Britain · DISTILLERY TOURS
Scotch has to age three years in oak before it can take the name, so these tours end in a warehouse rather than a shop. The 15 below compare the standard tours, the cask tastings and the day trips that reach more than one, with prices and driver notes.
Spend 9.5 hours exploring Highland Perthshire by minibus, with stops in Dunkeld, the Hermitage, Pitlochry, and Queen’s View before a guided Dewar’s whisky tasting. Guides such as Jim, Duncan, Kylie, and Graeme add Scottish stories, music, and humor along the way.
“Kieran was an absolute wealth of info and his music selection was outstanding. Made this trip all the better”
Travel from Edinburgh in a small group of up to eight with an English-speaking guide such as Georgie, Mark, Owen, or Richie. Expect a long but scenic day with Hermitage Waterfalls, a whisky dram, Loch Ness, Glencoe, Highland cows, and optional boat cruise.
“Fabulous!! Saw so much in 1 (long) day The format is fast paced but still comfortable, with adequate but not lengthy stops. Our group were very friendly & changed around seats as needed. Very comfortable vehicle. What made the tour so memorable were the amazing guides. Andrew, the guide trainer extraordinaire & Harris, his trusty sidekick & apprentice. We’re both still in awe of how much fun & laughter, not to mention scenery, we packed into our one day. Well done”
Travel by small-group bus from Edinburgh to Dewar’s Aberfeldy and Glenturret, Scotland’s oldest working distillery. Expect whisky-making tours, optional tastings, a chocolate pairing at Aberfeldy, Highland scenery, and lively commentary from guides such as Adam, Ash, Mark, and Graham.
“We had an incredible day with Adam as our guide, whom made os feel right at home with his knowledge, and memorable bad jokes. Him wearing a kilt for the entire day only made the experience feel more authentic.”
Travel from Inverness through Speyside and the Cairngorms with a Rabbie’s driver-guide, stopping in Carrbridge, at Loch Morlich, and in Aviemore before a guided Tomatin Distillery tour and whisky tasting. Expect a small-group minibus, scenic walks, free time, and flexible storytelling.
“It was a great mix of places and as described. Relaxed pace and perfect combo, and Emily squeezed in a bonus visit to the Clava Cairns also. She was informative and friendly and helpful throughout the day. A great tour”
Spend nine hours with Highland Explorer Tours visiting the Kelpies, Glenturret Distillery, Dunkeld, and Hermitage forest. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Steve, Laura, or Paul, handles the stories and roads. Optional audio guides are available in six languages, and the whisky tour may cost extra.
“It is a whisky tour so the whisky part should not be able additional charge.”
This 9-hour Haggis Adventures trip links Loch Ness, a roughly 25 to 30-minute cruise, Urquhart Castle, Beauly, Singleton of Glen Ord whisky, Culloden, and Clava Cairns. You travel by small bus with an English-speaking guide such as Karen, Sonja, Donnie, or Amber, plus optional multilingual audio guides.
“The trip was amazing we had Donnie as our tour guide. The trip was amazing the boat trip, the castle visit, all visits were amazing. the singleton whisky visit NEEDS to be at the END!! It was my 11 year wedding anniversary by the time we got to the next stop I was ready for a nap as we were a little drunk 🤣. We both got wished happy anniversary most of the day. What an amazing weekend in Inverness. We got a Taxi to union street, safe cab, amazing service.”
Spend 11.5 hours with a local English-speaking guide such as Amber, Sonia, Harrison, or Willie, visiting Findhorn, Bow Fiddle Rock, Cullen, coastal wildlife sites, a Speyside distillery, and Carrbridge. Expect beautiful scenery, plenty of road time, and a flexible small-group feel.
“Willie was a very lovely guide taking care of everybodys needs and always open for a funny chat. It was a huge plus to have a local tourguide so he was able to point out all the lovely places on the road. we got to see seals, beautiful shorelines, hairy coo's and beautiful landscapes besides fiming spots of Peaky Blinders and Local Hero. A nice tour even though you spend lots of times in the bus & on the road.”
Travel from Edinburgh in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with an English-speaking guide, visiting Lindores Abbey, Glenlivet, Cardhu, Dalwhinnie, and the Speyside Cooperage. Stay two nights in Grantown-on-Spey, taste regional malts, and enjoy Cairngorms scenery, Pitlochry, Dunkeld, and the Firth of Forth bridges.
