful evening, dinner and tonight!

DAY 3: Surprise yourselves: CARDHU & CHIVAS REGAL, with capital letters Yes!

Regions: Speyside (the Scotch region) & Inverness-shire.

Surprised yes, incredible but true. Two of the best known and recognized world whiskey brands and we are going to call it properly " Scotch ", as they are Cardhu and Chivas Regal , are produced as it could not be otherwise in the legendary and historical land Celta de Alba - Scotland! Well, these two distilleries for us is the zenith of Scotch and its mecca and we are going to take you to know them and taste some of his " treasures ", A dream come true for any lover of the Scotch whiskey and we are in the middle of the whiskey route: Speyside ”. Since 1811 Scotch has been produced in the Cardhu distillery , located on the top of a hill above the river Spey , an area in which the water literally gushed out of the ground filtered by a natural layer of Peat And let's not forget that Scotch is basically and literally: natural water and malted barley !, natural as its components. In our exclusive “ Cardhu Collection Tour " We will taste 6 of their finest Single Malts . But this is not all, as we have mentioned previously, the distilleries selected in our exclusive " Scottish Whiskey Route Tour ”, They are, no longer because of their quality and renowned fame only, but for its own old buildings, beautiful constructions in themselves and… .. you are going to be surprised by the Chivas Regal's Strathisla Distillery What to tell you here, that Scotch lover does not know this precious whiskey…. Let's get to it, let's get to know this emblematic distillery, smell it, taste it, adore it because like the previous one and without underestimating any, it deserves it. Here and depending on its availability, we will taste and get to know this "town" distillery through its exclusive " Straight from the Cask ”Tour or other similar. In this Tour we will have the opportunity to taste several " jewelry ”Prized of the whiskeys of this renowned distillery as well as knowing from the hand of its most master experts the secrets of it. Impressive for Scotch lovers, a dream come true, but as on our route we want and must show you other types of scotland jewelry We have a long way to go today for other tastes as well; you know the famous television series on the history of Scotland " Outlander "? we take you to the megalithic dolmens of the Bronze Age that make it possible to travel back in time to the time of the Jacobite wars and we show you the sadly famous place of their cruel outcome in 1746: the battlefield of Culloden moor . We will also show you the Picto dolmen highest in Scotland and we will reach the beautiful capital of the Highlands region where we are already: Inverness , without known demarcation, extends as the capital of all the highlands , here we will again enjoy our well-deserved evening, dinner and comfortable rest near the river ness , what… .. where will it take us the next day? We tell you.

DAY 4: Boat trip on Loch Ness and disembark at Urquhart Castle!

Regions: Highlands; Caledonian Canal, GlenCoe, Lake Lodmond National Park & ​​The Trossachs!

How's it going? Amazing, right? Wonderful our trip through our exclusive whiskey route! Well, we are going to recharge today with another of our strong and exclusive Scottish breakfasts, we are going to need them. On our last day we headed from North to South, towards Edinburgh, but joyful and happy not only for all the experiences, sensations, emotions and knowledge of Scottish culture that we have already learned and lived, but because an impressive day awaits us today. no visits to distilleries but traveling and enjoying one of the most touristic and beautiful routes in all of Scotland; The Caledonian Canal and the Valley of Tears; Glencoe . Upon reaching this elevated valley between dramatic mountains " Three Sisters "And where you will check why it is recognized as the most beautiful in Scotland, we will tell you its story, but, in the meantime, for now, we are going to launch us in our particular search Nessie , to navigate the Lake Ness ! On this lake waters with more water in the whole of the United Kingdom and along its more than 36 km and 230 meters deep , its inhabitant Nessie may visit us, however, we are going to disembark in his old Urquhart Castle , where its first constructions date from the year 600. The wonderful landscapes that we are seeing are impressive, but the rest of the journey and all the content that we have included for you is no less impressive, without leaving anything behind. We also visit Fort Augustus at the beginning of Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal locks , a course that we are going to follow today and that is being traversed throughout Scotland by small ships from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea. Beautiful and bucolic landscapes and chained lakes that lead us to Fort William; The outdoor capital of the whole of the UK at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. As in all our Tours - Vacations programs, our content and designs are amazing, varied and compelling , so that they impact your soul and you cannot find sensations and compositions of better taste or content and today you are checking it !. We still have some cinema views to go and we say well, the charm of the Ballachulish Bay and GlenCoe es  impressive , packed with pleasure boats and water activities. We crossed the tax the Glencoe Valley, the views of Lake Tulla, the Munros and the descent through largest lake in the whole of the UK, the Loch lomond , they take us to the beautiful town of luss on the edge of it. After a bucolic walk through this tourist town, we will arrive at the capital of Scotland; Edinburgh , which, World Heritage You will have the opportunity to visit and enjoy with us through an extensive and complete program if you wish. But for today, we hope and know that you have completed this beautiful journey with a heart impregnated with the Scottish feeling and the palate of its wonderful and incomparable whiskey: UISGE-BEATHA: The Water of Life !.

VISITS AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

The Jewels of our Tour.

• CHIVAS REGAL DISTILLERY: STRATHISLA. TOUR and SPECIAL TASTINGS (included)
• THE ENCHANTED FOREST
• CARDHU DISTILLERY: TOUR and SPECIAL TASTINGS (included)
• MINI CRUISE BY LAKE NESS (included)
• MEGALITIC DOLMENES.
• PITLOCHRY (ride)
• BALMORAL CASTLE or BRAEMAR (entrance included, not from August onwards, Royal Family holiday home)
• LAKE TUMMEL & TAY FOREST.
• WHISKEY ROYAL LOCHNAGAR DISTILLERY: “THE ROYAL TOUR” (included)
• FORT WILLIAM
• THE MIRADOR DE LA REINA.
• NAIRN BEACH
• BLAIR CASTLE AND GARDENS (entrance included)
• BLAIR ATHOL DISTILLERY: TOUR and SPECIAL TASTINGS (included)
• URQUHART CASTLE (entrance included)
• FORT AUGUSTUS
• CULLODEN MOOR BATTLEFIELD
• EDRADOUR DISTILLERY: TOUR AND TASTING (currently closed to the public)
• GRANTOWN ON SPEY
• THREE SISTERS
• LUSS & LAGO LOMOND

Detailed itinerary before the start of the Tour. No additional costs.

SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

All the activities and visits indicated are included in our closed price In this way, the only expenses you have to add are your travel and flight insurance.

• TOUR OF 4 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS.
• 3 STAR DOUBLE SUITE ACCOMMODATIONS WITH PRIVATE BATHROOM.
• 3 COMPLETE SCOTTISH BREAKFAST.
• COMFORTABLE MID-RANGE VEHICLE - HIGH.
• LOCAL GUIDE AND DRIVER SERVICES IN SPANISH & ENGLISH.
• EXPLANATIONS, ACCOMPANIMENT AND GENERAL CULTURAL INFORMATION OF THE GUIDE.
• VISITS AND INDICATED ACTIVITIES.
• ALSO WE PICK YOU UP AND TAKE YOU TO YOUR HOTELS.

Option to include dinners.  

We provide you with all the extra nights you need in the impressive capital of Scotland; Edinburgh, contact us.  

Not included in the price:

• Travel or personal insurance (mandatory)
• Own purchases or not described in the included section.
• Personal assistant or porter service. (Our guides always ready to help).

DATES OF DEPARTURE AND START OF THE TOUR FROM EDINBURGH:

Ask us for other departure or return points.

Guaranteed Departures.

• On the dates you want from just two people, subject to availability.
• To leave with a single person on the dates you want, the price of two people in the Private section applies.
• Book directly by checking if your dates are available in our availability calendar in the "Book" tab on our website or ask us about groups and open dates, email:  [email protected]
• You can also send us your request by filling out our reservation form:  https://www.scotlandtrips.international/reservas

Reservations are recommended as far in advance as possible.

TOUR PRICES – HOLIDAYS PER PERSON:

On the dates you want from two people and subject to availability. Anticipation counts in your favor.

Low season: January, February, March, October, November, December:

• Adults : £ 1,086    (In Open Group. Age 18 +) • Seniors : £ 1,031    (In Open Group. Age 65+) • Youngsters : £ 1,009    (In Open Group. Age 5 – 17) • From 4 to 8 people : £ 977    (In Open Group. Groups and Families. All ages) • Private Tour : £ 1,248    (From 2 people. All ages) • “Just the Tour” : £ 2,000    (Price per group of 1 to 8 people in Open Group.      No accommodation or tickets included)

Middle season : April, May, June, September:

• Adults : £ 1,185    (In Open Group. Age 18 +) • Seniors : £ 1,125    (In Open Group. Age 65+) • Youngsters : £ 1,102    (In Open Group. Age 5 – 17) • From 4 to 8 people : £ 1,066    (In Open Group. Groups and Families. All ages) • Private Tour : £ 1,362    (From 2 people. All ages) • “Just the Tour” : £ 2,000    (Price per group of 1 to 8 people in Open Group.      No accommodation or tickets included)

High season: July, August, Christmas, Easter. (December 15 to 31):

• Adults : £ 1,245    (In Open Group. Age 18 +) • Seniors : £ 1,182    (In Open Group. Age 65+) • Youngsters : £ 1,157    (In Open Group. Age 5 – 17) • From 4 to 8 people : £ 1,120    (In Open Group. Groups and Families. All ages) • Private Tour : £ 1,431    (From 2 people. All ages) • “Just the Tour” : £ 2,000    (Price per group of 1 to 8 people in Open Group.      No accommodation or tickets included)

Optional Supplements:

• Single suite : £50 per person per night. • Superior accommodations : increase depending on requirements. • Dinners : £5 per person per night to guarantee a table reservation at your hotel or nearest restaurant. Dinners are not included, to be chosen and paid for from the restaurant menu at the client's expense. • Airport transfers : £100 per group of 1 to 8 people and per transfer. • Customized tours : +15% before discounts and taxes.

RESERVATION and PAYMENT OPTIONS:

From monthly payments without interest, choose your option:

Reservation: £150 per person.

1. Reserve + rest 31 days Before the beginning. 2. Reservation + monthly payments the 1st of every month. Last payment 31 days before the start. No Interest. 3. In 3 payments : Reserve + 50% of the rest 30 days before the start of our services + 50% on the first day of the month between these two payments. 4. In 2 payments : 50% upon reservation + 50% 30 days before our services. 5. Additional discount 2%: when payment is made in full upon reservation and less than 90 days before the start of our services. 6. Full payment upon reservation: only option for reservations less than 30 days before the start.

• Prices in the current value of the currency indicated at the time of payments.

PAYMENT METHODS:

Select the method and terms you prefer in the form.

• Bank Transfer : the most recommended method from your own bank. • Card Credit / Debit: two options; Select this method in the form below or use the tab on the right side “Book”. • PayPal Invoice : in the payment terms that you choose, options below the form. • PayPal Link : Enter the amount you want to pay, we will send the remaining payments and dates according to your selection in the form.

