Scottish Whisky Experience

9 Days/8 Nights

Scotland is a paradise for whisky lovers. This carefully curated itinerary will allow you to expand your knowledge and expertise with in-depth experiences, pairings with spectacular food, and a little sightseeing along the way.

Day 1: Arrive in Glasgow
Welcome to Scotland! After you have cleared arrivals, your transfer service will collect you from Glasgow Airport and drop you off at your hotel for check-in. Take some time to settle in the city and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure to explore. We recommend a visit to quirky Ashton Lane or familiarize yourself with a walk around town on the Mural Trail.

Day 2: Glasgow Sightseeing
Your second day in Glasgow will be aimed at taking in some more of its beautiful and iconic sites. Use your 24hr Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus ticket and visit Glasgow’s most famous landmarks, such as Glasgow Cathedral and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Experience “A play, a pint and a pie” at the local Òran Mór Theatre located in the West End of Glasgow; their lunchtime shows are a local favorite and run Monday to Saturday. Head to the wonderful “Mharsanta” in Glasgow’s Merchant City for dinner. Here you will be taken on a whisky and food journey by Sophie and her team – the food is brilliant, the whisky choice wide, and the atmosphere ever so charming.

Day 3: Argyll – Islay
Today you embark on your tour to the Isle of Islay, “Queen of the Hebrides,” and home of peaty and smoky whiskies. Start with a tasting and time of the distillery in Oban before a fresh seafood lunch and exploring. Journey to the ancient Neolithic landscapes of Kilmartin Glen, where there are hundreds of ancient monuments and historic sites. It is then a short drive down the Kintyre Peninsula to Kennacraig, where you board the evening ferry to Islay. The ferry crossing is around two hours and offers beautiful views of the islands of Gigha, Jura, and Islay and the area surrounding West Loch Tarbert. There is time to relax in the ferry bar with an Islay whisky, grab some dinner from the restaurant and soak up the sea air before arriving.

Day 4: Explore Islay
With two full days to explore, there are plenty of options for sightseeing, and your guide will share some of their favorite places with you. These include empty beaches, whitewashed villages, ancient sites, the Kildalton Cross, medieval strongholds, fresh seafood, local wildlife, and traditional culture. With only around 3000 people and nine world-class distilleries, the chances of finding a ‘wee dram’ on Islay are pretty good. The distillery and whisky experiences give you an insight into Islay’s most famous export. The tours and tastings include a warehouse experience at Lagavulin, a time and full range tasting at Ardbeg, and a look at the Laphroaig maltings with a few extra special drams to finish your day.

Day 5: Distillery Tours & Tastings
Your second day on Islay brings a private tour of Bruichladdich and a chance to sample some of their whiskies or gin. You’ll then go behind the scenes at the independent Kilchoman and have an opportunity to gaze over the Sound of Jura from the Bunnahabhain before delving into some casks in their warehouse! The island offers plenty of options for eating, drinking, and relaxing; your tour guide lets you know the best places. There is so much local produce on offer; you will be spoilt for choice. The whisky bars aren’t too bad either. Slainte Mhath, as they say in Gaelic.

Day 6: Loch Fyne – Loch Lomond
After a final hearty breakfast, you will catch the morning ferry back to Kennacraig. You are arriving on the mainland, head to the loch-side town of Inveraray. This is the seat of the Clan Campbell, home to the Loch Fyne whisky shop. After lunch, your journey now hugs the shores of Loch Fyne and Loch Long before climbing up to the Rest and Be Thankful Pass for sweeping views. Then it is to the shores of Loch Lomond with time to stop for lovely views and stretch the legs. This is the last stop on your tour before crossing the River Clyde and into Scotland’s largest city of Glasgow.

Day 7: Whisky Masterclass at Glengoyne Distillery
Today you dip into the bag of whisky knowledge you have brought back from Islay to experience a Whisky Masterclass at Glengoyne Distillery. The Masterclass is one of the most in-depth whisky experiences in Scotland. You will have the opportunity to create your 200ml bottle of Whisky, which you can take with you at the end of the visit, with a bespoke gift and Masterclass certificate. Head back to Glasgow to enjoy the rest of your evening.

Day 8: Glenturret Distillery Immersive Experience
Yet another possibility to fully immerse yourself in the art of whisky-making before your adventure in Scotland draws close. Today you will reach the Glenturret Distillery in beautiful Perthshire via a private transfer. This fully immersive experience will allow you to see the daily process on-site. The experience will finish around 3 pm, and a private transfer will bring you back to Glasgow. If you have a taste for Vietnamese food, head to the secluded Hanoi Bike Shop in the West End. This is an absolute local gem, a rustic place with outstanding food.

Day 9: Depart from Glasgow
It is sadly time to leave Scotland and catch your flight home. Your transfer service will collect you from your hotel and drop you off at Glasgow Airport. Haste Ye Back!

Highlights:
• Glasgow 24h city sightseeing Hop On Hop Off bus
• Four-day Islay whisky tour
• 5-hour Masterclass Tour at Glengoyne Distillery
• Whisky & Food Pairing Evening at Mharsanta Restaurant
• Ultimate Whisky Experience at Glenturret Distillery

*Package descriptions and pricing are subject to change without notice.