Scotland: Discover the Whisky Trail!

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Plan your trip to Scotland: Take the Whisky Trail!

This lens offers all the information you need to plan your own adventurous Scotch Whisky Trail through the beautiful hills and Highlands of Scotland. Book a flight, rent a car or a super cool VW hippie van, or take the train. Go explore Scotland's finest!

Can't do a Road Trip without a Soundtrack 

So here's one to start with. It also makes a nice background track for reading the lens.

Thin Lizzy-Whiskey in the jar

Rock

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Take the Whisky Tour! 

Tasting, Nosing, Experiencing, all in the beautiful scenery of Scotland's famous Whisky regions.

Happy [hiccup] Holidays! by arturodonate

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The bar by sebilden

The bar

[General view, Banff, Scotland] (LOC) by The Library of Congress

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the glenlivet by chris.corwin

the glenlivet

Cork Flavored Glen Livet by dmuth

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Cork Flavored Glen Livet by dmuth

Cork Flavored Glen L...

Cork Flavored Glen Livet by dmuth

Cork Flavored Glen L...

Cork Flavored Glen Livet by dmuth

Cork Flavored Glen L...

Cork Flavored Glen Livet by dmuth

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whiskey by pink_fish13

whiskey

Glenlivet 12 Year Single Malt Scotch by mjernisse

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The Glenlivet by lambda_X

The Glenlivet

Pullman Hotel bar selection by Jeremy Burgin

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1 de Glenlivet by Vacacion

1 de Glenlivet

Carn Mor: Ben Rinnes and Corryhabbie Hill from the summit by stusmith_uk

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Carn Mor: Glen Livet from the summit by stusmith_uk

Carn Mor: Glen Livet...

Snack Time by Joshua M. Hoffman

Snack Time

Liquor005 by zemistor

Liquor005

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Here's something to get you in the mood for Scotland 

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Getting there 

By air, by sea or by train

Arriving By Air

  • Glasgow International Airport is Scotland's busiest airport, regularly handling over a million passengers per month. Over 40 airlines serve more than 80 overseas and UK domestic destinations.

  • Glasgow Prestwick International Airport is 32 miles south of the city centre and boasts its own railway station for quick transfers to the city. Scheduled flights operate to 27 European destinations.

  • To Edinburgh: Over 50 airlines serve 85 overseas and UK domestic destinations worldwide from the capital's international airport. Route are literally A to Z, from Alghero to Zurich. Visit the official Edinburgh International Airport web site for the latest route and airline details.

Getting Around: Public Transport 

Scotland has a well developed, reliable network of railway and public transport.


  • Most Whisky Coast Adventurers will set off from the main Scottish travel gateways of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Both cities are well connected not only to the rest of the UK, but to Europe and to a number of long haul destinations.

  • The majority of Scots live in the central belt, which spreads from Glasgow in the west to Edinburgh, virtually on the east coast. Public transport here is efficient and most places are easily accessible by train and bus.

  • To the south and north it can be a different story: off the main routes, public transport services are more scarce, particularly in more remote parts of the Highlands and Islands.

  • Plan your visit using Traveline.

Exploring Scotland By Rail
  • Scotland's rail network is at its most dense in the central belt, reducing to a few main lines in the Highlands; these however do link with most of the major ferry ports to the west coast islands.

  • FirstScotRail runs the majority of train services, reaching all the major towns, sometimes on lines rated as among the greatest scenic routes of the world.

  • I can definitely recommend traveling at least some part of your trip by rail.

  • View a map of Scotrail's network.

Taking the bus: Coaches in Scotland
The main England to Scotland coach operator is National Express. For booking and ticket sales visit nationalexpress.com.Frequent daily and overnight services are available to Glasgow and Edinburgh. For travel across Scotland by bus, visit Traveline.

Getting Around: By Road 

Hire a car or camper to experience freedom and discover the secret corners of Scotland.

