Your Detailed Itinerary The Spirit of Scotland

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The information contained in this publication is as supplied to VisitScotland and to the best of VisitScotland’s knowledge is correct at the time of going to press. VisitScotland can accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. Journey times and frequency are accurate at the time of going to print but may be subject to change. April 2011.

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Cover: A man in a kilt holding a glass of whisky. © VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint

Day 1Enjoy the views over Loch Lomond after departing Glasgow on your drive to the west by the A83. Turn west from the loch shores for the climb to the Pass called the Rest and Be Thankful. Then it’s a downhill journey to Loch Fyne – a long fjord-like sea-loch that you follow all the way to Tarbert in Kintyre for overnight.

Day 2The Islay ferry leaves from Kennacraig, a few minutes’ drive south of Tarbert. There are many ways to explore the island. The south end has Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. (The extraordinary carving of the early Christian monument, the Kildalton Cross is also nearby.) Bowmore and Bruichladdich are near the centre, with some wild beaches within easy reach.

Day 3 Continue your discovery of Islay by way of Kilchoman Distillery, a farm distillery opened only in 2005, towards the western side of the island. Distilleries such as Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain lie to the north-east, on the Sound of Jura, with a visitor centre at Finlaggan on the way that tells the story of Clan Donald, the Lords of the Isles. With so much to see, make sure you’re on time for the ferry and return to Kennacraig/Tarbert! (Overnight)

Day 4Drive north, enjoying the seaboard views all the way to Oban, with its own distillery. Continue north, crossing the Connel Bridge and the Ballachulish Bridge for overnight in Fort William. The town’s Ben Nevis Distillery features The Legend of the Dew of Ben Nevis Visitor Centre.

Day 5Take the main road north through the Great Glen, admiring the views of Ben Nevis just beyond Fort William. At Invergarry swing west for the journey among the magnificent mountains of Glen Shiel. Look out for the famous views of Eilean Donan Castle before reaching Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye Bridge. Overnight on Skye at Broadford or Portree.

Day 6The Talisker Distillery on the shore of Loch Harport is close by the little road that leads to Glenbrittle and offers some of Scotland’s best mountain views. After the distillery visit retrace the route back to the Skye Bridge and head eastwards for Inverness. There is a choice of routes here – either back through Glen Shiel then north by Loch Ness, or take the A890 north-east through Glen Carron to Achnasheen. Both routes have superb scenery. Overnight Inverness.

Day 7From Inverness go east for Forres and the nearby Dallas Dhu preserved distillery. Then follow minor roads south-eastwards to reach the River Spey at Craigellachie, in the heart of ‘Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail’ to see the Speyside Cooperage. From there it is a short drive north to Elgin, noted not just for its handsome ruined cathedral but also its whisky shop, Gordon and MacPhail, in the town centre. Overnight Elgin.

Day 8Go south-east to Keith and the Strathisla Distillery. Then follow the River Spey upstream by the main road (A95) for Aviemore. Nearby, the A9 ‘the Highland Road’ is joined for an easy southward journey to Pitlochry. This popular little Highland resort town features two distilleries: Edradour and Blair Athol. Overnight Pitlochry.

Day 9Return to Edinburgh by the A9. The Scotch Whisky Experience features tutored tastings, guided tours and also has a restaurant featuring whisky (where possible!) in its fine dining menus.

