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Wild Scotland & Whisky Explorer

8 days

Take in some of Scotland's prettiest and wildest islands and indulge in whisky tasting at several famous distilleries on this 8-day escorted group tour. Enjoy distillery tours and several drams of Scotland's most iconic tipple and discover the wildlife and scenery of Islay, Iona, Mull and Skye. Search for 'Nessie' at Loch Ness, learn about the turbulent history of Glencoe and take in sweeping views of Ben Nevis.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.

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Tour Overview

Duration

- 8 days

Starts

- Edinburgh

Ends

- Edinburgh

Tour Guide

- Yes - escorted by a tour guide

Meals included

- Breakfast: 7

Group Size

- Min 2 / Max 16

Hotel Rating

- Simple guesthouses

Arrival Transfer

- No

Departure Transfer

- No

Range

- Worldwide Touring

Minimum age

- 18

Countries

- Scotland, United Kingdom

Tour Pace

- Fast

Physical Rating

- Easy

Trip Type

- Group Tours
Adults (18+)
Price Breakdown
Shown in USD
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Per Person From
$4,005.00
USD

$3,003.75

Deposit Per Person From
Final payment
USD

$400.00

$5,207.50
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Tour Highlights

Loch Lomond - Admire the incredible scenery surrounding one of Scotland's most famous lochs, and Great Britain's largest body of water
Whisky Coast - Visit four whisky distilleries with the chance to taste the produce, learn about the production process and tour the distilleries
Isle of Islay - Uncover the dramatic scenery and highlights of one of the most beautiful Scottish islands, including Dunyvaig Castle
Isle of Mull - Spot eagles and other wildlife on this pristine island, one of Scotland's wildest, and explore nearby Iona
Glencoe - Soak up the stunning mountain views and learn about the tragic and famous massacre that took place here in 1692
Isle of Skye - Take in the highlights of this beautiful island, with plenty of hiking and sightseeing to enjoy
Eilean Donan Castle - Admire this historic 13th Century castle, located on an island where three lochs meet
Loch Ness - Hunt for 'Nessie', the mythical beast believed to dwell in the dark waters of Scotland's most famous loch

Included

7 breakfasts
7 nights simple guesthouse - (3 nights self-service breakfast provided, 4 nights B&B)
Escorted by a local driver-guide
Visits to four whiskey distilleries: Ardbeg, Kilchoman, Bowmore, Laphroaig including tour & tasting (subject to change)
Transportation in 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning
All necessary ferry journeys between Scottish Islands and the mainland
All road tolls
20kg luggage allowance - This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items
Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

Not Included

International flights & visas
Airport transfers (pick up and drop off information can be found in the Trip Notes)
Meals not specified in itinerary
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture!
Entry fees unless specified

Itinerary

Day 1 - Loch Lomond, Oban & Islay ferry

Edinburgh - Trossnachs National Park - Oban - Islay. Departing Edinburgh this morning, we head west, first visiting Trossnachs National Park. Admire some of the country's famous scenery and perhaps taste some regional delicacies. We then make our way through the mountainous Western Highlands to Oban, a port town once the strategic heartland of great feuding clans.

Modern Oban is known for two things, seafood and whisky. We have the opportunity to taste both, including a dram of locally produced whisky and an optional seafood lunch.

We then make our way through the Kilmartin Glen, home to standing stones and historic fortified strongholds dating back more than 1,500 years. At Kennacraig, we catch the ferry to the island of Islay. The crossing takes around 2 hours, and you can see the Paps of Jura as we sail past the island of Jura. Landing at Islay, we make our way to our accommodation in Bowmore.

Please note: Check-in closes at 08:15 on day 1 (tour departs at 08:30) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.

Accommodation: Bowmore Cottages, The Bruce or similar

Overnight: Islay
Day 2 - Whisky, whisky & whisky

Tuck into breakfast at the accommodation before we depart on a day of whisky adventures! We are visiting three distilleries today, starting with Bowmore*, one of the oldest distilleries in the whole of Scotland. There's an included tour and whisky tasting before we continue to Kilchoman Distillery**, where we can try two more drams of whisky and enjoy a lunch of Scottish specialities. The final distillery visit of the day is to the most remote distillery on Islay, Bunnahabhain (payable locally). We then travel through the beautiful countryside to Bowmore, where the evening is at leisure.

Please note:*Bowmore Distillery's silent season starts between 14th and 29th April 2025, as well as between 7th July and 18th August 2025. If your tour departs during that time, your experience will slightly differ, instead of visiting the production site, you will do cask tasting.

**Kilchoman Distillery closure, if your tour departs on 13th May 2025, you'll visit Caol Isla instead. Also, if your tour departs on 6th September 2025, you'll visit Ardnahoe Distillery.

Accommodation: Bowmore Cottages, The Bruce or similar

Overnight: Islay
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 - Exploring Islay

Today we are exploring the southern half of Islay, one of the most beautiful of the Scottish Isles. First we visit the distillery at Ardbeg, owned by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy! There's an included tour and tasting here.

The final distillery of our tour is Laphroaig, a 200-year-old distiller known to be a favourite of the British Royal Family.

Throughout the day, we will also stop at some of the island's main highlights. See the historic ruins of Kildalton church and Dunyvaig Castle, which was once held by the chiefs of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg. We then return to Bowmore for our last night on Islay.

Please note: On Friday departures, Ardbeg Distillery does not offer a tour of the production process. Instead, this is replaced by a tutored tasting featuring four drams instead of the usual three, along with a visit to the stillhouse.

