The World of Whisky Tour of Scotland

Tour ID: 1079 Tour Theme: Whisky Tours This tour starts from: Edinburgh Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights This is a Private Tour
	Operated by: Go Scotland Tours

Tour Description:

Tour the great whisky regions of Islay, Jura, Kintyre and Arran on this specialized world of whisky tour of Scotland.

Day 1: Ayrshire - Isle of Arran

From Edinburgh the tour heads southwest into Ayrshire and Robert Burns Country. This is also the lands of William Wallace, and of the Cunningham family (who were supporters of Robert the Bruce, and in later times they fought against Oliver Cromwell). We will visit Burns’ Cottage and the Auld Kirk of Alloway before we head to the stunning Culzean Castle, ancestral seat of the Marquess of Ailsa, head of the Kennedy family (from the Gaelic meaning ‘ugly head’. The name comes from an ancient warrior of a British Tribe called the Votadini based in the area around Edinburgh sent south by the Saxons to quell unrest by British Tribes in Ayrshire, where he stayed. From Culzean we head north again, stopping to test the bizarre ‘Electric Brae’ at Croy, through Ayr and up to Ardrossan and the ferry to Arran.
Overnight – Arran

Day 2: Day Exploring the Isle of Arran

Visit to the Arran distillery, Scotland’s newest distillery, with the first mash made in 1995. Arran is a light, fruity dram, with a slight sharpness. Looks like being a good one. The trip will head through the dramatic mountains of Arran (Arran means peaked island in Gaelic), including Goat Fell to the west coast with all its prehistoric standing stones before returning back to the main town, Brodick and a visit to the lovely Brodick castle. In 1503 the Earldom of Arran and Brodick castle were given by James IV to his cousin the Lord of Hamilton. Brodick became a seat of the Dukes of Hamilton (the premier peers of Scotland). The rest of the day is to be spent relaxing on this lovely island.
Overnight - Arran

Day 3: Arran - Kintyre  - Saddell - Campbeltown - Isle of Islay

From Brodick we make our way to Lochranza and catch the ferry back to the Mainland and Claonaig on Kintyre. This long peninsular has been since the Middle Ages split between the Clans Campbell and MacDonnell (descendants of Somerled). We will make a stop to visit the impressive ruin of Skipness castle. Once held by the Clan MacSween, the original power in Kintyre, the lands and subsequent castle became part of the Lordship of the Isles until their forfeiture in the late 15th Century, whereupon it was granted to the Campbell clan as they extended their rule south into traditional Clan Donald Country. We then continue south to the important valley of Saddell with Saddell castle and Abbey. It is here that religion and warfare found common ground. Saddell Abbey is the burial ground of Somerled, grandfather of the Lordship and the survival of the Celtic west. The nearby castle was a seat of the bishop. Then it is on down this beautiful coastline down to Campbeltown and the famous Springbank distillery. One of the most famous distilleries in Scotland, Springbank still malts its own barely and uses traditions long lost in other distilleries. The result is fantastic, with the Springbank 21 year old generally recognised as one of the best malts of all. Campbeltown lies at the far south of Kintyre near the stunning Mull of Kintyre, and we can head out to the Mull for spectacular views across to Ulster. Then it is up the main road on the west side to Kennacraig and the ferry to Islay
Overnight - Islay

Day 4: Islay is the world of whisky!

Islay is the world of whisky, with 7 working distilleries on this amazing island. The day is to be spent visiting as many of the distilleries as you want. As well as the distilleries we will explore the island’s historic past with visits to see the remains of Finlagan Castle (seat of the Lordship) and the Kildalton carved stone cross. We can also arrange specialised whisky tastings, cycle hire and pony trekking on the gorgeous sandy beaches of the west.
Overnight – Islay


Day 5: Day Exploring the Isle of Jura

From Islay catch the small five minute ferry to the breathtaking Isle of Jura. Jura has the lowest population density of anywhere in Britain for its size with only about 100 inhabitiants, however it has a large deer population, and Jura means ‘Deer Island’. The island is dominated by the high Paps of Jura, and is near split in the middle by Loch Tarbert. The loch provides the natural divide between the two rival clans vying for control of the island – the MacDonnells and the MacLeans. At Craighouse, the only village you can visit the Isle of Jura distillery. According to legend, the old clansmen of Jura lived for over 150 years because of the quality of the water. Well, the distillery uses this same water and perhaps can truly claim to be the ‘Water of Life’ (whisky comes from the Gaelic ‘Uisge Beatha’ – the water of life). Continue north along the island’s only road as far as it will take you. Completely adrift from the swirl of the outside world, revel in the isolation of the island’s north. It was here that George Orwell seeking solitude wrote ‘1984’, and you can walk to his house. If feeling adventurous you can walk all the way to the top of the island and the mystical Gulf of Corryvreckan. The Gulf is dominated by a huge sea whirlpool. There is a landrover safari that can take you right up to the Gulf. Then it is back to Islay.
Overnight – Islay

Day 6:

Catch the morning ferry back to the mainland and head north to Inveraray right in the heart of Campbell country, and where you can visit Inveraray Castle, seat of His Grace the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Campbells. Then it is on over the Rest and be Thankful pass down to Loch Lomond and on towards Glasgow and Edinburgh.


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Islay, Jura, Kintyre and Arran Whisky Tour!!!

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