The Spirit of Scotland

L i tt l e

M

i n ch

Th e M

i nch

M o ra y Fi r t h

Fi r t h o f Fo r t h

LochShin

LochNess

LochEricht

Loch Tay

LochAwe

Loch Earn

Loch LomondLoch Lomond

LochShiel

A712

A96

A96

A701

A702

A167A746

A702

A713

A816

A816

A848

A68A844

A702

A697

A688

A868

A947A940

A84

A811

A7

A7

A72

A596

A857

A71

A595

A815

A98

A77

A90

A920

A714

A710

A926

A9

A97

A75

A77

A701

A701

A711

A69

A855

A755

A867

A716

A941

A7

A82

A822

A837

A696

A957

A592

A95

A839

A941

A77

A77

A858

A944

A78 A737

A78

A83

A83 A82

A6

A933

A1087

A875

A814

A90

A821

A689

A93

A939

A686

A6088

A198

A831

A1

A920

A75

A75 A75

A75

A850

A830

A846

A709

A841

A99

A66

A835

A965

A83

A6112

A866

A930

A847

A948

A698

A751

A76

A76

A76

A81

A917

A69

A97

A917

A708

A68

A68

A760

A1

A980

A916

A923

A70

A9

A9

A721

A1068

A92

A699

A975

A91

A859

A986

A919

A966

A981

A967

A960

A15

A1

A1

A6105

A937

A70

A85

A706

A886

A913

A836

A90

A90

A689

A827

A888

A86

A990

A865

A938

A880

A698

A94

A95

A95

A591

A838

A894

A823

A819

A939

A6089

A762

A712

A85

A863

A928

A964

A849

A941

A719

A747

A861

A85 A85

A9

A934

A882

A924

A961

A828A884

A832

A950

A698

A822

A944

A889

A826

A817

A952

A832

A833

A699

A949

A703

A923

A920

A82

A87

A87

A87

A890

A890

A839

A836

A851

A836

A887

A99

A835

A689

A897A894

A846

A896

M74

A194(M)

M9

M74

M8

A1(M)

M77

A74(M)

