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3 Day Whisky Tour to Islay - Short Break

Whisky Tour

  • 3 Day Whisky Tour to Islay - Short Break
  • 3 Day Whisky Tour to Islay - Short Break
  • 3 Day Whisky Tour to Islay - Short Break
  • 3 Day Whisky Tour to Islay - Short Break
  • 3 Day Whisky Tour to Islay - Short Break

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  • Tour ID:
    1438
  • Tour theme:
    Whisky Tours,
  • Duration:
    3 Days / 2 Nights
  • Starts from:
    Edinburgh, Glasgow
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Whisky Tour

  • 3 Day Whisky Tour to Islay - Short Break
  • 3 Day Whisky Tour to Islay - Short Break
  • 3 Day Whisky Tour to Islay - Short Break
  • 3 Day Whisky Tour to Islay - Short Break
  • 3 Day Whisky Tour to Islay - Short Break

Tour Description

Take a tour to the Whisky Isle of Islay. An exclusive private tour that can be tailor made just for you. This tour is designed as a short break whisky tour for those who don't have time to visit all the distilleries on the Island. Instead we focus on the popular distillery tours at Lagavulin and Laphroaig, also with a stop at Ardbeg. Whisky is certainly in the air as soon as you step off the boat. Our private driver guide will take you to as many distilleries as possible in the limited time on the island.

Below is a suggested itinerary for a 3 day tour. This is an introductory tour. If you want to explore more of the island and the distilleries see the 4 day tour..

Day 1: Your private driver guide can pick you up from Edinburgh, Glasgow or another location in Scotland to begin the tour. The itinerary in the morning will vary depending on where and what time you start from. But eventually you will end up in the West Highlands.

Loch Awe is the third biggest loch in Scotland and has a romantic landscape. It is on the site of the Cruachan Power Station which tunnels under the mountain. It was used in the James Bond movie "The World is Not Enough".  In the centre of the loch sits the ruins of the picturesque Kilchurn Castle; built in the 1400s by Sir Colin Campbell. We will make a short photo stop here. Lunch break in Oban.

Continuing the tour we will travel through the dramatic landscape of Kilmartin Glen. This is where some of Scotland's first civilization started. There are ancient stone circles and cairns scattered through out the region. We will have some time to walk around the stones at Temple Wood and walk in the foots steps of the first Kings of Dalriada at Dunnad Hill.

Finally we reach the ferry port at Kennacraig. The ferry crossing to Islay is approx 2 hours so this is a perfect time to have your evening meal. Arriving on the island at about 8.30pm your guide will take you to your hotel for the night. Overnight will be at Port Ellen or Bowmore depending on availability.

Day 2: On this tour we focus on South Islay going to the heavy smoky hitters of Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Laphroaig distilleries.

Moving across to the other side of the island we will pass by boggy land where the distilleries shovel their peat. This peat gives the Islay whish their smoky characteristics in which they are known for. The peat is dried into bricks then when lit on fire they give a smoky aroma which stays with the barley throughout the whisky making process.

We will start the day by going to see the Kildalton Cross; a 2.65m high cross that is just one single slab. Made in the 700s and has its origins on the holy island of Iona.

Our first visit of the day is to Lagavulin Distillery where you will have the unique experience of the Warehouse Tasting. Learn about the wood and special casks used to perfect the whisky aromas from Iain MacArthur, who has been in the Whisky Industry for over 40 years. You will get to enjoy a few samples straight from the casks. Note that this is not available on the weekend. It will be replaced with Bunnahabhain Warehouse 9 Tasting.

For lunch we will head of to the Food Van at Ardbeg Distillery. Here you will have a chance to sample a dram at the tasting bar and then explore their shop.

After lunch we will head to the Laphroaig Distillery. Declared as the "Finest Whisky in the World" by Prince Charles on his visit to Islay in 1994. Laphroaig is one of the few remaining distilleries that still malts their own barley in traditional way on their malting floor. After you become a Friend of Laphroaig you will be given a square foot of land and become an official Scottish Laird! For rent you are given a miniature bottle and then you can strap on your wellies to plant a flag on your peaty territory.

This day is customizable if you had something else in mind then what is described above. We can either add another day on or completely change the itinerary. The other distilleries on the island are Coal Ila, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich and Kilchoman.

Day 3: In the morning we will take the ferry back to the mainland arriving about 12 noon. We then begin our journey back to Edinburgh or Glasgow. We then stop to visit the white washed town of Inverary. A Georgian new town built in the late 18th century, around the same time the New Town of Edinburgh was built. The castle is home to Clan Campbell and the Duke of Argyll. A great  piece of Georgian architecture it is still lived in by the family today. You will have an opportunity to visit the castle and after some free time for lunch.

After lunch we will make a stop at the Rest and Be Thankful. An amazing mountainous area named so by the red coat soldiers who built the military road leading to Inverary. Now used by many walkers and bikers.

We then will make our way to the Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond. An area mesmerised in music and sought out by photographers and painters. It is the largest body fresh water in Britain. It is dominated by the large mountain of Ben Lomond and contains a number of islands. Here you will have some time to walk the shores.

It is a long day of driving back to Edinburgh, returning for about 6 or 7pm

Short Break Private Whisky Tour to Islay

Prices & Dates

What's Included

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!

 

Departure & Map

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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 
The outline of the itinerary must be taken as an indication of what each Group should accomplish and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Go Scotland Tours. Any changes in itinerary may be caused by local political conditions, delays, mechanical breakdown, weather, border restrictions, sickness or other unforeseeable circumstances. No refund will be given for services not fulfilled. It is a fundamental condition of joining the tour described in the itinerary that you accept this flexibility and acknowledge that delays and alterations with resulting consequences, comfort or disappointments are possible.


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.


 

Operated by: Go Scotland Tours
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