Classic Malts Tour of Scotland – 2010
The Travel Company is proud to present our first “Classic Malts” tour; a 14 day excursion from the elegance of Knightsbridge to the Western Isles of Scotland, through the Great Glen to Inverness, onward to Orkney, and back via the Spey Valley to Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.
We have designed this tour specifically for lovers of fine Scotch Whisky, and, taking in as it does representations of the genre from Islay and Jura, Orkney, and the Spey Valley, it offers a taste as rich and varied as the Scottish countryside itself. To that end, we have included the opportunity to experience some of the richness of not only Scotland’s beauty, but its heritage as well.
We are confident that all of our clients who travel with us on this journey will part company at the end of the two weeks well satisfied that they could not have found a better way to savour the uisge beatha – the “water of life”
The Detailed Programme:
Day 1: August 29, 2010.
Arrive at The Capital Hotel, Basil Street, Knightsbridge. David Levin, owner of The Capital makes us welcome at one of London’s finest boutique hotels. Situated in the heart of Knightsbridge, literally a stone’s throw from Harrods, and all the finest that Knightsbridge and London has to offer, The Capital also boasts one of the most renowned restaurants in London. Please be aware that check in time is 2pm, however earlier check in arrangements may be made at additional cost.
Day 2: August 30, 2010.
The day is set aside for individual leisure pursuits. For those who have arrived from Australia it provides an opportunity to draw breath and recover after the long flight north. This evening David Levin hosts a small gathering showcasing some of the finest scotches from his own collection. Dinner may be taken in The Capital restaurant. We recommend pre-booking, as the restaurant is not large, and is very popular.
Day 3: August 31, 2010.
A leisurely start to our travels today as we make our way to London’s Heathrow airport. An early afternoon departure for Glasgow with an onward connection to Islay will have us arriving on the island around 6pm, just as the light is starting to slip from the sky. We are met by our coach drivers and driven to our lodgings at The Bowmore Cottages, in Bowmore.
Day 4: September 1, 2010.
Following a typical Scottish breakfast, we set out to visit Lagavulin distillery, on Islay’s southern shore. Today will also see us at Ardbeg and Laphroaig, both of which are located on this stretch of coastline.
Day 5: September 2, 2010.
Distilleries visited this morning are Bowmore, and Bunnahabhain. Following lunch, we board the ferry across the narrow strait separating Islay and Jura to visit Isle of Jura distillery, before returning to Islay at 5:00pm.
Day 6: September 3, 2010.
Today marks our departure from Islay, when we take the 9:45am ferry to Kennacraig, arriving around midday. From here we travel via the Kilmartin Glen in Argyll, through Glen Coe, scene of the infamous massacre of the MacDonalds by the Campbells in February 1692. Then we continue via Fort William and the Great Glen travelling along the shore of Loch Ness before spending the night at The Palace Hotel, Inverness.
Day 7, September 4, 2010.
From Inverness we travel north to the Ferry terminal at Scrabster to take the noon ferry to Stromness on Orkney, arriving there at 1:30pm. On our way to The Orkney Hotel, a visit will be made to Highland Park Distillery, one of only two commercial distilleries on Orkney.
Day 8, September 5, 2010.
Today is a break from distilleries as we visit the fascinating Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, a World Heritage listed site on the Bay of Skaill. Spend the remainder of the day touring this unique and beautiful group of islands before returning to The Orkney Hotel for the night.
Day 9, September 6, 2010.
We leave Orkney for Scrabster at 11:00am and after visiting Dunrobin Castle, home of the Dukes of Sutherland, we spend a little time at Clynelish distillery in Brora on the North East coast of Scotland, before heading to The Craigellachie Hotel at Craigellachie, near Elgin. This will be our home for the next four nights.
Day 10, September 7, 2010.
The distilleries to be visited today are Macallan, where we will take the Macallan “Precious” Tour, and Abelour and Cardhu.
Day 11, September 8, 2010.
Our programme for today includes visits to the distilleries of Glenfiddich and Balvenie, with some time spent at Culloden Moor, the haunting site of the Battle of Culloden in April 1746 – the battle that marked the end of the Jacobite Rebellion, and the start of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s flight to freedom.
Day 12, September 9, 2010.
After spending the first part of the day tasting the wares of Knockando, Glenlivet, and Dufftown, we will spend time at Speyside Cooperage learning how the whisky barrels are made.
Day 13, September 10, 2010.
Our final day in Speyside includes a visit to Eradour distillery, after which we make our way to Edinburgh, where we will dine together this evening at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Our accommodation in Edinburgh is The Balmoral Hotel.
Day 14, September 11, 2010.
Sadly, after breakfast this morning the tour comes to an end. For those leaving Edinburgh by rail or air, transfers to station and airport should be arranged privately.
Inclusions on this tour:
Accommodation, inclusive of breakfast, for 13 nights:
2 nights at The Capital Hotel, Knightsbridge
3 nights at Bowmore Cottages, Islay
1 night at The Palace Hotel, Inverness
2 nights at The Orkney Hotel, Orkney
4 nights at Craigellachie Hotel, Craigellachie, Speyside.
1 night at The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh.
Distillery tours and entrance fees as noted.
Ferry costs between Islay and the mainland, Islay and Jura, and Scrabster and Stromness
- all related taxes
- all vehicle costs such as fuel and parking
- all driver costs such food and accommodation (if required).
Economy Class airfare from London Heathrow, via Glasgow, to Islay.
Unless otherwise specified, lunches and dinners are not included.
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