Speyside Whisky and Loch Ness Private Tour
Whisky Tour
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Tour ID:1519
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Tour theme:Whisky Tours,
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Duration:4 Days / 3 Nights
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Starts from:Edinburgh, Glasgow
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Whisky Tour
Tour Description
This tour combines the famous whisky region of Speyside with Loch Ness and the Highlands. Spend the first few days exploring the many distilleries of the Highlands and Speyside . Then take a break from the whisky tastings as we take you on a guided tour full of history, scenery and a special monster named Nessie . Experience the Spirit of Scotland with Go Scotland Tours!
We offer this customised tour to be tailor-made to include the distilleries and historic sights of your choice. Below is our recommendation for a 4 day tour with some options...
Day 1 As we begin our drive north your guide will give you an introduction to whisky so you will have a good idea of the process before reaching your first distillery . But to understand whisky you also need to know a bit about our Highland Culture. A diverse clan system with a proud history.
Our first visit of the day will be at Blair Castle. A picturesque castle that marks the entry to the Cairngorm Mountains. It is the seat of the Duke of Athol and Chief of the Clan Murray . It has the only private army in Europe. Now open to the public you will have a chance to visit this grand stately home. The we will head across the road to the Athol Arms Hotel for lunch.
After we go to the Highest Distillery in Scotland. Dalwhinnie Distillery is a single malt whisky and offers a flagship whisky of 15 years old. Here we will have time to sample some of it's whisky while comparing it with handmade chocolates. A perfect combination! Note that we are not planning to do a distillery tour here as there are many others planned on this trip.
The overnight location will depend on availability but will most likely be Craigellachie, Aberlour or Grantown-on-Spey.
Day 2 Today will be dedicated to exploring the scenery, history and whisky of Speyside . We plan to first visit Aberlour Distillery which is one of the first to market their tours for whisky aficionados. A privileged behind the scenes visit to how whisky is made . Then a tutored nosing and tasting of six drams of whisky.
For lunch we will go to Glenfiddich Distillery to have lunch in the Malt Barn Restaurant. On the menu is locally sourced ingredients and dishes prepared by a highly award winning chef. You will have the opportunity to purchase some drams at the bar with largest pouring collection of Glenfiddich whiskies in the world.
Then we head to The Glenlivet. An historic distillery with a fierce reputation. The Glenlivet was founded by George Smith who carried 2 pistols with him to protect his investment. Here we would suggest a special warehouse tour. Visit Warehouse No.1, where you can sample a special dram drawn straight from the cask. Note availability is limited for this tasting.
After we will go to Tomintoul and visit it's whisky shop, and see the biggest bottle of Single Malt Whisky in the World! 105.3 litres of Tomintoul 14 year old.We then take a stunning mountainous scenic drive to the Lecht.
We can offer many variations of this day so if there is a distillery you have in mind that is not above let us know and we will make some adjustments/substitutions.
Day 3 In the morning we go to the Speyside Cooperage and see these skilled workers in action. Being a Cooper is one of the most respected trades of the industry. The visit is followed by a taste of a local whisky liquor. After we visit the shop at Macallan Distillery . Here you will have a chance to purchase a bottle or even a Wee Dram.
We continue our day by heading up to the Moray Firth and the town of Elgin. In the past referred to Lantern of the North we give you the option to visit the ruined cathedral . Also as a special treat we can go to Johnstone of Elgin who have been making cashmere and fine woollen cloth, knitwear and accessories in Scotland since 1797. After lunch we drive along the coastal road to reach Benromach Distillery; the smallest Malt Whisky Distillery in Moray.
We end the day by going to the historic Battlefield at Culloden. A pivotal battle fought in 1746. Hear the dramatic events that inspired Bonnie Prince Charlie to lead the Jacobites in battle against the might Red Coat Soldiers. If time we will go to visit the pre-historic standing stones of Clava Cairns. Overnight will be in Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands
Day 4 We finally take a break from whisky to take a scenic tour of Scotland. In the morning we head to Loch Ness in search of the famous water monster. Here you have the option to take a boat ride, visit Urquhart Castle, or go to the Loch Ness Exhibition and learn the story of Nessie. We continue our drive along the Great Glen, pass the tallest mountain in Britain (Ben Nevis), to reach Fort William for lunch.
Continuing our drive south we take a special journey through Glencoe and Ranoch Moor. An awe-inspiring landscape full of history. It is here were the Massacre of Glencoe happened in 1692. The breath taking scenery has been the inspiration for such films as Highlander, Outlander, Harry Potter and more.
If you are being dropped off in Edinburgh we pass by Stirling Castle, but if you are going to Glasgow we pass by Loch Lomond. Enquire for more details.
Speyside Whisky, Loch Ness and Highlands Tour
Prices & Dates
This is a private tour and prices and details are available upon request.
The prices for this tour will depend on your group size and itinerary.
We can cater to small groups of 1 to 7 people with a private driver guide.
Transportation would either be in a family size sedan car or MB Vito 9 seater. Executive vehicles also available upon request.
We are also happy to organise a tour for a larger group with a coach, driver and guide.
