Give the Gift of a Scotland Distillery Tour
Chocolates get eaten. Flowers wilt. Perfume bottles run out. But memories of a trip to Scotland and some of its finest distilleries will last forever.
When it comes to sharing the finest of experiences, one shouldn’t look further than Scotland. Not only is the country home to stunning vistas, iconic architecture and sensory delights at every corner, Scotland’s regions are home to hundreds of working distilleries, producing distinctive and decadent whiskies savoured across the world.
With each distillery tour, expect the exceptional. Tours across the regions allow guests to meet local legends, buy limited edition bottles and expressions, sit at restaurants with menus built around awakening every flavour on the palate and so much more.
Give a gift to a loved one and book a distillery tour so you can all plan ahead for the perfect trip together, or treat yourself to something you’ve been waiting for for your whole life - whether you realised it or not. The best of Scotland's whisky distilleries - and a whole exploration into a new world of flavour, knowledge and luxury - is just one click away.
For a high quality experience, look to the Highlands. Famed for some of the UK’s highest peaks, meandering lochs and a culture built on history and heritage, the Highlands have tales to tell and experiences to share. And with over 50 working distilleries spread across the Highlands and the Islands, the region is by far the largest geographical whisky producing area.
In the Highlands, pay a visit to Blair Athol. With a whisky celebrated for its spicy freshness, you can feel the same air of adventure and life all around. Toast to the finer things during your distillery tour at Blair Athol, enjoying an expertly-crafted cocktail served over an old copper mash tun bar - one of the last few in existence. History and legacy is important - and you get to witness how they bring the lessons of the past into the perfect present.
If the thought of whisky cocktails served up right from a team of experts wasn’t enough, Blair Athol benefits from its location.
Full of character and history - just like its whisky - the distillery sits near Pitlochry in Perthshire. Think the best of Scotland all in one. From the rugged beauty of the Ben Vrackle hills to the nearby River Tummel, the views are worth the visit alone.
But then there’s some notable Scottish delights, perfect for the festive season. An enchanting castle (or two), you can warm up from a windswept walk in the spectacular five star Fonab Castle Hotel and Spa. If a night of rest and relaxation sounds like too much of a good thing, you can also brave Castle Menzies.
The ancestral seat of the Clan Menzies and the Menzies Baronets, the castle has been voted the third best in all of Scotland. Although, reader beware, it’s reportedly so haunted that the owner can’t face the chills and thrills on a dark winter’s night so he shuts shop and seeks sanctuary elsewhere…
Expect the royal treatment at Royal Lochnagar, the grand distillery which sits not far from the roaring majesty of the River Dee.
What are some highlights of the Royal Lochnagar distillery tour?
Enjoy hand-crafted cocktails
Savour and learn all about the whisky in gorgeous private tasting rooms
Enter into a draw to win a taste of whisky directly from the cask.
The Royal Lochnagar distillery tour truly will be the crowning glory of your visit, but if you need a touch of something extra, Balmoral - yes, that Balmoral - is a short drive away. The sprawling grounds of the Scottish home to the Royal Family used to be the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite haunts, and she was known to be spotted walking around, carefree and lost in the splendour of Scotland’s vast fauna. If it was good enough for Her Majesty…
Oban, located within the Argyll and Bute area of the Highlands, personifies small but mighty.
Historians have dated the first humans in Oban all the way back to the Mesolithic era, and you feel a sense of importance and unspeakable magic when you set foot on the resort town.
The distillery isn’t quite as old as the Mesolithic Middle Stone Age, but it is one of the oldest operating Scottish distilleries, having been founded in 1794.
If you’re booking an Oban distillery tour experience for a loved one, Oban is also the right choice as nowhere implores you to get cosy and intimate than this coastal delight. Snuggle into one another after you rent a seaplane to tour the Oban coastline, or wrap up warm and take a stroll along the Oban promenade as the sun sets against the bay. A picture-perfect moment, and a reminder of the beauty in unspoiled nature.
If you need somewhere to rest and warm up after a wintry walk, the Oban Bay Hotel overlooks the expansive bay and guarantees a warm bed, fresh seafood and plenty other coastal town treasures.