M80

M8

M6

M8

M90

M9

M6

M8

E N G L A N D

N O R T H E R NI R E L A N D

StromnessKirkwall

John o’ GroatsGills Bay

Scrabster

ThursoMelvichBettyhill

Tongue

Durness

Scourie

Altnaharra

Lochinver

Wick

Dunbeath

Helmsdale

BroraGolspie

Dornoch

Tain

Lairg

Ullapool

Gairloch

Torridon

Stornoway

Arnol

Port of Ness

Callanish

Tarbert

Leverburgh

Otternish

Dingwall Nairn Elgin

CromartyBanff Fraserburgh

Peterhead

Turriff

Huntly

Grantown-on-Spey

Aviemore Boat ofGarten

KingussieRalia

Muir of Ord

CullenMacduff

GardenstownForres

Dufftown

Craigellachie

AchnasheenStrathpeffer

Portree

Elgol

Uig

Dunvegan

Sconser

Lochcarron

Kyle ofLochalsh

Broadford

Carbost

Armadale

Mallaig

Glenelg

Shiel Bridge

Kylerhea

Lochmaddy

Lochboisdale

Isle of Eriskay

Castlebay

DrumnadrochitUrquhartCastle

Fort Augustus

Invergarry

Spean Bridge

Newtonmore

Braemar

Glenshee

BallaterCrathie

Aboyne

Edzell

AlfordInverurie

Ellon

Banchory

Stonehaven

Forfar

Kirriemuir

Glamis

Arbroath

Montrose

Crieff

Carnoustie

BrechinPitlochry

Blairgowrie

Aberfeldy

Killin

Dunkeld

Scone

KinlochRannoch

BlairAtholl

Bruar

Fort William

Oban

CorranStrontian Glencoe

Ballachulish

LochalineFishnish

Craignure

Acharacle

Kilchoan

Tobermory

Fionnphort

Feolin

PortAskaig

Bowmore

PortEllen

Crinan

Lochgilphead

Tarbert

TayinloanCarradale

Dunoon

Rothesay Largs

Irvine

DumbartonBalloch

Drymen

Dunblane

Helensburgh

Wemyss Bay

Crianlarich

Tyndrum

Tarbet

Inveraray

Lochearnhead

Callander

AberfoyleArdgartan

GourockGreenock

ColintraiveRhubodach

PortavadieKennacraig

Claonaig

Lochranza

Brodick

Campbeltown

Ardrossan

Troon

Prestwick

Kilmarnock

Millport

Ayr

Maybole

LanarkPeebles

Penicuik

Biggar

Abington

Newton Stewart

Girvan

Stranraer

Whithorn

WigtownPortpatrick

Port Logan

Cairnryan CastleDouglas

Gatehouseof Fleet

Kirkcudbright

Dalbeattie

NewAbbey

Langholm

Gretna

LockerbieDumfries

Thornhill

GretnaGreen

Carlisle

Moffat

Berwick-upon-Tweed

Haddington

Galashiels

St Andrews

North BerwickDunbar

Cupar

GlenrothesKinross

Dunfermline

LinlithgowFalkirk

Selkirk

JedburghHawick

Poolewe

Tomintoul

Daviot

Glenshee

Arisaig

Kirkcaldy

Eyemouth

CrailAnstruther

SanquharWanlockhead

New Galloway

Melrose KelsoColdstream

Burwick

St Margaret’s Hope

Aultbea

Mellon Udrigle

Buckie

KeithFochabers

Lossiemouth

Carrbridge

Kincraig

Hamilton

Coatbridge

Motherwell

Paisley

Larne

Alva

Bo'nessRosyth

Auchterarder

Burntisland

RoslinNewtongrangeDalkeithOld Craighall

Leven

Mauchline

NorthKessock

Drimnin

Laga

Ballycastle

Beauly

GLASGOW

ABERDEEN

INVERNESS

DUNDEEPERTH

NEWCASTLEUPON TYNE

EDINBURGH

BELFAST

STIRLING

Cairngorms

National Park

Loch Lomond and the TrossachsNational Park

Cairngorms

National Park

Loch Lomond and the TrossachsNational Park

LEWIS

HARRIS

BARRA

Canna

Rum

Eigg

Muck

Coll

Tiree

Colonsay

Iona

GighaBute

Seil

Lismore

Ardnamurchan

Luing

RAASAY

NORTHUIST

SOUTHUIST

MULL

JURA

ISLAY

ARRAN

Mull OfGalloway

SKYE

SCALPAY

BERNERAY

ORKNEY

SANDAY

STRONSAYEday

ROUSAY

HOYSOUTH RONALDSAY

BENBECULA

Malt Whisky Trail

Oban

Dallas DhuDistillery

Strathisla Distillery

Edradour Distillery

ScotchWhisky

ExperienceIslay

Talisker DistillerySpeyside Cooperage

Ben NevisDistillery

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0 10 20 30 405 Miles

0 25 5012.5 Kilometers

© MFAtech Mapswww.digital-map.orginfo@digital-map.org+44 (0) 207 871 1332Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011

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15-SPIRIT_OF_SCOTLAND_SCOTLAND_MAP_FINAL.pdf 1 3/17/2015 10:57:01 AM

The Spirit of Scotland

Scotland’s single malt whiskies vary with the landscapes. The whiskies of the west take on the tang of the sea and peat smoke. This contrasts with the flavours of some of the malts produced in the heart of Scotland, especially around the River Spey. Thanks to Scotland’s Whisky Embassy programme, you can also find hotels to stay en route where you can tap into the knowledge of the friendly staff and discover even more about Scotland’s national drink. For more information go to www.scotlandwhisky.com

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BEN NEVIS DISTILLERY – In the shadow of Britain’s highest mountain, this distillery, founded in 1825, is one of Scotland’s oldest. Its visitor centre features the Legend of the Dew of Ben Nevis.

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TALISKER DISTILLERY, SKYE – Skye has only one distillery where you can see distillers at work. Talisker has a grand setting on the shores of Loch Harport. Sweet and full-bodied are some of the words describing the product here.

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DALLAS DHU – The best way of getting really close to the distilling process, Dallas Dhu has all the mysterious equipment – the stills, vats, kilns and pipework – but as its preserved and not in use, you can examine it all as closely as you like!

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SPEYSIDE COOPERAGE – Many other trades and skills are allied to whisky distilling – including the ancient craft of barrel making at this cooperage in Craigellachie in the heart of Scotland’s ‘whisky country’ around the River Spey.

The Spirit of Scotland

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SCOTLAND’S MALT WHISKY TRAIL – Seven working distilleries, a preserved distillery and a cooperage make up the signposted Malt Whisky Trail. It takes the visitor round some of the most picturesque parts of Moray, close to the River Spey.

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STRATHISLA – The Strathisla Distillery is the oldest working distillery in the Highlands. Its location by the River Isla has been associated with distilling for more than two centuries. Strathisla Single Malt Scotch Whisky has a distinctive mellow and honeyed flavour.

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EDRADOUR DISTILLERY – Hand made today as it was over 150 years ago by just three men, devoted to the traditional methods of distilling – only twelve casks a week are produced per week at one of Scotland’s smallest distilleries.

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THE SCOTCH WHISKY EXPERIENCE – At the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, a journey through the heritage of whisky. Climb aboard a whisky barrel and learn the fascinating story.

OBAN – This busy seaboard town and ferry gateway to the isles also has a good selection of shops and places to eat – and Oban Distillery is just a moment’s walk from the town centre.

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ISLAY – THE WHISKY COAST – Scotland’s western seaboard whisky trail. Sample it by way of a visit to the island of Islay – enjoyed not just for beaches, wildlife, history and heritage, but also for the eight single malt distilleries waiting to welcome you.