Speyside Whisky Tours
Our Speyside Whisky Tours are designed to be flexible and tend to be a mix of distillery tours and whisky tastings. We always try to include visits to local beauty spots. Our tours are private and exclusive to your group.
The highest concentration of whisky distilleries to be found in Scotland is here in Speyside so there is plenty of choice! In addition, some of the distilleries offer a range of tours and experiences making it an ideal place for a bespoke Speyside Distillery Whisky Tour.
We are based in the Speyside region, near Elgin. Our whisky tours depart from Moray, Speyside and Inverness. Local tour departures include Aberlour, Craigellachie and Dufftown. Our whisky tours also leave from Nairn and parts of Aberdeenshire.
To check availability and to enquire about our Speyside Whisky Tours please fill in the form on our contact page.
The highest concentration of whisky distilleries to be found in Scotland is here in Speyside so there is plenty of choice! In addition, some of the distilleries offer a range of tours and experiences making it an ideal place for a bespoke Speyside Distillery Whisky Tour.
We are based in the Speyside region, near Elgin. Our whisky tours depart from Moray, Speyside and Inverness. Local tour departures include Aberlour, Craigellachie and Dufftown. Our whisky tours also leave from Nairn and parts of Aberdeenshire.
To check availability and to enquire about our Speyside Whisky Tours please fill in the form on our contact page.
Speyside Whisky Tour Itinerary Themes
We offer a range of tours but the emphasis is on customisation through our tailor made and bespoke service. We take you through the options when you enquire about a Speyside Whisky Tour but here are some whisky tour itinerary themes to give a sense of the excellent choices available.
"In the past guests of Highland Spirit Tours have experienced not just core range distillery tours but also warehouse experiences, tastings of hard to find whiskies, visits to both iconic and smaller, lesser-known distilleries, higher aged whiskies, distillery manager tours and even the opportunity to make their own whisky."
There is a lot of flexibility and often a day tour combines north and south! Whether you are new to whisky, a keen enthusiast or connoisseur, you are most welcome on our tours. These are just framework examples as we would develop a personalised, customised itinerary for you.
The South Speyside Whisky Tour can include a selection from the following: The Glenlivet which sits off the beaten track in deep Speyside. Glenfiddich is a well known world brand which still retains its independence as does Balvenie. Glenfarclas and GlenAllachie are also proudly independent. Other options include the Speyside Cooperage, Ballindalloch, Cardhu and its sister distillery, Cragganmore. Needing little introduction is Macallan. The South Speyside Tour is very popular as a one day option or can form the basis of a 2 day whisky tour. Many of these distilleries are in quite isolated positions and surrounded by the beautiful Speyside countryside.
The North Speyside Whisky Tour options include the tradition of Benromach, the beauty of Strathisla, the innovation of Glen Moray, the diversity of Benriach or Glen Grant and it's beautiful gardens. Speyburn opened to visitors in 2023. There's quite a contrast between some of the distilleries in North Speyside reflected in a variety of whisky styles including peated, non peated and even triple distilled.
The Signature Speyside Distillery Tour includes a more in depth tour e.g. The Balvenie or The Macallan and options for further tastings or distillery tour. Please note these distilleries in particularly high demand and often have low or no availability. e.g. The Balvenie is in very high demand yet has kept an exclusive feel with only two tours a day and no tours Saturday and Sunday. This Signature Tour usually only runs a limited number of times a year and usually as part of a 2 or more day Speyside Whisky Distillery Tour. It requires a lot of planning.
The Bespoke Speyside Whisky Tour: We also offer a tailor made, bespoke Speyside Whisky Distillery Tour. In fact most of our tours fit into this category. The bespoke service is ideal for Speyside Whisky Tours with a duration of 2 or 3 or multi day whisky tour. However, it can also be used for 1 day tours where you would like a higher level of involvement in the development of the distilleries you want to include in your itinerary, where there's celebration involved, or where there are particular issues with distillery availability. With most distilleries offering a range of tours/tastings/experiences, we work together to prioritise the ones for you. These highly customised itineraries often include even more special experiences such as tasting higher age whisky or warehouse experience or even making your own whisky!
