Whisky Tours of Scotland departing from Edinburgh
1, 3 & 6 day Whisky Tours to the finest distilleries in Scotland.

  
Scotch whisky distillery tours, 3 and 6 day amlt whisky tours to distilleries in Perthshire, the Highlands and Speyside.

  

Private and bespoke whisky tours for groups, large or small, individuals or corporate trips to some of the finest malt whisky distilleries in Scotland, whilst taking in the most spectacular and beautiful scenery that Scotland has to offer including the Highlands, Islands and Speyside.

  

Our Whisky distillery tours depart from Edinburgh and we can arrange to pick you up from Edinburgh Airport, Railway Station or from your hotel if you are already staying in Edinburgh. It is possible that we might be able to arrange an alternative pick up point elsewhere in Scotland given plenty of notice.

  

Our one day distillery tours from Edinburgh would normally be based on a minimum of 4 people travelling and would be very similar to day one of our 3 and 6 day distillery tours (as below). At the end of the day, we would bring you back to Edinburgh or a pre-arranged drop of point if possible.

  

We have pre set 3 and 6 day malt whisky tours, which not only take in a comprehensive selection of whisky distilleries but also include a number of scenic and historical sights along the way or we can arrange a bespoke whisky tour for you. You tell us which whisky distilleries you would like to visit and we will tailor a whisky tour specific to your requirements. You will find us very flexible on our bespoke tours and if possible we can make changes to the tour along the way, providing we have the time and it doesn't effect any pre booked accommodation or advanced whisky distillery bookings.

  

As an example, below is just one of our 3 day whisky distillery tours of Scotland.

  

Day One

We depart from Edinburgh at approx 9 am and cross the Forth road bridge, which crosses the river Forth parallel to the famous Forth Railway Bridge, heading for Perthshire to visit the first of our three whisky distilleries of the day. These will be Aberfeldy, Edradour and Blair Athol Distilleries.
As well as the many sights you will see along the way we might also schedule in a visit to the Falls
of Bruar with it's spectacular tumbling waterfalls or the incredible Salmon Fish Dam at Pitlochry.

  

Aberfeldy Distillery

Was founded by John Dewar & Sons, Ltd. It was Built in 1896 and opened in 1898. The Aberfeldy Distillery was constructed at the beginning of the Dewar's expansion just as their brand was becoming reputable worldwide. It is now by far the most popular brand of whisky in the United States today.

John A. Dewar, the son of founder John Dewar Sr, realized that to meet the high demands placed on them to supply premium Scotch whisky, they needed to be able to guarantee a single malt whisky of superior quality, and be able to produce it in large quantities.

  

The only option was to erect a new distillery that could produce the amount of product that they needed. Aberfeldy proved to be a great success for the company and for the Dewars brand.

  

Aberfeldy Distillery was expanded in 1972 in order to produce more whisky to satisfy the ever-growing demand for their product. 1999 saw the launch of their Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Single Malt, which proved to be a huge success for the Dewars company.

  Aberfeldy malt whisky distillery tour

Aberfeldy is situated in the center of Scotland, approximately 5 miles east of Loch Tay and the town of Kenmore and approximately 8 miles south of Loch Tummel. The distilllery relys on the fresh water stream Pitilie Burn, which runs alongside the distillery and has been used for centuries to make whisky. Aberfeldy distillery is the only distillery in Scotland to use the waters from the Pitilie Burn.

  

Edradour Distillery

Edradour Distillery is the smallest distillery in Scotland. The whisky is hand made today as it has been for over 150 years. The whisky is produced by just three men who are devoted to the time honoured tradition of Scotch whisky making. The equipment used at the distillery has remained unchanged since the day the malt distillery opened and can only just produce enough whisky to make it commercial.

  

Edradour whisky distillery tour   

About 100,000 litres of malt whisky are produced at Erdradour a year. To put this in perspective, the average whisky distillery in Scotland would normally produce the same quantity in the space of just a week.

