Castles and Whisky - 1 day tour

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Tour Summary

Castles and Whisky
One day tour

Visit fairytale Brodie Castle then immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Cairngorm National Park. Later make a fascinating visit to the Speyside Cooperage then join the Whisky Trail to visit one of Scotland’s finest malt whisky distilleries.

Price range: £38 - £49

Brodie Castle - visit this lovely castle which has been a family home for over 400 years

The Cairngorm National Park - enjoy the breathtaking scenery as we drive through the UK’s largest national park

Glenlivet Malt Whisky Distillery - take a guided tour and enjoy a ‘wee dram’ of the water of life

Speyside Cooperage - marvel at the traditional skills of the coopers as they make and repair whisky casks

Ballindalloch Castle - explore this fairytale castle known as the “Pearl of the North”

Speyside - discover why this area is home to nearly half of Scotland’s whisky distilleries

Movie locations - The Dark Knight Rises, Centurion and Victoria and Abdul

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Full Tour Itinerary

We leave Inverness City Centre behind and travel to the pleasant seaside town of Nairn, the favoured vacation spot of Charlie Chaplin. Close by sits handsome 16th century Brodie Castle, the ancestral home of the Brodie clan for over 400 years. As befits one of Scotland’s most prestigious families the castle contains an art collection from Dutch Old Masters to modern watercolours and an impressive library containing over 6,000 volumes. Outside, in peaceful grounds, you’ll find woodland walks, the quirky Playful Garden and the National Daffodil Collection.

If you’d prefer you can enjoy free time in the nearby town of Forres instead. This pleasant town is one of Scotland’s oldest and is famed for its beautiful parks and gardens.

Later we’ll make our way through the Glen of Rothes to reach the beautiful scenery of Speyside. Here the bubbling waters of the River Spey flow providing pure water for almost half of all working distilleries in Scotland including Glenfiddich where we will make a stop for lunch. The Malt Barn restaurant is famed for its tasty dishes using the local ingredients. If you’re in the mood why not make a visit to the bar which contains the largest collection of Glenfiddich whiskies in the World.

Thomas Telfer designed an impressive iron bridge which spans the River Spey in the nearby village of Craigellachie. We’ll stop at the Speyside Cooperage where you can get insight into the important work undertaken by the expert coopers who restore and repair the casks in which the whisky is stored. Enjoy a fascinating audio-visual presentation then visit the shop floor to marvel at the craftsmen at work.

Later this afternoon you can visit Ballindalloch Castle which has been occupied by the Macpherson-Grants since 1546. There is time to visit the castle where you’ll find fascinating family memorabilia, fine furniture and paintings. Outside the gardens provide a haven in which to relax and include a lovely rose garden and tree-lined walks.

Alternatively you can explore The Glenlivet Distillery, home to one of Scotland’s great malt whiskies. This is a wonderful chance to experience a tour of the distillery, with a tutored tasting of a fine malt whisky. Later take the chance to explore the exhibition or pick-up a souvenir in the distillery shop.

The last part of our tour will take us through the picturesque scenery of the Cairngorm National Park and back to Inverness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect on this Signature Day Tour?

Travelling on a Signature one-day tour is a great way to discover the best of Scotland from your city centre base of Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness. During your day of discovery we’ll introduce you to many aspects of our country: spectacular scenery, history, folklore, nature and much, much more. Luxury travel is provided by air-conditioned mini or midi coaches and each tour is led by an experienced driver/guide who will provide a live commentary in English. There are stops planned at the key sights as well as for meals and comfort breaks. Please note that tours to some destinations, particularly to Loch Ness, can be faster paced so the number and duration of stops may be limited.

What are the optional extras on this tour and how much do they cost?

The tour fare includes transportation by luxury mini or midicoach and the services of a professional driver/guide. Admission to the attractions featured on this tour is optional so you can choose to visit or not depending on your interests. The tour itinerary will allow time for you to enjoy visits to:

Brodie Castle
Speyside Cooperage
Glenlivet Malt Whisky Distillery
Ballindalloch Castle

The links above will give you more information on these attractions as well as current admission prices. On some tours discounted prices are available to tour passengers - your driver/guide will provide more information if this applies. Not all attractions accept payment by credit or debit card so you should carry sufficient cash should you be planning a visit.

Tell me what the visit to a whisky distillery will be like?

A visit to a traditional whisky distillery is a feast for all the senses. After a warm welcome you’ll normally have a short audio/visual presentation on the the history of the distillery and the traditional methods used in the distilling process. Next is a tour of the distillery where you you will experience all stages of the whisky making process from mashing and fermenting to distilling and maturation. Your tour will end with a tutored tasting of a malt whisky and the opportunity to buy a souvenir of your visit in the distillery shop.

Will there be stops for meals and are they included in the price of the tour?

Meals are not included in the tour price, but we will make stops where you can get refreshments and something to eat. If you wish, you can bring a packed lunch or pick up lunch items at a previous stop. Vegetarian food is widely available in Scotland.

I’ve missed my tour because I was late, can I get a refund?

We’re sorry but refunds or credits won’t be issued if you miss your tour because you are not at the departure point on time. In fairness to all our passengers coaches will not wait if you are late.

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