Four-Day Islay & Campbeltown
Four-Day Islay & Campbeltown
$1611
Four-Day Islay & Campbeltown
4 Days
Visiting: United Kingdom
Tour operator:
Tour code:
562445
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 16
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please advise
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This tour takes you to 2 iconic whisky producing regions in Scotland: Islay and Campbeltown. You will also experience an overnight stay in a castle perched on Loch Fyne - a perfect Scottish experience!
Duration
4 Days
About
Day 1
After departing Edinburgh you will head north west through Stirlingshire and into the Highlands to make your way towards the ferry from Kennacraig to Islay.
We will pass Loch Lomond and make a short stop in Inveraray. It is then a short drive down the Kintyre Peninsula to Kennacraig where you will board the evening ferry to Islay. The ferry crossing is around 2 hours and allows for some beautiful views of the islands of Gigha, Jura and Islay as well as the area surrounding West Loch Tarbert. There is time to relax in the bar with an Islay whisky; grab some lunch from the restaurant and just soak up the sea air before you arrive.
On arrival in Islay, we will visit our first distillery of the tour! Bunnahabhain Distillery. Pronounced 'Bunn-na-ha-venn', meaning 'mouth of the river' in Scots Gaelic, this distillery is in a stunning location offering gorgeous views of the Paps of Jura and a range of peated and unpeated drams.
It is then a short drive to Bowmore to check in to The Bowmore House or Island Bear for your 3-night stay.
***Day 2 ***
The second day of your tour will see you spend which means there are plenty of options for sightseeing as well as visiting the all important distilleries.
We will begin the day with a short visit to Bowmore Distillery, the oldest running on the island. we will focus our visits on the southern distilleries of the island: Lagavulin, Ardbeg & Laphroaig. These visits will include a Warehouse Tasting at Lagavulin, where you will be able to sample drams drawn straight from the cask, a curated tasting at Ardbeg, and a tour of the Laphroaig distillery.
Your guide will also share some of their favourite places with you. These can include empty beaches, whitewashed villages and ancient sites such as the Kildalton Cross.
Day 3
After a hearty breakfast in Bowmore, you will catch the morning ferry back to Kennacraig then make your way to Campbeltown. This area was once known as ‘the whisky capital of the world’ with 34 distilleries. Now only three active distilleries remain in the town: Glen Scotia, Glengyle and Springbank, making it Scotland's smallest whisky region.
We will visit Glen Scotia to tour their distillery and then take part in an incredible Warehouse Tasting - trying some delicious cask strength drams. Next we will visit the family-owned Springbank Distillery, who produce both peated and unpeated whisky and tour their facilities to see each step of the whisky making process.
We will then travel to Stonefield Castle for a group farewell dinner and our final overnight stay. The castle was built in 1837 and is set in 60 acres of woodland gardens with views of Loch Fyne. They also boast an impressive whisky collection if you haven't tried enough yet.
Day 4
After a leisurely start, we will travel to the loch-side town of Inveraray. This is the seat of the clan Campbell, home to the Loch Fyne Whisky shop and your stop for lunch. After lunch (and some last-minute whisky shopping) your journey now hugs the shores of Loch Fyne and Loch Long before climbing up to the Rest and be Thankful pass for sweeping views. Then it is to the shores of Loch Lomond. With time to stop for some lovely views and stretch of the legs, this is the last stop on your tour before crossing the River Clyde and into Scotland’s largest city of Glasgow. Some of our guests may be leaving the tour here so we may make a shortstop in central Glasgow (George Square) before returning to Edinburgh.
Due to various reasons (weather, closures and special events) it may not always be possible to visit all distilleries mentioned. Please be aware that, if this is the case, we will ensure that suitable alternatives are found.
What to Bring
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If you are lucky enough to look under 25, please bring a photo ID with you as you may be asked to prove you are over 18. All passengers must be 18+
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We suggest you bring suitable clothing for sun and rain including a waterproof jacket, plenty of layers and shoes suitable for short walks.
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Due to the size of our vehicles, we ask you to limit your luggage to 1 small piece per person with a maximum weight of 15kg. You can also bring 1 small handbag or daypack which can be stored on the bus by your feet or above your head.
Included
- Whisky Tours and Tastings
- Minibus transport (max 16 guests)
- Services of a professional tour guide
Not included
Meals and entrance fees not mentioned above, Tips and Gratuities.
Itinerary
Booking Notes
We will meet at 7:45 am to check-in.
