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4 Days
Day 1
After departing Edinburgh you will head north west through Stirlingshire and into the Highlands to make your way towards the ferry from Kennacraig to Islay.
We will pass Loch Lomond and make a short stop in Inveraray. It is then a short drive down the Kintyre Peninsula to Kennacraig where you will board the evening ferry to Islay. The ferry crossing is around 2 hours and allows for some beautiful views of the islands of Gigha, Jura and Islay as well as the area surrounding West Loch Tarbert. There is time to relax in the bar with an Islay whisky; grab some lunch from the restaurant and just soak up the sea air before you arrive.
On arrival in Islay, we will visit our first distillery of the tour! Bunnahabhain Distillery. Pronounced 'Bunn-na-ha-venn', meaning 'mouth of the river' in Scots Gaelic, this distillery is in a stunning location offering gorgeous views of the Paps of Jura and a range of peated and unpeated drams.
It is then a short drive to Bowmore to check in to The Bowmore House or Island Bear for your 3-night stay.
Day 2
The second day of your tour will see you spend which means there are plenty of options for sightseeing as well as visiting the all important distilleries.
We will begin the day with a short visit to Bowmore Distillery, the oldest running on the island. we will focus our visits on the southern distilleries of the island: Lagavulin, Ardbeg & Laphroaig. These visits will include a Warehouse Tasting at Lagavulin, where you will be able to sample drams drawn straight from the cask, a curated tasting at Ardbeg, and a tour of the Laphroaig distillery.
Your guide will also share some of their favourite places with you. These can include empty beaches, whitewashed villages and ancient sites such as the Kildalton Cross.
Day 3
After a hearty breakfast in Bowmore, you will catch the morning ferry back to Kennacraig then make your way to Campbeltown. This area was once known as ‘the whisky capital of the world’ with 34 distilleries. Now only three active distilleries remain in the town: Glen Scotia, Glengyle and Springbank, making it Scotland's smallest whisky region.
We will visit Glen Scotia to tour their distillery and then take part in an incredible Warehouse Tasting - trying some delicious cask strength drams. Next we will visit the family-owned Springbank Distillery, who produce both peated and unpeated whisky and tour their facilities to see each step of the whisky making process.
We will then travel to Stonefield Castle for a group farewell dinner and our final overnight stay. The castle was built in 1837 and is set in 60 acres of woodland gardens with views of Loch Fyne. They also boast an impressive whisky collection if you haven't tried enough yet.
Day 4
After a leisurely start, we will travel to the loch-side town of Inveraray. This is the seat of the clan Campbell, home to the Loch Fyne Whisky shop and your stop for lunch. After lunch (and some last-minute whisky shopping) your journey now hugs the shores of Loch Fyne and Loch Long before climbing up to the Rest and be Thankful pass for sweeping views. Then it is to the shores of Loch Lomond. With time to stop for some lovely views and stretch of the legs, this is the last stop on your tour before crossing the River Clyde and into Scotland’s largest city of Glasgow. Some of our guests may be leaving the tour here so we may make a shortstop in central Glasgow (George Square) before returning to Edinburgh.
Due to various reasons (weather, closures and special events) it may not always be possible to visit all distilleries mentioned. Please be aware that, if this is the case, we will ensure that suitable alternatives are found.
If you are lucky enough to look under 25, please bring a photo ID with you as you may be asked to prove you are over 18. All passengers must be 18+
We suggest you bring suitable clothing for sun and rain including a waterproof jacket, plenty of layers and shoes suitable for short walks.
Due to the size of our vehicles, we ask you to limit your luggage to 1 small piece per person with a maximum weight of 15kg. You can also bring 1 small handbag or daypack which can be stored on the bus by your feet or above your head.
Meals and entrance fees not mentioned above, Tips and Gratuities.
If you are lucky enough to look under 25, please bring a photo ID with you as you may be asked to prove you are over 18. All passengers must be 18+
We suggest you bring suitable clothing for sun and rain including a waterproof jacket, plenty of layers and shoes suitable for short walks.
Due to the size of our vehicles, we ask you to limit your luggage to 1 small piece per person with a maximum weight of 15kg. You can also bring 1 small handbag or daypack which can be stored on the bus by your feet or above your head.
