The Findlater Whisky Tour £360 The Findlater Tour showcases what our local north Banffshire area has to offer the Whisky tourist. We will collect you from your accommodation in the Banff or Morayshire area and take you on a sightseeing tour, stopping at two of our local distilleries Glendronach and Glenglassaugh. Glendronach Distillery, near Huntly, is in the heart of the rich agricultural landscape that exists around Banffshire. A perfect location to create the 15yr old Revival Single Malt that was crowned the Best Whisky of 2020 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. After a comfort break and lunch in the Morayshire village of Cullen, home of the world- renowned fish chowder known as ‘Cullen Skink’, we will head out to the cliff top medieval fortress of Findlater Castle. Once the home of the Earls of Findlater and Seafield, the castle is little more than a ruin now but is well worth a look. Only a short drive from the Castle, through the fishing village of Sanded with its golden sandy beach, we will arrive at Glenglassaugh Distillery. The distillery sitting right at the edge of the Moray Firth coast, was opened in 1875 by Colonel James Moir. It produces a single malt whisky with a distinctive character and one that resisted the efforts of previous distillery managers who wanted to use it in the production of blended whisky. The distillery was mothballed for 20 years before reopening in 2008. Glenglassaugh is now owned by American spirits company Brown-Foreman and thankfully is in full production again. Itinerary 09.00 - 0930 Introduction to the Tour 10.30 - 1200 Visit Glendronach Distillery 12.30 - 1330 Visit Cullen for Light lunch 1345 – 1445 Visit to Findlater Castle Viewing point 1500 – 1630 Visit Glenglassaugh Distillery 1630 – 1800 Visit Portsoy and return to accommodation Maximum 8 persons in group. All whisky tourists must be aged over 18 years. Wet weather clothes and walking boots are recommended for the short walk to Findlater Castle. Price does not include cost of entry fees or meals, however we will make the advance reservations. The Grand Whisky Tour £400 This is our ultimate tour of Whisky Distilleries. The density of well-known brands of Scotch in the Speyside area makes the decision on which ones to visit an extremely hard one but let’s face it……….this is a first world problem. Why not let us take you to the recently built Visitors Centre at The Macallan Distillery which is simply stunning and unlike any other distillery visitor experience. Having spent over £100M on this recent development, the architect designed state of the art facility is in complete contrast to the smaller distilleries where the production of whisky has remained unchanged for over 100 years. After a light lunch in the Speyside Village of Aberlour, home to the brand of the same name, we will head for the self-proclaimed Whisky Capital of Europe, Dufftown. Whilst this must be the smallest Capital in the world with less than 2000 residents, they have the benefit of 7 whisky distilleries built around the village. The Balvenie distillery, owned by William Grant and Sons, continues to produce whisky in the same way as it has done since opening in 1892. The distillery continues to malt 15% of its malt barley intake which makes it a particularly authentic visitor experience as most other distilleries now depend on industrial malt barley suppliers. Or why not visit the renowned Glenfiddich Distillery next door, also owned by William Grant. This was the first distillery to offer a visitor centre in Scotland, first distillery to market a single malt and also the first distillery to sell one million cases of single Malt Whisky in one year. On the return journey a stop at the well-stocked Whisky Shop in Dufftown is a must, followed by a visit to the Grouse Inn pub up in the Cabrach where a warm welcome is guaranteed. Hosts Wilma and Mhairi McBain will serve you the malt of your choice from a comprehensive stock of 235 whiskies on optics and have a collection that extends to 700 bottles. Itinerary 0900 - 0930 Introduction to the Tour 1030 – 1200 Visit The Macallan 1215 – 1330 Light lunch in Aberlour 1400 – 1530 Visit Balvenie Distillery 1540 – 1600 Visit Dufftown Whisky Shop 1615 – 1800 Visit The Grouse Inn, Cabrach 1800 - 1900 Return journey Maximum 8 persons in group. All whisky tourists must be aged over 