“This was our first tour of Scotland. As seasoned travellers, we consider this to be one of the best small tours we have ever undertaken. We visited Dalwhinnie, Benromach, Cardhu & The Glenlivet distilleries - all interesting and unique in their own way. The B&B accomodation in Grantown on Spey was of the highest standard. The mini-bus was modern and comfortable and the scenery absolutely mind-blowing. Above all, making this a real enjoyable tour was our very excellent Driver Ewan M of 'Rabbies' Tours; Ewan went out of his way to delight and impress us with his personal touch and his fountain of Scottish knowledge. This tour surpassed all expectations…”
Spend 75 minutes with guides such as Sharon and Dave at Stratford-upon-Avon’s only working distillery. See small-batch gin and rum made, bottled, labelled, and sealed by hand, then taste three spirits and choose gin and tonic or rum with a mixer.
“Fab way to spend a couple of hours informative fun and the tasting was delicious”
Travel from Edinburgh Old Town with a Spanish-speaking guide such as Luis to Stirling, a whisky distillery, St Andrews, and South Queensferry. You’ll have time for Stirling’s royal sights, a whisky tasting, medieval ruins, golf history, and Forth Bridge views during this 10-hour outing.
“Excelente la excursión, la organización de los tiempos pero por sobre todas las cosas la excelente predisposición, dedicación y atención de Luis, hizo que cada momento de la excursión sea interesante con sus explicaciones y musicalizacion de los viajes.”
At Bombay Sapphire Distillery, an English-speaking host leads you through Laverstoke Mill, the glasshouses, Botanical Dry Room, and vapor infusion process. You begin by mixing a complimentary gin and tonic at the Turbine Bar, then explore the site in a small group of up to six.
“It is very well organised and the building has been designed for the tours. The cinema room was really comfy. Would have liked a double gin in the cocktail.”
Spend a full day tracing Scotland’s past, from Culloden’s Jacobite battlefield and 4,000-year-old Clava Cairns to Fort George and Cardhu whisky distillery. Your English-speaking guide handles the driving, history, and Highland scenery, with attraction entry and lunch extra.
“Liall filled in as guide. It was his first time leading this tour and he was fabulous!!! He shared the knowledge he had about the sites while connecting those events with todays world. His love and pride of Scotland, and it’s history, were evident. We would strongly encourage others to take this trip. We wish we had been able to spend more time at Culloden; less time could be spent at Fort George. Liall, brilliant job!!”
Follow an English-speaking Rabbie’s driver-guide from Edinburgh to Islay in a Mercedes minicoach. Visit Bowmore, Kilchoman, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and more, with three nights in Bowmore and ferry crossings included. Expect small-group travel, long scenic drives, and plenty of peat smoke.
“It was a wonderful experience and our tourguide Mac was the best driver, storyteller (fairytail as well as history wise) and guide we could ever have been thinking of! We had a perfect nice group and mix from all over the world countries which had a lot of fun and talks together. The guided Whisky-Tasting and Tours were well organized and very funny/interesting! Mac - wish you all the best - you are an example for all Scottisch, very proud of his roots, funny and deserve/protect the countryside with your own effort ! It couldn‘t be any better we loved having you as our host! Slantje, Ralf & Richard”
At Glenkinchie Distillery in Tranent, an English-speaking guide leads you through a sensory tour of the working stillhouse, local heritage, and Johnnie Walker connection. Taste three whiskies and a small cocktail, with guides such as Kirsty and John W bringing the story to life.
“Very educational. Very very entertaining. Even more friend who has been on multiple whiskey tours learned a lot. We will recommend to friends”
Spend 10 hours with an English-speaking driver-guide such as Alan, crossing the Cairngorms to Speyside. Walk near Corgarff Castle, visit Speyside Cooperage and Cardhu Distillery, and stop at Whisky Castle for optional tasting and lunch. The 16-seat minibus returns to Aberdeen around 19:00.
“An Excellent, Educational Day Out having never been to a Distillery before even at my age 🫢.. My Son thoroughly enjoyed his day out also.. I recommend this Bus Trip to anyone who has not visited a Cooperage or Whisky Distillery.. Our Lunch stop in Tomintoul was a Good choice visiting “The Whisky Castle” for Expert Advice and Sample various Whisky’s from Scot the owners Shop.. Our Driver Alan was knowledgeable in the History surrounding Aberdeen and Castles and Distilleries on the way over to Spey Side.. He was friendly and helpful, filling our day with extra sights.. Thank You for a Great Day Out..”
Pick a city, a castle or a long drive north.
