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Whisky Coast & Loch Lomond

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4 days

Discover the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides on this 4-day group tour of Islay from Edinburgh. Visit four different whiskey distilleries, with plenty of opportunities for tasting and touring the facilities. Wander around the pretty coastal town of Oban, take in the highlights of Islay including Dunyvaig Castle and stop at majestic Loch Lomond on your way back to the Scottish capital.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Accommodation Standard

Guesthouse

Tour Overview

Duration

4 days

Starts

Edinburgh

Ends

Edinburgh

Range

Handpicked

Tour Guide

Yes - escorted by a tour guide

Group Size

Min 2 / Max 16

Minimum age

18

Departs

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

Hotel Rating

Simple guesthouse (hotel upgrade available)

Countries

Scotland, United Kingdom

Arrival Transfer

No

Departure Transfer

No

Meals included

Breakfast: 3
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Per Person From
$2,785.00
NZD$1,949.50
Deposit From
Final payment
NZD$1,000.00
$2,899.00

Accommodation Standard

Guesthouse

Tour Highlights

Whisky Coast - Visit four whisky distilleries with the chance to taste the produce, learn about the production process and tour the distilleries
Islay - Uncover the dramatic scenery and highlights of one of the most beautiful Scottish islands, including Dunyvaig Castle
Oban - Explore this Victorian coastal town, famous for its seafood and whisky
Loch Lomond - Admire the incredible scenery surrounding one of Scotland's most famous lochs, and Great Britain's largest body of water

Included

3 breakfasts
3 nights simple guesthouse with self-service breakfast provided (hotel upgrade available on select departures)
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 - see Trip Notes for details
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

Accommodation Standard

Guesthouse

Itinerary

Day 1 - 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. We then travel through the beautiful countryside of Islay to our third distillery. This will either be Bruichladdich or Bunnahabhain, depending on the departure. Bruichladdich specializes in unpeated whisky, whilst Bunnahabhain is the most remote distillery on the island. Feeling slightly light-headed, we then head back to Bowmore, where the evening is at leisure.

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.

Accommodation: Bowmore Cottages, The Bruce or similar

Overnight: Islay
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Loch Lomond

Islay - Loch Lomond - Edinburgh. Say goodbye to Islay as we take the return ferry back to the mainland. We then make our way back to Edinburgh, stopping on the way in the pretty town of Inveraray, on the banks of Loch Fyne. Admire the historic buildings, boats and an old whisky shop. Our final stop is at Loch Lomond, where you can admire Great Britain's largest body of water by surface area. We then complete our drive to Edinburgh, where our tour comes to an end.

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 Standard

Guesthouse

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 Cottages
Islay

These traditional Islay cottages, originally home to Bowmore Distillery workers, date back to the 1800s and have been carefully renovated throughout. We offer six distillery cottages for booking, each featuring a fully equipped kitchen and en-suite bathrooms for every bedroom.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Guesthouse

Accommodation Standard

Guesthouse

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
Twin/Double
Single
17 Mar - 20 Mar
Save 30%
$2,785$1,950
$3,435$2,405
24 Mar - 27 Mar
Save 30%
$2,785$1,950
$3,435$2,405
31 Mar - 3 Apr
Save 30%
$2,785$1,950
$3,435$2,405
4 Apr - 7 Apr
Save 30%
$3,005$2,104
$3,795$2,657
7 Apr - 10 Apr
Save 30%
$3,005$2,104
$3,795$2,657
11 Apr - 14 Apr
Save 30%
$3,005$2,104
$3,795$2,657
14 Apr - 17 Apr
Save 30%
$3,005$2,104
$3,795$2,657
18 Apr - 21 Apr
Save 30%
$3,005$2,104
$3,795$2,657
2026
Twin/Double
Single
16 Mar - 19 Mar
Save 20%
$3,005$2,404
$3,795$3,036
20 Mar - 23 Mar
Save 20%
$3,005$2,404
$3,795$3,036
23 Mar - 26 Mar
Save 20%
$3,005$2,404
$3,795$3,036
27 Mar - 30 Mar
Save 20%
$3,005$2,404
$3,795$3,036
30 Mar - 2 Apr
Save 20%
$3,005$2,404
$3,795$3,036

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