What to Bring
-
If you are lucky enough to look under 25, please bring a photo ID with you as you may be asked to prove you are over 18. All passengers must be 18+
-
We suggest you bring suitable clothing for sun and rain including a waterproof jacket, plenty of layers and shoes suitable for short walks.
-
Due to the size of our vehicles, we ask you to limit your luggage to 1 small piece per person with a maximum weight of 15kg. You can also bring 1 small handbag or daypack which can be stored on the bus by your feet or above your head.
Mode of Transport
16-Seat Mercedes Minibus
Return Ferry Travel between Kennacraig & Islay
Accommodation
2 nights of B&B accommodation at Bowmore House or Island Bear on Islay
1 night of B&B accommodation at Stonefield Castle Hotel in Kintyre
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Please limit your luggage to 1 x small/medium piece per person, along with 1 x small handbag or daypack.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our scheduled tours are all 18+, if you’re lucky enough to look under 25 you may to asked to provide proof of age at the distilleries.
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What to bring?
No matter what the time of year, the weather in Scotland can be “changeable”, to say the least. We suggest that you bring suitable clothing for all conditions, including a waterproof jacket (it has been known to rain in Scotland) and plenty of layers. Ensure you bring shoes suitable for short walks, on rough or uneven terrain.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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What currencies are required for this tour?
GBP. Although all the distilleries we visit accept card payments, we would also recommend bringing cash with you.
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Where do your tours start & finish?
Our scheduled tours depart from central locations in both Edinburgh and Inverness.
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How much luggage can I take on my tour?
Due to the size of the vehicles on our scheduled tours, we ask that you limit your luggage to 1 x small/medium piece per person, along with 1 x small handbag or daypack. Many Edinburgh hotels will allow you to store any luggage you do not wish to take with you on your tour.
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What time do your tours start & finish?
Different tours start at different times. Please check individual tour details, and booking confirmation, for your particular start time. Also, please note that all guests are asked to be at the pickup point at least 15 minutes prior departure time.
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Do you allow children on your tours?
It depends on the tour. We welcome children on our private and tailor-made tours but we do not accept children on any of our scheduled departures. As we specialise in whisky tours, all guests must be a minimum of 18 years old. If you are booking a private or tailor-made tour, please inform us of if there are young children travelling in your party.
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How do we get around on tour?
All of our tours are run on modern, luxury Mercedes 16 seater vehicles which will transport you in comfort and safety. They feature air conditioning, panoramic windows, reclining seats, and fridges. All our tours are designed to include short walks, bathroom stops, refreshment breaks, visits to sights and attractions and photo opportunities. We want you to explore Scotland; not just drive through
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If I am late, will the tour wait for me?
If possible, we will wait as long as we can. However, due to the fact that we have booked time slots at attractions and travel services, we cannot wait for late arrivals. If you are running late, please call us immediately to let us know, and we will see what we can do. However, if you are not at the departure point by the time of departure, we reserve the right to leave, and no refund will apply.
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Are discounts available at the attractions we visit?
Yes, some of our partners offer our guests a discount on entry and purchases. Your driver/guide will make any discounts available known to you at each attraction.
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What should I bring on my tour?
Our tours are all 18+, if you’re lucky enough to look under 25 you may be to asked to provide ID at the distilleries. No matter the time of year, the weather in Scotland can be “changeable”. We suggest that you bring suitable clothing for all conditions, including a waterproof jacket and plenty of layers. Shoes suitable for short walks, on rough or uneven terrain, are also suggested.
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Do you organise travel to Scotland?
No. We will look after you once you are here but, we leave it up to you to get here. This allows us to concentrate all of our efforts on exceeding your expectations once you arrive.
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What insurance should I have?
We have all the legal and relevant insurances as a tour operator. However, it is your responsibility to make sure you have adequate travel insurance. Please ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all eventualities, including medical treatment, medicines, cancellations and repatriation.
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What is included in the cost of the tour?
We like to make things easy for our travellers so have included the likes of accommodation and distillery entrance fees in our tour price! Unless otherwise stated, our scheduled tours include the following: All transport, including ferries, cars & minibus, all fuel, services of a professional driver/guide, all local taxes, accommodation with breakfast and distillery tours/tastings as listed.
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Do I need cash?
Although all distilleries on Islay accept card payments, we would also recommend bringing cash with you just in case.
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What is the weather like in Scotland?
The weather can be unpredictable in Scotland. We suggest that you prepare for all eventualities, even in the summer months. A good resource to check on Scotland’s weather can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Low Deposit
Scottish Routes requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of scottish routes charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.