Four-Day Islay Whisky Tour
Four-Day Islay Whisky Tour
Four-Day Islay Whisky Tour
4 Days Starting and ending in Edinburgh, UK
Visiting: Edinburgh, Bowmore
Tour operator:
Tour code:
159398
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 16
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover some of Scotland’s Finest Whisky Distilleries. Fall in love with Islay, home to some of Scotland’s finest whisky distilleries! This tour takes you to a Scottish island paradise. Islay is home to stunning scenery, ancient history and traditional culture. Included: Tasting in Oban; Lagavulin Warehouse Experience; Tour and tasting at Ardbeg; Exclusive tasting at Laphroaig; Tour and/or tasting at Kilchoman; Tasting at Bunnahabhain; Additional Distillery Visit; Minibus transport (max. 16 guests); Services of a professional tour guide.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Your Journey!
Location: Edinburgh, Bowmore
After departing Edinburgh, you head north into the Highlands. The landscape becomes more mountainous, and your guide tells the history and culture of this stunning part of Scotland. Passing Loch Awe and into Argyllshire, with some great photo stops along the way, you arrive in the Victorian town of Oban where we will sample some delicious drams whilst taking in the views over the the islands. Please note on some occasions, due to ferry times, we will visit a Distillery on the way to meet the ferry, such as Auchentoshan, rather than visiting Oban.
Oban is the seafood capital of Scotland, so make sure you make the most of it. The seafood shack at the harbour is perfect – get the platter if you’re feeling hungry! When then journey to the ancient Neolithic landscapes of Kilmartin Glen. There are hundreds of ancient monuments and historic sites in this region, some of which you get to explore. It is then a short drive down the Kintyre Peninsula to Kennacraig, where you board the evening ferry to Islay. The ferry crossing is around two hours and offers 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 ferry bar with an Islay whisky, grab some dinner from the restaurant and soak up the sea air before you arrive. On arrival into Port Ellen or Port Askaig, it is a short drive to Bowmore to check in to The Bowmore House or Island Bear for your three-night stay. On rare occasions we may need to place you in different accommodation, we will make you aware of this in advance.
Day 2 - 3 : Two Full Days Exploring
Location: Bowmore
Meals Included: Breakfast
With two full days to explore, there are plenty of options for sightseeing, and your guide will share some of their favourite places with you. These can include empty beaches, whitewashed villages, ancient sites, the Kildalton Cross, medieval strongholds, fresh seafood, local wildlife and traditional cultures. With only around 3000 people and nine world-class distilleries, the chances of finding a ‘wee dram’ on Islay are pretty good.
The distillery and whisky experiences give you an insight into Islay’s most famous export. We’ve planned a wide range of tours and tastings, including a warehouse experiences, tours and exclusive tastings! Each tour is a little different and there will be lots of delicious drams to taste – you won’t be disappointed!
Each night on Islay, there are plenty of options for eating, drinking and relaxing. Your tour guide will let you know all the best places to get the most out of your time in Bowmore. There is an eating option for all budgets and tastes, and with so much local produce on offer, you will be spoilt for choice. The whisky bars aren’t too bad either. Slainte Mhath, as they say in Gaelic.
Day 4 : Return To Edinburgh Or Glasgow
Location: Bowmore, Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a final hearty breakfast, you catch the morning ferry back to Kennacraig. Arriving on the mainland, you head 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 short stop in central Glasgow (George Square) before returning to Edinburgh.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3 nights' accommodation on a B&B basis
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Fully Guided
Services of a professional tour guide
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Meals – Breakfast Only
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Transportation
Minibus transport (max. 16 guests)
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Activities
Tasting in Oban; Lagavulin Warehouse Experience; Tour and tasting at Ardbeg; Exclusive tasting at Laphroaig; Tour and/or tasting at Kilchoman; Tasting at Bunnahabhain; Additional Distillery Visit
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Booking Notes
We will meet at 7:45 am to check-in.
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.
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.