If you want to cover a lot of the country in a short time, or just want more flexibility, you'll need your own transport. In order to drive in Scotland, non-UK citizens will need to supplement their national driving licence with an international driving permit, available from state and national motoring organizations at home for a small fee.

Car rentals
Visit Scotlands Care Hire to check costs and availability. Other larger car rental companies include Budget and EasyCar.

Scotland has a modern and efficient road, rail and ferry network which allows good access to almost all parts of the country and you'll have no trouble getting to the main tourist destinations.

Super Cool Hippie Volkswagen Camper Vans 

For you hippies out there, or anyone who wants to look really cool cruising the Highlands.

I have looked up for you all the places in Scotland where you can rent your own VW camper van. I recommend you to carefully select your rental company and check their rates, mile limitations, age restrictions and possible extra's - a GPS is provided sometimes, as is a varying number of kitchen utinsils, an occasional BBQ, bed linnen and such. Also, be sure to check if you can rent the vehicle having a foreign driver's license.
Escape Campers
Rent a neat camper for a neat price! Good one.
Scooby Campers
Located in the heart of Edinburgh. Not really cheap though.
Scotland by Camper
My personal favorite. Choose between Lolly and Bertie to take you on the tour.
Happy Highland Campers
Yep, they do create the happiest names, those happy camper hire hippies. Bicycles can be rented for 10 GBP a day extra.
Cool Camper Hire
Hamish and Morag for rent here. Don't pay for extra miles as they are unlimited.
Highland Classic Campers
Rent a hippie bus in the Highlands.
Classic Campers
Not too expensive and no mile limitations.
Kiltie Campers
Check out their website because Heather (the van) looks really cool.
Rainbow Camper Hire
Meet their happy hippie vans Maisie, Daisy, Fleur and Billy.
Caledonian Campers
Located near Glasgow, has two vehicles for rent at a fair price.

Locations of the VW Camper Van rental companies 


View on Google maps

Region #1: Speyside: Scotland's "Whisky County" 

Speyside is home to more than half of Scotland's distilleries.

This section offers you an overview of the distilleries in this part of Scotland, along "the Whisky river" Spey.

  • Aberlour Distillery
    The famous Aberlour Distillery features a small intimate tour (only two per day) with up to sixteen guests and offers the opportunity to fill and purchase your own, personalised bottle of the single cask selection. Relaxed and informal, you have the chance to nose and taste five of their best single malts.

  • Benromach Distillery and Malt Whisky Centre
    The smallest working distillery in Moray. Its distinctive near 100 foot red brick chimney rises high above the neat white distillery buildings below. The distillery is open all year round. Enjoy a personal guided tour, browse through the gift shop, learn about whisky at a tutored nosing and tasting and enjoy the exhibition.

  • Dallas Dhu Historic Distillery
    Built in 1898 to supply malt whisky for Wright and Greig's 'Roderick Dhu' blend. Audio-visual presentation and free audio guide. See and hear how whisky was made and sample a free dram.

  • Cardhu Distillery & Visitors Centre
    The malt whisky produced here has a warmth and cleanliness of taste which experts describe as "silky" and is used in some of the award winning Johnnie Walker blends.

  • Glen Grant Distillery And Garden
    Tour the distillery with traditional wooden vats and large copper stills; then, in Major Grant's Study the adventures of the distillerie's most famous gaurdian come to life in the most surprising way. A woodland path takes you through the garden to the heather thatched dram pavilion and tumbling waterfall beyond.

  • The Glenfiddich Distillery
    World famous working distillery. On Christmas Day in 1887 William Grant watched proudly as the first spirit ran from the stills at Glenfiddich Distillery. Five generations later the distillery is still owned and managed by the Grant family. Glenfiddich is unique in the fact that it is the only Highland Single Malt that is distilled, matured and bottled at its own distillery.