For more details contact us now!
What's Included
Speyside/Loch Ness 4 Days
Day 1
08.30am dep Edinburgh
10.30-12pm Blair Castle
12-1pm lunch Athol Arms
2.30-3.30pm Dalwhinnie Distillery Chocolate/Whisky Tasting
6pm approx arrive to Speyside
Day 2
Option A
9.15am depart
10-11am The Glenlivet
12-1pm lunch Glenfiddich
Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays/ Aberlour Cask tasting/45min
5pm approx return to accommodation
or
Option B
09.30am depart
10-12pm Glenfiddich Tour/tasting
12-1pm lunch
1.30-3pm The Glenlivet Inspiration tour (Warehouse Tasting/limited availability)
short scenic drive to Tomintoul and the Lecht
5pm approx return to accommodation
or
Option C
09.30am depart
10-12pm Aberlour
12.15-1.15pm lunch at Glenfiddich
2.30-4pm The Glenlivet Inspiration tour (Warehouse Tasting/limited availability)
5pm approx return to accommodation
Day 3
08.30-45am depart
9-9.45am Cooperage
stop at Macallan shop
11-12pm visit Elgin Cathedral and Johnstone's Cashmere
1-2pm lunch
3-4pm Benromach Distillery
4.30-5.30pm Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns (if time permits)
6pm overnight Inverness
Day 4
9.30am depart
10-10.30pm Loch Ness Cruise
10.30-12pm Urquhart Castle
1-2pm lunch Fort William
Scenic drive Glencoe, Ranoch Moor, Stirling (frequent stops)
6pm approx arrive Edinburgh
Timings and route are subject to availability. Further options available with exclusive visits and tastings. Contact us for more details.
Departure & Map
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Terms & Conditions
Terms and Conditions
NOTICE TO TRAVELLERS
You should be aware that Scotland has particular features which may or may not appeal to you, including weather, food, local customs, etc. There are different living standards and conditions with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodation. By buying the particular travel service you have selected, we assume that you have made all reasonable inquiries about the travel service.
TOUR INFORMATION
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TOUR INSURANCE PROTECTION
To protect yourself against cancellation charges, we highly recommend that you purchase Travel & Medical Insurance for your added protection and convenience. We accept no responsibilities for these items.
REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS
Below are the standard terms of cancellations. For regular tours please refer to each tours individual terms when making the booking online. Be-spoke services terms may vary and change.
Be-spoke (Private) 1 Day Services; private services of only 1 day (tours, transfers, etc..) are non-refundable 1 week prior.
Be-spoke (Private) Multi-day Services; A 75% refund (25% of package price or £200 GBP if 10% of the price lower, the deposit is non-refundable) will be made if cancellations are received a minimum of 60 Days prior to the Tour departure. From 59 to 30 Days 50% of the tour cost is non-refundable. From 30 days prior to departure, 100% of the tour cost is non-refundable.
UNUSED SERVICES
In case of you are canceling any portion of the tour while en route, there are no refunds for pre-booked hotels, sightseeing tours or any other services or costs. Note: No refunds are made for any unused services including accommodations, sightseeing tours, transportation, etc. with or without notice and the above schedule lists cancellation penalties in effect from time of reservation on any tour or extension. Go Scotland Tours is not responsible for cancelations or delays caused by forces of nature or airlines or cruise line.
CHANGES OF BOOKING
Be-spoke services; Changes made 30 or more days prior of tour start date non-refundable fee of £85 GBP will be charged. Changes made within 30 of tour start date non-refundable fee of £115 GBP.
Regular tours; no charge for changes
Note; charges may vary then what is specified above. This will be discussed at time of change.
CHANGE OF ITINERARY
No changes can be made in the itinerary as set out in the itinerary once travel has commenced unless confirmed by the Tour organizers in accordance with the provisions listed here.
CHANGE OF HOTELS OR SERVICES
Go Scotland Tours. reserves the right to substitute hotels listed for others of a similar category. In the event of any program or hotel changes while you are on the tour, you will be immediately informed and booked in another hotel of the same category. Any costs incurred due to changes made by the tour participants or due to additional services requested will be borne by the tour participants.
RESPONSIBILITY
Go Scotland Tours., provide means of fully insured and licensed transportation, and act as agents contracting hotels, meals, or other services and receipts issued are subject to all terms and conditions under which such services are offered or provided. The acceptance of all such documents shall be deemed as consent. Further, Go Scotland Tours. shall assume no responsibility in any way for any injury, loss, accident, or delay that may be caused by either reason or default of any company, agent or person engaged in carrying our arrangements for the tour. Further no responsibility can be accepted for any additional expenses incurred by the passengers due to delays, omissions, rerouting, changes in the schedule of the airlines or other events resulting from improper documents carried by the passenger, or by any act of government or any authority, strikes, civil disturbances, political unrest, acts of God and any act or omission or event while the passengers are not aboard their conveyances. The passenger contract in use when issued by the airline/s concerned shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the purchaser of this tour and/or other passengers.
ITINERARY, ACCOMMODATIONS AND PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