  

The distillery which is close to Pitlochry in Perthshire, was founded in 1825. Initially the distillery was named The Glenforres Distillery.

  

In 1841 a few of the co-owners formed an official registered company called the John McGlashan and Company.

  

The company later passed into American hands and remained so until 1922 when it was acquired by William Whitely who wished to use it in his blended whisky. He created the ‘Kings Ransom’ which soon became an immensely popular blended whisky. In 1986 Edradour bottled their first Single Malt whisky under new owners.

  

Edradour use water from the Edradour Burn which flows right through the distillery. The old maltings and kiln were converted some time ago to accommodate the visitor centre, which provides a seated area for visitors and a small museum dedicated to the history of the Edradour Distillery. It is one of the three most visited whisky distilleries in Scotland and is a must visit for any whisky connoisseur.

  

Blair Athol Distillery

Blair Athol distillery is situated in the town of Pitlochry and not in Blair Athol as the name suggests. It was founded at the end of the 18th century but did not prove to be a success. In 1826 Blair Athol was revived and by 1827 was being run by Alexander Connacher. The distillery was taken over by Peter Mackenzie & Co in the middle of the 19th century and was enlarged and improved so that by

  

1886 Blair Athol was capable of producing over 1,500 gallons per week, a mere fraction of what it can produce today. In 1933 the distillery was acquired by Arthur Bell & Sons and it is now a subsidiary of Diageo.

  

The distillery was closed in 1932 throughout the depression and the Second World War. In 1949 it was extensively rebuilt and has been in production ever since. In 1970 an additional two stills were added.

  

Blair Athol is the home of Bell’s blended whiskies and it has been a major part of the Bell’s blends since Arthur Bells days in the 1930’s.

  

It is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland and utilises the crystal clear waters of the Allt Dour burn, coming from the Gaelic name meaning 'burn of the otter'. The water quality of Allt Dour Burn has a great reputation for quality that was publically praised by none other than Alfred Barnard in 1887 in his book "The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom."

  Blair Athol whisky distillery tour

  

Its location on the road north into Pitlochry has meant visitors have been coming here for many years. Today there is a visitor centre which was built in 1987 and attracts around 30,000 visitors a year. The grounds are beautifully laid out with raised flower beds and traditional buildings covered in ivy.

  

Additional places to visit in the Pitlochry area.

  

Blair Castle

The Castle is the the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl and has a magnificent setting in
the heart of Highland Perthshire. Its roots date to the 13th century with a history of some 740 years. Situated at the gateway to the Grampian Mountains on the route north to Inverness, the location was highly strategic. Blair Castle is at the hub of a designed landscape which encompasses some 2,500 acres within an estate of over 145,000 acres which includes Diana’s Grove, named after the Roman Goddess of hunting. It is a magnificent stand of trees originally laid out by the 2nd Duke of Atholl
in 1737. Most of the beautiful landscape features were established during the 18th century.

  

Blair Castle - Distillery tours of Scotland

The collections displayed in 30 rooms give a rich and varied impression of Scottish life over seven centuries. Fine pictures and furniture, arms and armour, porcelain, embroidery and lace, Masonic regalia, Jacobite relics and many family treasures provide fascinating insights into Scottish social history. Inside the castle a spectacular display of arms and armour greets the visitor on arrival in the main entrance hall. The extensive collections also include pictures, furniture, porcelain, embroidery, Masonic regalia and family memorabilia. The Atholl Highlander Room commemorates Europe’s only remaining private army which has its headquarters at the castle. Each May the Atholl Highlanders assemble for a full parade under the inspection of their Colonel in Chief, the Duke of Atholl.