You’ll be clinging to the memory of the simple life for weeks after your revitalising visit - and you might find yourself booking to come back.
Islay comes alive each May with the Feis Ile celebration, a festival of whisky, food and culture, but even when the feel of spring air on your face is replaced by Jack Frost nipping at your nose, Islay is still full of wonder, whimsy, and, of course, whisky.
Islay has a saying - come for the whisky, return for the island, and you’ll realise just how true it is when you discover gems of the region, like the Caol Ila and Lagavulin distilleries.
The Islay whiskies are celebrated for the understated power of peat and smoke that penetrates the senses and make masterful malts that enchant novice and aficionado alike.
Situated on the North Eastern shores of Islay, one of the first things that will welcome any lucky visitors to the Caol Ila distillery is the breathtaking views across the Sound of Islay to the spectacular Paps of Jura. A treat for the eyes, before the delights awaiting your other senses inside the distillery.
There are a range of Caol Ila distillery tours available to book, and they include trips to the sensory story, guided tastings of deluxe drams and an opportunity to really soak up the knowledge of the local experts.
For a post-whisky pick-me-up, a visit to Port Askaig - the charmingly small village town just a little over a mile away - is like stepping into a postcard.
The land of Lagavulin - sat on the expansive Lagavulin Bay - has to endure windswept conditions. So it’s only natural the whisky - and the people - have become accustomed to taking on a quiet strength.
Soak up this indomitable spirit as you tour the distillery, see the distillers at work and witness the pear shaped stills creating the powerful, peaty malt.
For a day out after your distillery experience, take a trip to nearby Port Ellen, one of Islay’s main sea ports.
Scotland’s Lowlands might be characterised by a less dramatic landscape - they aren’t as mountainous as the Highlands - but they know how to deliver style, drama and excitement in other ways.
A distillery tour to the Lowlands can also include a memorable holiday to popular cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow.
We don’t need to convince anyone to consider visiting Edinburgh. Author Alexander McCall Smith said it best - “A city so beautiful it breaks the heart again and again.” As well as being Scotland’s capital city, the leading festival city in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Edinburgh is home to Johnnie Walker Princes Street.
Just as Johnnie Walker has become the defining standard in premium whiskies, Princes Street leads the way in unsurpassable whisky tour experiences.
Learn more about the story of the founder and the centuries of tradition which transformed a brand into a whisky giant, discover how the distinctive blends are crafted and enjoy a range of exclusive cocktails and dishes atop a rooftop bar with unparalleled views of Edinburgh Castle.
A floral whisky, it’s only right that a Glenkinchie distillery tour involves a visit to the garden home of this Lowlands treasure.
There are several experiences available, including a charming Distillery After Dark experience and a more in-depth tour for those who want to get deep into the heart of the evocative dram.
Nestled in the heart of Scotland's Highlands, Speyside is a region of its own charm and character, renowned for breathtaking landscapes and a dedication to heritage. Just as integral to the spirit of Speyside as the sprawling hills, quaint villages, and the winding River Spey are the distilleries which create Speyside whiskies, known for smoothness, sweetness and softness.
Founded by Helen Cumming in 1811 and later taken over by her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Cumming, Cardhu’s legacy as the first distillery to be pioneered by women is entrenched in the spirit of Speyside.
With multiple tours to book, guests can expect a range of treats for the senses. Tours can include an expert whisky tasting of drams and a bespoke cocktail, flavour journeys, and even mystery whisky challenges.
The final word
Whether you go Highlands or Lowlands, any distillery tour will be something cherished for a lifetime. While distilleries offer exclusive products and bottlings, you can still shop for a range of bestsellers to whet your whistle as you await your whisky tour.
Explore the world of Malts
From American bourbon to Scotch whisky, read our handy guide to the different types of whisky, how they’re made and how they differ.
From peaty whisky to fruity whisky, lean on our expert insights to discover the full variety and character of different whisky flavours.
Choosing the correct beginner whisky is an important step for any budding malts enthusiast. Let us help you start your journey.
Professional whisky tasting takes practice. Use our do's and don'ts to demystify the experience and enjoy your drams in a whole new way.