From

£40/ adult

It's more than just spirit, it's passion

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The Whisky of Speyside

From Aviemore

Duration:

1 day

Led by:

Expert local guide

Group size:

Max 16 people

Travel by:

Mini Coach

Your story begins...

You know that warm feeling you get in your chest when something makes you happy? That’s what we call whisky here in Scotland. It’s our uisge beatha – our ‘water of life’. The fruity, the floral, the honeyed. Complex and striking and moreish...we welcome you to experience every bit of it. It’s more than a drink, it’s a passion project. It’s a culture-defining experience and no true Scottish visit is complete without stepping inside the world of Scotch Whisky.

Cairngorms National Park

Sit back, relax and gaze on the monumental peaks and glorious glens of the UK’s largest national park, The Cairngorms

Tomintoul

Tucked up near the banks of the River Avon, this is one of Scotland's highest altitude villages.

Speyside Region

With 50 whisky distilleries, this region is the heartland of Scotch whisky production.

Cairn Distillery

Bringing years of expertise and modern whisky distilling techniques together in the heart of the rugged Cairngorms

The Whisky Castle

For 100 years this whisky specialist has been supplying the worlds very best drams

What you'll experience

Cairngorms National Park

Sit back, relax and gaze on the monumental peaks and glorious glens of the UK’s largest national park, The Cairngorms

Tomintoul

Tucked up near the banks of the River Avon, this is one of Scotland's highest altitude villages.

Speyside Region

With 50 whisky distilleries, this region is the heartland of Scotch whisky production.

Cairn Distillery

Bringing years of expertise and modern whisky distilling techniques together in the heart of the rugged Cairngorms

The Whisky Castle

For 100 years this whisky specialist has been supplying the worlds very best drams

Includes

Expert Local Guide
Travel in Luxury 16 Seat Mini Coach
44lbs (20kg) Luggage Allowance
We'll drive so you can enjoy the dram

Optional Extras

Admission to Cairn Distillery

Excludes

Food & Drink
Flights, Transfers and Accommodation

Day 1

Pick up time: 9.45am

Location: Aviemore Pick Up, Macdonald Highland Aviemore Resort, Grampian Road, Aviemore, PH221PN

Morning

Aviemore to Cairn Distillery

Tucked up in the northeastern part of Scotland is Speyside, a region renowned for producing some of the world's finest single malt Scotch whiskies. We depart Aviemore and head into the stunning Cairngorms National Park, and among the ancient forests and majestic mountains, it has plenty of stories to tell. And while some are etched into history, some are a little less certain but just as intriguing. Keep your eyes peeled for fairy mounts, or “knockers”, which are scattered about the landscape. Keep your distance though. Legend has it that they serve as portals to the realm of the fairies... and fairies aren't the nicest of creatures.

Mid Morning

Cairn Distillery and County Moray

But one thing the fairies approve of? A wee dram of whisky. So, we make our first stop at the Cairn Distillery, a modern home for ancient craft. Named after cairns – man-made stacks of stones – the distillery is devoted to inspiring people through their product and challenging both themselves and others to take on new paths. Pioneers and legacy builders, that's who brought Cairn Distillery to life. And their mission is to build a legacy of exceptional whisky. This morning, we tour this wonderful facility and sample some of their best whisky. Stomach warmed and intrigue activated, we head into one of Speyside's local villages for a bite to eat.

Afternoon

Tomintoul and Whisky Castle

After a fortifying feed, we dive back into the rolling hills of the east Highlands into one of the highest villages in Scotland – Tomintoul. Its name means “Hillock of the Barn” and is a lovely wee spot for a visit. You may even recognise it from the 2004 film One Last Chance starring Kevin McKidd and Dougary Scott. But we're here for the whisky. The Whisky Castle shop has been selling over 600 of the finest malt whiskies of Scotland for over 120 years. It's not just a chance for you to shop and wander... you'll receive a tutored tasting from the lovely staff at the Whisky Castle too, so you know where to start with so many amazing tastings on offer.

Early Evening

Cairngorms National Park and Glenlivet and journey back to Aviemore

Shopped-out, history-filled, and perhaps a wee bit buzzed, it's time to return to Aviemore through the dramatic landscapes of Cairngorms National Park and the braes of Glenlivet, enjoying the stunning hillside views as you go.

You return to Aviemore at approximately 5.15pm.