Description
Scotland has over 130+ malt distilling facilities, and up until the craft boom of the US, the country with the highest number of distilleries. While every region of Scotland has distilling operations, there are 2 areas of concentration: Speyside in the Highlands and the island of Islay off the west coast.
Scotland has over 130+ malt distilling facilities, and up until the craft boom of the US, the country with the highest number of distilleries. While every region of Scotland has distilling operations, there are 2 areas of concentration: Speyside in the Highlands and the island of Islay off the west coast.
Speyside Tour
Tour would originate and end in either the lowland cities of Edinburgh or Glasgow which have international airports. After an evening in either, sampling a pub in Glasgow or The Whiskey Experience in Edinburgh, a train or bus would transport guest to the heart of the Speyside region.
Some of the popular accommodations are the Highlander Inn and the Craigellachie Hotel, both in Dufftown. There are anywhere from 40-55 distilleries all within an hour or two from there. Most have established visitor sites and welcoming areas.
Some are entirely commercial malt distilleries that don’t conduct tours; however, I would be able to get access to some of these “hidden gems” that sell most of their whisky to blenders. Other sites of interest would be the Speyside Cooperage where over a million barrels a year are processed and created for the whisky industry; as well as commercial malting companies that produce all the malt, peated and unpeated, used in the distilleries.
There are also a number of wonderful taverns, pubs and restaurants in that area that cater to whisky tourism in the Dufftown/Elgin corridor. Golf in Scotland is an option.
Tour Times:
Some of the popular accommodations are the Highlander Inn and the Craigellachie Hotel, both in Dufftown. There are anywhere from 40-55 distilleries all within an hour or two from there. Most have established visitor sites and welcoming areas.
Some are entirely commercial malt distilleries that don’t conduct tours; however, I would be able to get access to some of these “hidden gems” that sell most of their whisky to blenders. Other sites of interest would be the Speyside Cooperage where over a million barrels a year are processed and created for the whisky industry; as well as commercial malting companies that produce all the malt, peated and unpeated, used in the distilleries.
There are also a number of wonderful taverns, pubs and restaurants in that area that cater to whisky tourism in the Dufftown/Elgin corridor. Golf in Scotland is an option.
Tour Times:
- The Spirit of Speyside Festival usually occurs toward the end of April (this year in virtual form) with the intent of moving it in 2021 to Nov. 3.
- For tours, its best to avoid these dates as the entire area gets turned over to the festival and individual attention is non-existent.
- Additionally, distilling slows to a crawl during the hot summer months of July-August, the “silent season” when distilling stops for yearly maintenance.
- The best times are spring and early summer.
Islay/Hebrides Tour
Tour would originate out of Glasgow with a bus trip to the Kintyre Peninsula town of Kennacraig to pick up a ferry to Islay. Islay has 8 distilleries, all well known and each distinct and individual. There are inns and small hotels throughout, as well as excellent pubs and taverns. Other diversions are a water tour of the bay and a nature exploration of the island. Since its small, it books up quickly.
Tour Times:
Tour Times:
- Islay’s “silent season” coincides with the rest of Scotland, so the months of July/August are to be avoided.
- The “Feis Isle” or “Island Festival” is an 8 day celebration of whisky, with each day’s festivities hosted by a different distillery. This typically occurs over the US Memorial Day holiday weekend.
- Early spring and mid-summer post-festival are ideal.