  • The Glenlivet Distillery
    The Glenlivet weaves an unbroken thread through Scottish history and culture. Revered by connoisseurs, flattered by imitators, The Glenlivet can only be made in one particular spot, in a single glen, in the heart of Scotland's malt whisky-making country. Explore the turbulent history of the whisky smugglers, delve into the intriguing mysteries of distilling - and of course, sample the golden magic that is The Glenlivet.

  • Glenfarclas Distillery
    Established in 1836, Glenfarclas is one of the very few remaining independent, family owned and managed distilleries in Scotland. The `Glen of the Green Grassland', is situated at the foot of the majestic Ben Rinnes, in the heart of Speyside's Malt Whisky Country.

  • Macallan Distillery
    The regular tour takes in the full production process followed by the Warehouse 7 visit, where 'The Story of Oak is told', bringing to life the vital role played by Macallan's exceptional oak casks in developing the distinctive character of The Macallan Single Malt Whisky. Then it's up to the Visitor Centre for a dram!

  • Speyside Cooperage Visitor Centre
    No visit to Speyside would be complete without a visit to the Speyside Cooperage. the only cooperage in Britain with a Visitor Centre - Here you can watch our coopers make and repair the barrels for the whisky industry - After an enjoyable tour you can browse in our Gift Shop where you can find exclusive gifts - then enjoy coffee/tea and Scottish homebakes in our cafe - We also have an all weather picnic area.

  • Strathisla Distillery
    With its distinctive pagodas, cobbled courtyard and picturesque buildings, Strathisla Distillery is arguably the most beautiful distillery in Scotland. Founded in 1786, it is also the oldest operating distillery in the Scottish Highlands.


Can't do a Road Trip Without a Soundtrack 

Getting in the mood part #2

The Trip: Created by Snow Patrol

The Trip: Created by Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol is a Scottish alternative pop/rock band composed of Gary Lightbody (vocal, guitar), Mark McClelland (bass, keyboards), and John Quinn (drums). Their music compositions combine songwriting aptitude with guitar rock's sharpest strains.

The Trip created by Snow Patrol includes a variety of styles as the album takes listeners on a unique musical journey - featuring tracks from TV On The Radio, Dark Room Dubs, Four Tet, Mylo, Jack Knife Lee and more.

Amazon Price: (as of 01/08/2010) Buy Now
Used Price: $5.45

Region #2: The Whisky Coast 

Visit 16 of the world's most famous distilleries along the West Coast of Scotland.

The West Coast of Scotland is known for its rolling hills, mountains, lochs and rugged, indented coastline. This is where some of the world's most famous whiskies come from.

Check the official The Whisky Coast website for an overview of 16 distilleries.

Definitely, all of them are worth a visit. Either way, be sure not to miss these:

  • Talisker
    Talisker is the only distillery on the Misty Isle where you can see distillers at work, creating Talisker, a single malt whisky like no other. This alluring, sweet, full-bodied spirit is so easy to enjoy, and like Skye itself, so hard to leave.Travel over the Skye bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh.

  • Oban
    Nestling beneath the steep cliff that overlooks Oban, one of Scotland's oldest sources of single malt whisky is but a stone's throw from the sea.

Region #3: The Highlands 

The Highlands offer you the greatest variations of style in distilleries and their whiskies.

Visiting Highlands Distilleries by Train
Some of the most beautiful railways are situated in the Highlands of Scotland. Taking the train through the Highlands is definitely worth a go! There are four daily trains from Edinburgh to Fort William and an additional one in the summer months. All trains run via Glasgow and take about 5 hours. The scenery is particularly beautiful for the last 2 hours of the journey as the train passes by stations like Crianlarich, Upper Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Rannoch and others.

The train station in Fort William is fairly small but has something no other station in Scotland has -- the Jacobite Steam Train. If you catch the earliest train from Edinburgh, you arrive in Fort William in time to board or at least admire the Steam Train setting out on what is known as 'One of the great rail journeys of the world'. Visit steamtrain,info. Booking in advance is highly recommended.

