Whisky is Scotland’s national drink and biggest export. Scotland is split into five whisky-producing regions with Speyside being the biggest in terms of production. Half of all Scottish distilleries can be found here. This is a perfect 7-day self drive itinerary combining whisky and cultural experiences. Visits include whisky distilleries, picturesque castles, and a search for the elusive Loch Ness monster.
Highlights
- Scotch Whisky Experience
- Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery
- Balmoral Castle
- Speyside Region
- Urquhart Castle & Loch Ness
Inclusions & Extras
Transport
Automatic economy car with:
- Unlimited mileage
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
- Theft protection (TP),
- Value added tax (VAT)
- Third party liability
- Location service charge (LSC)
Accommodation
- Edinburgh (2)
- Pitlochry (2)
- Inverness (2)
Other Inclusions
- Deluxe travel wallet with comprehensive travel documents, luggage tags and driving map.
- Expert service from dedicated sales guide before, during and after your trip.
Day 1 : Edinburgh Scotch Whisky Experience
After you arrive at the Edinburgh airport, make your way to your hotel and check in. From there, see the bustling Princes Street and the gracious, wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian New Town. Walk along part of the Royal Mile where compact medieval houses reach 11 floors tall. Take a tour of the Scotch Whisky Experience to learn all about the whisky making process. You’ll be introduced to the Whiskey aromas and see the world’s largest collection of Scotch Whiskey. Visit Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city and contains the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Scone. Take a Ghost Walking Tour tonight to learn some of the city’s darkest secrets. Enjoy an evening meal before settling into your accommodation for the night.
Overnight in Edinburgh
Day 2 : Royal Botanic Gardens
Today you can have a leisurely morning to yourself and maybe include some retail therapy. In the afternoon there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained. If the weather allows for it, visit the Royal Botanic Gardens. Take a visit to the old town and the National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh is dotted with lively pubs and delicious gourmet restaurants so you will not be wandering too far to find somewhere nice to unwind for the evening. Settle into your accommodation for a second night.
Overnight in Edinburgh
Day 3 : Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery
Leave Edinburgh this morning with your first stop of the day at Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most historically important sites and was once a favored residence of the Stewart kings and queens who held grand celebrations at the castle. From Stirling Castle make your way to Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery. Discover the one-of-a-kind process behind making beautifully balanced Single Malt whisky at the heart of Dewar’s Scotch. You’ll learn the history and craftsmanship as well as sample some for yourself. Continue on to Pitlochry where you’ll stay tonight. Pitlochry is a good size town with lots of bars, restaurants and a distillery on the outskirts of town. Settle into your accommodation there for the evening.
Overnight in Pitlochry
Day 4 : Balmoral Castle
Today you can explore as much or as little of Cairngorm National Park as you would like. Bring your camera and stop to admire the beautiful scenery. Visit Balmoral Castle if it is open and take a walk around the grounds. If you have the appetite, make your way up to Grantown-on-Spey where you can stop for lunch before returning to your accommodation in Pitlochry by a different route.
Overnight in Pitlochry
Day 5 : Speyside Whisky Adventures
The Speyside region of Scotland is home to half of the country’s distilleries. You’re in the perfect spot to do some sampling and beautiful sightseeing today. Your next distillery stop is Glenlivet. Learn the history of the whisky and the glen, and discover the irrepressible spirit of The Glenlivet. Take in the unique lantern stills that help shape the spirit’s flavor and then taste the single malt straight from the cask. Feel free to visit other distilleries today and immerse yourself in the beautiful speyside scenery. Check in to your accommodation in Inverness in the evening.
Overnight in Inverness
Day 6 : Urquhart Castle & Loch Ness
Enjoy the cultural capital of the Highlands as you spend time in Inverness this morning. From there, head to the banks of Loch Ness. Here you will tour the majestic Urquhart Castle and learn about its rich history regarding Scottish Clans over the centuries. Urquhart was once one of Scotland’s largest castles. Its remains include a tower house – the most recent building on the site – that commands splendid views of the famous loch and Great Glen. Be sure to bring your camera for some photos of its beautiful backdrop of Loch Ness. Once you’ve had enough fun on land, take a cruise along the Loch and search for the elusive Loch Ness monster. Return to your accommodation in Inverness later on.
Overnight in Inverness
Day 7 : Return Home
Board your flight home from Inverness Airport after returning your rental car.
Flights
We are more than happy to include a flight quote separately to your package so that you can decide if you would like to book with us or on your own. While booking flights can seem straight-forward, there are often hidden fees or classes of service that do not include seat assignments, meals or checked bags. We have been booking flights since 1985 and know the best routings and have great contracts that mean we often have better prices than what you will see online.
Accommodation
In Scotland, we generally try to book hotels that are at a 4 star level or higher. In some situations, we will book some 3 star or B&B properties but we do require them to be at a certain standard. We try to ensure a member of the team have stayed at each property in recent years or that we have done a site inspection.
Planning Deposits
Your first vacation quote, and up to two revisions, for trips of 9 or fewer days, and 45 days in advance of travel, are complimentary. If an itinerary requires further revisions subsequent to this, we will require a non-refundable deposit of $75 per person in order to continue.
If you are requesting a quote for a vacation that is 10 days in length, or with travel dates within 45 days, or to a non-core destination, a deposit of $75 per person will be required in order for us to begin working on your proposal.
Planning deposits can then be put towards the cost of the trip should you decide to proceed with the booking.
Our Process
