Your Detailed Itinerary

Home , Arran distillery, Ben Nevis distillery, Blair Athol distillery, Bowmore Distillery, Bunnahabhain, Dalwhinnie distillery

Whiskies of the West

Whiskies Your Detailed Itinerary of the West Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila and coastal loop through the crofting Day 1 Bruichladdich – produce a malt Day 5/6 village of Tarskavaig.) Then, turn Day 11 whisky of a lighter character. west via Broadford, following the Start this tour on the Isle of Arran, Take the ferry from Oban to Mull, A87 for Sligachan. Again, there are Continuing south, the Tullibardine reached from Ardrossan in Ayrshire. From Port Ellen, go east for Ardbeg, arriving at Craignure. The main breathtaking views of the Cuillins. Distillery on the edge of the Ochil From Brodick, go north round the Lagavulin and Laphroaig distilleries. town on this island is Tobermory, At Sligachan the A863 goes over Hills south of Perth is an area noted island to Lochranza. The Isle of (Take the road a little further to see reached from the A849/A848 to Loch Harport, with minor roads for the pure water running of the Arran Distillery is a unique the superbly carved 8/9th century which has fine views over the leading round to the distillery on hills. Once it was famous for development, linking back to a Kildalton Cross.) Return via Port Sound of Mull, travelling north- the west side of the loch. breweries – King James IV vanished tradition of Arran Ellen for the main road north to west. Tobermory, spread around its purchased the local beer for his distilling. Bowmore for the Bowmore bay, was originally purpose-built coronation in 1488! Tullibardine is Distillery. from 1787 as a fishing station, with noted for producing a light and its distillery being built soon Day 9 fruity malt whisky. Day 2/3 If time permits, it is also worthwhile afterwards. Leave Skye by the Skye Bridge over visiting the Isle of Jura distillery. the Kyleakin Narrows, heading east Lochranza is also the departure (There are also distilleries to visit by From Tobermory a ferry links and south via dramatic Glen Shiel point for the ferry to Claonaig, on Port Askaig, the ferry-pier for Jura.) Kilchoan on Ardnamurchan. Drive for the Great Glen and Fort William, the mainland in Kintyre. From there This wild island contrasts with Islay east along this beautiful and wild home of the Ben Nevis Distillery. it is a short drive north-west to in only having one road, one hotel peninsula for Salen, taking the Kennacraig and the ferry for Islay. and one distillery! A861 north. This joins the ‘Road to the Isles’ and leads on to Mallaig, Islay has more distilleries than any Day 10 from where you can reach other Scottish island. Its extensive Go east from Fort William through Armadale, in the south of Skye, by peat covering and soft water play Day 4 Glen Spean and the A86. If time ferry. their part in producing some very Return to the mainland and go permits, go north on the A9 for distinguished malt whiskies. From north from Kennacraig for Oban. Tomatin Distillery, otherwise turn The information contained in this publication is as supplied to VisitScotland and to the best of VisitScotland’s knowledge is distilleries in the south of the island Directly below the famous skyline south for Dalwhinnie Distillery. correct and the time of going to press. VisitScotland can – Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Laphroaig landmark of McCaig’s Tower (or Day 7/8 The A9 leads on into Perthshire, accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. April 2011. VisitScotland is committed to ensuring that our natural – come some of the most Folly) is the local Oban Distillery. Now on Skye, you can reach its only where the Blair Athol Distillery environment and built heritage, upon which tourism is so distinctively flavoured whiskies in distillery, Talisker, by taking the welcomes visitors at Pitlochry. dependent, is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. Cover: A fine ‘dram’ of malt whisky. © Paul Tomkins, Scotland, with both peat and (some road (A851) up the Sleat peninsula. VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint say) seaweed on the tongue. The (There are superb views of the Additional photography: Scottish Viewpoint distilleries to the north – Cuillin Hills if you divert round the

To search over 8,000 quality assured For information, inspiration and more accommodations, from bed and breakfasts itineraries online check out: to castles go to: www.visitscotland.com www.visitscotland.com The tastes and styles of Scotland’s whiskies vary with the landscapes. The whiskies of the west, especially of the seaboard, seem to take on the tang of the sea as well as the peaty soil. This tasting tour takes in some of the islands which have distilleries, so that you can compare flavours with some of the malts Whiskies of produced in the heart of Scotland. the West

ISLE OF ARRAN DISTILLERY – One of Scotland’s few remaining independent distilleries, it opened in 1995 to distil the first malt whisky on Arran for 150 years.

BOWMORE DISTILLERY – Its proximity to the edge of the sea contributes to the pronounced taste of its whisky. It has been here since 1779 making it one of the oldest in Scotland.

OBAN DISTILLERY – The distillery here dates from 1794 and claims to be older than the town itself! Its malt whisky has a famously smooth finish.

TOBERMORY DISTILLERY – Mull’s only distillery, founded in 1798, produces a single malt bottled under its old name, Ledaig. There is a good circular 9.66km (6 miles) walk just west of Tobermory through open forest to the rocky coast at Ardmore Bay.

TALISKER DISTILLERY – Skye has only one Whiskies of distillery, Talisker, on the shores of Loch Harport. The whisky is described as sweet and the West full-bodied.

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BEN NEVIS DISTILLERY – Whisky has been TOMATIN DISTILLERY – One of the largest DALWHINNIE DISTILLERY – This is Scotland’s BLAIR ATHOL DISTILLERY – This distillery TULLIBARDINE DISTILLERY distilled here since 1825. Tours, tasting and malt whisky distilleries in Scotland, thought to be highest distillery at 1069ft (326m) and was in the town of Pitlochry was founded in 1798 Becoming independent in 2003, the distillery is the ‘Legend of the Dew of Ben Nevis’. built on a very ancient distilling site, much originally an inn serving travellers and cattle- and features a mellow, fruity flavour and built on the site of the Scotland’s oldest brewery patronised by cattle-drovers long ago. drovers before they crossed the Pass of smooth finish to its 12-year-old single malt dating back to the 12th century. Drumochter to the south. product.