Islay Whisky Adventure Tour

Tour ID: 1074 Tour Theme: Whisky Tours This tour starts from: Edinburgh Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
	Operated by: Scottish Routes

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Tour Description:

This tour takes you away to a Scottish island paradise. Stunning scenery, ancient history, traditional culture and 8 of Scotland’s finest whisky distilleries... what more can you ask for?
 

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: > Stirling (1) > Loch Lomond (2) > Loch Fyne (3) > Inveraray (3) > Ferry to Islay (4) > Distillery Visits > Kildalton Cross (5) > Finlaggan (5) > The Trossachs (6)

Day 1: EDINBURGH - ISLAY

Depart Edinburgh (0800).

Today you will spend the day travelling to the "Queen of the Hebrides" - Islay. From Scotland’s capital you head west towards Stirlingshire. With views of Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, your guide will explain the story of the real Braveheart.

Continuing west, you now arrive on the shores of Scotland’s largest loch – Loch Lomond. Breathtaking views unfold as you turn north along the western shore and, if you are lucky, you will see the slopes of Ben Lomond. This is Rob Roy Country and, as you leave the loch side and wind your way up to The Rest and be Thankful, tales of cattle rustling and ancient Highland Clans will fill your ears.

Now you descend into the lands of the infamous Clan Campbell and drive along Loch Fyne to the whitewashed town of Inveraray; seat of the Duke of Argyll. Turning south, the ferry awaits to transport you to the land of peat smoke and whisky.

Arriving in Islay there is time for an introduction to the island before we head to the village of Bowmore for our overnight stay* and a dram or two...


Day 2 & 3: TWO FULL DAYS EXPLORING ISLAY

With two full days to explore the island, you are spoilt for choice of things to do. The exact itinerary on each day will be dictated by the weather and your guide. This allows for as much flexibility as possible, in order to get the most from your experience of a lifetime.

To find out more about what makes Islay whiskies so special, you will visit a number of the island’s distilleries and take a guided tour. There will, of course, be an opportunity to sample the whisky during these visits, as well as tastings at some distilleries we don’t have time to take a full tour at.

Distillery tours** can include the smoky and peaty Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavullin (on the south coast), the lighter Bruichladdich (near Port Charlotte) , Bowmore (the oldest working distillery on Islay), Kilchoman (the newest and smallest) and the biggest producer on the island; Caol Ila.

Along the way, you will discover why Islay is famous for so much more than whisky. A visit to the Kildalton Cross will transport you back in time more than 1200 years and you will discover the ancient seat of the Lords of the Isles at Finlaggan. Wildlife abounds on Islay so keep your eyes open for golden eagles, seals, otters, whales, dolphins, wild geese, red deer and much more.

You will discover traditional villages clinging to the rough Atlantic Coastline, ruined castles, golden beaches and a proud Gaelic culture as you explore the most amazing of Hebridean Islands.

Day 4: ISLAY - EDINBURGH

Leaving Islay on the morning ferry, you say farewell to paradise as you pass the 3 distilleries clinging to the rocky south coast. Arriving back on the mainland, the journey begins back to Edinburgh. Heading towards the Trossachs, there is time for more exploring on the way home and you will arrive back in Edinburgh feeling relaxed and refreshed after discovering one of Scotland’s best kept secrets - the secret that is the Isle of Islay.

For more details go to the "Prices, Dates, and What's Included" section...

4 Day Islay Whisky Adventure Tour!!!

Prices, Dates & What's Included:

This tour is available with a private local driver guide specializing in Scottish culture, landscape and whisky. For more details and prices for private tour options please enquire.

There are also a few regular departures through-out the year with a small group  no larger than 16 people.
*Prices start from: £ 420 to £ 470 GBP
**Departs on Selected Thursdays: May 6, June 17, July 22, Aug 19, Sept 16
Departs > 08.00 | Returns > 18.30 (Approx Return Time)

Dates and space for this tour are limited. To see if departures are available for your dates please fill out the Enquire/Book It form which you can access from the button below.

The Tour Includes:
- 4 full days of touring
- all transport (including return ferries)
- professional driver/guide
- 3 nights accommodation on Islay (B&B basis)
- 3 guided distillery tours and other tastings.

Not Included:
- Meals and refreshments other than breakfast
- entrance fees to extra attractions not listed in the itinerary
- Lunches will either be taken at locally owned eateries or will be picnic style

*please note that accommodation is on a B&B basis in 3 star, or equivalent, local guesthouse. Whenever possible, this will be in Bowmore. However, due to the nature of the island, occasionally some accommodation may be in a different area.

**the exact distilleries visited will be decided by the guide and will depend on the group, the weather and seasonal opening times.

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