• It is possible to choose the lowest applicable price  to each person even within a group.
• Please make payments promptly within the selected deadlines, otherwise your tour may be cancelled. All payments must be completed 31 days prior to the start of services.
• Send us a photo of your Passport or ID by email when making your reservation or within 31 days.
• Contact us by email 1 week before the start of your tour or services to let you know your guide or contact person. 
• Have your travel insurance active, cancellation insurance is optional but recommended for any unforeseen event that may happen to you. Our company has the relevant insurance.
• Please read all the information in the different sections of your tour and in the top menu "tips for coming to the chosen destination."
• Dinners : Optional supplement of 5 pounds per person per night to guarantee a table reservation at the restaurant at your hotel or closest. Dinners are not included, to be chosen and paid for from the restaurant menu at the client's expense.
• Accommodation : At “ScotlandTrips International” our selection of regular accommodation is above average in the same rating ranges that other companies offer. Subject to availability and options of the beautiful locations to visit. Depending on the availability on the dates of the contracted services, the accommodation may be located at a greater or lesser distance from the local center or even in the closest locations with availability, without stopping carrying out any content of the program or itinerary, therefore , the further in advance in the reservations, the better the conditions and situation of the accommodations, as is usual in the tourism sector due to the relationship of supply, demand and dates.
• Routes : super studied, optimized and selected to enjoy the spectacular landscapes. In the event of major causes beyond our control, such as extreme weather and impassable construction sites or other unavoidable events, our guide will decide on an alternative route of equal beauty as far as possible.
• Paid attractions or activities : If any of them are affected by causes beyond our control, decisions regarding the activity itself or modification of the route, the amount of the corresponding ticket will be refunded by refund to the payment method used within a period of 30 days from the end of your tour. .
• Minimum age Recommended for children: 5 years. More Young people consult.
• Kids under 5 years : not recommended, under the responsibility of the parents and option only available in Private Tours. Children will travel for free if there are places available and the Tour meets the conditions for them. They will sleep in a shared room with at least one adult in their family. Meals not included. One child under 5 years old is free per family, from the second the price corresponding to “Children between 5 and 15 years old” will apply. Consult.
• Up to 18 years : it is necessary to come accompanied by at least one adult.
• Possibility of luxury accommodations  and Customized tours: see supplements.
• Baggage : Unless otherwise notified, it is allowed to bring one cabin or medium-sized airplane suitcase per person. Since we usually operate to improve the quality and attention of our services in vehicles or minibuses, space for suitcases is limited and we operate under safety and weight regulations.  

With everything prepared and in order, you are ready to enjoy a wonderful vacation with our company, we are waiting for you, we are waiting for you! 

Customer responsibility consult the  Terms of Sale

Share this Tour in:

This website uses cookies for your best experience. We assume that you agree. Continuing with the navigation you are giving your acceptance, although if you wish you can reject them. Read more

Scotland Scotch Tour: Best Itinerary, Tips, & My Reviews

Have you been wondering about Scotland Scotch Tours? I’ve got you covered!

Scotland has become synonymous with scotch and to truly experience the best of Scotland, you must take a scotch tour! From award-winning distilleries to well-crafted whisky tours, there’s no better way to discover the depth of flavor that Scotland has to offer than on a personal scotch tour.

I’ve taken several of the best Scotland scotch tours, so let me show you my favorite itineraries and distilleries – as well as some helpful tips for planning your own trip.

Read on to learn more about the ultimate Scotland Scotch Tour experience. By the end, you’ll be ready to book your own tour and explore the rich, exquisite flavors of Scotch whisky!  Cheers!  Slàinte mhath! (Good health!)  

This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only recommend resources and items that I have thoroughly researched or love. Thank you for your support!

My Top 3 Picks: Scotland Scotch Tours

Scotch tours are a great way to learn about the history and production of one of Scotland’s most iconic exports. Taking a tour of one of Scotland’s renowned distilleries is an unforgettable experience, perfect for anyone who loves Scotch whisky.

On a scotch tour, you’ll get up close to where the magic happens – from the malting process and fermentation tanks to the whisky aging in oak casks. You’ll also learn about the different types of Scotch whisky, ranging from smoky Islay whiskies to smooth Speyside whiskies. You can even sample some of these unique spirits – giving you a better understanding of what makes Scotch so special.

Overall Best Whisky Distillery Tours In Scotland

✅ Wonderful Staff

✅ Premium Experience

✅ Educational

✅ Passionate Staff

✅ Great samples

Auchentoshan

✅ Close to Glasgow

✅ Very informative

✅ Only distillery that triple distills

Best Whisky Tours From Edinburgh

1. Scotch Whisky Experience

⭐️  RATING:  5/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:   Starts at 45 min 📍 LOCATION: 354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh | ✅  Book it!

The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh is an experience like no other for travelers heading to Scotland. It’s a one-of-a-kind, interactive multimedia tour that takes you through the history of Scotch whisky production with plenty of fun and educational facts along the way.

From there, you can sample up to three different malts depending on which package you pic, as well as learn how to nose and taste whisky like a pro.

Whether you’re a whisky novice or an enthusiast, it’s easy to get immersed in this world of malt and grain when visiting the Scotch Whisky Experience. With a wide range of activities on offer, you won’t be disappointed!

This is always on the top of my list when I bring people to Edinburgh! It is SO fun even for people who think they don’t like whisky. It is a legitimate ride that you get in that takes you through the whisky-making process before they explain to you about the different regions of Scotland that whisky comes from and what makes each unique.

It’s such an incredible experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Its ALWAYS on my small group tours ! They also have a restaurant downstairs, Amber, that is incredible. Definitely make a reservation though, it’s very popular.

🤩 Check Prices and Availability!

2. The Ultimate Whisky Experience from Edinburgh

⭐️  RATING:  4/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:   10 hours | ✅  Book it!

Experience a whisky lover’s dream come true on the Ultimate Whisky Experience from Edinburgh! Get ready to be transported back in time as you visit historic sites and famous distilleries.

Start your journey by crossing the iconic South Queensferry Bridges, then visit Dewar’s Distillery, Aberfeldy, and Glenturrent Distillery – each one offering something unique and special for visitors.

Enjoy a guided tour of these locations, where you will learn about Scotland’s whisky culture, savor samples of world-renowned whiskies, and explore each of the stunning locales. Whisky lovers will not want to miss this one-of-a-kind adventure through Scotland!

The Ultimate Whisky Experience from Edinburgh offers its guests a unique and luxurious whisky-tasting experience. Guests can expect to sample some of the finest whiskies Scotland has to offer, as well as take part in an entertaining and educational whisky masterclass. Here are the top 3 benefits to the Ultimate Whisky Experience from Edinburgh:

What to expect:

1. Photo stop at Queensferry Bridge

2. Tour and Tasting at Dewar’s

3. Stop for lunch in Aberfeldy Village

4. Tour and tasting at Glenturret Distillery for £15

5. Roundtrip transportation to/from Edinburgh

“A wonderful experience all around!!! The scenery and whisky tours will not disappoint. Our guide, Stewart, was the best! He is friendly, informative and made the whole experience wonderful! Part of traveling for us is always meeting new people from around the world. Stewart made a point of knowing and acknowledging where everyone was from and we all enjoyed our time!” Susan_G, via Viator

3. Whisky Distillery Trifecta – Macallan – Glenfiddich – Glenlivet

⭐️  RATING:  4.5/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:   12 hours | ✅  Book it!

Scotch enthusiasts don’t have to choose between these three iconic distilleries, you get them all: Macallan for its signature sherry-aged styles; Glenfiddich for its award-winning range of whiskies to suit all tastes; or Glenlivet for its complex array of candy fruits, delicate florals and subtle spices that are truly unique.

The Macallan distillery, located in Speyside, Scotland, is one of the oldest and most famous whisky distilleries in the world. From its humble beginnings over two centuries ago, it has grown to become the benchmark for premium single malt whiskies. Glenfiddich whisky is equally renowned within the Scotch whisky industry. Founded in 1886 by William Grant in Dufftown, Scotland, Glenfiddich remains independent and family-owned even today. Its award-winning range of whiskies offers something for everyone from novices to experts alike; ranging from light and fruity to sweet and smoky variations. The Glenlivet Distillery was established by George Smith in 1824 and is today one of Scotland’s premier single malt whisky producers. Located on the banks of river Livet in Speyside, this historic distillery produces some of the most complex whiskies on offer.

What to Expect:

1. Three whisky distillery tour or tasting experiences

2. Substitute distillery admission if one of the ones above are closed

3. Private transport

“This tour was amazing. Billy was a great driver, a quick friend, very knowledgeable, and entertaining. Communication pre-tour was great, everything was very clearly laid out. No surprises, just fun. I know there are a lot of choices when you look to book these tours but I can’t imagine a better experience then the one we had through this trip.” Trent_S via Viator

Scotland Whiskey Tour Itinerary Guides

1. 6 day whisky tour: unforgettable scotch whisky tour: edinburgh to islay.

⭐️  RATING:  5/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:   6 Days | ✅  Book it!

Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Come join us on our 6-day whisky tour to experience the best that Islay has to offer! We’ll be starting off in Edinburgh with a tour of the Scotch Whisky Experience where you can get up close and personal with some of Scotland’s finest whiskies and dinner at their restaurant, Amber.

We’ll also take you to Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse Palace, must-see landmarks for any traveler coming to Scotland. Afterwards, we’ll head west to Oban where you can take in the sights and enjoy some local seafood dishes.

Finally, our tour will take the ferry over to Islay where we will be staying for the next four nights stay. We’ll be visiting all the famous Islay distilleries – complete with whisky-tasting sessions – to cap off your whisky-filled journey. So what are you waiting for? Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to explore the world of scotch whisky in one of its most historic locations. Book your trip today and start planning your whisky-fueled adventure!

• 6 nights hotel over 2 hotels
• 6 Islay distilleries with tours and tastings
• Scotch Whisky Experience with dinner
• Tickets and audios guide for Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse Palace
• Ground Transportation throughout
• Farewell dinner at The Devil’s Advocate in Edinburgh
• Breakfast each morning of the trip
• Driver/guide roundtrip from Edinburgh to Islay and back

“We’ve taken 2 trips to Europe with Jessy, and I cannot say enough good things about each one. Being a novice traveler, it was so reassuring to have a guide direct us. She handles every little detail, allowing you to relax and just enjoy the trip. I can’t imagine even attempting travel without her!” Nikki, Camp Hill, Pa

2. 3-Day Whisky Tour: Speyside Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

⭐️  RATING:  5/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:   3 days | ✅  Book it!

The 3-Day Whisky Tour: Speyside Whisky Tour from Edinburgh is a great way to explore Scotland’s whisky culture in one of Scotland’s whisky regions.

You go on a journey through some of the most iconic distilleries in all of Speyside, where you’ll learn about their unique traditions and techniques passed down over generations.

Plus, with two nights in a charming bed & breakfast, you’ll get to relax after your days exploring all that the Speyside region has to offer. Don’t pass up this chance to see one of the most beautiful regions in the country while indulging in local whisky – book your 3-Day Whisky Tour today!

• 3-day whisky tour around the Speyside region of Scotland
• Small group tour with a more personalized experience
• Four distilleries including Dalwhinnie, Benromach and Glenlivet
• Two nights in a B&B

“We were four couples on this excellent Speyside tour. Each day was outstanding. Our tour guide and driver was outstanding: knowledgeable, flexible and high quality!” John_W via Viator

3. Scottish Whisky Distillery Tour

⭐️  RATING:  #/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:   8 hours | ✅  Book it!