Accommodation: Bowmore Cottages, The Bruce or similar

Overnight: Islay
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 - Islay to Oban

Islay - Inveraray - Oban. This morning we take the return ferry back to the mainland and replace the smell of whisky with the crisp air of the Scottish Highlands. We pass through the pretty village of Inveraray on the shore of Loch Fyne. There's a stop here as we change minibuses and guide. Some of your group will be returning to Edinburgh, but we are continuing our Scottish adventure! Meet the rest of the group before we continue to Oban for the evening.

Accommodation: Kathmore, Altavona or similar

Overnight: Oban
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 - Mull & Iona

Oban - Mull - Iona - Oban. It's an early start this morning as we take the ferry to the Isle of Mull. Take in dramatic coastlines and wild natural beauty, and keep your eyes on the skies for majestic white-tailed eagles, the UK's largest bird of prey.

We then take another ferry to Iona, the birthplace of Celtic Christianity and home to the ancient burial grounds of famed Scottish kings. We can see the historic abbey and take in more of the windswept coastline of the Scottish Isles.

There's an optional small boat trip to the uninhabited island of Staffa to see the basalt columns of Fingal's Cave. We then return to Oban on the ferry.

Accommodation: Kathmore, Altavona or similar

Overnight: Oban
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 - Glencoe, Ben Nevis & Plockton

Oban - Glencoe - Fort William - Balmacara. Driving north along the coast, we pass Castle Stalker and visit Glencoe, a truly beautiful location haunted by the 1692 Glencoe Massacre. Around 30 members of Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were slaughtered here for failing to pledge allegiance to King William III and Mary II.

We then pass through Fort William and past Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Great Britain. We drive through quiet glens and alongside lochs, passing notable sights like the Five Sisters of Kintail and Eilean Donan Castle. There will be opportunities for photo stops and short breaks along the route.
Our overnight stop is Balmacara, a small village with views of the loch, nearby woodlands, and surrounding hills. In the evening, you can explore local trails, visit Balmacara Estate, or have a meal at a local inn or pub.

Accommodation: Balmacara Hotel or similar

Overnight: Balmacara
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 - Exploring the Isle of Skye

Balmacara - Skye - Balmacara. Today we will be exploring the remote Isle of Skye, but there is no fixed itinerary for the day. The weather can be unpredictable, so your guide will choose the best highlights to show you in accordance with the conditions and any events that may be happening on the island during your visit. We are likely to be hiking, in order to enjoy the dramatic scenery of the island. Options include The Quiraing hill walk and the Old Man of Storr Walk, probably the most famous trail on the island. We can also see the Neist Point Lighthouse. Spend the day taking photos, sampling the view and enjoying everything this pristine environment has to offer. In the late afternoon, we return to our accommodation in Balmacara.

Accommodation: Balmacara Hotel or similar

Overnight: Balmacara
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 - Loch Ness

Plockton - Loch Ness - Edinburgh. Today we visit Eilean Donan Castle, a 13th century fortress, located on an island. We then drive to Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail, taking in more of Scotland's dramatic scenery. There's a stop for lunch at Loch Ness, so keep your eyes peeled for 'Nessie', the Loch Ness monster!

We continue through the rugged Grampian Mountains and along Loch Laggan, passing Scotland's highest whisky distillery at Dalwhinnie. We make a short stop for refreshments before reaching Edinburgh, where our tour ends.

Please note: This tour ends at 19:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Bed & Breakfast
Islay

On this tour, you will stay in bed and breakfast properties (B&Bs). These are usually smaller residential properties, with just a handful of guest rooms. You’ll have a bedroom, bathroom and often, access to a communal dining room for breakfast. Please note that in Islay, a basic self-service breakfast will be available - full Scottish breakfasts are available at the nearby hotels, should you wish. Rooms will always be clean and comfortable, with a private bathroom. Bathrooms are usually en-suite, but on rare occasions, access may be via a communal hallway. This means that the bathroom will still be private and only for your personal use, but it is not en-suite (located in the room). You will need to leave the room to use the bathroom.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Guesthouse
Bowmore Distillery Cottages
Islay

These charming traditional Islay cottages, originally home to Bowmore Distillery workers, date back to the 1800s and have been carefully renovated throughout. There are six distillery cottages, each featuring a fully equipped kitchen and lounge, shared with other travellers. The cottages have between three and six twin bedrooms, with en suite bathrooms. Due to the shared nature of the accommodation, individual bedrooms don't have lockable doors. Basic self-service breakfast ingredients are provided at the cottages. Full Scottish breakfasts are available at the nearby hotels if you prefer, payable locally.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Guesthouse
Kathmore
Oban

This traditional family-run guesthouse is a 13-minute walk from the centre of Oban, 0.9 miles from McCaig's Tower, and 2.8 miles from the island of Kerrera. The bright and cosy rooms feature private bathrooms (some en suite), free Wi-Fi, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Guests can enjoy a complimentary full Scottish breakfast, as well as access to a guest lounge, free parking, and a garden patio.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Guesthouse
Balmacara Hotel
Balmacara

Situated on the shores of Lochalsh with views of the Wester Ross hills, this family-run hotel is just 5 miles from Eilean Donan Castle and 4 miles from the Skye Bridge. The rooms feature a blend of modern and Victorian-style décor, all with en suite bathrooms, satellite TV, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Guests can dine on locally sourced seafood and game in the restaurant or enjoy casual dining in the 1930s-themed coffee lounge and bar, both offering stunning views towards the Isle of Skye.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel

Prices & Dates

Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room.

2025
Double/Twin
Single
30 May - 6 Jun
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6 Jun - 13 Jun
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13 Jun - 20 Jun
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$4,235$3,177
$5,485$4,114
20 Jun - 27 Jun
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27 Jun - 4 Jul
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$4,235$3,177
$5,485$4,114
4 Jul - 11 Jul
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11 Jul - 18 Jul
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18 Jul - 25 Jul
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$4,235$3,177
$5,485$4,114

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