Uisge beatha…water of life…whisky…savour a dram or several of Scotland's national drink on a tailor-made whisky tour.
In Scotland it is whisky, in Ireland whiskey. Whichever spelling you prefer, every distillery has its own twist or take on what makes their liquid extra special. Whether you consider yourself a single malt whisky connoisseur or would simply like to discover more, why not devote yourself to our “amber nectar” on a whisky (or whiskey) tour?
Tailor-Made Whisky Breaks
We know the best places to stay close to the finest distilleries, and we even know where you can bottle and label your own personalised malt. Our range of Scotch whisky tours and holidays is limited only by the number of distilleries in Scotland! Whether you wish to sample the delights of Speyside, the peaty aromas of Islay whisky, or head off the beaten track to Talisker on Skye, Highland Park on Orkney or Springbank in Campbeltown, we can design a tailormade Scottish whisky break to suit.
For those who wish to stick to the mainland, Speyside – regarded as Scotland’s whisky country – is a must visit. With over 50 distilleries to choose from, you are sure to discover your new favourite tipple! Simply breathing in the air will give you a flavour of the spirit maturing slowly in casks within the towering warehouses of the many distilleries. Spot the black lichen clinging to exterior walls – a sure sign of the vapours from within. Not to mention the surrounding area is the centre of Scotland’s castle trail, so there is more to discover than distilleries. The cosy hotels are sure to have a cosy fire and extensive bar – the perfect place to end each day – and sample a dram or two, of course.
In some places, you can visit two or three distilleries in a day, if your aim is to compare or contrast. If you are seeking a trip that includes some island-hopping or maybe a round or two of golf, just let us know when you enquire, and we will prepare a custom-designed proposal for you.
Whisky Tours for Bespoke Groups
If you are travelling in a small group of six or more, we can design a trip just for you and include the services of a driver/guide. For an example, take a look at the Whisky Explorer Escorted Journey. As part of your journey, enjoy dinner at Edinburgh’s Scotch Whisky Experience and view the world’s largest private whisky collection (pictured above).
At McKinlay Kidd we know Scotland intimately – we have stayed at, eaten in, driven through and sailed across everywhere we recommend. We may have sampled a few drams over the years too! This means we can advise on the special places and the quirky corners as well as famous destinations. So do take a look at the holiday ideas on this page. Remember, we can also tailor-make a holiday in Scotland with a whisky theme, so just let us know what you would be interested in.
We can also plan a holiday or vacation for you that combines both Scotland and Ireland.