Unique experience in Scottish Highlands!
VIP Scottish Whisky Trail
If you are looking for an unforgettable and unique experience and if you would enjoy the subtlety of some of the world’s leading single malt and blended whiskies combined with a knowledgeable local private chauffeur, then read on ....
Unique experience put together by Travel's Easy.
www.travels-easy.dk
Everything was arranged for us. We flew from Copenhagen to Edinburgh and our special tour included seven nights at four and five star hotels with exquisite distillery visits and VIP tastings. We had our own private chauffeur whose amazing local knowledge added so much to the experience. Furthermore, we enjoyed this experience in comfort from the back seat of a Mercedes S Class.
The Scottish Highland is one of the most beautiful areas of the country.
Our experienced chauffeur guide was always at hand to answer your questions and point out lots of interesting historical facts as we travelled (but do watch out for the renowned Scottish humour!).
Scotland is split into five whisky-producing regions; Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. Where a whisky is made can have a huge bearing on its flavour, everything from the source of the water to the presence of peat in the local area will all come through in the taste. Speyside single malts are noted in general for their elegance and complexity, sometimes with a refined smokiness but more often a fruitiness ranging from ripe pears to sultanas.
Day One
The chauffeur collected us at Edinburgh Airport and drove from there to the small town of Pitlochry in Perthshire where we spent the night at Fonab Castle 5*.
Think ‘central-casting’ Scottish Baronial Castle and you’ll come up with one of Scotland’s most magnificent and mind-blowing places to stay – Fonab Castle. Opened in 2013 at ‘no expense-spared’ by the Clark family, Fonab has already established itself as the premier hotel in the area. Fonab Castle Hotel is unique, luxurious and, above all, a unique experience. Little wonder that most guests have described their stay at the Castle as faultless with one guest even describing her stay as a ‘fairy tale’ experience.
The Castle Signature Rooms located in the original castle are simply breath-taking, with a calming seating area and spacious rooms featuring stunning traditional fireplaces. Super King Bateau Bed and each room has a distinctive feature wall decorated with Cole & Smiths wallpaper and selected rooms have cosy, turreted viewing points for taking in the breath-taking Highland views.
Day Two
In Pitlochry we visited 2 distilleries: Edradour, which is one of Scotland’s smallest and is famous for its single malt and Blair Atholl.
Just north of Pitlochry there are a couple of places worth looking at: Queens View is a viewpoint with a magnificent view over lakes and mountains. The lovely Blair Castle in Blair Atholl is an absolutely charming and beautiful little white castle with its own private army (The Atholl Highlanders) and an impressive weapon display in the hall.
Then the tour went northwards through breath-taking Glenshee to Crathie in Royal Deeside.
Tour and whisky tasting at Royal Lochnagar Distillery in Crathie near Balmoral.
A Royal Tour: A welcoming cup of coffee and homemade shortbread in the Distillery Library. Here you will learn the history of the distillery, followed by an in-depth tour explaining how we make our whisky, hosted by one of our knowledgeable members of staff. After the tour, there will be a very special tasting of Royal Lochnagar as well as a specially selected rare whisky.
The tour continued through Royal Deeside to Oldmeldrum.
We spent the evening at the delightful Meldrum House 4*, Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire (the best rooms are found in the manor house).
By the way, Meldrum House has its own 18-hole golf course which is one of the most beautiful parkland golf courses in the country.
The Manor house has 10 rooms and each one of them is unique. Each is individually designed in keeping with the baronial character of the hotel’s history with original antique artefacts associated with Meldrum over the centuries. You will enjoy the baronial character of the hotel’s history with original antique artefacts associated with Meldrum over the centuries and the beautiful views of rolling parkland and their very own private golf course.
Relax, pour a glass from your decanter of Glen Garioch whisky and savour a more tranquil way of life. The hotel is located approximately 15 minutes' walk from the centre of Oldmeldrum town centre. Nearby attractions include Fyvie Castle, Haddo House & Gardens, the Lochter Fisheries and Visitor Centre and Pitmedden Gardens. The Glen Garioch Distillery is around a 15-minute walk from the hotel.
