Overview

Self-Drive Holidays
4 Nights
  • Fully customisable itinerary
  • Prices from: £620 per person
  • Best time to go: April - October
  • Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Malt Whisky Trail
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Speyside is home to the world famous 70-mile Malt Whisky Trail. This area is the heart of the whisky industry, and concentrated within a few miles are more distilleries than any other area in Scotland.

Pitlochry
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Visit the picturesque Victorian spa town of Pitlochry and explore Edradour, the smallest Distillery in Scotland, dating back to 1825.

Gordon & MacPhail
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For more than 120 years, Gordon & MacPhail have been building their reputation as worldwide leading experts in the ageing process of single malt whisky. Their Whisky Room stocks approximately 1000 single malt whiskies!

 

Ballindalloch Castle
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Ballindalloch Castle is one of the most romantic castles in Scotland. Known as the ‘Pearl of the North,’ the impressive castle was built in the distinctive Scottish baronial style.

Famous Grouse Experience
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Located at the Glenturret Distillery (Scotland’s oldest working Distillery), the Famous Grouse Experience allows you an inside view into the distilling process which has been used for hundreds of years of whisky making. 

Riverside villages
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The pretty villages of Craigellachie, Aberlour and Carron sit on the banks of the River Spey, and are surrounded by mountains to climb, forests to explore and rivers and lochs to kayak and canoe.

A Taste of Speyside’s Malt Whisky Paradise

This self-drive tour takes you into the heart of the Speyside malt whisky industry with an unforgettable journey along the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail. Whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or looking for a new favourite tipple, in Speyside you are never far from your perfect dram.

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Explore the north-east corner of Scotland where whisky distilleries abound, with floral, fruity and fragrant malts around every corner. Roughly half of all Scottish distilleries can be found in this beautiful region, and the variety and character of each is astounding. 

During the scenic journey north from Edinburgh, enjoy the magnificent countryside of the Scottish Highlands, from the rugged peaks of the magnificent Cairngorms National Park to the tranquil banks of the River Spey in the Spey Valley. Stop off at Ballindalloch Castle, known as the ‘Pearl of the North,’ and visit picturesque Speyside towns and villages, each fiercely proud of their own vital piece of the whisky industry.

Experience the legendary distilleries of Glenfiddich in Dufftown and Macallan in Craigellachie, browse through a staggering 1000 whiskies at Gordon & MacPhail’s Whisky Room, and visit the home of the Famous Grouse Whisky Experience.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Arrive Edinburgh and travel to Speyside
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Travel north to Speyside and into the heart of Malt Whisky Country. A wonderfully scenic journey takes you to Dewars World of Whisky and on to Edradour, Scotland’s smallest distillery. Further north pass Dalwhinnie Distillery, the highest in Scotland.
Overnight – Speyside

Day 2: Speyside and The Malt Whisky Trail
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There are numerous distilleries to visit as you wind your way through the charming towns and villages of Speyside. We’d recommend the Glenfiddich Explorers Tour at Dufftown or a visit to the wonderful Visitors Centre at Glenlivet. The Speyside Cooperage at Craigellachie is a vital part of whisky production and the village is home to the Macallan Distillery.
Overnight – Speyside

Day 3: Speyside and The Malt Whisky Trail
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Continue your journey along the Malt Whisky Trail with visits to Glen Grant Distillery and Strathisla, the oldest distillery in the region which occupies a beautiful position next to the River Isla. Cardhu dates back to the 19th century and produces a full-bodied, peaty whisky.

No visit to whisky country is complete without visiting Gordon & MacPhail, the world’s leading malt whisky specialist. The company has been in business for over 110 years and offers more than 450 presentations of own-bottled single malts, up to 60 years old.
Overnight – Speyside

Day 4: Speyside Sightseeing
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After sampling the “water of life,” visit Ballindalloch Castle, situated in the magnificent Spey Valley. The River Spey forms a focus for the region, which is famous for its fishing and the pretty riverside villages of Aberlour and Carron. There are numerous activities in the area with many mountains to climb, forests to explore and rivers and lochs to kayak and canoe.
Overnight – Speyside

Day 5: Speyside to Edinburgh
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As you journey south from the Highlands to the Lowlands pay a visit to Glenturret Distillery, the oldest working Distillery in Scotland and home to the Famous Grouse Whisky Experience. Enjoy a distillery tour to watch the process of making malt whisky, learn about the art of nosing and blend a selection of whiskies to produce the perfect result.

From here it is a 90 minute journey back to Edinburgh, where your Speyside Malt Whisky Tour will come to an end.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

  • Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 4 nights including traditional Scottish breakfast
  • Comprehensive information pack
  • Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
  • Map of Scotland with our recommended driving route
  • 5 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
  • Tickets for the Glenfiddich Explorers Tour
  • 24-hour emergency contact number
  • Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

  • Travel insurance
  • Flights
  • Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay Special Places to Stay
Special Places to Stay Special Places to Stay
Premium Premium
Premium Premium
Premium Premium
Premium Premium
Standard Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Category
Accommodation type
Price per person
Standard
4* Guest Houses and 3* Hotels
From £620

A collection of quality 4* Guest Houses and 3* Hotels often located in beautiful locations which provide an excellent standard of accommodation.

Tastefully decorated and furnished, these properties are generally owned and operated by locals who have a genuine passion for their region which they are keen to share with you. Their warm hospitality is sure to be a highlight of your Scottish experience.

Premium
Boutique Guest Houses and 4* Hotels
From £835

Our Premium category includes a unique collection of luxurious and stylish boutique Guest Houses and small 4* Hotels. These are wonderfully charming and intimate and run with great flair by their owners.

It also comprises larger 4* Hotels selected for their high standard of accommodation, exceptional service, and great location. These range from traditional luxury to contemporary Hotels.

Special Places to Stay
Exceptional Hotels and luxury Resorts
Please enquire

From award-winning luxury Hotels to unique country retreats, all of which offer exceptional accommodation with superb facilities and outstanding service.

These are truly magical places and amongst the best Scotland has to offer. The perfect choice when you would like somewhere really special which can be a treat for the night or for your entire holiday.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

  • Collision Damage Waiver
  • Super Damage Excess Waiver
  • Third Party Insurance
  • Theft Waiver
  • Tax
Economy
Vauxhall Corsa or similar
  • Good for 2 people
  • Maximum of 4 passengers
  • 2 large suitcases
  • Manual or automatic transmission
Compact
Ford Focus or similar
  • Good for 2 – 4 people
  • Maximum of 5 passengers
  • 2 large suitcases
  • Manual or automatic transmission
Intermediate
Volkswagen Passat or similar
  • Good for up to 4 people
  • Maximum of 5 passengers
  • 3 large suitcases
  • Manual or automatic transmission
Fullsize
VW Sharan or similar
  • Good for 5 people
  • Maximum of 7 passengers
  • 3 – 4 large suitcases
  • Manual or automatic transmission

Make an enquiry

Speyside Malt Whisky Trail

Need something more tailored?
Contact us via email:
enquiries@absoluteescapes.com

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