Take a tour from Glasgow to visit 3 unique distilleries and learn the secrets behind making perfect-tasting whisky. These Scottish distilleries in the Highlands and Lowlands regions craft luxury spirits from local barley and spring water.

Taste the unique flavors that make each whisky distinct and hear the history of Scotland’s national drink. Even better, enjoy local shortbread while sampling a variety of whiskies!

This tour offers pick-up from Glasgow airport, Ocean Terminal or other locations. Let us know if you have a favorite distillery to visit. Our knowledgeable local driver will provide insightful commentary en route. Join them for an unforgettable whisky adventure!

1. Whisky tasting with shortbread at 3 locations

2. Potentially customizable

3. Very knowledgeable local guide

“Great Tour if you enjoy whiskey! Our guide was excellent! The transportation was very comfortable! When we come back in 2024 we will book other tours!” Ian_M via Viator

Visiting Scotland: FAQs

Visiting Scotland is an incredible experience, but for those looking to fully immerse themselves in the culture and explore its history, a whisky tour is a must.

Not only can you sample some of Scotland’s best whiskies, and learn about their unique flavor profiles, but you can take home a bottle or two as souvenirs!

Why should I take a Scotland scotch tour?

A Scotland scotch tour offers an unparalleled experience in terms of the whisky and its history. You will be immersed in a unique culture and be able to observe how Scotland’s whisky has been produced and matured over centuries.

On top of this, you will have a chance to sample some of the world’s finest whiskeys from multiple distilleries. If you love whisky, then taking a Scotland scotch tour is something you should not miss out on!

What scotch tours are good for avoiding crowds?

The best way to avoid crowds while experiencing the beauty of Scotland’s whisky distilleries is to book a private scotch tour! With a private tour, you’ll have personalized guidance from an experienced whisky connoisseur and be able to explore the distillery in a more intimate way.

The smaller group size allows for more personalized attention from your guide and a more immersive experience. You’ll also get the chance to try rarer versions of Scotch that aren’t available on some of the larger tours.

No matter what kind of Scotch experience you’re looking for, booking a private scotch tour will give you the opportunity to avoid the crowds and gain an exclusive insight into Scotland’s whisky industry.

What is the prettiest distillery in Scotland?

The prettiest distillery in Scotland is undoubtedly the Glengoyne Distillery located in Dumgoyne, just outside Glasgow.

Its natural surroundings make it a stunning and picturesque spot, surrounded by rolling hills and ancient woodlands. The distillery has been producing whisky since 1833, and their whisky production process still follows traditional methods that have been passed down through generations.

The Glengoyne distillery offers tours of their facility as well as the chance to sample some of their products. They also offer a range of gift shop items made onsite with everything from single malt scotch whisky to souvenirs related to whisky production.

Where are most Scotch distilleries in Scotland?

The most well-known Scotch distillery region is Speyside, located in the North East of Scotland. It currently has the most Scotch distilleries with over 60 percent located in Speyside.

Other popular regions include Islay, which is located off the West Coast near Glasgow; and Highlands, which stretches from Inverness to Aberdeen. Each region has its own distinct style of whisky based on ingredients and methods used in producing them.

Can you stay at a distillery in Scotland?

Yes, you can stay at a distillery in Scotland! There is the Isle of Raasay Distillery Whisky Hotel which is a state-of-the-art facility with six rooms that can be booked individually or as a group.

Where is the Whisky Trail in Scotland?

The Whisky Trail in Scotland is a journey of discovery across the country to visit eight whisky distilleries where you can learn about and sample Scotland’s national drink.

The trail stretches from Speyside in the north of Scotland to Campbeltown in the south, with many stops in between, offering an insight into whisky-making practices and history. At each stop along the trail, you can explore the distillery grounds, taste samples from their selection of award-winning whiskies, and take part in masterclasses with local experts.

Whether you’re a whisky connoisseur or just starting out on your whisky journey, you’ll find plenty of interesting facts and stories that will make your day truly unique!

Final Thoughts: Scotland Scotch Tour

Scotland is a paradise for whisky lovers looking to explore and expand their knowledge of Scotch whisky. With a Scotland Scotch Tour, you can explore the different regions, distilleries, and flavors of Scotland’s whisky offerings while traveling through this stunning country. You’ll learn about regional delicacies, popular distilleries, and unique blends that make up Scotland’s whisky culture. As you visit these famed locations and learn about all of the exciting varieties of Scotch whisky, your experience will be unforgettable. At the end of your tour, you’ll no doubt have had an amazing experience that you’ll never forget – but it doesn’t have to end there! Make sure to check out my Unforgettable Scotch Whisky Tour where you can find out more information about the trip as well as book your spot today. Now is your chance to explore Scotland in a way like never before!

Writer | Planner | World Traveler

Jessy Hamel is a syndicated travel writer and the traveler behind Brighter Things. She is hoping to inspire people to travel more through her blog and sharing her personal trips. You can also travel with her as she hosts small group tours to Europe through Brighter Things Boutique Group Tours.

Similar Posts

A How to Guide for International Travel Planning: Stop feeling anxious and see the world!

Historic Downtown Savannah, GA: The 13 Best Things to Do in this Significant City

Bagpipes and Blockbusters: 10 Movies that Instantly Transport You to Scotland

12 Best Inverness Hotels: Where To Stay For All Budgets 2023

Day Trips to Bath from London: An Awesome Escape from London

Visiting Scotland in Winter: My Best Tips for the Perfect Trip

A whisky tour of Scotland: best whisky experiences and distilleries

Take in the sights along with a dram or two in the ‘home’ of whisky

• Newsletter sign up Newsletter

What better place to toast "the water of life" than in the "home of whisky"?

Scotch is a central part of Scotland's identity and also a major tourism driver for the country. With five whisky regions – Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside – that each offer a distinct style and flavour, as well as historic cities and towns and stunning countryside, Scotland is bursting with attractions for whisky fans.

From distilleries to dedicated bars and tours, here are some of the must-try experiences and destinations. 

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Whisky distilleries

With more than 140 malt and grain distilleries, Scotland offers the "greatest concentration of whisky production in the world", said the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). No matter which distillery you visit, "you can expect great Scotch whisky, a warm Scottish welcome, and a fabulous day out".

The abundance of distilleries in Scotland is "heaven for whisky lovers", said Wandering Spirits Global , but can present "a challenge when you’re on the road and trying to keep track of them all".

The distillery tour planning website has helped whisky lovers rise to that challenge, however, by creating a handy interactive Scotland whisky distillery map . Black pins show distilleries not open to the public; distilleries with green pins are open to the public; orange pins by appointment only; and yellow pins are under construction and not currently open to the public.

Two new whisky distilleries are scheduled to open this summer, in Port Ellen on the isle of Islay, and on the Ardgowan estate near Inverkip, 30 miles west of Glasgow. 

The Port Ellen distillery was originally founded in 1825 but shut in 1983, after which the remaining whisky in the warehouse "gained a cult following", said Whisky Advocate . Now, following a $44 million investment by Diageo, the distillery is set to reopen this year, with a visitor centre also on site, and the first new whiskies are due for release by 2031. 

The Ardgowan distillery is likely to follow a similar timeline, with an expected first bottling in 2030. The "state-of-the-art facility will be carbon-negative", according to the site, and will initially produce "just under 265,000 gallons of malt whisky per year, with the potential to double that in the future". 

Bertie's Bar at The Fife Arms, in the Aberdeenshire village of Braemar, "has redefined how we talk about whisky", said Kirk Miller on InsideHook . The bar, which opened in 2021, is home to a "library" of nearly 500 bottles of whisky from around the world, and you can order the spirit "based on food flavour, a favourite song or even another spirit you like".

In the Scottish capital, whisky fans should check out the Tipsy Midgie Whisky and Gin Drinkery on St Leonards Hill, which "has the biggest whisky collection in Edinburgh", The National reported, and which was named Whisky Bar of the Year last September at the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards. Owner Colin Hinds likes to "keep 800 [bottles] open",and "his personal collection stretches to thousands". 

Located on Edinburgh's Rose Street, The Black Cat is another great place to enjoy a dram or two. With more than 200 whiskies on offer, as well as local beers, this laid-back bar does a "good job of mixing the classics with new and limited bottlings”, said Master of Malt 's Millie Milliken, and is "the spot for unpretentious whisky drinking".

Whisky worshippers should also head to the Moray village of Aberlour to check out the 120-year-old Quaich Bar at the Craigellachie Hotel , a  "whisky temple with over 1,000 single malts on offer", said Stinson Carter in Maxim . Here, you can expect to be "surrounded by Scotch lovers from all over the world", who flock to try out Scotland's best whisky offerings. 

In Glasgow, The Pot Still offers a menu with more than 800 whiskies and hosts private tastings in the bar. "With around 400 bottles on the shelf, friendly staff and great service", this is "Without a doubt" one of the city's best bars for whisky, said The Herald . 

Experiences and tours 

There may be "no greater symbol of whisky's bounce-back", said Chitra Ramaswamy in The Guardian , than Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh, an experience  "housed across eight floors of a magnificent art deco building on Scotland’s main shopping street". Offering whisky experiences, retail areas, a unique underground cellar and rooftop bars, the attraction is the result of a "whopping" £185 million investment by Diageo, "scotch's biggest player", in its Scottish operations, and has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors from countries worldwide since opening in 2021.  

For whisky experiences outside of the capital, a wide range of tours are available, departing from locations including Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen and Glasgow. One highlight is Rabbie's four-day Islay and the Whisky Coast tour, departing from Edinburgh, which takes in  the mountainous landscapes of the western Highlands and the distillery in Oban, followed by a ride up to a remote stretch of Islay where Bruichladdich distillery awaits. Scotland’s most famous whiskies – Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg – follow. 

Places to stay  

Opened in November 2023, Linn House on the banks of the River Isla in Speyside, in the northeast of Scotland, is "perfect for whisky lovers", said The Scottish Sun . Along with "glorious countryside" and "traditional Scottish hospitality and fine dining", the hotel has a "curated whisky library" and is owned by Chivas Brothers, makers of the Chivas Regal, Glenlivet and Royal Salute malts and blends,  which has "spearheaded the project in response to the growing demand for luxury whisky experiences".

In Edinburgh, The Balmoral Hotel is another "prime location" for "whisky obsessives", wrote Christopher Friedmann for Wine Enthusiast . More than 500 varieties of whisky are "secreted within the establishment's hand-crafted, oak-panelled whisky cabinet", and the hotel also has "kilted" Whisky Ambassadors who can share their knowledge at a "tailored tasting".

For the "ultimate Scottish Highlands hotel for whisky lovers", said Country Living , try Glenmorangie House in Tain. "As the name suggests", this "charming" hotel is near the Glenmorangie distillery and was "originally owned by the whisky producers themselves". Along with an acclaimed restaurant, the inn offers "beautiful surroundings in which to enjoy a few drams", said The Luxury Editor , and "the entire house pays homage to the drink". 

Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox

A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com

Mike Starling is the digital features editor at The Week, where he writes content and edits the Arts & Life and Sport website sections and the Food & Drink and Travel newsletters. He started his career in 2001 in Gloucestershire as a sports reporter and sub-editor and has held various roles as a writer and editor at news, travel and B2B publications. He has spoken at a number of sports business conferences and also worked as a consultant creating sports travel content for tourism boards. International experience includes spells living and working in Dubai, UAE; Brisbane, Australia; and Beirut, Lebanon. 

