From Edinburgh: Islay and The Whisky Coast 4-Day Tour

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Enjoy this unique 4-day tour to the “Queen of the Isles” and the Whisky Coast. Islay is home to 8 of Scotland’s finest malt whisky distilleries. Discover the unique peaty flavors of the whisky, and explore the Island's beautiful scenery and long history.

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Highlights

Drive through the stunning Loch Lomond National Park
Visit the ancient Kilmartin standing stones
Stay in the charming village of Bowmore
Tour the Islay distilleries
Discover the sandy beaches of Islay’s west coast

Description

Day 1 Leaving Edinburgh behind, you head straight for the Highlands, with your first stop in Trossachs National Park to soak in Scotland's breathtaking scenery and savor local delicacies. Your driver-guide may entertain you with Scottish folklore tales as you journey through the mountainous landscapes of the Western Highlands to Oban. Once a hub for feuding clans, Oban is now renowned for its fresh seafood and 200-year-old whisky perfected at its own distillery. Enjoy a tasting and lunch of delicious local seafood here. Continuing your adventure, you pass through Kilmartin Glen, home to ancient standing stones and strongholds dating back over 1,500 years. At Kennacraig, board the evening ferry to Islay, a two-hour sail where you might catch sight of the Paps of Jura, guiding you to the Queen of the Hebrides, Islay. Upon arrival, settle into your accommodation on the island. Day 2 We know whisky tasting can be hard work, so you begin the day with a little sleep in. After you’ve had an ample amount of breakfast, you enjoy a tour of Bowmore Distillery, one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. You have time for a tour and a whisky tasting here before you continue exploring the island. Next, your driver-guide takes you to Kilchoman Distillery for a tour and a lunch of local treats. Kilchoman is known as Islay's only Single Farm Single Match Scotch Whisky, reviving traditional farm distilling of barley to bottle, making their whisky 100% Islay. After trying local larder, you travel through the beautiful countryside to the third distillery of the day. On Thursday and Saturday, you visit Bruichladdich, the progressive distillery specialising in unpeated whisky. On Tuesday, you taste the unpeated and salty notes of Bunnahabhain in the most remote distillery on Islay. You head back to Bowmore where you can either stumble back to your room for the night or relax and explore the village. Day 3 Today, you'll explore the southern side of the island, home to Scotland's renowned distilleries: Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg. After breakfast, your first stop is Ardbeg*, where a tour and tasting await. Then, visit Laphroaig*, a 200-year-old favorite of the British royal family, marked by the Prince of Wales's seal. Throughout the day, your driver-guide showcases historical sites like the ruins of Kildalton church and Dunyvaig Castle. Stop at Lagavulin for intensely flavored, rich, and smoky whisky.End your day back in Bowmore. Day 4 This morning, you take the ferry back to the mainland. You travel through coastal scenery to the beautiful village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. The town is adorned with historic buildings, old boats, and a great whisky shop. Your trip continues to Loch Lomond where you have a chance to admire Great Britain’s largest body of water by surface area. You arrive in Edinburgh in the early evening. *Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

Includes

Transportation by Mercedes mini coach with a maximum of 16 passengers per tour Services of a professional Rabbie's driver/guide All ferry and bridge crossings 3 nights en-suite accommodation Rabbie's exclusive tour and tasting at Ardbeg Distillery Tour, tasting and group Lunch at Kilchoman Distillery Tour and tasting at Bowmore Distillery Rabbie's exclusive tour and tasting at Laphroaig Ditillery (2 drams of Whisky)

Important Information

Please bring suitable clothing and footwear to enjoy time off the bus and opportunities for nature walks Minimum age to participate is 18 You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items. *Please note that if your tour departs before 1st May, your lunch on day 3 will be at Ardbeg Distillery. However, if your tour departs after 1st May 2024, lunch will be either at an outdoor food truck at Ardbeg (weather dependent) or in Port Ellen.