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Wild Scotland & Whisky Explorer

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8 days

Take in some of Scotland's prettiest and wildest islands and indulge in whisky tasting at several famous distilleries on this 8-day escorted group tour. Enjoy distillery tours and several drams of Scotland's most iconic tipple and discover the wildlife and scenery of Islay, Iona, Mull and Skye. Search for 'Nessie' at Loch Ness, learn about the turbulent history of Glencoe and take in sweeping views of Ben Nevis.

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

Tour Overview

Duration

8 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

Fridays

Hotel Rating

Simple guesthouses

Countries

Scotland, United Kingdom

Arrival Transfer

No

Departure Transfer

No

Meals included

Breakfast: 7
Per person from
R 45,734.50
Save 30% today
Total From
R 130,670.00
R 91,469.00
Deposit From
Final payment
R 10,000.00
R 86,469.00

Tour Highlights

Loch Lomond - Admire the incredible scenery surrounding one of Scotland's most famous lochs, and Great Britain's largest body of water
Whisky Coast - Visit four whisky distilleries with the chance to taste the produce, learn about the production process and tour the distilleries
Isle of Islay - Uncover the dramatic scenery and highlights of one of the most beautiful Scottish islands, including Dunyvaig Castle
Isle of Mull - Spot eagles and other wildlife on this pristine island, one of Scotland's wildest, and explore nearby Iona
Glencoe - Soak up the stunning mountain views and learn about the tragic and famous massacre that took place here in 1692
Isle of Skye - Take in the highlights of this beautiful island, with plenty of hiking and sightseeing to enjoy
Eilean Donan Castle - Admire this historic 13th Century castle, located on an island where three lochs meet
Loch Ness - Hunt for 'Nessie', the mythical beast believed to dwell in the dark waters of Scotland's most famous loch

Included

7 breakfasts
7 nights simple guesthouse - (3 nights self-service breakfast provided, 4 nights B&B)
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

Itinerary

Day 1 - Loch Lomond, 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 on Islay.

Accommodation: Bowmore Cottages, The Bruce or similar

Overnight: Islay
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Islay to Oban

Islay - Inveraray - Oban. This morning we take the return ferry back to the mainland and replace the smell of whisky with the crisp air of the Scottish Highlands. We pass through the pretty village of Inveraray on the shore of Loch Fyne. There's a stop here as we change minibuses and guide. Some of your group will be returning to Edinburgh, but we are continuing our Scottish adventure! Meet the rest of the group before we continue to Oban for the evening.

Accommodation: Kathmore, Altavona or similar

Overnight: Oban
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Mull & Iona

Oban - Mull - Iona - Oban. It's an early start this morning as we take the ferry to the Isle of Mull. Take in dramatic coastlines and wild natural beauty, and keep your eyes on the skies for majestic white-tailed eagles, the UK's largest bird of prey.

We then take another ferry to Iona, the birthplace of Celtic Christianity and home to the ancient burial grounds of famed Scottish kings. We can see the historic abbey and take in more of the windswept coastline of the Scottish Isles.

There's an optional small boat trip to the uninhabited island of Staffa to see the basalt columns of Fingal's Cave. We then return to Oban on the ferry.

Accommodation: Kathmore, Altavona or similar

Overnight: Oban
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Glencoe, Ben Nevis & Plockton

Oban - Glencoe - Fort William - Plockton. Driving north along the coast, we pass Castle Stalker and visit Glencoe, a truly beautiful location haunted by the 1692 Glencoe Massacre. Around 30 members of Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were slaughtered here for failing to pledge allegiance to King William III and Mary II.

We then pass through Fort William and past Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Great Britain. Continuing through the Great Glen, we arrive in Plockton, a small fishing village known for its palm trees! We overnight here.

Accommodation: Sabhal na Mara, Hillview, Haven Guest House or similar

Overnight: Plockton
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Exploring the Isle of Skye

Plockton - Skye - Plockton. Today we will be exploring the remote Isle of Skye, but there is no fixed itinerary for the day. The weather can be unpredictable, so your guide will choose the best highlights to show you in accordance with the conditions and any events that may be happening on the island during your visit. We are likely to be hiking, in order to enjoy the dramatic scenery of the island. Options include The Quiraing hill walk and the Old Man of Storr Walk, probably the most famous trail on the island. We can also see the Neist Point Lighthouse. Spend the day taking photos, sampling the view and enjoying everything this pristine environment has to offer. In the late afternoon, we return to our accommodation in Plockton.

Accommodation: Sabhal na Mara, Hillview, Haven Guest House or similar

Overnight: Plockton
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - Loch Ness

Plockton - Loch Ness - Edinburgh. Today we visit Eilean Donan Castle, a 13th century fortress, located on an island. We then drive to Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail, taking in more of Scotland's dramatic scenery. There's a stop for lunch at Loch Ness, so keep your eyes peeled for 'Nessie', the Loch Ness monster!

We continue through the rugged Grampian Mountains and along Loch Laggan, passing Scotland's highest whisky distillery at Dalwhinnie. We make a short stop for refreshments before reaching Edinburgh, where our tour ends.

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

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
Kathmore
Oban

This traditional family-run guesthouse is a 13-minute walk from the centre of Oban, 0.9 miles from McCaig's Tower, and 2.8 miles from the island of Kerrera. The bright and cosy rooms feature private bathrooms (some en suite), free Wi-Fi, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Guests can enjoy a complimentary full Scottish breakfast, as well as access to a guest lounge, free parking, and a garden patio.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Guesthouse
Haven Guest House - Plockton
Plockton

This charming stone guesthouse is a 3-minute walk from Calum's Seal Trips, 11 km from Skye Bridge, and 35 km from Strome Castle. The straightforward rooms come with en suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, sitting areas, and tea and coffee-making facilities. A full English breakfast is served in a relaxed dining area, and there is also a cosy guest lounge with a wood-burning fireplace.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
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
4 Apr - 11 Apr
Save 30%
R 65,335R 45,735
R 79,945R 55,962
11 Apr - 18 Apr
Save 30%
R 65,335R 45,735
R 79,945R 55,962
18 Apr - 25 Apr
Save 30%
R 65,335R 45,735
R 79,945R 55,962
25 Apr - 2 May
Save 30%
R 65,335R 45,735
R 79,945R 55,962
2 May - 9 May
Save 30%
R 65,335R 45,735
R 79,945R 55,962
9 May - 16 May
Save 30%
R 65,335R 45,735
R 79,945R 55,962
16 May - 23 May
Save 30%
R 65,335R 45,735
R 79,945R 55,962
23 May - 30 May
Save 30%
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