Today's Big Question A fight for the future of advanced manufacturing

By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published 12 June 24

Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day

By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published 12 June 24

Speed Read The nation still grapples with violent gangs following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse

By Peter Weber, The Week US Published 12 June 24

The Week Recommends Ramble, sail and feast your way around Scilly to experience a region like no other

By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published 11 June 24

The Week Recommends The archipelago is home to a collection of 'fabulous archaeological sites'

By The Week UK Published 2 June 24

The Week Recommends The brisk months require a certain kind of drinking

By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published 1 April 24

The Week Recommends The award-winning restaurant with rooms is well worth battling the elements to reach

By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published 22 March 24

The Week Recommends Modern vibrancy, design legacy and ancient heritage puts Mexico's jewel alongside other art capitals of the world

By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published 26 February 24

The Week recommends Explore the natural beauty, windswept beaches and crystal-clear waters of Eleuthera

By The Week UK Published 28 January 24

The Week Recommends Plan your trip to the Scottish capital

By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published 13 January 24

The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital

By Kaye O'Doherty Published 9 January 24

• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Advertise With Us

The Week is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

The Ultimate Whisky & Scotch Tour of Scotland

Customers rate Zicasso's travel referral service  4.9  on a scale of 1 to 5 based on  1551  reviews on Trustpilot

We match you with top tour companies that specialize in the trip you want,  whether it's a customized private tour or a group tour.

• Trip Overview

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Request a Quote

Countries Visited

Places visited, suggested duration, customizable itinerary, unraveling secrets.

Edinburgh is filled with tempting nooks that urge you forward to explore the depths of the city. The narrow lanes feel like a labyrinth until they wind back to a familiar avenue. Old storefronts are filled with modern shops and world-class restaurants. The cobblestone streets provide cacophonous echoes that bounce off old walls made of stone. The urban village of Cramond sits near the mouth of the River Almond and creates a bright picture perfect area that combines landscape, charm, and history; from the Romans in the 2nd Century AD to a Bronze Age settlement dating back to 8,500 BC. The nearby riverfront is decorated with ruined mills and roman relics. Your private guide meets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel located in central Edinburgh. The aroma of smoky wood and malt is never far away and settles you into the luxuries of the city and the soon to come flavors of Scotland.

What's Included:

The First of Many Flavors

The capital of Scotland is filled with an unmistakable energy that loops through the streets. You see the powerful image of Edinburgh Castle standing on the Castle Rock. The ramparts wrap around the cliff’s edge and the cobblestone streets lead to neighborhood of Old Town. Your introduction to the fine history and historic flavors of Scotch whisky begins at the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre. The center is located on the Royal Mile, which was the road that leads from the castle entrance to Holyrood Palace.

In actuality the mile runs around 321 feet. You find the center located in a traditional two-story building with bright windows. When you enter the building you are greeted with the alluring aroma of charred wood with a hint of caramelized sugar. Venture through the entire distilling experience. A short presentation offers you insight into the five regions of Scotland known for their techniques and flavorful concoctions. You are handed a card that offers you a scratch-and-sniff recreation of the aromas of each drink for you to immediately understand the differences.

The deeper you venture into the distillery the more you see, from the copper stills to the oak barrels. At the end of the tour you find a bar with a collection of hundreds of Scotch whiskies from around the country. Let your guide take you on another journey through the aromas and flavors of the various labels, dissecting each taste into its specific herbaceous, floral, or fruity scent. The day is young and your time in Scotland has just begun.

Beginning Distillation

Today you venture northbound outside of Edinburgh. The cobblestone streets and towering Edinburgh Castle change to undulating hillsides and verdant grasslands. Arrive in Perthshire and find a distinct variety of scenery. Uncultivated tracks lead into narrow winding lakes. Villages stand beneath unimaginable forests. Five distilleries are located in Perthshire that represent some of the smallest and oldest distilleries in the country. After you visit the 17th Century Palace of the Stuart Kings you will arrive at Edradour Distillery, established in the first quarter of the 19th century. The distillery buildings look like a village. The exterior walls are painted white and the roofing resembles quaint thatched roofs.

The doors shine red against the white walls. You are greeted like an old friend and encouraged to walk around the grounds. Edradour is known for its handmade single malt whisky. You follow your guide and are quickly enticed by the fresh aroma of malt. The sounds of fizzing water emanates from the buildings. You are given an in-depth whisky tasting to experience the great variety of characteristics that comes with age and region. When you sample Edradour 10, a single malt aged 10 years, you catch drift of the fruity and vanilla aromas. You taste a bit of rum-sweetness and toasted almonds that finish on a smooth and pleasant note.

Castles and Royal Appointments

Pass over calm streaming rivers and stone arched bridges in the stunning countryside around Royal Deeside. En route, you pass over the highest main road in Britain at 2,182 feet above sea level. The mountains are brawny but the fields are lush. Balmoral Castle was constructed in the mid 1800s for Queen Victoria and continues to grace the region in both structure and spirit. The white stone edifice is decorated with lush vines. The grass looks like an effervescent field. The grounds cover around 50,000 acres. The castle resembles a classicist’s dream, providing a fairytale structure surrounded by storybook landscape. The ballroom is elegant in its display of Landseer paintings. The royal silver decorates the tabletops and glints in the room’s natural light. Royal Lochnager Distillery is situated next to Balmoral Castle grounds. The aromas of light toffee and planed wood beckon you closer for a day’s tasting.

Touching Celebrity

The silvery-gray granite of Aberdeen calls to you in the early light. The city ripe with wealth and grew from the stone of the Rubislaw Quarry. The sunlight shimmers off of the gray stone buildings and provides a lively shimmer to the day. Today you will embark on a wave of the toffee colored libation that the Scots call “Water of Life.” Your trail takes you beyond the bustling shopping center of Union Street, away from the early morning visit to Aberdeen, into the fertile landscape of Moray County, and visiting the famed distilleries of Glendfiddich, Glenlivet, and Macallan. The stone building of Glenlivet sits in an open field. The countryside is lush and open.

The hills roll in the distance against the horizon of blue sky. The newer tourist center is made of glass and allows you to see into the copper stills. The staff is knowledgeable about the distillation method and the history of the Glenlivet. The remote location in both altitude and distance provides unadulterated flowing water and the clarity of a pure product. The aroma of the whisky filters through the scent of lush grass, farmland, and sweet marshy riverbanks. When you taste the Glenlivet aged 12 years you find notes of apple and elements of creamy citrus that blend perfectly with the area’s boundless nature.

Coastland to Highland

The Moray coastline is enrapturing in its raw power and beauty. Crags have been shaped by wind, rain, and waves. The strong stones have been carved out and left with incredible holes that look like giant doorways. Travel along the roadway for a scenic drive that offers views of the cobalt sea. The beaches range from white sand to waves of spikey rocks. Near Bow Fiddle Rock, named for its resemblance to a bow fiddle, the grassland blossoms with purple and pink flowers, breaking up a bit of the lush greenery that leads to the pebbled shore. Off the coast you may see dolphin pods leaping out of the water.

You can join a tour and make your way on the water to view the dolphins and whales in their natural habitats. Dolphins love to play in the wakes of boats. Whales breach the water and splash down in the distance. Venture inland to Inverness and stop at Culloden Battlefield. The plain contains stones that mark various regiments to help commemorate the battle and the lost. The battle took place in the 18th century and was the last battle to take place on British soil. Each stone commemorates a specific clan. The small stone tower towards the tree line is a memorial for the English.

The Greatest Heights

The banks of the River Spay are quiet and calm in the morning. The sunrise pierces through the thin layer of early mist that brushes over the hillside like a thin veil. People wade into the waters upstream from the hustle of Grantown on Sprey village and fly-fish. Their lines arch and angle in the air before gracefully plopping into the river. The water courses around the fishermen. The area is filled with a variety of distilleries and stunning walks, including through Rothiemurchus Forest. The Caledonian trees stretch from the riverbanks to the plateau along Cairngorms National Park. Much of the landscape has belonged to the Grant family since the 16th century.

The scenery undulates between towering trees, open grassland, and posturing mountaintops. Capercaillie, a fowl, which looks similar to a turkey, but is also known as the wood goose, roams freely in the forest. They can grow up to a 33 inches in length with a wingspan 49 inches. Dalwhinnie Distillery is located 1,164 feet above sea level and is one of the highest distilleries in the country. You can see the golden coloration of the single malt whisky before you arrive at the distillery, sparkling like a treasure. The smooth texture and hints of honey provide a lingering satisfaction that turns the pleasurable journey transcendent.

Another Taste of Scotland

You leave behind the high mountain plateau of the highlands and wind through the Trossachs. The stunning beauty of the landscape rises out of the grassy hillsides and expansive lake. Small, lush islands rise out of the cobalt waters. The hills are thickly forested away from the waterway and have been a popular and romantic getaway for the British since the 19th century. Nearby is Stirling Castle. The stronghold was built atop a large cliff that overlooks the flatland. The rock is solid and steady. The stone edifice is equally stoic and impressive. Trees rise up a portion of the cliff. The castle as it currently stands was constructed in the 14th century. The stronghold has always been thought of as the key to holding Scotland.

Six rooms were constructed by order of James V, three for the king and three for the queen. The suites are flush with color and elegant fireplaces. It took years to hand weave the tapestries that hang in the royal chambers that depict an entourage hunting a unicorn. The exuberance of the landscape illuminates the opulence of the castle. The aromas of the historic stone lift in the slight breeze. In the surrounding buildings hold battle history and original murals that date back to the 17th century. Old letters from the 19th century provide insight into the mindset of noble soldiers during World War I and World War II.

Drifting Aromas

In the distant hills around Stirling the sun spotlights the monument of William Wallace. The single tower rises over the trees atop the summit known as Abbey Craig. The tower was constructed in the 19th century and stands 220 feet tall. The sandstone provides a strong exterior against the vivacious scenery. The sounds of people walking on cobblestone streets and the picturesque Edinburgh Castle overtake the memories of Stirling County. Your private transfer escorts you to the airport for your flight home. You can imagine the way each castle and glen looks today. You can hear the free roaming creaks and streams rushing through the hillsides. You remember the layers of aromas that filtered out of each glass in every distillery you visited.

Visit Zicasso's tour packages of Europe page to view other popular destinations.

Trip Highlights

• Visit a collection of world famous and locally famous whisky distilleries throughout Scotland
• Enjoy private tours and guided tastings of whiskies that you have never sampled
• Explore imposing castles and charming villages that decorate the countryside
• Travel around the fabled waters of Loch Ness
• Traverse the treasured grounds of Rothiemurchus Forest 
• Indulge in scenic drives and the magnificent views offered by secluded distilleries
• Cruise on the water off of the stunning Moray Coast in search of dolphins and whales 

Detailed Description

The wonders of Scotland can be experienced in so many ways. Whisky here is more than a drink; it's a birthright. This 9-day Scotland tour  is meant for Scotch connoisseurs and whisky enthusiasts, landscape lovers and castle seekers, and the just plain curious and spirited. Each distillery offers an assortment of flavors and history bottled and packaged, meant to be enjoyed. You will find elegance in palaces and exuberance around Loch Ness. You will be guided through cities, the wilderness, villages and a wealth of tastes that you never knew existed.

