Itinerary
- Day 1
Edinburgh to Islay
You'll depart Edinburgh heading north into the Highlands, stopping in Callander for coffee before passing Loch Awe into Argyllshire. Oban is your next stop, a Victorian seaside town where you'll do a distillery tour and tasting, then explore the local seafood scene. From there, drive to Kilmartin Glen to see ancient neolithic monuments and historic sites scattered across the landscape. Later in the afternoon, head down the Kintyre Peninsula to Kennacraig where you'll board the evening ferry to Islay. The crossing gives you views of surrounding islands. You'll arrive in Bowmore and check in for your 3-night stay.
- Start point
- 1 Parliament Square, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 1RB, United Kingdom (Check-in inside Cafe Nero, 07:45 - 08:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Fully cooked breakfast each morning)
Included Activities
- Oban distillery tour and tasting
- Kilmartin Glen ancient monuments exploration
Optional Activities
- Coffee stop in Callander
- Lunch in Oban
- Exploring Oban town
- Islay whisky in ferry bar
- Ferry restaurant dinner
Landmarks/POIs Oban Distillery Loch Awe Kilmartin Glen - Days 2 - 4
Islay
Over these 3 days, you'll explore Islay with a guide, walking through empty beaches and whitewashed villages. The ancient Kildalton Cross and medieval strongholds dot the island, and you'll visit them throughout your time here. Whisky is central to the experience, so you'll stop at Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Kilchoman, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Ardnahoe, Bowmore, and Bruichladdich. Each distillery offers its own character and tasting opportunities. You'll have fresh local seafood for meals and get a real sense of traditional island culture and the wildlife that calls Islay home.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Fully cooked breakfast each morning)
Included Activities
- Lagavulin distillery tour and tasting
- Laphroaig distillery tour and tasting
- Ardbeg distillery tour and tasting
- Kilchoman distillery tour and tasting
- Bunnahabhain distillery tour and tasting
- Caol Ila distillery tour and tasting
- Ardnahoe distillery tour and tasting
- Bowmore distillery tour and tasting
- Bruichladdich distillery tour and tasting
- Kildalton Cross visit
- Medieval strongholds exploration
Optional Activities
- Beach visits
- Village exploration
- Ancient sites discovery
- Local wildlife viewing
- Fresh seafood dining
Landmarks/POIs Lagavulin Distillery Laphroaig Distillery Ardbeg Distillery Kilchoman Distillery Bunnahabhain Distillery Caol Ila Distillery Ardnahoe Distillery Bowmore Distillery Bruichladdich Distillery Kildalton Cross - Day 5
Islay to Edinburgh
After a hearty breakfast, you'll catch the morning ferry back to Kennacraig. Head to Inveraray next, a loch-side town where Clan Campbell has its seat. The Loch Fyne Whisky shop there is perfect for lunch and picking up any last-minute items. You'll travel along the shores of Loch Fyne and Loch Long, then climb to Rest and Be Thankful pass for sweeping views across the landscape. Stop at Loch Lomond to stretch your legs and take in the scenery. After crossing the River Clyde into Glasgow, you'll make a brief stop at George Square in central Glasgow before heading back to Edinburgh.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Fully cooked breakfast each morning)
Optional Activities
- Shopping at Loch Fyne Whisky shop
- Rest and Be Thankful pass viewing
- Loch Lomond viewpoint stops
Landmarks/POIs Inveraray Loch Fyne Loch Long Rest and Be Thankful Loch Lomond George Square