18 years. Price does not include cost of entry fees or meals, however we will make the advance reservations. The Local Hero Tour £360 Reminiscent of the 1983 comedy drama Local Hero, starring Burt Lancaster, set in the fictional Scottish village of Ferness, this tour we will take you sightseeing along the Banff and Buchan coastline. We will be visiting many of the small picturesque coastal fishing villages between Banff and Fraserburgh. You will need your walking boots for this one as the most amazing sea views require some physical exertion to get to. The first stop on the tour is St. Johns Church and Kirkyard near Gardenstown. Founded in the 11th Century, the location of the Kirk is certainly off the beaten track. But, after less than a half mile walk, the view of the village of Gardenstown from the ruined church is breath taking. The next stop is Crovie a simply picture postcard village with only pedestrian access to the row of old fishermen’s cottages built right at the edge of a pebble beach. Whilst the cottages are mostly now holiday lets, the improvements to the cottages have been done sensitively ensuring the village retains its quaint Scottish character. A short walk along a coastal path takes you to Gardenstown where we spend some time exploring around the harbour and the old village. After a light lunch, the next stop is Pennan, the filmset for Local Hero. Whilst Hollywood did visit, fame certainly has not changed its character. We then head for Fraserburgh where the development of the fishing industry is most evident. This is a busy fishing port with the finest seafood being landed in the ports fish markets daily. Huge deep-sea pelagic trawlers are moored alongside the smaller inshore boats fishing for prawn and lobster. The towns fish processing businesses supply fresh fish to local restaurants but most of their produce is exported to Europe. A visit to the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses and its visitor’s café for a well-earned coffee will draw an energetic photograph opportunity filled tour to an end. Itinerary 0900 - 1030 Visit St Johns Church 1040 – 1200 Visit Crovie and walk to Gardenstown 1200 – 1330 Explore Gardenstown and have light lunch 1345 – 1430 Visit Pennan 1500 – 1630 Visit Museum of Scottish Lighthouses Fraserburgh 1630 – 1730 Visit Fraserburgh harbour 1730 - 1800 Return journey Maximum 8 persons in group. Wet weather clothes and walking boots are recommended for this tour. Price does not include cost of entry fees or meals, however we will make the advance reservations. The Ladies Gin O’clock Tour £400 The recent increase in popularity of craft Gins has seen many new visitor centres opening to cater for this growing market. Many whisky distilleries have seen an opportunity to create gin which does not require the lengthy maturation process of Whisky. So, Ladies, why not come on a day tour and visit the Benromach Distillery, home of Red Door Gin. The new Gin visitor centre developed at this distillery in Forres, Morayshire provides an interesting insight into the production of Gin and the complex use of botanicals to create the distinctive flavour of the Red Door brand. After your visit we will head south towards Grantown-on-Spey for a light lunch at The Olive Tree Café at Logie Steading and browse their countryfare. In the afternoon we pass through the pretty town of Grantown-on-Spey before turning east and onward to the small village of Cromdale where we will find the Balmenach Distillery, the home of Caorunn Gin. Founded in 1824, this distillery is one of the oldest in Speyside. Caorunn Gin is a sophisticated Gin crafted by the distilleries skilled staff using water and foraged botanicals from unrivalled local sources. Then on to Craigellachie and the Highlander Inn for a few more drinks and a debrief of the days adventure over a delicious dinner before heading home. Itinerary 0900 - 1000 Introduction to the Tour and travel to Forres 1000 – 1130 Visit Red Door Gin, Benromach Distillery, Forres 1200 – 1330 Light lunch at Logie Steading 1400 – 1530 Visit Caorunn Gin, Balmenach Distillery, Cromdale 1600 – 1800 Pit stop at Highlander Inn, Craigellachie 1800 - 1900 Return journey Maximum 8 persons in group. All Gin Ladies must be aged over 18 years. Price does not include cost of entry fees or meals, however we will make the advance reservations. .