Your journey begins with your arrival in Edinburgh. The city is home to an historic castle and ancient villages, cobblestone streets and hidden alleyways. Explore the city and find the beauty of its old façade filled with modern culture. Spend time in the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre to begin your journey of the different flavors of the five whisky producing regions of Scotland. Outside of the city, you will come to Perthshire and the palace of the Stuart Kings.

Visit a local distillery known for producing its single malt by hand. The lakeside view provides peaceful glistening water and flowing grassland. Follow the road to Royal Deeside to visit Queen Victoria’s royal palace and the distillery located right next door - just another reason why it’s good to be the queen. The nearby Cairngorms Mountains fill the horizon. The large city of Aberdeen has a silvery glow. Explore the secluded distilleries of the county, which include Glenfiddich, Glen Grant, and Macallan.

Take time to view the exceptional Moray Coast. Step aboard a local boat and enjoy the sea air as you search for dolphins and whales. Grantown on Spey leads you into a collection of woodland walks that wind through Rothiemurchus Forest. Brave the distance and altitude to visit one of Scotland’s highest distilleries. On your way back to Edinburgh you can explore the Trossachs woodland area and tour the lavish Stirling Castle. After your return to Edinburgh, your private transfer will escort you to the airport for your flight home. 

Starting Price

$3,505  per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

• Accommodations
• In-country transportation
• Some or all activities and tours
• Expert trip planning
• 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.85 stars based on 370 reviews.

Reviewed By  Jody B.

Reviewed By  Ken M.

Reviewed By  Pam C.

Reviewed By  Elizabeth M.

Reviewed By  Jon C.

Reviewed By  Ceile H.

Expert Tips for Discerning Travelers

Your Dream Vacation

in 3 simple steps

Describe your dream trip

Get matched with top travel specialists

Book the trip

Help Me Plan My Trip

Free service - no credit card required

Traveling Without a Passport

The Beginner’s Guide to a Scottish Whisky Tour

Whisky. Whiskey. Scotch. Bourbon. Whatever you call it, however you spell it, whisky isn’t your average alcoholic beverage. Much like oenophiles would their wine, discerning enthusiasts and spirit snobs have long treated whisky like a piece of art—the act of distilling it a craft, the act of drinking it an art form. It’s long been a subject of gentlemanly debate, from how it’s spelt to how it’s served and enjoyed.

Thank goodness, then, that Scotland, the biggest whisky producer in the world, isn’t lacking in tours. Such tours take lucky visitors to distilleries to learn not only about the distillation, ageing, and packing processes but also how to drink the “water of life” like a true connoisseur.

Travel to: Scotland

From the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail in the Speyside area, where more than half of the country’s distilleries are located, to Campbeltown, the smallest region in the country, there are more than enough whisky tours for beginners and experts alike. Just be sure you know how to handle your liquor.

Make a list of Scotland’s whisky regions

Though a small country, Scotland has more than 120 whisky distilleries spread across five distinct whisky-producing regions, each one slightly different from the other. Which whisky region you should tour depends on what flavour profile you like most, how much time you have, and whether or not you prefer to go off the beaten path.

Only recently recognised by Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) as an official whisky region due to the number of distilleries the area is home to, this area in the eastern Scottish Highlands hosts about 50 distilleries. That’s the official count, although some claim it to be more than that. Speyside is, therefore, a prime destination for a whisky tour , especially if you’re interested in the spirit’s history and heritage.

Whisky from Speyside are typically light and sweet, yet complex. Home to one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, not to mention the famous Malt Whisky Trail that takes you to nine must-visit distilleries, it’s great for whisky enthusiasts who enjoy rich, fruity, spicy, and vanilla flavours in their glass.

• Distilleries to visit: Glenfiddich, Macallan, and Glenlivet.

The Highlands

With around 47 distilleries within its boundaries, the hilly region of the Highlands in the north comes in a close second as Scotland’s whisky destination. It’s home to many of the biggest names and oldest distilleries in Scottish whisky history. More importantly to whisky enthusiasts, it produces a number of different flavour profiles.

From deep, textured flavours to lightly peated (smoky) and those with floral notes, the diversity of whisky styles in this region is just the ticket for those who prefer to experiment with different types. Diverse too are its distilleries, which range from the oldest in the country, namely Glenturret that started in 1775 as an unlicensed facility, to some of the youngest ones.

• Distilleries to visit: Oban and Talisker.

See Also: Best Castles You Can Stay at in Scotland

The Lowlands

If you can’t make it up to Speyside, you might go for a tour of the Lowlands. While it might not sound too exciting, the Lowland region is, in fact, an ideal place to introduce your palette to single malts, not to mention quite accessible with Edinburgh and Glasgow just quick drives away.

Peated whisky enthusiasts might be better off spending their time in Islay. However, those who prefer light and delicate flavour profiles including citrusy, floral, and sweet, will find the 17 or so distilleries here simply divine.

• Distilleries to visit: Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie.

Don’t let Islay’s tiny island size and small number of distilleries fool you. Not only is Islay home to the second oldest distillery in the country, Bowmore, which traces its roots back to 1779, it also pulls its weight in whisky production. A four-day tour of this region will satisfy your cravings. 

Bowmore itself is reported to have an annual capacity of 2,000,000 litres, and both Bowmore and Laphroaig are the two key distilleries for one of the top whisky companies in the world. Those who are addicted to smoky flavours will adore Islay whisky as they known to be heavily peated, with just a hint of salty and sweet.

• Distilleries to visit: Lagavulin and Laphroaig.

Campbeltown

If you think Islay is the smallest whisky-producing region in Scotland, think again. There is still, after all, Campbeltown, which only has three distilleries under its belt. Why, then, is it considered a whisky region? Perhaps because in its peak, it boasted about 30 distilleries. Or perhaps because the single malts produced here are so distinctive in flavour, they more than deserve to be singled out.

If you’re one of the more discerning single malt lovers, then you must make a beeline for this former royal burgh in the Kintyre peninsula. 

• Distilleries to visit: Springback, Glengyle, and Glen Scotia.

Even if you aren’t a fan of the hard stuff, a whisky tour in Scotland will expose you to gorgeous views, fascinating history, and the opportunity to connect with locals in a way not many other tours can offer.

Is a Scottish whisky tour on your bucket list? Can you taste the amber smokey syrup on your lips already? Then consider your options and go touring. 

Michelle Rae Uy

Michelle is Los Angeles-based writer, editor, and photographer with a bad case of wanderlust. Her dream, next to travelling the world, is to own her own funky, boutique hotel with a small animal sanctuary so she can spend the rest of her days chilling with cats and hedgehogs. Follow her on Instagram .

Related Articles

• Central America
• Tips & Tricks

Is Costa Rica Safe to Visit Right Now?

Costa Rica, known for its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and abundant...

• Destination Guide
• North America
• South America

Your 4 Must-Visit Inclusive Destinations

Nothing connects people from different parts of the world and disparate...

• Food & Drink

Your Guide to Amsterdam’s Secret Bars and Speakeasies

One of the most popular cities in Europe, Amsterdam has no...

5 Things Your Friends Who've Never Been on a Tour Won't Understand

Get unlimited access to the world's best travel stories. subscribe now., privacy overview.

This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Outer Space

Outer space chrome.

• Tour of Scotland
• Pumpkin Potion

Christmas Globe

Sixpence pud.

• Lunar New Year
• Whisky Tour of the World
• Christmas Tree

New customers save 10% with code WELCOME10

Cart 0 items

Sorry, looks like we don't have enough of this product.

Shipping & taxes calculated at checkout

A Whisky Tour of Scotland II

2nd Edition • Premium Whisky Advent Calendar

Go on a journey across Scotland to select 24 rare and aged single cask and blended expressions from the five Scotch whisky regions to offer the perfect gift for whisky enthusiasts.

Distilled and bottled in some of the best distilleries in Scotland, these limited release casks offer the very best of aged, old and rare Scotch whiskies across the Lowland, Speyside, Highland, Islay and Campbeltown regions. Presented in the form of a cabinet, handmade in wood and finished in the same way as a traditional whisky cabinet, it’s the perfect place to keep and store miniatures long after Christmas too. Each 50ml dram is bottled straight from the cask and represents an expression of some of the best whiskies Scotland has to offer. The advent calendar contains: • 24 x 50ml Whiskies, 46-53% ABV • 15 Single Malts • 5 Single Grains • 4 Blended Expressions

Our other brands

< CLICK & DRAG >

VODKA LIQUEUR

CHOCOLATE CREAM LIQUEUR

GIN LIQUEUR

This Type Of Tour Is The Highlight Of Any Trip To Scotland, According To Rick Steves

T here are multiple European countries who take immense pride in their beverages. Think wine in Italy , beer in Czechia, or more specific drinks like Guinness in Ireland. Aside from tourists flocking to world famous bars and pubs throughout the continent, the international intrigue surrounding Europe's popular drinks makes for immersive tours of wineries, breweries, and the like all over Europe.

Among Europe's regions which are renowned for — if not synonymous with — specific drinks is Scotland. This northern section of Great Britain evokes images of kilts and imposing castles. While you enjoy all the stunning destinations on your Scotland trip , you may want to grab a glass of Scotland's popular beverage: Scotch. Better yet, you may want to add a Scotch distillery tour to your itinerary. "This is a land of booze geeks," travel expert Rick Steves explains on his website . "Whether or not you like this stuff, a highlight of a visit to Scotland is touring a distillery — and you can choose from more than 100."

Read more: The Prettiest Waters Around The World

Distillery Tours Are Located All Over Scotland

Scotch is a type of whiskey (spelled "whisky" in Scotland) curated in Scotland. While there are single malt and single grain Scotch whiskies, people tend to buy blends between the two or blends of malt or grain whiskies combined from more than one distillery. Different regions of Scotland have their own flavor hints as well, such as vanilla in the northwest Highlands or lighter flavoring around Edinburgh.

Rick Steves has taken part in a handful of Scotch whisky distillery tours. While they all bring unique experiences in environment and flavors, Steves recommends some standouts. In the fairytale-like town of Oban, the late 18th century Oban Distillery is a significant draw. Tours take visitors behind the scenes to show the process of making Oban Scotch whisky and include tastings. After the tour, head to the local  Cuan Mor  restaurant with whisky curated from the Oban Distillery. Straight north of Edinburgh is the Speyside Cooperage with tours paying special attention to the barrels — or casks — which hold the whisky for years before they are ready for consumption. Speyside Cooperage is slightly more remote, but accessible through the nearby town of Elgin.

See One Of The World's Largest Whisky Collections In Edinburgh

For a distillery tour near some of Scotland's biggest tourist attractions, check out those offered by the  Scotch Whisky Experience in the historic and stunning city of  Edinburgh . The Scotch Whisky Experience also features one of the largest collection of Scotch whisky in the world, with almost 4,000 bottles. This company is located on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, a section of the city's Old Town encompassing the stark Edinburgh Castle, landmark churches, and authentic shops in between. One of these shops deserving of a visit is Cadenhead's Whisky Shop. In a YouTube video , Rick Steves explains that the whisky sold here is "from the source," and therefore "without all the compromises that come with more profitable mass production."

