Scotland is famous for many things ranging from screeching bagpipes to men in kilts (and traditionally not wearing any underwear) and from its world-famous whiskies to its less than popular haggis made from sheep stomachs. Scotland is home to many of the places any whiskey lover should add to their bucket list.

Distilleries in Scotland come in all shapes and sizes. There are large ones complete with innovative displays and exhibits to small ones that preserve their distilling techniques and secrets from the 18th century. Alternatively, go on a bourbon tasting tour in Kentucky with a bourbon tour worth your cocktail hour.

Scotland: the Home of Whisky

Today there are over 130 active whisky distilleries spread across Scotland. They can be split into five whisky-producing regions; Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland, and Speyside. Where a whisky is made can have a huge bearing on its flavor, its flavor is affected by many things including the source of the water and the presence of peat in the local area.

  • Distilleries: Over 130 Active Whisky Distilleries In Scotland

There are plenty of Scottish Whisky Distillery Tours to choose from. Each of these offers another opportunity to learn about how the spirit is created. The first known written mention of Scotch whisky is from the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1494.

  • Name: Scotch Whisky is Also Just Called Scotch
  • Dram: The Unit For Drinking Whisky
  • Name: The Work Whisky Is From The Gaelic Word "Uisge Beatha" Or "Usquebaugh" Meaning "Water of Life"

Scottish whiskies are malt whiskies or grain whiskies or a blend of the two. Originally all Scotch whisky was made from malted barley but began introducing whiskey made from wheat and rye in the late 18th century.

All Scotch whisky is aged in oak barrels for at least three years and the minimum bottling strength according to regulation is 40% alcohol.

Related: The 10 Most Incredible (& Expensive) Whiskey You Can Get At New York's Copper & Oak

Four-Day Isley Whisky Tour

With this four-day Isley Whisky tour by Scottish Routes, one is sure to fall in love with the isle of Islay. Islay is home to some of Scotland's finest whisky distilleries and is something of a Scottish island paradise. One will also enjoy the stunning scenery, ancient history, and traditional culture of the isle.

On the first day of the tour, one will head into the Highlands. After a stop in the town of Oban and its distillery, one will be boarding the evening ferry to Islay. The ferry crossing takes around 2 hours and offers beautiful views of the islands of Gigha, Jura, and Islay.

Isle of Islay:

  • Population: 3,000 People
  • Distilleries: There Are 9 Distilleries On The Isle of Islay

Arriving in Islay, one will check into The Bowmore House or Freewinds for a three-night stay. The next two full days are exploring the isle with plenty of options for sightseeing. One will see empty beaches, whitewashed villages, ancient sites, the Kildalton Cross, medieval strongholds, fresh seafood, local wildlife, and traditional cultures.

If one would like to stay for longer, then there is also their five-day Islay Whisky Tour. This is for those who want to experience as much of Islay as possible. On this tour, they visit every distillery on the island and taste a range of drams.

  • Duration: 4 Days
  • Location: Islay
  • Group Size: Max. Number of Guests 16
  • Distilleries: Tour And Tasting At Oban Distillery, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, And A Warehouse Cask Tasting At Bunnahabhain
  • Tour Guide: Includes A Tour Guide

Related: What To Expect When Visiting Trace Buffalo, The World's Best Distillery

Speyside Whisky Trail

The Speyside Whisky Trail is a three-day tour that includes visits to the Lindores Abbey Distillery, Dalwhinnie Distillery, Benromach Distillery, the Cardhu Distillery, and the Glenlivet Distillery. Additionally, one will also visit the Cairngorms National Park, The River Spey, the town Elgin with its best little whisky shop in the world, and Royal Deeside.

  • Cardhu Distillery: The first distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming
  • Speyside: Home Of Over Half Of Scotland's Malt Whisky Distilleries

This tour is a whisky lover's paradise that takes one to a whisky lover's heaven - Speyside. Speyside is home to over half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries. On this tour, one will get the chance to explore four distilleries and learn how whisky is so engrained in Scottish culture.

  • Luggage: Everyone Is Restricted To 14 Kg or 31 lbs Of Luggage Per PersonDiscounts: There Are Discounts For Students and Seniors Over 60
  • Age Restriction: Must Be 18 Years Old and Up

Tip: Scotland Is Notoriously Wet, Pack Waterproof Clothing

  • Includes: A 16 Seat Mercedes Mini-Coach
  • Excludes: Accommodation And Entry Fees And Tastings (Distilleries Charge £10 - £30 for a tasting or tour)

No tour of Scotland could ever be complete without a tour of Scotland's world-famous distilleries. And many of them are in idyllic picturesque and historic locations.

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