Tour Details
Balmoral Hotel > Muchrach Country House Hotel > Rocpool Reserve Hotel > Links House
Day 1
Accommodation: The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
Upon arrival at Edinburgh International Airport you will be greeted by your Private Driver, they will then assist you with your luggage before transporting you to your hotel for the evening.
That hotel will be The Balmoral Hotel, set on the border between Edinburgh’s New & Old Towns. For over a century, The Balmoral hotel has found a home at Edinburgh’s most prestigious address, No. 1 Princes Street. A landmark in the centre of the city, the historic building’s grand clock still dominates the skyline, while its enviable location, stunning views, warm hospitality and world-class facilities provide the perfect retreat. Enjoy dinner in their Michelin-starred Number One restaurant, unwind in their award-winning spa and enjoy views of Edinburgh Castle from your suite.
This day will be a day to recuperate from your travels. Simply reside in the comfort of the hotel or get out and explore Scotland’s ancient capital city.
Day 2
Accommodation: The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
Upon awaking to views of Edinburgh’s Old Town you will be greeted by your driver once more who will take you for a tour of the city seeing the major sites such as; Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, St Giles Cathedral, Holyrood Palace, Scott Monument, Scottish Parliament Buildings, The New Town and Arthurs Seat. In the evening enjoy either one of either the Scotch Whisky Experience and tour the worlds largest whisky collection, with private tasting or a visit to the Kaleidoscope Bar at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society who produce single cask, exclusive, bottles found nowhere else other than their venues.
Day 3
Accomodation: Muckrach Country House Hotel, Speyside
Leaving Edinburgh you will be driven North, over the Forth Road Bridges and into the Kingdom of Fife. From here you will travel past the town of Perth and onto our first whisky distillery, Edradour. world renowned as the smallest traditional distillery in Scotland and arguably the most unique. Dating back to 1825, Edradour, stands alone as the last stronghold of handmade single malt whisky from a farm distillery still in production today.
From Edradour the short journey will be made north to Dalwhinnie Distillery. Built in 1897 and currently the highest distillery in the country, Dalwhinnie – or “Plain of Meetings” in Gaelic – is named for its location at a junction of old drove roads, between two mountain ranges. Year after year it survives the coldest of conditions to produce smooth, golden heather honey-like spirit.
Your accommodation for the evening will be Muckrach Country House Hotel; built in 1860 as a Shooting Lodge for the Grouse moor, probably as part of the Seafield estate of Clan Grant. Muckrach Country House Hotel has evolved over the centuries, welcoming guests from around the world, for whom Strathspey, the Cairngorms and the Highlands of Scotland hold a special appeal. Shooting parties, fisherman, skiers, walkers, climbers and sightseers have all enjoyed the Victorian splendour and great food offerings at Muckrach Country House Hotel over the years. Muckrach Country House Hotel offers the epitome of Highland hospitality.
Day 4
Accomodation: Muckrach Country House Hotel, Speyside
From your base at Muckrach Country House you will be able to explore Scotland’s whisky country. Venturing through Speyside on day four you will visit:
Cardhu: “Founded by Helen Cumming in 1811 as an illicit distillery and licensed in 1824, Cardhu is the first distillery to be officially pioneered by a woman. Two women, in fact: in 1872, Elizabeth Cummings, daughter-in-law of the founders, took over the running of the distillery and set about refining the flavour and character of the whisky we know today – the effortless, elegant, generous spirit, born of hard work and determination.”
Macallan: “The Macallan was one of the first distillers in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then we have built a reputation as one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies. The creation of The Macallan draws on the vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland – and of their respective natural raw materials, combined with traditional methods and craftsmanship.”
Aberlour: “Steeped in centuries of legend and surrounded by the dramatic Highland scenery of Ben Rinnes, the village of Aberlour lies at the very heart of Speyside, where the Lour burn joins the River Spey. The exceptionally pure, soft spring water used for making Aberlour whisky is drawn from nearby natural springs.”
