Moray

After leaving Aberdeen, our first stop is in the village of Aberlour in the heart of Speyside. Surrounded by forests and hills you might catch the seductive smell of whisky or shortbread on the breeze, depending which way the wind blows. You continue through the heart of Speyside and arrive at Loch Ness for al boat trip*. Onboard the ship, you travel over the widest and deepest part of the loch and get a fine view of Urquhart Castle. Back on dry land, it’s time to travel deep into the past at Clava Cairns. This spot is situated in a gorgeous green grove and boasts well-preserved ancient burial tombs. They even say this spot was the inspiration for Outlander’s Craigh na Dun. You then continue to Culloden Battlefield, the location of the final Jacobite Rising. It’s an eerie, flat, tragic landscape that can put the history of Scotland into perspective. You have a comfort break within the gorgeous Cairngorms National Park before you reach Aberdeen in the evening. This route may be reversed on some occasions. *The Loch Ness boat cruise is weather dependent and may be cancelled without notice. ** Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness included in the tour price

Explore the beauty of the Scottish highlands on this guided tour. Take the opportunity to explore local villages, visit a whisky distillery, see bustling birdlife, and more, on this unforgettable tour experience. Depart Inverness and head straight for the historic village of Findhorn for a walk along the gorgeous beach. Trail the coast to Portknockie, where Bow Fiddle Rock, a dramatic sea arch, sits just off the shore. Afterward, continue the village-hop to picture-perfect Cullen, home of the famous soup, Cullen Skink. Explore, eat lunch, and get excited about the next stop. Take a walk at Troup Head Nature Reserve* and look out for gannets and other sea birds; you might even be lucky enough to spot marine life. Then, journey inland on the Malt Whisky Trail for the chance to learn all about single malt production at a Speyside whisky distillery, and judge for yourself whether experience is the best teacher. Make one final stop at the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands, in the small village of Carrbridge, before returning to Inverness in the evening. * To increase the likelihood of wildlife sightings, we will visit Spey Bay and Aberlour instead of RSPB Troup Head Nature Reserve for the remainder of the 2024 season. Spey Bay offers stunning coastal views and the chance to spot wildlife, while Aberlour is a beautiful town in Speyside, known for its local treats and scenic walks.

You leave Aberdeen and head for Spey Bay. Here, you have time to learn about the area and try to spot dolphins. You then journey to Bow Fiddle Rock, one of our favourite coastal sights in Scotland. Its unusual shape being battered by waves offers an epic photo and an awesome experience. In Cullen, you have a chance to taste Cullen Skink soup in its hometown. But don’t spend all your time savouring the flavour, because there are lovely little strolls to take around the village. After lunch, you travel the short distance to Portsoy. This archetypal Scottish seaside town boasts the oldest harbour on the Moray Coast and shops selling unique jewellery made from ‘Portsoy Marble’. From Portsoy, you journey to Bullers of Buchan. Here you try to count how many species of sea birds you can spot or simply admire the glorious sea scape of caves and cliffs. Slains Castle is the next stop of your day. This grand coastal castle had its roof removed to avoid taxes. You have time here to get a photo and learn about how the octagonal room inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. In the early evening, you arrive back in Aberdeen. This route may be reversed on some occasions.

You depart Inverness and travel through the spellbinding landscapes of Speyside towards Dava Moor for some great views of the Cairngorms National Park. Keep your camera ready to capture the vibrant colour of blooming heather if you’re visiting in the summer and autumn months. Your first destination is the forest village of Carrbridge. Here, you can get some refreshments, breathe in the cool mountain air and wander around the Old Packhorse Bridge. You continue south to the Glenmore Forest Park, where you have free time to explore. Your options include a walk through the woods to Loch Morlich, which is one of Scotland’s most scenic and popular lochs. You can admire a sandy beach and large and ancient pine trees before you make your way back to the mini-coach. If you prefer not to walk, there’s a café and exhibition at the visitor centre. All this walking and fresh air must have worked up your appetite, so you head to Aviemore for lunch. This great day must be finished off with a dram of delicious whisky at Tomatin Distillery*. Savour the aromas of fruit and spice, and feel the passion for community and environment in this little town clustered around the distillery. You leave the remote landscapes behind and start your journey back to Inverness, where you arrive in the early evening. *Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

Get ready to explore the Speyside region and Scotland’s most delectable industry. You depart Inverness and travel through the beautiful Scottish country until you reach Tomatin Distillery. Their single malt and blended Scotch whisky has been around since 1897 and is a rich and wonderful way to start the day. Next up you journey into the beautiful region of Speyside, the whisky-hub of Scotland. You'll stop in at one of the little towns for a delicious lunch, to recharge and refuel for the rest of your day. And as you pass through the area, your driver-guide will take you to some beautiful spots we know you and your camera will love. Your next stop will take you back in time to 1224 when it was built. Elgin Cathedral may be a ruin now but it was built dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Get your camera ready, it's well worth a shot. Now it's time for your afternoon treat. You are welcomed at Glen Moray Distillery, who have been producing their single malt Scotch whisky for over 120 years in the heart of Speyside. Here, you may join a tour and discover the different areas of whisky production and sample the golden-hued spirit itself. Now it's time to head back to Inverness with new stories to tell and new whiskies to love. Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

