West Coast Whisky Trail
An exclusive 7-day small group tour of the Whisky Coast including Arran Kintyre, Islay and the “Spirit of the West” Festival. With distillery visits, special whisky tastings, great food, friendly comfortable accommodation and a knowledgeable local guide this is a trip of a lifetime for any whisky enthusiast
Tour Dates: 12th –18th May 2009 (including 2 days at the Spirit of the West Festival)
Group Size: Maximum of 16
Transport: Luxury minicoach with driver/guide
Accommodation: Hotels, guesthouses and self catering – minimum 3 star standard
Tuesday 12th May
Depart Edinburgh and travel west through Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow towards the ferry terminal at Ardrossan. Here you catch boat to the Island of Arran – known as "Scotland in Miniature". Arran is Scotland’s most southerly island. It contains examples of all of the scenery of Scotland, with the mountains, glens, lochs and castles, and has some great local produce to inspire your taste buds.
You arrive on Arran in Brodick - the largest village on the island. After lunch you have the afternoon to visit the Isle of Arran Distillery and some of Arran’s other great local producers: Arran Brewery, Arran Cheeses & Creelers' Smokehouse. These local businesses all thrive on their natural products that reflect the uniqueness of the island. The day will finish with a special local menu for dinner.
Overnight Stay at the Auchrannie Resort
Wednesday 13th May
Takes you to the peninsula of Kintyre, traveling south to Campbeltown where you will take a tour of Springbank, one of the few family owned distilleries left, followed by lunch and the chance to sample some unusual whiskies in their exclusive private tasting room. Then travel back north to catch the ferry to the second island of the tour.
Clean air, unpolluted seas and a mild climate combine to give Islay a unique environment that produces world-class whiskies and food. Around the middle of the 19th century, Islay boasted no less than a dozen distilleries. The tradition continues today with eight distilleries (Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich, Ardbeg, Caol Ila and Kilchoman), still producing some of the most popular and, certainly, most flavoursome malt whiskies in the world. The local whiskies are renowned for their strong peaty flavours and are nurtured by the salty sea air.
Overnight at either: Bowmore Cottages (in the grounds of the distillery!) or a local inn. Dinner can be taken on the ferry or on arrival on Islay but is NOT included.
Thursday 14th May
Explores the delights of “The Queen of the Isles” with its magnificent beaches and fertile lands. You will visit three of the island’s distilleries as well as seeing some great scenery.
Starting the day with a “vertical tasting” at Laphroaig you will follow this up with lunch and a tasting at Ardbeg. After a photo stop at Lagavulin and a visit to the ancient celtic stone cross at Kildalton the tour travels back to Bowmore for the Distillery Manager’s tour and tasting. This should set you up nicely for dinner at the renowned Harbour Inn – famous for its seafood and other island produce.
Overnight in Bowmore again
Friday 15th May
In the morning you will cross the island to visit the beautiful Saligo Bay for a short walk – just to build up a thirst for a visit to the newest distillery on the island – Kilchoman. Despite being the smallest and least known of the Islay distilleries you are sure of a great welcome and some fine whisky. After a quick lunch here there will just be time for a stop of at Caol Ila distillery before boarding the ferry back to the mainland.
Having left Islay behind you travel through Argyll and the coastal villages of Tarbet and Lochgilphead before arriving in the historic town of Inveraray.
Overnight stay at The Loch Fyne Hotel in Inveraray, home of the Whisky Festival and your base for the next 3 nights. Dinner in hotel
Saturday 16th May
A full day at the Spirit of the West Festival
Sunday 17th May
Another full day of events at the Spirit of the West Festival
Monday 18th May
Either transfer back to Glasgow or Edinburgh or join the Whisky Coast Northern Explorer to continue your adventure….
Departure Points
207 High St. Edinburgh and George Square, Glasgow
Price
£970.00 pp Twin/double share
£1240.00 Single
Inclusions
6 nights accommodation with breakfast
Lunch on days 2 and 3.
Dinners on days 1, 3 and 4
Transportation by top of the range Mercedes minicoach
Services of a professional Rabbie's driver/guide
All ferry crossings.
A weekend ticket to the Spirit of the West Festival
All distillery tour and tasting fees as specified in the itinerary
Exclusions
Meals not specified above. Drinks with meals Other items of personal expenditure Optional gratuities to your driver/guide