Day 5
Accommodation: Rocpool Reserve, Inverness
Leaving Muckrach Country House you will once more venture into Speyside where on day five you will visit:
Glenfarclas: “Glenfarclas was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to open a dedicated visitor centre in 1973. We still pride ourselves on the warmth of our welcome. We have a range of tours to appeal to everyone from those new to whisky, to the dedicated enthusiast.”
Cragganmore: “In 1869, Big John Smith – said to have been the most experienced distiller of his day – founded Cragganmore. He lobbied for a railway siding, and using this, his business acumen and skill as a distiller, turned Cragganmore into a popular, high-quality single malt whisky.”
Benromach: “Our distillery has been making Benromach since 1898 using the same spring water rising in nearby Romach Hills. Come and see our distillers at work as they orchestrate every second of the production by sight, sound and touch. One of our friendly tour guides will proudly show you around our boby mill, mash tun, wooden washbacks, 2 copper stills, spirit safe, filling room, dunnage warehouses and visitor centre with many mementoes. And, of course, you can enjoy a tutored tasting of our gorgeous classic Speyside Single Malt Whisky.”
After leaving the town of Forres and Benromach Distillery you will drive west into Inverness, The Capital of the Highlands. Here you will find the boutique, Rocpool Reserve Hotel where you will reside for the evening. “Rocpool Reserve will redefine the experience forever. It’s about elegance, not exhibitionism. Glow, not glitter. Quality, not quantity. Our discreet boutique hotel, bar and restaurant offers 5 star luxury in the heart of Inverness – an invitation to come and indulge.
Located in the capital of the Highlands, Inverness, this beautifully renovated Georgian mansion house has stunning views over the River Ness and is only a few minutes walk from Inverness Castle and city centre. Exclusive, modern and elegant with individually designed spacious bedrooms complete with spa style bathrooms, rainshowers and luxurious deep baths. Rocpool promises to deliver.”
Day 6
Accommodation: Links House at Royal Dornoch, Dornoch
Leaving the city of Inverness you will traverse the North Eastern coast via the following distilleries:
Glen Ord: “Uncover the history behind the liquid. The Black Isle is a peninsula that gets its name from its rich, fertile soil. The land had been in the possession of the MacKenzie family for nearly 700 years when Thomas MacKenzie chose the site for his distillery in 1838.
Glenmorangie: “In 1843, William Matheson founded the Glenmorangie Distillery in the Scottish Highlands. Inspired by the Distillery’s peaceful surroundings on the banks of the Dornoch Firth, he brought forth a pioneering single malt whisky wonderfully complex and exceptionally smooth. Ever since, we have pursued our craft with uncompromising dedication – endlessly creative in our quest for perfection. To this day, we honour the Distillery’s provenance in our award-winning single malt. Its pure, smooth spirit is distilled in Scotland’s tallest stills, matured in the finest casks and perfected by The Men of Tain. And, in the hands of these select craftsmen, the guardians of our spirit, Glenmorangie will surely delight malt whisky lovers for generations to come.”
Balblair: “Here, since we rolled out our first barrels in 1790, that we’ve been producing award-winning Highland Single Malt Scotch whisky. At Balblair we only ever release our whisky when it’s ready. Every year our Distillery Manager, John MacDonald, selects whiskies that have reached their exact point of ‘optimum maturation’, the peak of perfection. That’s why we only create Vintages timed to perfection.”
From Balblair Distillery you will make the short journey to Dornoch where you will find Links House at Royal Dornoch. “Links House at Royal Dornoch in the Scottish Highlands is a country house hotel and restaurant in the finest tradition, offering luxury accommodation combined with the charm, grace and elegance of the world’s finest luxury small hotels. Links House Hotel has been beautifully restored to reflect the strength and drama of its setting, overlooking the 1st tee at Royal Dornoch Golf Club.”
Day 7
On Day Seven, sadly we must say goodbye. Your Private Driver will transport you to Inverness International Airport where you will travel to your leaving destination. We hope you leave Scotland with fond memories and stories to tell for a life time.