The pride which Scottish people have in their Scotch whisky is a prime example of "food patriotism." This relates to how important it is to connect with local culture through cuisine. "Understanding 'food patriotism' here in Scotland — or in any corner of the world — brings out the fun and fascinating facets of each place," Steves says on his website . Take part in Scotland's "food patriotism" responsibly, however, as Scotch whisky has a ABV of 40 percent.

Read the original article on Explore

We've noticed that you're using an out of date browser. We recommend that you update to the latest version to enhance your browsing experience.

We've refreshed our website design so things may look a little different if you've been here before. We'll be making more improvements soon so watch this space.

Dalmore Distillery Wagon

© Dalmore Distillery Wagon

Dalmore Distillery

Invergordon Port Taste of Scotland Highland Whisky Distillery Tour

Take a tour of The Highlands Of Scotland and Include Whisky from our favourite distilleries and you will have a day to remember "Todays Rain is Tomorrows Whisky" a wise man once told me

A Taste of Scotland Tour from Invergordon Port of Cromarty Firth

HIGHLAND DISTILLERY TOUR

Starting your Day at 8.30am & Finishing about 4pm

we will collect you from your hotel in Inverness or we will collect you from the port of cromarty firth at Invergordon

First we will had to the Tomatin Distillery for your tour and tasting

Second its Ord Distillery for a taste of singleton whisky for a taste of the signature selection at Glen old Singleton

3rd its a tasting at Glenmorangie or Balblair Distillery

AROUND 6 HOURS

Price on Request

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

January — December

Contact details

• +44 (7572) 817097
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Tour information

• Invergordon
• Inverness Airport
• Inverness City Centre
• Inverness, Loch Ness & Nairn
• Small Group (1-16)

Tour company information

Highland discovery tours and travel.

Highland Discovery Tours and Travel collecting from Inverness and Invergordon. Offering Multiple day tours in our comfortable and luxury vehicles. All our tours are private tours with just your group or even yourself and your driver guide who will have knowledge and expertise in your chosen tour available tours Isle of Skye from Inverness Glencoe from Inverness Outlander and history tour Distillery tours golfing transfers to all scottish golf courses Lochness tours Dunrobin Castle tours

Social Channels

Visit Highland Discovery Tours and Travel

Opening times

everyday from 9am to 6pm for bookings and enquires email for out of hours and late bookings

Other tours from this company

Isle of Skye Private Tour From Inverness

Departs: Inverness Airport, Inverness City Centre, Inverness, Inverness, Loch Ness & Nairn, The Hig...

Would you like to walk in the land of the fairies and swim in the fairy pools or...

Price from:

Fort William and Glencoe Tour with Private Driver

Departs: Inverness

Take our Fort William and Glencoe tour This will you deep into the mountains of...

Loch Ness Tour From Invergordon Cruise Ship Port

Departs: Invergordon

Are you looking for a Loch Ness Monster or just wanting to enjoy the highland sc...

Invergordon Port to Dunrobin Castle Tour

Take a 6 hour tour heading north into the highlands on this tour you will visit...

The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.

Whiskey content

The difference between scotch and bourbon, legally, here’s the difference.

Scotch whisky has a long, proud heritage that likely stretches back long before its first recorded reference in 1495. Is it the oldest type of whisk(e)y on the planet? We will probably never know, but we can tell you exactly what it takes for a whisky to be legally considered “Scotch.” But before that let’s take a moment to review bourbon.

You’ll probably remember that bourbon has to be produced in the United States from a grain mixture that’s at least 51% corn, and must be aged in new, charred oak barrels. It can be distilled to no more than 160 proof, and it has to enter into the barrel for aging at no more than 125 proof. When it’s bottled, the spirit has to be at least 80 proof. Also, bourbon can’t contain any added flavors or coloring. But you probably knew all of that.

So what, legally, is Scotch? Well, that’s a little complicated, so lets start by breaking Scotches down by type. Single malt Scotch whisky can be produced only from water and malted barley at a single distillery through batch distillation in pot stills. Single grain Scotch is also distilled at a single distillery and, in addition to water and malted barley, can also contain whole grains of other malted or unmalted cereals. So those are the two basic types of Scotch, but there are also three different types of blended Scotch whisky:

• Blended malt Scotch is a blend of two or more single malt Scotches from different distilleries
• Blended grain Scotch is a blend of two or more single grain Scotches from different distilleries
• Blended Scotch may contain at least one of both single malt and single grain Scotch whiskies

Now what are the other legal requirements for Scotch? Rirst and most obviously: it has to be of Scotland—produced in a Scottish distillery using water and malted barley (and in the case of single grain—other cereals). Legally, the barley isn’t required to be Scottish in origin. This mixture must be processed into a wort at the same distillery, where it is next converted into a fermentable substrate through endogenous enzyme systems. At the same distillery, (they’re very particular on that point) it has to be fermented with yeast, and it must be distilled to an alcoholic strength by volume at under 94.8%. And we’re not done yet. Next, the whisky has to be aged in an excised (taxed) Scottish warehouse in an oak cask that doesn’t exceed 700 liters for at least three years. The finished spirit can be bottled at no lower that 40% ABV and must retain the color, flavor and aroma of the raw materials and method of its production and maturation. Interestingly, some caramel coloring is acceptable to add, but no other flavors can be introduced into the Scotch. It’s worth noting that the age statement on a bottle of Scotch must reflect the youngest whisky used. While Scotch varies greatly between regions, single grain vs. single malt or duration of aging, the whisky must meet all of the requirements listed above to legally be called Scotch. So could you produce an American-style whiskey in Scotland? You could, but not legally. In 1988, The Scotch Whisky Act expressly forbade the production of any type of whisk(e)y other than Scotch in Scotland. As far as nationalism goes, it’s working. Scotland exports nearly one billion bottles per year.

RELATED CONTENT

Explore angel’s envy, whiskey content, why charring barrels matters, the science of storing whiskey, the surprising origin of the word ‘cocktail’, kentucky’s climate: the engine that drives bourbon’s flavor.

Crown Royal Unveils Its First Ever Single Malt Canadian Whisky

• by Beth Squires
• June 5, 2024

Iconic Canadian whisky brand, Crown Royal , is broadening its horizons with the release of the new Crown Royal single malt Canadian whisky expression. 

Known for its well-loved blend and flavored whiskies , this venture marks Crown Royal ’s first foray into the single malt whisky market. 

Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky is available now in-store and online for an RRP of $54.99. 

The Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky 

The new single malt whisky is distilled from 100% malted barley grains. As is stated on the packaging, the whisky is “delicately crafted in the Canadian cold”, making use of the country’s cool climate, much like that of Scotland. This delicate distillation, according to the press release, “ gives the whisky an even smoother and inviting taste to be enjoyed by both newcomers to the world of elevated whisky and connoisseurs alike.” 

The Crown Royal Single Malt is presented in a beautiful decanter that calls back to Crown Royal’s original bottle design. The detailing on the front of the silver box is reminiscent of fracturing ice, evoking striking images of Canadian winters. 

Bottled at 45% ABV, the Crown Royal Single Malt features aromas of “creamy vanilla and fruity banana” on the nose. On the palate, expect notes of “caramel, apple and baking spices, finishing with lingering hints of spice and warming cinnamon”. 

Crown Royal’s Lower Manhattan Installation 

In celebration of the brand’s venture in the world of single malts, the brand will host a unique ice sculpture installation at Brookfield Place (230 Vesey St, New York, NY), in Lower Manhattan on Friday, June 7th at 10 am ET. 

There, an ice sculpture will slowly melt over the course of 24 hours to reveal the stunning single malt decanter. The installation is not only a celebration but a testament to the gentle maturation that produced the new whisky and, of course, the beautiful Canadian landscape. 

The Ultimate Guide To Crown Royal Whisky

The Best Age-Statement Bourbon & American Whiskey From The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024

Ardbeg Looks Back On The Millennium With The Ardbeg Vintage Y2K

Whisky Review: Macallan 10 Year Old Early 2000s

New Releases: Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, Loch Lomond, Tamdhu

Scotch Whisky Legends: Glenfiddich 1956 29 Year Old For Intertrade

The ‘Best In Show’ Bourbons & Whiskeys From To The TAG Global Spirits Awards 2024

Anyone 21+ who visits the pop-up will also receive an exclusive invitation to the Crown Royal Cocktail Tour, hosted by participating local bars. Such bars include Liberty Bistro, Monk McGinn’s, and Broadstone. There, customers can enjoy crafted Crown Royal cocktails and purchase selected merchandise. 

“Cut From The Canadian Cold” 

Jessee Damashek, Senior Vice President North American Whiskeys at Diageo , commented on what is surely a new era for the Canadian whisky brand:  

“We’re proud to continue our tradition and legacy of trailblazing with the newest addition to our portfolio, Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky. As a leader in whisky, we’re shaking up the category with this new innovation – defined by our signature smoothness and unique, Canadian origin. Our take on this single malt is truly distinct, every piece of it tells a story – from its  origin and distillation process to its stunning packaging design. Cut from the Canadian cold, this Single Malt offers our consumers a whisky that can be enjoyed on any occasion.”

The Ultimate Guide To The Macallan 18 Year Old

Exploring everything from origins to packaging changes, to current market prices – here is everything you need to know in the ultimate guide to the Macallan 18 Year Old. 

• Whisky Review: Dewar’s Double Double 21 Year Old Mizunara Cask Finish

We review Dewar’s Double Double 21 Year Old Mizunara Cask Finish, a blended Scotch whisky offering that was finished for a period in Japanese Mizunara oak casks.

• Baccarat & Basil Hayden Team Up For 77th Annual Tony Awards

The two companies will present curated cocktails at a Baccarat x Basil Hayden VIP speakeasy.

Beth Squires

Beth joined Mark Littler Ltd full-time in October 2020 following the completion of her university degree. Since then she has gained wide-ranging knowledge of all things whisk(e)y, and has written extensively for both company and external publications. Beth is passionate about industry innovation, marketing, and sustainability. With a particular affinity for independently bottled rare scotch, Beth is also a whisky bottle investment specialist.

• Rod Stewart & Son Liam Celebrate Father’s Day With Wolfie’s Rockstart Martini
• Rosebank Distillery Reawakens, Welcomes First Guests After 30-Year Closure
• Beam Distillery Annouces New Visitor Experiences & Events
• Plans Announced For Scotch Whisky Distillery At Inverary Castle
• Whiskey Review: Lost Lantern Far-Flung Rye
• Whisky Review: Macallan 10 Year Old 1990s
• Whiskey Review: Old Elk Cigar Cut Island Blend
• Whiskey Review: Old Elk Wheat N’ Rye

Mark Littler LTD trading as The Whiskey Wash

Ltd Company Number: 11174184 | VAT Number: 289367148

www.marklittler.com – shop.marklittler.com

© Copyright 2024 – The Whiskey Wash – All Rights Reserved | Website by Milkshake Creative

The 44 best things to do in D.C. this weekend and next week

Celebrate Juneteenth or Pride, watch Euro 2024 soccer with international crowds, jam at a blues festival or have fun at Columbia Heights Day.

Juneteenth festivals, concerts and family events dominate the coming days, but there’s so much else to do: Pride celebrations ranging from cheese tasting to Beyoncé-inspired soirees; the kickoff of the Euro 2024 soccer tournament; dueling blues festivals in Arlington and Silver Spring; anniversary parties at local breweries and nightspots; a documentary film festival; an exhibit dedicated to street art and sneakers; and a trivia night focused on “Glee.”