Dining at Meldrum House is a real treat for the palate. The Chef takes great pride in his choice of local produce in our delicious dishes. A culinary experience that is second to none. Enjoy the sophisticated grandeur of our baronial mansion. Meldrum House provides a truly exceptional dining experience. Relax and enjoy pre and post-dinner drinks in the oldest part of Meldrum House, with our internal whisky ambassadors on hand to help you select from over 120 exquisite malts in our collection. The Bar is home to one of the largest collections of Glen Garioch whisky.
Day Three
We took a trip to the northern coast where you can see the tiny village of Pennan (between Gardenstown and Rosehearty) - made famous in the film “Local Hero”. People flock here from all over the world to stand in the red telephone box in the film.
We visited Speyside Cooperage, Dufftown Road, Craigellachie. Here they repair and produce nearly 150,000 oak casks used by distilleries all around the world.
Nearby is Balvenie Distillery, Dufftown
A tour of this distillery in Scotland is a unique experience. They like to keep things personal so they limit each tour to a maximum of 8 people. Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Dufftown, Speyside, you will see the only traditional, working floor maltings in the Scottish Highlands; meet some of our expert craftsmen; and nose and taste some of our finest malt whisky, just like our Malt Master.
Close to the hotel is Glen Garioch Distillery.
One of the oldest operating distilleries in Scotland. They specialise in producing precious small batch scotch whisky which are rare and well sought after. There are daily tours at the Visitor Centre which showcase the 220 years of craftsmanship that goes into every bottle.
A Rare Pair:
This 1 hour tasting experience will include whiskies from the Glen Garioch portfolio paired alongside Scottish cheeses and chutneys. Why not complete your visit by joining the Founders Tour prior to this tasting?
Founders Tour:
The perfect introduction to an Award-Winning Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This unique distillery tour experience celebrates the Manson brothers who first established the distillery and the 220 years of craftsmanship that goes into every bottle that bears the Manson name.
We stayed at Meldrum House 4*, Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire.
Day Four
We were then driven through the magnificent Cairngorm Mountains to Tomintoul, which is Britain’s highest lying village, where you can visit the Glenlivet Distillery and take “The Spirit of the Malt Tour”. The surrounding area is wild and stunning. The Cairngorms have 5 of the 6 highest mountains in the UK. Drive west to Grantown-on-Spey in the whisky area of Speyside. Here runs the River Spey and there are several whisky distilleries.
Visit Culloden Battlefield where the last bloody battle took place between the English army and the Scottish Jacobites led by Bonnie Prince Charlie. You can also visit the 4,000-year-old Clava Cairns.
We followed the road east, where you should visit Cawdor Castle, surrounded by beautiful gardens. The castle is best known from its literary connections to William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The castle is actually built after the play was written.
Otherwise visit Fort George, which is one of Europe’s most remarkable fortifications. It was built shortly after the Battle of Culloden (1746) as a safe base for King George II’s army.
We stayed at Culloden House 4*, Culloden, Inverness
First Class Georgian Country House Hotel set in 45 acres of Gardens situated 4 miles from the City centre of Inverness. Awards winning cuisine, select from over 200 wines and 100 malt whiskies, voted as one of the top 60 UK restaurants by the Guardian newspaper. Voted Best Hotel in Europe 2011.
At the time of the Jacobite uprising in 1745-46, Bonnie Prince Charlie used Culloden House as his lodging and battle headquarters prior to that fateful battle on Culloden Moor.
Within a two - ten mile radius are Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns (oldest neolithic site), Fort George, Cawdor Castle ("most romantic castle in Scotland"), Inverness City Centre (4 miles), Loch Ness and more.
Day Five
We were driven along Loch Ness and saw the ruins of Urquhart Castle, which lie on the shore of the loch, close to Drumnadrochit. It is from here that most of the sightings of the infamous monster “Nessie” have been recorded. Loch Ness is nearly 40 km long and never freezes as it is 132m deep at its deepest point.
We continued to Fort William. Just north of Fort William is Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Visit the Nevis Range Ski Centre. Here you can travel up another mountain (beside Ben Nevis) in a 6-person ski lift and enjoy a fine view over the summit of Ben Nevis – if the weather permits.
