Speyside is home to more whisky distilleries than anywhere else. With some 50 distilleries in the Spey valley the choices are endless for distillery tours, tastings and of course to pick up your favourite bottle (or two)!
Not only does Speyside offer a great variety of distilleries to explore, but the route from Edinburgh also offers fantastic lowland and highland distilleries that are well worth calling at along the way.
Each private tour is conducted in our premium Mercedes minivans, ensuring your comfort as we venture along the narrow back roads of Scotland.
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.
Price for this tour
£950 per person
Based on two people in a double or twin room. See calendar below for group size prices
Inclusions:
- All-inclusive private tour
- Dedicated private tour guide and driver
- Contemporary accommodation at Dowans Hotel in Aberlour
- Accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast basis
- Tour or tasting entry to all distilleries listed
- Tour of Cooperage including 4D experience
- All travel costs
- Luxury Mercedes tour van
Exclusions:
- Lunch
- Drinks
- Gratuities (optional)
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EXAMPLE DISTILLERIES WE VISIT ON THIS TOUR…
Edradour
Although not in Speyside, Edradour makes a great stopping point on the road north. It’s the smallest distillery in Scotland and run by only two men, Edradour (Gaelic for ‘between two rivers’) is located on Ben Vrackie Spring, just outside the picture-postcard town of Pitlochry in Perthshire. Established in 1825 it is nestled into the rolling hills of highland Perthshire about half way between Edinburgh and Speyside.
Cardhu
Established by John and Helen Cumming, these trailblazing whisky entrepreneurs have a fascinating story that is told through the Cardhu whisky tour experience. started in 1811 John had a reputation as a whisky smuggler but it was his wife who was selling bottles of whisky from the kitchen window.
Seeing the opportunity to legitimise their business through The Excise Act of 1823, John Cumming built the new Cardhu distillery further down the valley. John Walker & Sons took control of Cardhu in 1893 and today the quaint distillery is known as the ‘Speyside home of Johnnie Walker’.
Dalwhinnie
The highest distillery in Scotland, Dalwhinnie Distillery‘s history dates back to 1897. It’s location is on a bleak and desolate hillside where two old drovers roads met. When the railway arrived in the highlands it was the perfect setting for a distillery and the local founders John Grant, George Sellar and Alexander Mackenzie established the now internationally famous brand.
Tomatin
Although near the Speyside region, Tomatin Distillery is technically a highland malt. Local folklore suggests that whisky has been produced here since the 15th century when drovers (cattle herders) would stop to fill their horns with whisky. An official distillery is recognised as being established in 1897. It’s location close to Inverness provided amble custom and it’s water was sourced from Alt na Frith, running from the Monadhliath Mountains.
The Macallan
Situated in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan distillery is the second-largest whisky producer in Scotland. The whisky is offered in various guises (mostly because of the different oaks it is aged in). It came from humble beginnings, founded in 1824 by local school teacher Alexander Reid and has become the official whisky of the speaker of the House of Commons.
In July 2019 a brand new £140 million visitor experience opened its doors and a year afterwards the building was shortlisted for the Stirling Prize for excellence in architecture.
Please note that The Macallan is currently only avaialble on weekends
Speyside Cooperage
Located just outside Aberlour visit the only working Cooperage in Scotland, where oak whisky barrels are created, refreshed and prepared for ageing of Scotch Whisky. Using ancient techniques up to 5000 years old watch the masters at work and witness the sights, sounds and smells of the working cooperage.
Please note that the cooperage is only open on weekdays
Strathisla
SUGGESTED TOUR ROUTE…
Each tour we operate is unique and designed to your requirements. Here is an example of this tours route, but we can add in and remove anything you want
- Distance Instructions
- Distance 390.15 miles
- Time 8 h 40 min
- Speed 45 mph
- Min altitude 0 ft
- Peak 0 ft
- Climb 0 ft
- Descent 0 ft
ALL OF OUR TOURS COME COMPLETE WITH…
KILT WEARING TOUR GUIDE
We are passionate, professional and full of personality. Let us share our knowledge of Scotland
HOTEL / CRUISE BERTH PICK UP
We’ll collect & return you at the start and end of the tour
BOTTLED SCOTTISH WATER
`Chilled, premium still and sparkling Scottish water is provided
PREMIUM MERCEDES MINIVAN
Our minivans offer luxury interiors and excellent legroom for up to 7 people and their bags
ONBOARD WIFI
Stay connected to friends and family on tour with unlimited super-fast wifi
RECENT CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
Michael & Heidi
Spending the day with Alexander on a private tour of Edinburgh was like visiting a new city with a wonderful family friend. Alexander met us at our hotel promptly in his spotless van and we were off and running. We started with an overview of [...]
Renato B
Our host Alexander was very flexible and adapted the tour according to our requests and the weather. He had a deep knowledge of routes and destinations and knew exactly when to explain or introduce facts or curiosities about the Scottish history. Alexander went above and beyond [...]
Karla V
We had a fabulous time touring Glasgow from Edinburgh. It was our first time to see Glasgow and our tour guide, Sean, made it a fantastic experience. I was with my husband and 2 kids and Sean was flexible enough to allow us to create [...]
Amy M
First class service from start to finish. Alexander tailored a tour of the Scottish Borders especially for us. Highly engaging and informative our group of 6 had a fabulous day out.