A unique journey to one of the world’s foremost whisky islands, known as ‘The Queen of the Hebrides”. Travel through the western highlands of Scotland before taking the ferry to the famous island of Islay in the inner Hebrides. Tour Islay distilleries and learn about the craft of distillation from the masters.
Let us be your designated driver and use our expertise to get the very best from your Islay whisky tour as you discover and experience this island’s unique product. Sláinte!
It is also possible to visit Jura Distillery on the adjacent isle of Jura whilst on Islay either by replacing one of the Islay distilleries for the trip to Jura or by adding a day into the itinerary.
Each one of our private tours is conducted in our premium Mercedes minivans, ensuring your comfort as we venture along the small cobbled streets around Edinburgh and narrow back roads of the highlands.
Your knowledgable kilt-wearing private tour guide will tell you the stories and show you the sights on this tour. We offer flexibility and your time inside and outside the vehicle is up to you.
Request customisation or a quote of the 4 Day Secrets Of Islay Whisky Private Tour suggested itinerary
Day 1 - From the city to the west coast
After departing Edinburgh, we head west along ‘The Royal Route’ stopping briefly at South Queensferry to take in the views before passing Linlithgow Palace and Stirling Castle. The landscape changes from the flat valley floor of The Carse of Stirling to a mountainous view as we travel into the western highlands. We stop at the imposing ruined Kilchurn Castle at the head of loch awe to stretch our legs. We continue on to the west coast at the Victorian port at Oban where we tour Oban distillery and enjoy a tasting. Oban is the seafood capital of Scotland and we can provide recommendations of our favourite seafood restaurants along the harbour before checking into your hotel for the evening.
TONIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION
Oban Bay Hotel
Room grade: Bay View Junior Suite
Board: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation is subject to availability
- Distance Instructions
Day 2 - Islay bound
After a hearty breakfast we leave Oban and travel along the coast towards the Kintyre Peninsula, stopping at the ancient Neolithic landscape of Kilmartin Glen. There are hundreds of ancient monuments and historic sites that we will explore before arriving at the port of Kennacraig for the ferry to Islay. The ferry crossing is around two hours and offers stunning views to the mainland and southern Hebrides islands of Gigha, Jura and Islay.
On arrival into Port Ellen or Port Askaig you can almost smell the whisky in the air. There is time for a light lunch before arriving at the trio of distilleries on the southern coast of Islay; Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. We will tour Laphroaig and learn about their process as well as visiting their maltings, a rare experience at distilleries these days. We’ll enjoy a private whisky tasting at the other two. There are plenty of opportunities to pick up a bottle or two and of course it always tastes better when purchased at source! We then arrive at your chosen accommodation for the night.
11642
TONIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION
Port Charlotte Hotel
The Port Charlotte Hotel is a small 4 star hotel located in a charming, beachside location in the conservation village of Port Charlotte on Islay.
Room grade: King size with seaview, ensuite
Board: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation is subject to availability
- Distance Instructions
Day 3 - Whisky Exploration
This morning we will explore some of the island of Islay and we’ll show you some of our favourite spots along the road. Long sandy beaches, whitewashed cottages, ancient sites and a plethora of wildlife awaits and you will explore the remote western shores of the island. We visit Bowmore for a pre-lunch tasting and opportunity to pick up a bottle.
After lunch we visit Bruichladdich Distillery to sample some of their whiskies including the worlds most peated single malt. Then we travel to the other side of Islay to Bunnahabhain and the biggest distillery on Islay, Caol Ila. Their new visitor experiences are ’taste lead’ and we will have a tasting at each to understand the subtle differences in the dram that make Islay so unique.
10993
TONIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION
Port Charlotte Hotel
The Port Charlotte Hotel is a small 4 star hotel located in a charming, beachside location in the conservation village of Port Charlotte on Islay.
Room grade: King size with seaview, ensuite
Board: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation is subject to availability
- Distance Instructions
Day 4 - Return to the mainland
After breakfast we catch the ferry back to the mainland. We’ll travel along Loch Fyne, the longest sea loch in Scotland, before arriving at the town of Inveraray. There is an opportunity to visit Loch Fyne Whisky and learn about their blended or single malts, liquors and botanical gins before continuing on to Inverary Caslte, the seat of the Clan Campbell for a tour. We have lunch at the famous Loch Fyne Oyster Bar that serves a great range of local seafood.
We then start our journey back to Edinburgh, passing through some impressive scenery over ’The Rest and Be Thankful’ past Loch Long and to Loch Lomond. We stop at the conservation village of Luss on the western bank to admire the view to Ben Lomond and have lunch and stretch our legs exploring this picture-postcard village. Then we will continue through The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park before continuing back to the Carse of Stirling with impressive views of Stirling Castle and The Wallace Monument before returning to your hotel in Edinburgh.