Explore the Cardhu Distillery on a guided tour and learn about the history of the distillery. Discover the story of the two generations of women who founded the distillery, and enjoy a tutored whisky tasting of 3 drams and a cocktail. Arrive at the distillery and meet your guide. Learn about the history of the distillery and the two generations of women who founded it. Discover how their inventive, pioneering nature fueled a quest to capture the generosity of Speyside in their highly-coveted malt, noted for its sensual pour and rich, smooth character. Experience a full-sensory, field-to-glass tour that culminates in a tutored whisky tasting of 3 drams and a cocktail in the Tasting Kitchen. Relax in the signature Cumming and Walker family hospitality.

You leave Aberdeen in the morning and travel through the vast hills of Cairngorms National Park to Corgarff. Here, you go for a little walk towards the Corgarff Castle, once a noble residence that in the 18th century was turned into a military base. Invigorated by the walk, you head deeper into the national park, as you travel past Cockbridge and Tomintoul. This legendary stretch of road regularly sees the first of the snowy winter weather and crosses the mountain pass known locally as the Lecht. You’ll have plenty of time for photo opportunities on this unforgettable route. Then you delve into the home of whisky, the Speyside region. Here, you stop at the Whisky Castle for an optional tutor whisky tasting and lunch. This whisky emporium has been selling the finest malt whiskies for over 120 years and is stocking over 600 malts, so it’s a real treasure trove for whisky lovers. Next, you travel to the Speyside Cooperage where you get to know the history of Scotland’s oak casks. Then you head to Cardhu Distillery, the first distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming. Today, Cardhu is the most important whisky in Johnnie Walker’s Black Label. You leave Cardhu full of appreciation for whisky and arrive in Aberdeen in the early evening. It’s now up to you whether you continue the whisky tasting into the night. *Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

Day 1 You head north through the Kingdom of Fife, to your first distillery; Lindores Abbey. This is a modern Scottish distillery built on the site of the first-ever recorded distiller in the country in 1494. Visit this site to discover the historic legacy of the area blended with innovation and sustainable practices all captured in their fine whisky. Continue north towards the UK's largest National Park, Cairngorms National Park. This will be a stunning drive, so keep your cameras ready. You stop in Braemar and have some time for lunch and a little explore. A bite to eat is a good idea though because your next stop is the Whisky Castle. This whisky emporium has been selling the finest malt whiskies for over 120 years and is stocking over 600 malts. Savour three Speyside whiskies to get familiar with a distinctive taste of this region. Once you’ve warmed with this dram of “the gentle spirit”, you continue through the Cairngorms National Park before reaching Grantown-on-Spey, your base for two nights. Day 2 Today you spend the whole day exploring Scotland’s most famous whisky region. Your first stop is Cardhu Distillery*,which is the first distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming. Today, Cardhu is the most important whisky in Johnnie Walker Black Label. After lunch in nearby Aberlour, you travel along the Spey River to Craigellachie for a visit to the Speyside Cooperage**, where you see another aspect of the whisky making process. After a scenic drive towards the coast, you head to Glen Moray, where you can try whisky matured in a wide selection of casks. Time permitting, your driver-guide might stop in at Sueno's Stone for a quick photo, where you can admire this incredible Pictish standing stone. From here you travel back to Grantown-on-Spey. Day 3 In the morning get ready for a whisky and chocolate tasting at Dalwhinnie Distillery, set in splendid mountain scenery at the heart of the Cairngorm National Park. You then leave the Highlands and journey south to Perthshire. Lying in the heart of Scotland, Pitlochry is a beautiful little town with plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes. The time is yours to explore and have some lunch. Next, you stop for a walk among towering Douglas firs in the Hermitage, a lovely forest with a roaring waterfall. From here the route south takes you to the stunning wee village of Dunkeld, where you've got some time to explore before heading to your final whisky experience of the tour. You then over the Firth of Forth, take in the magnificent South Queensferry bridges, and head back into Edinburgh. *Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

Uncover the dark history of witch trials in the 1600s on a guided tour of Elgin. Follow the trail of tears and heart-breaking cries to the different points in town where the trials were held. Witness the debauchery and torture as it would have been. Meet your guide and unmask and trial two witches exactly as they would have been trialed back in the 1600s. Follow the trail of the witches to the different points in town where the trials were held. Find out about some little-known points of history en route.

Discover the history of Elgin on a guided walking tour. See the remains of the covered walkways in town so you could shop while avoiding the rain, hear about the mess in the streets before modern plumbing, and see an 1820s mosaic floor. Hear how the 'Ladies of the night' conducted their business in the 1800s, see Elgin's own 'Shambles Wynd' and learn what happened there. Visit the oldest graveyard in town, that due to its hidden nature, most of the locals don't know it was there. Learn about the town's architecture and how you could tell which business was in which building by the stonework. Hear what happened when the Hanoverian Soldiers came through town, en route to Culloden. Find out about a solved, but un-punished mass murderer and Elgin's only documented Poltergeist case.