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Ardbeg Distillery - Islay, Scotland

Islay Whisky Journey

(6 days / 5 nights)

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Take a journey and taste Islay's whiskies

Experience some of the best Scotch Whisky on this 6-day private tour and learn more about the water of life as you visit a range of distilleries on the ‘Queen of the Hebrides’ the Isle of Islay. Whisky enthusiasts will love this tour that combines whisky tastings with sightseeing, including some of Scotland’s beloved sights such as Edinburgh and Loch Lomond and some interesting hidden gems. We have not included any distilleries in the tour to allow you to tailor distillery tours and tastings to your preferences.

6 days / 5 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in GBP

Approx 2972 GBP

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— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
  • Flexible & customisable tour options
  • Quality & value for your money
  • Trusted local experts in Scotland
  • Great customer reviews

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— Book With Confidence

  • Optional cancellation insurance
  • Affordable deposits from 10%

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Visit world-famous distilleries and sample various whiskies
  • Stroll up the Royal Mile and discover the capital city Edinburgh
  • Take in Scotland’s beautiful Trossachs National Park
  • Admire the beauty of the west coast of Scotland and island of Islay
  • Learn and experience firsthand Scottish history and culture
  • Visit your guide’s favourite spots off the beaten path
  • Plan your itinerary with your personal travel consultant with your choice of distilleries
  • Hassle-free travel experience with a local and experienced driver-guide

Travel style

Privately Guided i

Interest

Countryside and natural scenery i, Culture and History i, Highlands i, Honeymoon & Romance i, Whisky i

Season

Mar - Oct

Departure

Daily

Interest

Countryside and natural scenery i, Culture and History i, Highlands i, Honeymoon & Romance i, Whisky i

Driving distance

759/475 km/mi

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: ARRIVAL IN EDINBURGH

    Upon your arrival in Edinburgh, you will be greeted by a private driver who will take you to your hotel in the city centre. For those arriving early in the day, we recommend spending the afternoon walking through the city, strolling along the Royal Mile and exploring the Old Town and New Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also plenty of museums and landmarks to visit within the city centre, including the majestic Edinburgh Castle. You could also take in the largest private collection of whisky in the world at the Scotch Whisky Experience or taste some unique drams at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society on Queen Street.

    Spend the night in Edinburgh.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 2: HEADING TO THE WEST COAST

    Your private guide will pick you up from your hotel to start your journey to the west coast. We will pass through Stirlingshire and the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, stopping on the way at the charming whitewashed village of Inveraray. Here you’ll have some time to visit Inveraray Castle, home to the Duke of Argyll, or even the local Fyne Whisky Shop. Making our way along Loch Fyne, the longest sea loch in Scotland, we’ll board a ferry to the Isle of Islay. The ferry journey is a highlight with beautiful views of the Isles of Gigha and Jura.

    Spend the night on the Isle of Islay.

    Average Driving Distance: 305 km / 190 mi. (Incl. Ferry Crossing)
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 9 - 10 Hours (Incl. 2 hours Ferry Crossing)
    Ferry Duration: 2 Hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 3: ISLAY’S SOUTH COAST AND KILDALTON DISTILLERIES

    Today you will explore the best that the south of Islay has to offer. It is home to three of the smokiest and most complex distilleries on the island, Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Ardbeg. We’ll start the day with a stop on the peat bogs, a vital part of Islay’s peaty and smoky whisky flavours. We then recommend a mixture of tours and tastings for the rest of the day, such as the fantastic Warehouse Tasting at Lagavulin, the Distillers Wares at Laphroaig or the tasting at Ardbeg. We’ll also visit the Kildalton Cross and take a walk on Port Ellen beach with views to the Carraig Fhadda lighthouse, and Port Ellen Distillery.

    Spend another night on Islay.