  

Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder.
The Pitlochry Dam was built by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board and was completed in Feb of 1951. The dam created Loch Faskally which now provides the water for the power station. The ladder was constructed as a result of a 1943 Act of Parliament which laid a duty of care on the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board to preserve fish stocks. Without the fish ladder it would have been

  

Pitlochry Dam - Malt whisky tour

  

an impassable obstacle for the migrating salmon. The fish ladder consists of 34 separate pools each 1.6 feet higher than the last and covering a distance of 339 yards. There are three larger pools which allow the fish to rest during their ascent, and one of these has an underwater viewing area with a glass wall and CCTV cameras to allow the public to see the fish as they make their way up river to spawn in the same place that they were hatched. The ladder is equipped with a fish counter which records the number of salmon making the journey each year. It was the first fish counter of its type in Scotland.

  

Pitlochry and Moulin Heritage Centre.
Pitlochry and Moulin Heritage Centre is based in the Moulin Kirk (Church) which is situated in the centre of the conservation village of Moulin , near Pitlochry, Perthshire. The present Kirk (Church) was rebuilt in 1875 after a devastating fire. Moulin Kirk is dedicated to St Colm or St Colman, who first brought Christianity to the area, originally it was a firm stronghold of the Picts in this area.

  

Pitlochry and Moulin Heritage Centre - Malt whisky distillery tours

  

It was written that a Pictish Chief, on first becoming a Christian, would build a Church within his principal fort and it is believed that this may well have been the case in Moulin. A stone over the vestry is dated 1613 so it would seem that a church has always stood on the present site since this date.

  

The first Statistical account, written late in the 18th century tells us that Moulin Church was enlarged in 1704 and again in 1787. Various records show that the church was rebuilt in 1831 and again in 1875 after the fire which gutted the building. The original high tower was replaced by a spire during the rebuilding of 1865.

  

Over the last few years local people and organisations have contributed to the Heritage Centre and have made many donations of both photographs and memorabilia, among them is The Millenium Diary, collected and compiled by Wilma McLauchlan. Also held within the Kirk are the archives of Moulin & Pitlochry History Circle. A rare selection of photographs of Pitlochry past and present, a history of the Pitlochry highland games, a facinating history of the clearances and emigration and the development of Pitlochry from the three hamlets into the very popular tourist town it is today.

  

The House of Bruar
Situated ten miles north of Pitlochry, The House of Bruar is truly a unique Scottish shopping experience boasting some of Scotland’s finest produce, clothing and rural artwork. With items ranging from a comprehensive selection of Scotland's finest foods and local produce, traditional Scottish made clothing including tweed, cashmere and lambswool and a unique collection of art.

  

House of Bruar - Scotch whisky tour

  

The food hall sells the Best of British and in particular Scottish produce from wild smoked salmon, award winning traditional haggis, oatcakes, shortbread and a wide selection of Scottish preserves and Jams. There is also an array of exclusive Scottish spirits and beverages and complete hampers. If you are looking to take back some Scottish souvenirs and gifts, this is the place you will find them.

  

  

After visiting the first three whisky distilleries on your 3 day tour and discovering the sights of the Pitlochry area we head off for Speyside where we will book into your en-suite accommodation for the night. Once we get booked in you can get refreshed and look forward to a relaxing evening meal, perhaps have a dram or two at one of the local bars or sample some of the nightspots in the town.

  

On our one day distillery tour it might not be possible to fit all of the above into the days itinerary depending on how long you wished to spend at each distillery or additional sites of interest.

  

  

  

  

  

Three Day Whisky Distillery Tour of Scotland

  

Day One       Day Two      Day Three

  

Six Day and Bespoke Whisky Tours are also available.

  

On our 6 day or bespoke whisky tours we can include a lot more distilleries including some of the island distilleries such as the Isle of Skye, Mull, Jura or Islay as well as visiting other historical or scenic sights of interest along the way. We can cater for groups large or small, families or corporate trips. Minimum of two people travelling. For less than 5 people we may use an upmarket people carrier or offer an upgrade to a minibus. On our bespoke tours you tell us which distilleries you would like to visit and we will put a tour together for you including additional activities if required.

  

For bookings and availability please e-mail us. If you include a contact telephone number we will be happy to give you a call to discuss your Scottish whisky distillery tour in full detail.

tours@fishing-uk-scotland.com

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

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