Thursday, June 13

DC/DOX festival

DC/DOX, a film festival devoted entirely to documentaries , is back for its second year in Washington. Catch a doc at museums, memorials, Landmark’s E Street Cinema, the Eaton hotel and more venues across town, with a total of 51 features and 47 shorts. That includes world premieres for five films, including a campaign-trail film analyzing Alaska’s ranked choice voting system called “Majority Rules” and another about the private companies vying to explore Earth’s orbit called “Wild Wild Space.” There’s something for all interests within the lineup, with films diving into topics from fashion design to hunting for dinosaur fossils. Through Sunday. Some films are free; most are $15. $195 for an all-access pass.

Flash 11th Anniversary

For 11 years, Flash has been a mainstay of D.C.’s club scene, and host to a broad spectrum of electronic music. That diversity is on full display over the next four days, as the Florida Avenue venue marks its anniversary. It kicks off Thursday with Amsterdam’s Marrøn , whose brand of techno is deep and aggressive. Friday brings veteran Ron Trent , grounded in Chicago house and Detroit techno, on the club level, while three-time DMC world champion DJ Craze spins a drum-and-bass set on the rooftop. Saturday begins with Nu Androids hosting tech-house producer Ayybo for an early (4 to 9 p.m.) set before the Lisbon-based Satya Records takes over two rooms for a showcase. Everything wraps up Sunday afternoon with a free wellness session and a set of chilled-out melodic techno from Berlin’s Einmusik . Through Sunday. Times and cover charges vary .

Beneficial Beers at Andy’s Pizza

Do you like award-winning pizza, delicious craft beers and helping the next generation of women? Enjoy all three at Andy’s Pizza in Shaw at a fundraiser for Girls Inc. DC , a nonprofit that works to inspire and support girls from kindergarten through 12th grade in D.C. The cover charge is good for unlimited pizza from Andy’s, our pick as the best New York-style slices in D.C . Andy’s beer director Emily Brown has curated a special menu to accompany the pies; beers are purchased individually, with all proceeds going to Girls Inc. 6 to 9 p.m. $20 .

Paste and Rind’s Pride Beer and Cheese Pairing at Red Bear Brewing

A delicious Pride party finds Kara McGrath, the owner and cheesemonger at Paste and Rind, hosting a tasting of cheeses produced by LGBTQ+ cheesemakers, paired with beverages from Red Bear, D.C.’s first LGBTQ-owned brewery. Tickets include a cheese board, beer flight and guided tasting. 6 to 8 p.m. $50 .

Drag happy hour at Dauphine’s

Dauphine’s is already one of our favorite places for a happy hour cocktail — $9 daiquiris and spritzes? Done! — so it should be even better when the scene moves to the patio with performances by D.C. drag celeb Cake Pop to celebrate Pride Month. 4 to 7 p.m. Free .

Black Punk Now at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

D.C. is the home of Bad Brains, a trailblazing hardcore band whose members were all Black. More than 40 years after their self-titled debut, faces in bands and audiences remain predominantly White. James Spooner, the co-founder of the Afro Punk Festival, and Chris L. Terry, an author and former punk vocalist, are the editors of “Black Punk Now,” an anthology combining essays, autobiography, comics and fiction about the experiences of Black punk fans and musicians. They discuss the 2023 collection at the D.C. central library, followed by a signing session. 7 p.m. Free; registration required .

Classic Film Weekend at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Before the Hays Code silenced the side of Hollywood that might’ve “lowered America’s moral standards,” films made between the late 1920s and 1934 explored social injustice, sex, ambition and crime. AFI Silver Theatre is bringing several of those pre-code films to the big screen, including those with stars such as Clara Bow, James Cagney, Barbara Stanwyck and Cary Grant. The series is co-curated by film historian and “The Dawn of Technicolor” author David Pierce. Through Sunday. $10-$13.

MLP Washington D.C. at Washington Tennis & Education Foundation

Washington has long been home to a professional tennis tournament, but now upstart racket sport pickleball is popping onto the scene, too. Major League Pickleball is coming to D.C. for the first time, hosting matchups at the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation’s campus in Southeast. Watch 34 coed matches over four days of action, pitting 15 teams — including Washington’s cleverly named D.C. Pickleball Team — against one another. DJs, food and drinks add to the atmosphere, and there’s even an amateur tournament for club-level Washingtonian pickleball players to try to claim bragging rights. Through Sunday. Day passes start at $40 .

Friday, June 14

Euro 2024 viewing parties at Wunder Garten

The European soccer championship kicks off in Germany this weekend, with two dozen countries vying to dethrone Euro 2020 winner Italy. (England is the favorite, followed by France and the home country.) Given the number of international soccer fans in D.C., lively viewing parties will take place across the city, at events sponsored by embassies as well as neighborhood watering holes. Kickoffs in the opening round take place at 9 a.m., noon or 3 p.m. D.C. time — much friendlier hours for bars than the last World Cup.

As with the last Euros, NoMa’s Wunder Garten looks to be the spot for official parties. The embassies of Germany and Britain are teaming up for Friday’s opening match between Germany and Scotland (3 p.m.), and the Embassy of Spain is in the beer garden for its Saturday match against Croatia (noon). A Monday doubleheader brings the embassies of Belgium and Slovakia (noon), followed by a viewing of France vs. Austria with the French expat group Union des Français de l’Étranger (2 p.m.). The British Embassy returns June 20 for England’s match against Denmark (noon). All events free .

Museum of Graffiti ‘Sneaker Stories’ pop-up at Union Market

Can shoes be works of art? The answer, according to this traveling exhibition created by Miami’s Museum of Graffiti, is a resounding yes. The pop-up highlights artists like Eric Haze, who has collaborated on colorful designer footwear with Nike and Jimmy Choo; Claw Money, who has designed shoes for Vans, Fila, Uggs and other companies; and Rammellzee, who worked with Supreme on a sought-after series of Nike Dunks. After examining the displays of juxtaposed shoes and street art, visitors can hit the free sneaker customization bar to pick up laces, buckle plates and other accessories for their own kicks. Through Sunday. Free; reservations suggested .

Bethesda Art Walk

You might associate art walks with Dupont Circle or Adams Morgan, but they’re not alone. Bethesda’s Art Walk links the city’s galleries, offering shows by resident and guest artists. In June, the highlight is a display of the eight finalists for the Bethesda Painting Awards, an annual juried competition, at Gallery B on Wisconsin Avenue. Free refreshments are provided throughout the five stops. 6 to 8 p.m. Free .

Flowerbomb at Comet Ping Pong

Flowerbomb churns out impeccable pop melodies with lyrics that nod to ennui and nostalgia (“I know that my heart beats faster/ Every day since ’98”) and will be celebrating an EP release as part of the band’s ongoing and au courant “Gloom Scroll” project. Flowerbomb will be joined by Pinky Lemon, a group that specializes in pop that is alternatingly synthy, spacey, gazy and dreamy with irony-heavy lyrics: “I’ve got big money down on pop criminal stocks,” it deadpans on “Pop Criminal.” “Everybody goes to jail when you hand me the aux.” 10 p.m. $15 .

Saturday, June 15

Juneteenth 2024 at Watkins Regional Park

The Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation throws its Juneteenth 2024 celebration at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro. Visitors can immerse themselves in living history demonstrations, help paint murals or join dance lessons. Entertainment includes the Chuck Brown Band and Trouble Funk, while vendors sell food, drinks and crafts. Noon to 5 p.m. Free .

Freedom at the Rock at BlackRock Center for the Arts

Montgomery County’s 27-year-old Juneteenth festival returns to the BlackRock Center for the Arts on Saturday for Freedom at the Rock, a day-long concert that includes Secret Society; DuPont Brass; Trouble Funk; and “Black Broadway on U,” a tribute to Duke Ellington’s 125th birthday with vocalist Deborah Bond. Beyond the music, multiple stages feature dance performances and workshops, documentary screenings and record vendors. Noon to 10 p.m. Free.

Columbia Heights Day at Harriet Tubman Elementary

The Target on 14th Street was still under construction when the first Columbia Heights Day Festival was held in 2007. While the neighborhood has changed, and continues to change, the festival is a chance for the community to come together on an elementary school’s field for a day of celebration. Kids are welcomed with a stage full of magic shows, double Dutch, hands-on music (including songs from “Encanto” and “Coco”) and games, while on the main stage, adults can catch bands or learn salsa steps. Other attractions include a market with craft and food vendors, a mechanical bull, a foam party, a moon bounce, a dunk tank, and interactive art. Complete a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood to win a T-shirt. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free .

Columbia Pike Blues Festival

The Columbia Pike Blues Festival is a summer staple in Arlington, and this year, the 27th annual block party celebrates women in blues with an entire lineup of female-fronted bands. Brooklyn native Bette Smith, who mashes up soul, gospel, and rock and roll, headlines the festival, right after a performance from Mississippi blues pianist Eden Brent. DMV-based artists round out the bill, including Mama Moon & the Rump Shakers, the Stacy Brooks Band and the Honey Larks. Beyond music, kids can jump in a moon bounce at the Kid Zone and work on crafts at Art Alley, while vendors set up tents to create an outdoor shopping mall. 1 to 8:30 p.m. Free .

Silver Spring Blues Festival

Silver Spring’s annual blues festival provides 12 straight hours of music in the heart of downtown. The day begins with acoustic music from the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Ensemble and other artists until 3 p.m., when the “electrified” artists begin, with featured performers including the Deanna Bogart Band (4 p.m.), guitarist Memphis Gold (5:30 p.m.), and the bar blues of the legendary Nighthawks (8:30 p.m.). WPFW DJs serve as MCs. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free .

Arlington Pride Ho-Down

Arlington Pride runs through the month of June, with a different featured event each weekend. It’s the Clarendon Ballroom’s turn to take center stage, where a Beyoncé-inspired party features a “Cowboy Carter” tribute by drag queen Elecktra.g; line dancing; DJs; and a costume contest, so boots and hats are a must. VIP tickets include reserved seating for up to five people and a bottle of tequila. 8 p.m. Free; $50 VIP .

Walk on the Wild Side Pride Party at Union Market

Taking over Dock 5 and the plaza behind Union Market, this is actually two events in one. The free party on the plaza features drag and burlesque performances, music by Les the DJ, a voguing class with Tony Play, a makers market, food trucks, and a cash bar. Inside, the $45 ticket includes a 32-foot runway for drag and burlesque performances, DJs Farrah Flosscett and Alex Love, performance art, live drawing, tarot readings, a cash bar, and food vendors. Proceeds benefit the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. Outdoors 4 to 8 p.m.; indoors 7 p.m. to midnight. Free-$45 .

Uptown Pride D.C.

The Uptown Pride Festival brings Pride festivities to the corner of 14th Street and Colorado Avenue NW, with two stages featuring live music by Roadwork, multiple DJs, a vendor market and a reading by queer writers. All ages are welcome, and the event includes a family yoga session, drag story time with Tara Hoot, and a children’s area with face painting and games. 2 to 7 p.m. Free .

