For the last two hundred years the beating heart of the Scotch Whisky industry has been centred on the rolling and verdant valleys and hills of Strathspey, the long valley that carries the fast-flowing River Spey from its mountainous headwaters to the North Sea. This is a land where prime agricultural, barley-growing soils meet cold upland streams in a marriage made in heaven, it is the best whisky-making country on the planet. Home to around two thirds of Scotland’s Single Malt distilleries, it’s an embarrassment of riches, and we will cherry-pick the best, and most varied experiences for you to absorb during your tour.

   On the first day, we head north over the famous Forth Bridges to the Highlands, with our first stop in the picturesque cathedral town of Dunkeld, followed by a visit to our first distillery on the schedule, Blair Athol in Pitlochry, and one of the oldest still in production in the country. We then pay a visit to Blair Castle, seat of the Dukes of Atholl and home to the last Private Regiment in Europe, the Atholl Highlanders. This beautiful, whitewashed castle lies sentinel to the high passes through the mountains, and we shall follow the Great North Road through this bleak plateau-land to the broad lands of Strathspey amid the shadow of the snow-capped peaks of the Cairngorms, with a walk through the archaic Caledonian Pine Forest on the way to our overnight stay.

The second day is fun-packed with distillery visits, river walks and a stop to see the craftsmen at work at the Speyside Cooperage, where the barrels for the industry are made. The Third day sees the tour head into the high hills surrounding the valley and the world of the illicit distiller, before crossing the evocatively named Devil’s Elbow back into the low country and onwards to Edinburgh.

**All rates are available on request, and subject to seasonal variation, accommodation preferences and group size.

'Home to around two thirds of Scotland’s Single Malt distilleries, it’s an embarrassment of riches, and we will cherry-pick the best, and most varied experiences for you to absorb during your tour.'