    Average Driving Distance: 64 km / 40mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 8 - 9 Hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 4: NORTH ISLAY AND OTHER FLAVOURS

    After yesterday’s peaty hits, we’ll spend today exploring the other island’s distilleries where the coastal notes are more influential. We again recommend a mixture of tours, and you’ll be able to choose from six distilleries, such as a warehouse tasting at Bunnahabhain or Bruichladdich Distillery and a visit to Ardnahoe, Islay’s newest distillery. We will also see and discover more of Islay on the way. Take a walk along the beautiful Machir Beach and learn more about weaving at the Islay Woollen Mill.

    Spend another night on Islay.

    Average Driving Distance: 80 km / 50 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 8 - 9 Hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 5: RETURN TO EDINBURGH

    Today we will catch the morning ferry back to the mainland. We’ll then retrace our steps through the Trossachs National Park all the way back to Edinburgh. You have the option to end your trip in Glasgow if you wish to. 

    Back in Edinburgh, your driver-guide will drop you off at your accommodation. Tonight you can enjoy dinner at one of Edinburgh‘s many gourmet restaurants and spend the evening at your leisure.

    Spend the night in Edinburgh.

    Average Driving Distance: 310 km / 195 mi. (Incl. Ferry Crossing)
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 9 - 10 Hours (Incl. 2 hours Ferry Crossing)
    Ferry Duration: 2 Hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 6: DEPARTURE FROM SCOTLAND

    On your day of departure, a private driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you directly to the airport. If your flight is in the afternoon, you may take your last few hours to do some last-minute shopping, visit one of Edinburgh’s many museums, or take one last stroll through the charming city centre.

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

Standard rooms in good quality and comfortable three-star hotels in combination with well-appointed guesthouses or country hotels.

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Superior

Standard rooms in four-star hotels or boutique guesthouses in combination with Superior rooms in premium three-star hotels.

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Price per person from

The amount will be charged in GBP

Approx 2972 GBP

Book with confidence

Monthly price comparison

Our best price per person when booking for two.

2023
2024

Tour Information

We recommend that all our travellers read through the following information about what the tour includes, the itinerary, accommodation, and other useful information for your travel.

ABOUT OUR PRIVATE TOURS
This package is one of our private tours, which means you will have a dedicated and private local guide at your side throughout the trip. You will enjoy private transfers to and from the airport, and a private drive around the Highlands. Because it is just you and your guide, that means it will be easily tailored to your unique needs and interest. Get in touch to customise this package further, for any additional nights before and after the trip or other changes to the itinerary.

YOUR PRIVATE TOUR GUIDE
This tour package includes the professional service of an experienced Scottish tour guide, who will drive you around Scotland and share their local knowledge, including hidden gems and stories, with you along the way. Depending on availability and on the size of your travelling party, we can offer a range of vehicles, such as premium executive cars, 4-wheel drives and a 16-passenger Mercedes-Benz mini-bus.

ACCOMMODATION
Our team of local travel experts carefully selects hotels and guesthouses around the country based on personal experience and comfort. Please note, that generally in Scotland, whilst room sizes may vary, our room types are based on European standard sizes. Please be aware that, due to the historic nature of the properties we often select, most of the rooms are only accessible by going up stairs, as there are, in some cases, no lifts available. Please contact us if you are not able to walk up stairs.

WHISKY DISTILLERY VISITS
To allow you to tailor distillery visits to your preferences amongst the wide selection of distilleries around Scotland, our private whisky tours do not include distilleries. After booking your tour, your personal travel consultant will work with you to design an itinerary that takes in a range of tours and tastings, so you make the most of each day.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE FROM GLASGOW
If you are planning on arriving in Glasgow, you could book a private transfer from Glasgow Airport to your accommodation in Edinburgh to start the journey in a comfortable way. During certain tours, you will have the options to end your trip in Glasgow, rather than Edinburgh, if that is more convenient for you.

CURRENCY RATE
All bookings are charged in British Pounds (£, GBP). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. Therefore, conversions from GBP to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

AFTER BOOKING WITH NORDIC VISITOR
After booking your package with Nordic Visitor, you will be contacted within two business days by one of our travel consultants who will serve as your dedicated contact person for all your travel needs before, during and even after your holiday. Your travel consultant will provide you with details about your booking and your remaining payment (if not paid in full). You will also receive more information about what to expect during your holiday.

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