Philippine Independence Day Festival at Mosaic

Filipino American actress and singer Roxanne Barcelo — a native of Fairfax — is host of Mosaic’s first Philippine Independence Day Festival, which features performances of traditional Philippine music and dance as well as Philippine hip-hop and contemporary music, and a Philippine game show. But the festival has a broad reach, including local performers, martial arts demonstrations, Mongolian rappers and Chinese dance. Kids can splash in a water area, hop on inflatables or have their faces painted, while adults browse more than 80 vendors selling vintage clothing, crafts, food and drinks. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free .

Denizens Brewing 10th anniversary

When Denizens Brewing Company opened its brewpub in Silver Spring in 2014, one of its original (and one of the most impressive) offerings was a Czech pilsner called Born Bohemian, which became a flagship for the woman-owned brewery. Denizens marks a decade in business at its Riverdale Park production facility and taproom with Lager Fest, which features six lagers — including the new Good Neighbors, made to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Brookland’s Finest restaurant — and a variety of lagers made by Atlas Brew Works, Franklins, Lost Generation, Manor Hill, Port City and Streetcar 82. Beyond the beers, look for live music by LoLo and the Flint Hill Hustle and hot dogs from Catalyst. 1 to 5 p.m. Free .

Lost Rhino Brewing Company’s 13th anniversary

You might not guess it from the brewery’s location in an Ashburn industrial park, but Lost Rhino’s name was inspired by surfing — a “rhino chaser,” the brewery says, is someone out to find the best and biggest waves. That’s why pipelines and surfboards adorn the cans, and Lost Rhino’s 13th anniversary party features pork and pineapple, spam fried rice, and frozen rum drinks in addition to live music, vendors and, oh yeah, a sunny lime version of Rhino Chasers pilsner. 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free .

Metrobar’s third anniversary

Three years ago, one of D.C.’s most original bars opened with a decommissioned Metrorail car at the heart of its beer garden. Metrobar’s diverse calendar — karaoke, movie nights, family days, DJ parties, beer cocktail tastings — has quickly made it a fixture. Celebrate three years in business at a party with DJs Mazlow and Ty-One; Atlas Brew Works specials; and, most poignantly, a takeover with District Made Spirits, the Ivy City distillery that closed in the spring. Try cocktails with District Made’s gin, whiskey and vodka, and enter a lottery for a guided tasting with distiller Alex Laufer inside the rail car. (Registration is available by RSVPing on Eventbrite.) Petit Afrik and El Jefe pizza are the food trucks on duty. Noon to 11:45 p.m. Free; reservations requested .

Children’s Book and Learning Festival on Woodrow Wilson Plaza

Capital Book Fest, the monthly pop-up used book/record/DVD sale on the Ronald Reagan Building’s plaza, takes a fun turn this month. Seventeen authors and illustrators representing the Children’s Book Guild of Washington are setting up with their work, which range from picture books to middle-grade novels. Readings will be held throughout the day. Each author is paired with an activity, such as making animals from paper plates, crafting an African-inspired necklace or learning how to paint with oil pastels. And because it’s Capital Book Fest, there will be thousands of books to buy and take home for $7 or less. 10 a.m. Free .

Josiah Henson’s Birthday Celebration

Author and abolitionist Josiah Henson was born into slavery in Charles County, but he spent years enslaved in Montgomery County before eventually escaping to Canada. His autobiography helped inspire “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Montgomery County celebrates Henson’s birthday with a party at the Josiah Henson Museum and Park in Bethesda, featuring archaeological and house tours, living history demonstrations, a concert of period music by the Jubilee Voices, a film screening, lawn games and crafts. Note that parking is off-site, with shuttle service provided. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free .

Nerd Nite at DC9

The D.C.-based event series that delivers zany lectures returns to DC9 this weekend with three offerings: a tour of the “magical kingdom of fungi” that answers the question of whether the premise of “The Last of Us” is plausible; a discussion on why worms are the closest Earthbound species we have to aliens; and a two-hander that pins a hypochondriac comic against an actual pathologist. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. $10-$15.

A Taste of the DMV: Food, Music and Culture Festival

Celebrate the diversity of talents in the D.C. area with the third annual Taste of the DMV festival, which will shut down Pennsylvania Avenue NW (between Third and Seventh Streets NW) for seven hours Saturday. More than 40 local bands, including the neo grunge band Oh Violet and the folksy duo Tiny Hands, will take to one of five stages scattered throughout the festival. There are also over 200 vendors, including food trucks and booths and artist shops. Local brews and unique local drinks will be offered at the beer garden, where you’ll also find music and vendors that are less family-friendly. Noon to 7 p.m. $10; free for children 10 and under.

Sunday, June 16

Juneteenth Brewbilee at Arts Herndon

Henry Simms, a blacksmith who escaped slavery to become Herndon’s first Black business owner, is celebrated at Herndon’s Juneteenth party. At noon, historian Barbara Glakas shares Simms’s story before the main event: a beer tasting featuring Black-owned beers from Soul Mega, Urban Garden, Liquid Intrusion, Black Beauty, Black Viking, Joyhound and Virginia’s Bitter Fruit. Tickets include either 10 tastes ($20) or unlimited beers, a T-shirt and beers to take home ($40). Taps flow until 7 p.m., when the NuPop Jazz Cabaret with Al Robertson and Carolina concert begins. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Beer tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. Free-$40 .

U.S. Open Rooftop Happy Hour

If you’re not heading down to Pinehurst for the U.S. Open this weekend, you might as well watch some golf at an afternoon happy hour. The Imperial’s rooftop U.S. Open party includes $5 Narragansetts, $11 cocktails (including, obviously, a John Daly) and $24 buckets of High Noon seltzer to pair with $12 sandwiches, like pickle-brined fried chicken or a house twist on the Filet-O-Fish with Old Bay fries. 2 to 6 p.m. Free admission .

Monday, June 17

Nordic Jazz Festival at Blues Alley

For its 18th year, the Nordic Jazz Festival, hosted at jazz club Blues Alley by the embassies of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, is bringing Swedish folk melodies mixed with modern New York jazz in the form of the Oskar Stenmark Sextet & 45 Riots. The festival also opens with the Sara Magnusdottir Hammond Organ Trio, led by an Icelandic pianist and composer, and closes with Tuomo & Markus featuring Verneri Pohjola, who deliver a blend of Nordic jazz and American indie folk music. Through June 25. $25 per show .

Tuesday, June 18

Juneteenth at the National Archives

The National Archives holds the two documents central to Juneteenth: The Emancipation Proclamation, in which President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed all enslaved people in Confederate states “are, and henceforward shall be free” as of Jan. 1, 1863, and General Order No. 3, which Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued in Galveston, Tex., on June 19, 1865, informing all enslaved people that they were now free. The two historic papers are on display side by side in the Archives’ East Rotunda Gallery for three days only. Through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free .

‘10,000 Dreams: A Celebration of Asian Choreography’ at the Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center hosts a week-long festival devoted to talented Asian creatives working in ballet, with participation from the Washington Ballet, Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Singapore Ballet, Goh Ballet, Ballet West, Houston Ballet and dancers from the National Ballet of China. Two mixed repertory programs run throughout the week, and a special Friday program spotlights the work and legacy of the late Choo San Goh, whose extensive résumé included serving as the Washington Ballet’s resident choreographer for nearly a decade. Through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with additional matinee shows on Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. $29-$119 .

‘Race’ at Adams Morgan Movie Nights

In honor of Juneteenth, the Adams Morgan Movie Nights selection is “Race,” starring Stephan James as Jesse Owens in a biopic The Post says “focuses on the most dramatic stretch of Owens’s life, culminating with his 1936 victories in four events” at the Berlin Olympics. Head to select neighborhood restaurants, such as Roofers Union or No Goodbyes, for discounted food and drinks before staking out a spot on the soccer field at Marie Reed Elementary School. 9 p.m. Free .

Wednesday, June 19

Juneteenth Freedom Celebration at the Anacostia Community Museum

The Smithsonian’s Anacostia outpost features live performances all day, including Noochie and Too Much Talent Band; outdoor food trucks and games; and a chance to tour the exhibition “ A Bold and Beautiful Vision: A Century of Black Arts Education in Washington, D.C., 1900-2000 .” 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free .

Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival

The Scotland community, founded by formerly enslaved people in Potomac in the 1870s and 1880s, hosts its second Juneteenth Heritage Festival with events in Cabin John Park and Cabin John Village, including a parade, a classic car show, a talent show, a Children’s Caribbean Carnival, history lectures, a 5K race, a baseball game and a food court, capped by a fireworks show. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free .

‘We Move In Color: See and Feel the Journey’ at the Kennedy Center

“We Move In Color: See and Feel the Journey” uses African drumming, traditional and modern dance styles, original music, poetry, and multimedia art to portray the African American experience from pre-colonial Africa through slavery, the great migration and modern life. It’s presented on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free .

Juneteenth for the City at Bread for the City

D.C. nonprofit Bread for the City hosts the Juneteenth for the City block party at its Michelle Obama Southeast Center in Anacostia, with live music, marching bands, double Dutch and other games, food trucks, and a marketplace of Black-owned businesses. 1 to 6 p.m. Free .

A Juneteenth Holiday Celebration in Alexandria

Alexandria’s Juneteenth events, which run from Friday through June 22 , peak on Wednesday with a celebration in the historic Market Square including a performance by the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices, an ensemble that uses historic songs and spoken word to share the Black experience, and storytelling with Oumie and Van Di Galloway. City museums, including the Freedom House Museum, are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Free; museums charge admission for nonresidents .

Juneteenth in the District at Bryant Street

Health is the focus at this day-long event sponsored by the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation’s FitDC. Programs include a yoga and meditation session with a sound bath, a high-energy boot camp workout, and a cardio session set to Afrobeats. After you sweat, there’s a drum line, live go-go, DJs, a vendor market and happy hour cocktails. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.

Juneteenth at National Harbor

On Juneteenth, National Harbor features a “Freedom Day” marketplace with Black makers and vendors; a community drummer’s circle; and a cultural showcase with Prince George’s County poet laureate Saniya Pearson, the Eleanor Roosevelt High School step team and the band Secret Society. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free .

‘Buck and the Preacher’ at AFI Silver

Sidney Poitier directed and starred in this 1972 western, which the American Film Institute says “blends together a trenchant sense of history, a civil rights movement consciousness and some Blaxploitation entertainment value.” Harry Belafonte and Ruby Dee co-star. AFI Silver is showing the film free on Juneteenth, though anyone reserving tickets must be in their seats 15 minutes before showtime or risk losing them. Noon. Free .

Juneteenth Celebration at Olney Theatre

Rey Smith of the Sandy Spring Slave Museum and dancers from Silver Spring’s Urban Artistry, a collective focused on performing and teaching urban styles, are featured at Omi’s Pavilion, Olney Theatre’s outdoor stage. Arrive early to browse vendors or purchase soul food from a food truck. 5 p.m. Free; reservations required .

‘Glee’ trivia at Dew Drop Inn

Sure, you’ve seen Harry Potter and Star Wars trivia nights pop up around the city for years — but this event, hosted by the queer events group Alphabet Soup, is sure to boast a far superior music round. Gleeks will be quizzed on all the relationships, songs and theater-kid drama that made the Fox show a smash hit and long-beloved meme. 7 to 9 p.m. Free.