Historic Options: All tours include some sightseeing along the way however, this area has an ancient history and you can incorporate visits and tour to places like Elgin Cathedral (est. 13th century), the Biblical Gardens, Ballindalloch Castle (est. 16th century), Brodie Castle, Johnstons Woolen Mill (est. 1797) and even Culloden Battlefield near Inverness.
Travel in comfort from distillery to distillery hearing about the history of whisky, it's illicit beginnings, the smugglers and the excise men and local history. Speyside is where whisky is woven into the spirit of the people and the place. This area is full of history and you can incorporate visits from a selection of castles, religious buildings and woollen mills.
"In the past guests of Highland Spirit Tours have experienced not just core range distillery tours but also warehouse experiences, tastings of hard to find whiskies, visits to both iconic and smaller, lesser-known distilleries, higher aged whiskies, distillery manager tours and even the opportunity to make their own whisky."
There is a lot of flexibility and often a day tour combines north and south! Whether you are new to whisky, a keen enthusiast or connoisseur, you are most welcome on our tours. These are just framework examples as we would develop a personalised, customised itinerary for you.
The South Speyside Whisky Tour can include a selection from the following: The Glenlivet which sits off the beaten track in deep Speyside. Glenfiddich is a well known world brand which still retains its independence as does Balvenie. Glenfarclas and GlenAllachie are also proudly independent. Other options include the Speyside Cooperage, Ballindalloch, Cardhu and its sister distillery, Cragganmore. Needing little introduction is Macallan. The South Speyside Tour is very popular as a one day option or can form the basis of a 2 day whisky tour. Many of these distilleries are in quite isolated positions and surrounded by the beautiful Speyside countryside.
The North Speyside Whisky Tour options include the tradition of Benromach, the beauty of Strathisla, the innovation of Glen Moray, the diversity of Benriach or Glen Grant and it's beautiful gardens. Speyburn opened to visitors in 2023. There's quite a contrast between some of the distilleries in North Speyside reflected in a variety of whisky styles including peated, non peated and even triple distilled.
The Signature Speyside Distillery Tour includes a more in depth tour e.g. The Balvenie or The Macallan and options for further tastings or distillery tour. Please note these distilleries in particularly high demand and often have low or no availability. e.g. The Balvenie is in very high demand yet has kept an exclusive feel with only two tours a day and no tours Saturday and Sunday. This Signature Tour usually only runs a limited number of times a year and usually as part of a 2 or more day Speyside Whisky Distillery Tour. It requires a lot of planning.
The Bespoke Speyside Whisky Tour: We also offer a tailor made, bespoke Speyside Whisky Distillery Tour. In fact most of our tours fit into this category. The bespoke service is ideal for Speyside Whisky Tours with a duration of 2 or 3 or multi day whisky tour. However, it can also be used for 1 day tours where you would like a higher level of involvement in the development of the distilleries you want to include in your itinerary, where there's celebration involved, or where there are particular issues with distillery availability. With most distilleries offering a range of tours/tastings/experiences, we work together to prioritise the ones for you. These highly customised itineraries often include even more special experiences such as tasting higher age whisky or warehouse experience or even making your own whisky!
Historic Options: All tours include some sightseeing along the way however, this area has an ancient history and you can incorporate visits and tour to places like Elgin Cathedral (est. 13th century), the Biblical Gardens, Ballindalloch Castle (est. 16th century), Brodie Castle, Johnstons Woolen Mill (est. 1797) and even Culloden Battlefield near Inverness.
Travel in comfort from distillery to distillery hearing about the history of whisky, it's illicit beginnings, the smugglers and the excise men and local history. Speyside is where whisky is woven into the spirit of the people and the place. This area is full of history and you can incorporate visits from a selection of castles, religious buildings and woollen mills.
How much does a Speyside Whisky Tour Cost?
The price for a one day private Speyside Whisky Tour depends on factors such as route, duration, departure point and planning complexity. The cost does not include admission to distillery tours/expereinces/tastings & lunch. We also run longer tours, typically two to three day Speyside Distillery Tours. All tour prices include planning and development time and we book your places on the distillery tours where required. For a more exact estimate, feel free to make a whisky tour enquiry.