  • Fort William is the home of Ben Nevis Distillery, at the foot of Ben Nevis, Scotlands highest mountain. Open all year.


Also, you can take the train from Edinburgh to Inverness, in the north, a service provided by Scotrail. The following distilleries you will then encouter along this 4 hour journey:

  • Taking the train from Edinburgh to Inverness, located along the route are Blair Athol distillery, Tomatin distillery and Dalwhinnie, where you can take the whisky tour year round.

Great Wisky Trail Guides on Amazon 

The Island Whisky Trail: An Illustrated Guide to the Hebrridean Distilleries

The Island Whisky Trail: An Illustrated Guide to the Hebrridean Distilleries

by: Neil Wilson

This guide for the whisky enthusiast covers the distilleries of the Hebrides and the west coast of Scotland. The book not only features the established distilleries on Islay (Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Bowmore, Ardbeg, CaolIla, Lagavulin, Laphroaig) and Jura, Mull and Skye (Talisker) but also the lost distilleries of Port Ellen and Port Charlotte and the soon-to-be-built Kilchoman Distillery on Islay.

Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 01/08/2010) Buy Now

The Whisky Trails: A Traveller's Guide to Scotch Whisky

The Whisky Trails: A Traveller's Guide to Scotch Whisky

by: Gordon Brown

An updated edition of the classic traveler's guide to the main whisky-producing areas of Scotland, with full details on the distilleries and a narrative on whisky's culture and history. Attractively illustrated with 220 color photos.

Amazon Price: (as of 01/08/2010) Buy Now

Lonely Planet Scotland's Highlands and Islands

Lonely Planet Scotland's Highlands and Islands

by: Clay Lucas, Joseph Bindloss

  1. 38 detailed maps, including a full-colour regional map

  2. entertainment options to get you in the swing, from the Malt Whiskey Trail to the Highland fling

  3. places to stay to suit every budget, including wigwams and hunting lodges

  4. with Scottish-Gaelic language tips

Amazon Price: (as of 01/08/2010) Buy Now

Explore Scotland's variety of landscapes 

The drama and sheer variety of Scotland's natural features never fails to impress visitors. Though small, the country offers an amazing range of landscapes.

Often within a few hours travelling, you can experience a landscape that changes rapidly from gentle rolling hills to rugged coasts and dramatic, towering peaks.

Especially in the Highlands, you'll find outstanding natural beauty: Glen Coe, the Cairngorms National Park, Ben Nevis, Ardnamurchan, Glen Affric - the list is as long as the Great Glen itself. And though it's natural to picture the Highlands as a mountainous region, there are also miles of coastline and intriguing islands to explore as well.

The vibrant, historic city of Edinburgh is often the gateway to Scotland for many visitors. Explore its surrounding countryside to discover an area steeped in history, filled with castles, great houses and battle sites.

Savour the atmosphere of Hebridean islands, the charm of rural villages and the natural frontier separating the West Highlands' rugged grandeur from the gentler beauty of the Lowlands.

Ferries from The Netherlands to Scotland 

When travelling via Amsterdam, a ferry will take you across the channal to Scotland.

The following providers will take you across.
Norfolkline
The Norfolkline takes you from Zeebrugge (Belgium) to Rosyth (Edinburgh).
Prices start at EUR 124 for cars, one way.
DFDS Seaways
DFDS Seaways ferries between IJmuiden (Holland) and Newcastle.
Prices from EUR 152 for cars one way.
P&O Ferries
Offers a night line service between Rotterdam (Holland) and Hull (England).
Prices for cars from EUR 139 one way.

Eurotunnel 

Crossing the channel in just 35 minutes.

Eurotonnel Calais - Dover
On this page you will find everything you need to know about crossing the Eurotunnel from Calais.

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View a larger version, including some more info on my trip, on Google maps.

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