Follow the road south to a truly amazing place in the village of Glencoe. We stayed at Glencoe House 5*.
Glencoe, West Highlands PH49 4HT, is south of Fort William.
Glencoe House offers elegant accommodation in 10 acres of private gardens in the heart of Scotland’s most famous Glen. This historic mansion was built in 1896 by Lord Strathcona and was designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, whose achievements include his work on the Royal residence of Balmoral Castle.
The hotel is perfectly situated for individuals who would like to explore Glencoe and tour the Highlands. Regardless of how ambitious or unambitious your plans might be, Glencoe House invites you into the comfort and refuge of your own suite.
The uniqueness and seclusion that Glencoe House offers is extended to candlelit in-suite evening dinners; a seasonal and locally sourced five-course menu will be served at your own dining table in the privacy of your suite. Dress up or dress down – the choice is yours.
Day Six
We were driven further east through the mountains of Glancoes, which are a truly amazing experience. It was in this area that the massacre of the Macdonald Clan took place in 1692. You can visit the Glencoe Visitor Centre. You drive through the feet of some high and dramatic mountains exactly as in the James Bond film “Skyfall”. Thereafter over Rannoch Moor to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Loch Lomond is the largest, and possibly most beautiful loch in Scotland. Stop in the village of Luss, rated as one of the most beautiful in central Scotland and see its Conservation Village.
We visited Glengoyne Distillery which is often described as Scotland’s most attractive.
No. 1 Warehouse Tour:
They will welcome you with a taste of the Glengoyne 12 Year Old and take you on an incredibly in-depth tour of the distillery. But where others look through the locked iron gates of Warehouse No.1, they took us behind them, armed with a dipping dug – a traditional whisky sampler.
You’ll plunge the dug into two casks – a first fill bourbon barrel and a first fill sherry cask – and draw two healthy drams. You’ll then head to the Sample Room to explore every nuance of the drams –swirling, nosing and tasting your way to find the one you love best.
Back in the warehouse, you’ll draw 200ml from your favourite cask. They will put it in a signature Glengoyne bottle for you to take home – an extremely limited release, cask strength Highland Single Malt.
We then continue to Edinburgh and stayed at Prestonfield House 5*, Priestfield Road, Edinburgh.
We received a bottle of champagne on arrival and another the next day.
Built in 1687 as the grand baroque home of Edinburgh's Lord Provost, Prestonfield is now Edinburgh's most luxurious 5-star hotel with 23 stylishly opulent rooms and suites.
Opulence, theatre and luxury are combined in James Thomson's quirky and stylish reworking of this A-listed historic century mansion where minimalism is banished and maximalism rules! In addition to the dramatic bedrooms and sumptuous suites, there is his destination restaurant - Rhubarb - alongside a collection of stunning private dining rooms, opulent salons and historic public rooms. Described by Time Out as "Edinburgh's star restaurateur", owner James Thomson's vision was to create a colourful and compelling alternative to today's plethora of bland and unexceptional hotels in Edinburgh and Scotland.
Prestonfield is a very personal creation, a fusion of historic architecture with an extensive collection of art and antiques and décor every bit as rich and colourful as the history of the house itself. Prestonfield is situated only five minutes from Edinburgh's finest shopping streets and the historic attractions of the Royal Mile, yet, surrounded by twenty acres of gardens and parkland, it provides the privacy and seclusion of a country estate.
Each of the luxurious and romantic bedrooms is furnished in Prestonfield's trademark opulent and individual style with rich, warm colours and sensuously luxurious fabrics making them the most indulgent and romantic five-star hotel rooms in Edinburgh.
All of Prestonfield's unique and romantic bedrooms features a comfortable seating area, a desk, a collection of antiques and individual characterful beds dressed with fine linen and piled high with cushions.
Day Seven
We saw Edinburgh Castle and visited a little gin distillery (Edinburgh Gin Distillery) and the Scotch Malt Whisky Experience.
We spent a second night at Prestonfield House 5*
Day Eight
Our last chauffeur-driven journey was to Edinburgh Airport and a short flight back to Copenhagen - relaxed after a most incredible week!
Sláinte!