22035
Board: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation is subject to availability
- Distance Instructions
Day 1 - From the city to the west coast
After departing Edinburgh, we head west along ‘The Royal Route’ stopping briefly at South Queensferry to take in the views before passing Linlithgow Palace and Stirling Castle. The landscape changes from the flat valley floor of The Carse of Stirling to a mountainous view as we travel into the western highlands. We stop at the imposing ruined Kilchurn Castle at the head of loch awe to stretch our legs. We continue on to the west coast at the Victorian port at Oban where we tour Oban distillery and enjoy a tasting. Oban is the seafood capital of Scotland and we can provide recommendations of our favourite seafood restaurants along the harbour before checking into your hotel for the evening.
TONIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION
Oban Bay Hotel
Room grade: Bay View Junior Suite
Board: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation is subject to availability
- Distance Instructions
Day 2 - Islay bound
After a hearty breakfast we leave Oban and travel along the coast towards the Kintyre Peninsula, stopping at the ancient Neolithic landscape of Kilmartin Glen. There are hundreds of ancient monuments and historic sites that we will explore before arriving at the port of Kennacraig for the ferry to Islay. The ferry crossing is around two hours and offers stunning views to the mainland and southern Hebrides islands of Gigha, Jura and Islay.
On arrival into Port Ellen or Port Askaig you can almost smell the whisky in the air. There is time for a light lunch before arriving at the trio of distilleries on the southern coast of Islay; Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. We will tour Laphroaig and learn about their process as well as visiting their maltings, a rare experience at distilleries these days. We’ll enjoy a private whisky tasting at the other two. There are plenty of opportunities to pick up a bottle or two and of course it always tastes better when purchased at source! We then arrive at your chosen accommodation for the night.
11642
TONIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION
Port Charlotte Hotel
The Port Charlotte Hotel is a small 4 star hotel located in a charming, beachside location in the conservation village of Port Charlotte on Islay.
Room grade: King size with seaview, ensuite
Board: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation is subject to availability
- Distance Instructions
Day 3 - Whisky Exploration
This morning we will explore some of the island of Islay and we’ll show you some of our favourite spots along the road. Long sandy beaches, whitewashed cottages, ancient sites and a plethora of wildlife awaits and you will explore the remote western shores of the island. We visit Bowmore for a pre-lunch tasting and opportunity to pick up a bottle.
After lunch we visit Bruichladdich Distillery to sample some of their whiskies including the worlds most peated single malt. Then we travel to the other side of Islay to Bunnahabhain and the biggest distillery on Islay, Caol Ila. Their new visitor experiences are ’taste lead’ and we will have a tasting at each to understand the subtle differences in the dram that make Islay so unique.
10993
TONIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION
Port Charlotte Hotel
The Port Charlotte Hotel is a small 4 star hotel located in a charming, beachside location in the conservation village of Port Charlotte on Islay.
Room grade: King size with seaview, ensuite
Board: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation is subject to availability
- Distance Instructions
Day 4 - Return to the mainland
After breakfast we catch the ferry back to the mainland. We’ll travel along Loch Fyne, the longest sea loch in Scotland, before arriving at the town of Inveraray. There is an opportunity to visit Loch Fyne Whisky and learn about their blended or single malts, liquors and botanical gins before continuing on to Inverary Caslte, the seat of the Clan Campbell for a tour. We have lunch at the famous Loch Fyne Oyster Bar that serves a great range of local seafood.
We then start our journey back to Edinburgh, passing through some impressive scenery over ’The Rest and Be Thankful’ past Loch Long and to Loch Lomond. We stop at the conservation village of Luss on the western bank to admire the view to Ben Lomond and have lunch and stretch our legs exploring this picture-postcard village. Then we will continue through The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park before continuing back to the Carse of Stirling with impressive views of Stirling Castle and The Wallace Monument before returning to your hotel in Edinburgh.
22035
Board: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation is subject to availability
- Distance Instructions
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Recent Customer Testimonials
Peter C
A wonderful day touring the Forth Valley with Calais, our amazing local guide. In addition to the landscape and attractions we were entertained by Calais with his knowledge and insight.
Feedback from April 2026
Trip10642911480
We had a fantastic and informative tour with Calais to Lindisfarne and Alnwick Castle. Calais was knowledgeable, engaging, and made the experience both fun and memorable. The scenery and history were incredible—definitely a highlight of our trip.
Feedback from April 2026
Will W
We booked this tour based on the recommendation of an Edinburgh local. It was easily one of the biggest highlights of our trip. Sandy was extremely helpful and crafted a personalized tour based specifically on our group (2 adults, 3 kids, 2 grandparents). He was very responsive via email and [...]
Feedback from March 2026
Heather
We had a lovely time with our tour. The tour was so informative, and very well suited to our group. The vans were very comfortable. I had trouble walking, and they were fantastic getting us up to each location, ensuring I could see everything. I highly recommend this company.
Feedback from March 2026
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