Scotland is famous for some slightly unusual things, like haggis and men in kilts, but it is also well known for some pretty wonderful creations, like it’s whisky. If you’ve not spent much time up North, but you’ve been thinking about going exploring, you might find yourself a little overwhelmed by how big the nation is, and how much there is to see. But if you’re a fan of whisky, or you know nothing about it and would like to learn, here’s an idea of how to experience Scotland through its whisky.
Stop 1: Edinburgh
You can’t go to Scotland without visiting Edinburgh, and you can’t learn about whisky without visiting the city’s Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre. You’ll discover everything there is to know about the distillation process, and even get to sample some of the good stuff. Make sure you book a room in one of our Edinburgh hotels, so that you also have time to explore what else the city has to offer. Wander up to Edinburgh Castle, go to the zoo, or see a play in this destination renowned for its theatre.
Stop 2: Isle of Skye
Talisker is one of the best-known whisky producers in the highlands, and their distillery is well worth a day trip. The cliffs and rock formations in the Isle of Skye make for dream walking territory, and there are lots of outdoor activities on offer too. Stay in our Fort William hotel for convenience, and you can explore the surrounding attractions as well. Take a ride on the Jacobite steam train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which is most famous for its appearance in the Harry Potter films, or climb Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK. For the less energetic, the Ben Nevis Distillery lies at the base of the mountain, and promises to be just as scintillating as the views from the summit.
Stop 3: Inverness
There is only one Malt Whisky Trail in the world, and if you don’t know what that is, you need to visit the Speyside distilleries and experience it for yourself. Organised as one experience, the trail will take you to a series of the most celebrated distilleries in Scotland. Sip on Chivas Regal in Strathisia, and try Glenfiddich and The Glenlivet, as well as a whole host of others. Base yourself in our Inverness hotel, and see the sites of the capital of the Highlands as well. Why not see if you can spot the Loch Ness monster, or visit one of the fascinating military museums?
Stop 4: Glasgow
If you’ve still got some energy after all that sightseeing, then Glasgow ought to be your last port of call. Auchentonshan, which is just 20 minutes outside of the city, is the only distillery in Scotland to triple-distill every drop of whisky, so book a room in one of our Glasgow hotels to visit it. By now, with all your whisky tasting experience, you’ll be in the perfect position to talk with great authority about the subtlety of the Lowland single malt… Or, at the very least, to enjoy a good few glasses of it.
