Whisky Tour Islay, Jura, Arran & Kintyre

Programme

The below itinerary is subject to change due to weather or tidal conditions without prior notice. The timings displayed are for your reference and guidance only.

Day 1: Loch Lomond and Loch Fyne

Individual arrival in Glasgow. Travelling from the airport will take you to the western banks of ‘bonnie’ Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest and most popular freshwater lake in the heart of Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. Take a stroll in this beautiful landscape and enjoy panoramic views before continuing your scenic drive to the shores of Loch Fyne. You will spend your first night in the picturesque town of Inveraray, which will wow you with its loch-side scenery, history and heritage.

Day 2: Mull of Kintyre and Springbank

After a hearty Scottish breakfast you make your way south, on a beautiful stretch of coastal road, to the very tip of the Kintyre peninsula. Your destination is Campbeltown, which was once a busy place known for fishing and shipbuilding and home to more than 30 distilleries. Much quieter today, the town is still one of Scotland’s five whisky producing regions with three active distilleries: Glen Scotia, Glengyle and Springbank. A tour at Springbank – a unique and historic distillery that is proud of their heritage, having retained many of the traditional processes – is a must. In the evening you will board the ferry to Islay, where some striking views open up to the low-lying island of Gigha, the Kintyre peninsula and to the distant mountains of Arran. After a relaxing 2-hour crossing you have arrived in whisky paradise!

Day 3: Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, Bowmore

Spend the morning strolling on one of Islay’s most beautiful beaches, Machir Bay. Afterwards visit the nearby Kilchoman distillery, the only farm distillery on Islay and one of handful of distilleries still practicing traditional floor malting. And not only that – the barley is also home-grown, milled, and bottled on site. Join one of their tours to learn all about their history and ambitious vision, and make sure you pop into their café for their fine selection of home-made soup, sandwiches and baking. A short drive away lies Bruichladdich distillery, home to Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore single malts along with ‘The Botanist’ gin. In the afternoon head to Islay’s main town Bowmore, which gives its name to the local distillery. Bowmore is the oldest licensed distillery on Islay, still taking great pride and enormous care and attention in creating one of the world’s most collectible malts. Why not finish a perfect day with a dram at the tasting bar, overlooking the beautiful Loch Indaal. Slainte!

Day 4: Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg

Delve deep into the mesmerising flavours of three of the island’s whisky giants – Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg – who are famous for their smoky, peaty whiskies. On your way to the distilleries you will be passing the vast expanse of bog where the peat is cut. Start your exploration with a tour at Laphroaig, where you can taste first hand what all the fuss is about. With its daringly bold, almost medicinal flavours the whisky has divided opinions around the world since 1815. Next up is Lagavulin, Laphroaig’s elegant neighbour, which is hailed as the connoisseur’s choice. And last but not least, visit Ardbeg distillery, another big player with a fierce loyalty among its fans. Ardbeg has an exciting array of expressions, famous for being unpronounceable, and has won prestigious titles in the world of whisky. The café is a success in its own right, providing some of the best food on the island.

Day 5: Jura, Caol Isla and Bunnahabhain

Today you will visit the island and distillery of Jura. The name Jura means ‘Deer Island’, which is appropriate given its population of 180 people versus 5,500 deer. Nature lovers can find more than 100 species of birds, including stone eagles. In addition, goats, seals, rabbits, hares, and otters characterise the animal world. This is also where George Orwell completed his most famous novel ‘1984’. Jura whisky is not as heavily peated as Islay whiskies, sourcing soft water from a spring called Bhaille Mharghaidh and using taller stills than other island distilleries. After your tour and tasting it is time to head back to Islay, where you can either explore the island or take the opportunity to visit the most northerly distilleries of Caol Isla, Ardnahoe and Bunnahabhain.

Day 6: Isle of Arran

In the morning you catch the ferry back to the mainland where, after a short drive across the peninsula, you’ll be boarding the ferry to Arran. A short sailing across the Kilbrannan Sound takes you to Lochranza, a picturesque village with castle, golf course and one of Arran’s two distilleries. Arran is small but it has so much to offer. The island is defined by a geological fault line, which runs across the centre of the island, separating the rugged, mountainous landscape of the north from the more gentle hills of the south. With this Arran mirrors Scotland’s varied landscapes, thereby forming a “Scotland in miniature”. Settle in to your accommodation for the next two nights and sample the local whisky.

Day 7: Arran Distillery

Start the day by taking a panoramic drive around the island, go for a wander on the beach or follow the ‘Taste of Arran’ trail for some local artisan food and drink. In the afternoon visit Lochranza distillery, one of the few remaining independent distilleries in Scotland. Once the perfect water source was identified, the building work began in 1994 – but not after allowing a pair of golden eagles to nest, who return most years and can sometimes be seen flying high above the distillery. Lochranza distillery has a state of the art visitor experience and produces Arran single malts, blends as well as cream liqueurs.

Day 8: Departure

Today you have to say goodbye to a wonderful, welcoming country. Take the morning ferry to Ardrossan, from where you will drive back to Glasgow airport.

The ferry crossing from Arran takes approx. 1 hour, the journey to Glasgow approx. 45 minutes. If you have an early morning return flight, you can spend the last night in Glasgow rather than on Arran.

Services

Tour includes

• 7 overnight stays in 3-4* B&B accommodation (en-suite) on Islay
• Scottish breakfast
• hire car for 4 days from/to airport including insurance and Sat Nav
• ferry to and from Islay
• ferry Kintyre-Arran
• ferry Arran-Ardrossan
• Scotland road map
• Comprehensive info pack including leisure and restaurant recommendations
• 24/7 emergency hotline

Not included

• flights
• lunch and dinner
• fuel
• admissions
• additional driver

Optional add-ons

• £69 pp additional night in Edinburgh/Glasgow B&B, based on 2 people sharing (£ single supplement)
• £89 pp additional night in Edinburgh/Glasgow hotel, based on 2 people sharing (£ single supplement)
• from £50 per day car hire extension
• from £300 per day for chauffeur (includes expenses)

Additional Information

Duration: 8 days
Participants: from 2 pax
Start: Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport
Finish: Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport

When deciding on your travel dates, please bear in mind that we require at least 6 weeks to prepare. Every trip is meticulously planned and organised, and the information pack is compiled with great care and attention. We also have to allow time for the information pack to be delivered (postal delivery can take on average 4 weeks in Europe). If you do want to travel at short notice, please contact us by email. Thank you for your cooperation!

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