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A great way to start the year, 3 nights in Speyside for our first Scotland Whisky Tour of 2025.
After picking up my group of 4 at Edinburgh Airport we headed north for a quick lunch in Pitlochry and then a drop in visit at Dalwhinnie Distillery. After a few drams it was on to our whisky inn for 3 nights, the wonderful Highlander Inn in Craigellachie. It’s a perfect base for touring Speyside and there’s always a warm welcome from Tatsuya and the team – not to mention over 300 whiskies to choose from!
Day 1 started with an early drop in to Glenlivet Distillery and its’ excellent bar for some post breakfast drams. A quick visit to the Glenfiddich Distillery bar set us up for lunch in Aberlour and then the highlight of the tour, a visit to Balvenie Distillery. Still one of my favourite tours and my group loved the experience aided by the knowledge and humour of our guide Kevin, topping off with 5 lovely scotches. We headed back to the Highlander for some more whisky research!
Day 2 began with a tour of Cardhu Distillery, one of the 4 corners of Johnnie Walker blends. I have dropped off guests here many times but I also joined the tour this time and I have to say I was not disappointed. Our young guide Kirsten did a superb job and with the aid of a few props the process was expertly explained. Cardhu has a wonderful and unique history and an extra bonus is the chance to see some highland cows up close. After a great pub lunch in Lossiemouth we had a bar visit to Macallan Distillery. The distillery has to be seen to believed and is unique in many ways. Time for a few more drams and then back to the Highlander.
Day 3 meant an earlier start as my guests had flights to catch from Edinburgh but there was still time for a visit to Doune Castle to satisfy the Monty Python and Outlander fans in the group.
My guests really enjoyed the short tour and the stunning snowy scenery on the way back was an extra bonus. I have a strong suspicion this wont be their last scotch distillery tour!
