Tour Information
Short Description
- Departure & Return: Hotel pick-up from Edinburgh | Day 1: 8:30 AM – Day 2: 7:00 PM
- Price: From £1,965 per group (max 7 guests) | + Tasting and distillery tour fees
A Journey Through Scotland’s Whisky Heartland
Speyside is the beating heart of Scotch whisky—home to over 50 distilleries, it produces some of the most elegant and complex single malts in the world. The Highlands, vast and untamed, offer whisky with a bolder, richer character, shaped by rugged landscapes and ancient traditions. This two-day luxury whisky tour takes you deep into both regions, balancing iconic distilleries with exclusive tastings, scenic journeys, and hidden whisky gems. You’ll enjoy a private tasting at The Whisky Castle in Tomintoul, an overnight stay at the charming Mash Tun Hotel, and a whisky journey that takes in the very best of the Highlands and Speyside.
Tour Highlights
- Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery – The home of the “Golden Dram”
- The Macallan Estate – The pinnacle of Speyside whisky craftsmanship
- The Glenlivet Distillery – The single malt that started it all
- The Whisky Castle, Tomintoul – A private tasting at this legendary whisky shop
- Overnight at The Mash Tun Hotel – A whisky-lover’s retreat in the heart of Speyside
- Scenic Highland and Speyside Drives – Through Cairngorms National Park and rolling Speyside landscapes
A Thoughtfully Curated Whisky Experience
- Private luxury transport – Journey in comfort with door-to-door service
- Expert whisky guide – Deep insights into whisky-making, history, and tasting
- Fully customisable – Choose the experiences and distilleries that suit your taste
- Spectacular Highland and Speyside scenery – A whisky journey through Scotland’s most stunning landscapes
Full Description
Day 1: Highland Elegance & the Gateway to Speyside
Morning: The Golden Dram
Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery – Where Highland & Speyside Flavours Meet
Begin your journey at Dewar’s Aberfeldy, where Highland water and Speyside-style distillation combine to create the Golden Dram. This award-winning distillery is home to one of the most fascinating whisky heritage exhibitions in Scotland, detailing the story of Dewar’s legendary blended whisky and the Aberfeldy single malt.
- Vertical Tastings – £15pp | 3 drams
- High v Spey Tastings – £18.50pp | 4 drams
- Cask Tastings – £31.50pp | 5 drams
- DNA Tastings – £26.50pp | 6 drams
- Lunch at Dewar’s Café – Enjoy a Highland-inspired lunch before we continue northward.
Afternoon: Into the Highlands
As we leave Dewar’s behind, we travel through the Cairngorms National Park, one of the most breathtaking regions in Scotland. Rolling hills, towering mountains, and winding rivers set the scene as we venture towards Speyside. Along the way, we pass:
- Pitlochry – A charming Highland town, home to traditional Victorian architecture and breathtaking scenery.
- Drumochter Pass – The highest road pass in the UK, where the landscape becomes wilder and more dramatic.
- The River Spey – The lifeblood of Speyside whisky, its pure water feeding the world’s most famous distilleries.
Evening: Exclusive Tasting at The Whisky Castle
The Whisky Castle, Tomintoul – A Private Tasting Experience
Arriving in Tomintoul, known as the highest village in the Highlands, we visit the renowned Whisky Castle—a haven for whisky lovers since 1904. This legendary shop holds one of Scotland’s most extensive selections of rare and unique whiskies, including independent bottlings and distillery exclusives. After an evening of whisky discovery, we settle in for a relaxing overnight stay.
- Private Whisky Tasting – A specially curated tasting of Speyside’s finest malts, tailored to your preferences by resident whisky experts.
- Overnight Stay: The Mash Tun Hotel – This cosy whisky-themed hotel sits in the heart of Speyside, with an exceptional whisky bar featuring over 100 rare and sought-after single malts.
- Dinner at The Mash Tun – Indulge in seasonal, locally sourced cuisine, paired perfectly with an after-dinner dram from their extensive whisky collection.
Day 2: The Icons of Speyside
Morning: A New Dawn in Whisky
The Macallan Estate – The Pinnacle of Speyside Whisky
A visit to The Macallan is like stepping into the future of whisky-making. This cutting-edge distillery seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, crafting some of the most coveted single malts in the world. The estate’s design is as extraordinary as its whisky, with a roof built to resemble the rolling hills of Speyside.
- Discovery Experience – £50pp | 3 drams
- Mastery Experience – £100pp | 5 drams
- Private Whisky & Food Pairing – £250pp | 6 drams with gourmet pairings
After an in-depth tour and tasting, we continue deeper into Speyside, passing:
- Craigellachie Bridge – A stunning 19th-century iron bridge spanning the River Spey.
- Rothes – A historic whisky town, home to Glen Grant and Glenrothes distilleries.
Midday: The Whisky That Started It All
The Glenlivet Distillery – The Founding Father of Speyside
No Speyside whisky tour is complete without The Glenlivet. This distillery is credited with starting the Speyside whisky boom in the early 1800s, becoming the first licensed distillery in Scotland. Its elegant, fruit-forward malts have set the standard for Speyside’s signature style.
- The Glenlivet Distillery Experience – £25pp | 3 drams
- The Cellar Collection – £75pp | 5 drams, including exclusive single casks
- Lunch at The Glenlivet Café – Enjoy a relaxed meal overlooking the scenic hills of the Livet Valley.
Afternoon: A Scenic Return to Edinburgh
As we leave Speyside, we take the scenic route through the Highlands, passing:
- Grantown-on-Spey – A traditional Highland town with beautiful Victorian architecture.
- Aviemore – A gateway to the Cairngorms, known for its stunning landscapes.
- House of Bruar – A luxury Scottish shopping experience, perfect for last-minute whisky gifts.
As the sun begins to set over the Highlands, we arrive back in Edinburgh, filled with unforgettable memories and the lingering taste of Speyside’s finest drams.