Speyside Distillery Tour from Inverness – Itinerary
The Speyside Distillery Tour from Inverness begins with a drive into Morayshire. We know it as Malt Whisky Country due to the high numbers of distilleries found here. You pass through the tiny village of Dallas which is where the famous city in Texas got its name. As we enter Speyside our first distillery visit is to Macallan. Next we may visit the Speyside Cooperage. In the afternoon we visit Glen Grant followed by time for a photo at scenic Craigellachie Bridge. Our final distillery of the day is the Glen Moray in the city of Elgin. In the afternoon it will probably be a tasting in one distillery and a tour in the other, because of time.
Dallas
Dallas is a pretty one-street village in the Morayshire Hills. One of our guides had a lot of fun taking Ken Kercheval to visit it, because he played Cliff Barnes from “Dallas” the TV show). We also see the ruined remains of Dallas Castle.
The Macallan Distillery
The Macallan is third in the world single malt whisky sales table. This Speyside distillery, found near Craigellachie, was built in 1824. The new distillery and Macallan Visitor Experience opened in 2018 at a cost of £140 million, well spent as they took top place in Scotland’s Best Building Award as a result.
The Speyside Cooperage
The Speyside Cooperage is located in Craigellachie. If time permits, then a visit to the viewing gallery to see the barrel-makers at work is a memorable experience. There is also an exhibition, film and café. The entry ticket also entitles the bearer to a tasting of the liqueur of the day.
Glen Grant Distillery
Campari now own the Glen Grant Distillery in the town of Rothes and because of this Glen Grant has become the biggest selling single malt in Italy. The Grant brothers (known for their moonshine activities) built this Speyside distillery in 1840 becuase they had decided to go legitimate. There are lovely woodland gardens here.
Craigellachie Bridge
The famous civil engineer, Thomas Telford, built Craigellachie Bridge (between 1812 and 1815) to span the River Spey. It is the oldest surviving cast-iron bridge in Scotland and considered one of the finest in Britain. The poet laureate, Robert Southey, exclaimed that it was “beautifully light, in a situation where the utility of lightness is instantly perceived”.
Glen Moray Distillery
Glen Moray Distillery in the city of Elgin was founded in 1897. This Speyside distillery is known for innovation such as the release of two expressions of Glen Moray matured in Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc Casks respectively. Depending on time Glen Moray offer either a tour or tastings.
Speyside Distillery Tour from Inverness – Price
£475 plus distillery entry fees.
Speyside Distillery Tour from Inverness – Departure
The tour can depart from your Inverness accommodation, or from any transport hub you prefer, such as bus station, train station or airport. You tell us, and we’ll be there.