Our Speyside Whisky Tours can also include warehouse tastings, making your own whisky, masterclasses and private distillery tours.
Our Speyside Whisky Tours can also include warehouse tastings, making your own whisky, masterclasses and private distillery tours.
Are these private whisky tours & how many people can you carry?
This is a private tour, exclusively for your party. We carry a maximum of 4 passengers. Snacks and water are provided for free.
Which distilleries are best to visit?
You are coming to an area with a large number of possible distilleries to visit and some also have a range of experiences. We are happy to take your particular requirements into account to develop highly tailored, bespoke tour itineraries. Our tours are designed for those new to whisky, through to enthusiasts and experienced whisky drinkers and connoisseurs.
How many Speyside Distilleries can I visit?
Depending on the route and your tour choice, we can usually fit in 3 to 5 distillery/attraction visits (tours and or tastings).
Where do you depart from?
Our Speyside Whisky Tours Departure leave from: Forres, Elgin, Dufftown, Aberlour, Craigellachie, Moray, Speyside, Inverness and Nairn. We leave from your accommodation and also from Forres and Elgin Railway Station.
To enquire or to make a booking visit our Contact Page
The Macallan - visit the new visitor centre.
Aberlour Distillery - Whisky Tastings available.
Glenfarclas Distillery at the foot of Ben Rinnes, Speyside
What's an example One Day Speyside Whisky Tour?
Our tours are tailor made to you requirements but here's an example of a one day tour of some Speyside Distilleries. This includes distillery visits - a combination of tours and whisky tastings. Or a castle visit can be swapped in and some time at the River Spey. This Speyside Whisky Tour is based on the South Speyside theme. It is really designed for Moray Speyside Departures e.g. from Elgin, Forres, Aberlour, Craigellachie and Dufftown areas but can be adapted for Nairn and Inverness.
Departure from your accommodation in Moray Speyside. We then head deeper into Speyside to Glenlivet Distillery (est 1824) for a tour. You can then visit family owned Ballindalloch Castle or of you prefer a tasting from a choice of distilleries. Next stop is Aberlour Distillery (1879) for an in depth whisky tasting. The last distillery stop of the day is a tour or tasting at Glenfiddich Distillery (1887) on the outskirts of Dufftown.
This is just a sample Speyside Whisky Tour. With distilleries like the Macallan, Cardhu, Benromach and Glen Moray to name but a few, there are many variations to a whisky tour in this area.
If you are looking for a two or three day Speyside Whisky Tour, this tends to allow for more in depth distillery tours. An example might be touring Balvenie in the morning which takes about takes around three hours. After lunch spend a leisurely afternoon - take a shorter tour and a whisky tasting. Balvenie is in high demand as it generally only runs two tours a day.
There's no best whisky. It's very much personal taste. It's the same with the distillery tours and the experiences available which can be almost unique. There are a number of tours including Distillery Manager Tours, Ambassador Tours, food and whisky pairings, warehouse tastings and even making your own whisky!
Departure from your accommodation in Moray Speyside. We then head deeper into Speyside to Glenlivet Distillery (est 1824) for a tour. You can then visit family owned Ballindalloch Castle or of you prefer a tasting from a choice of distilleries. Next stop is Aberlour Distillery (1879) for an in depth whisky tasting. The last distillery stop of the day is a tour or tasting at Glenfiddich Distillery (1887) on the outskirts of Dufftown.
This is just a sample Speyside Whisky Tour. With distilleries like the Macallan, Cardhu, Benromach and Glen Moray to name but a few, there are many variations to a whisky tour in this area.
If you are looking for a two or three day Speyside Whisky Tour, this tends to allow for more in depth distillery tours. An example might be touring Balvenie in the morning which takes about takes around three hours. After lunch spend a leisurely afternoon - take a shorter tour and a whisky tasting. Balvenie is in high demand as it generally only runs two tours a day.
There's no best whisky. It's very much personal taste. It's the same with the distillery tours and the experiences available which can be almost unique. There are a number of tours including Distillery Manager Tours, Ambassador Tours, food and whisky pairings, warehouse tastings and even making your own whisky!
