Whisky distillery tour of Scotland without car?

ArcticHeron · 29 Dec 2022 at 13:29

Bit of a long shot I know, but has anyone done something similar before?

Me and a pal are looking to plan something early next year but neither of us can drive. I've seen a few package deals online that include a mini bus type of thing but they're hellishly expensive if there's less then 5 people signed on to do it.

Would ideally like to do as many distilleries in a week as possible.

Feek · 29 Dec 2022 at 13:32

Is it too obvious to suggest inviting another friend who does drive and doesn't like whisky to come with you if you pay the fuel costs?

sigma · 29 Dec 2022 at 13:38

Taxi?

Semple · 29 Dec 2022 at 13:40

Your only real choice then is public transport or taxi. Taxis will probably be as expensive as the minibus hire. Public transport could be hit or miss depending on times and where they're located.

ArcticHeron · 29 Dec 2022 at 14:30

Feek said:
Is it too obvious to suggest inviting another friend who does drive and doesn't like whisky to come with you if you pay the fuel costs?

I've asked but sadly no one feels up to driving two drunken fools about xD

Feek · 29 Dec 2022 at 14:31

ArcticHeron said:
I've asked but sadly no one feels up to driving two drunken fools about xD

You clearly haven't asked the right people :cry:

Reuben klang · 29 Dec 2022 at 14:47

Brutal. That’s gonna cost you a fortune!

Why not walk it, incorporate some type of west highland way type vibe.

ArcticHeron · 29 Dec 2022 at 14:55

Reuben klang said:
Brutal. That’s gonna cost you a fortune!

Why not walk it, incorporate some type of west highland way type vibe.

Would genuinely love to, but can't get that sort of time off work at such short notice and it's something I'd like to devote a few weeks to at the very least.

Think I've found a company that seems a little less expensive. 350 for 2 without accommodation. Like a group tour of the Speyside places over 3 days.

Siliconslave · 29 Dec 2022 at 15:13

Having done a fare number of tours there isn't all that much difference between them tbh, the best bit is the tasting - I'd be tempted to go to https://holyrooddistillery.co.uk/ which is central Edinburgh, maybe the Edinburgh gin tour as well for good measure then splash out on a tasting or two: https://foodanddrink.scotsman.com/drink/5-of-the-best-whisky-tastings-in-edinburgh/

ArcticHeron · 29 Dec 2022 at 15:34

The Holyrood tour is a great shout actually. I forgot about that one...

BUDFORCE · 29 Dec 2022 at 16:16

Just buy a bottle and drink it back at the hotel?

I have often thought about doing distillery tours but obv you cant drive if you want to drink there, I would want to drink there so bit of a catch 23.

Might have to get the mrs to taxi service one day if we are up there.

Bickaxe · 29 Dec 2022 at 16:49

Why don't you share the driving, a day each? You can get samples of tasters to take away at most places if you say you are driving.

But Speyside is probably easiest on the train, working east to west (or vice versa) but you would be limited to distance.
Glen Moray (Elgin) and Chivas (Keith) are the 2 I would make a priority to visit.

Siliconslave · 29 Dec 2022 at 16:59

Don't get me wrong its great doing a tour or two, if your going up that far the Dalmore tour is excellent & you can pay a little to sample some of the top shelf whiskeys (which they'll give you back if you buy a bottle).

Actually just found this: https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/distilleries-to-visit-by-train-part-1/ , https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/distilleries-to-visit-by-train-part-2/ & https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/distilleries-to-visit-by-train-part-3/ !

Btone · 30 Dec 2022 at 08:57

Go to Islay, pick a hotel in the centre of the island and just taxi to each place, shouldn't be too expensive as it a small island and plenty of distillery to go to

newbiejim · 31 Dec 2022 at 09:13

Btone said:
Go to Islay, pick a hotel in the centre of the island and just taxi to each place, should be too expensive as it a small island and plenty of distillery to go to

This, that way ure getting in depth look at one of the most interesting variants, u could go when the festival is on Festival

Reuben klang · 31 Dec 2022 at 16:29

That's actually a great shout. I completely forgot about that.

I've stayed in Bowmore when I was there, great little place.

EdwardTeach · 31 Dec 2022 at 16:31

ArcticHeron said:
Bit of a long shot I know, but has anyone done something similar before?

Me and a pal are looking to plan something early next year but neither of us can drive. I've seen a few package deals online that include a mini bus type of thing but they're hellishly expensive if there's less then 5 people signed on to do it.

Would ideally like to do as many distilleries in a week as possible.

Take a bike.

FTM · 3 Jan 2023 at 16:15

islay is a good shout

but you could do the same on mainland

go to somewhere like pitlochry, its has edradour in town so just a walk, blair athol is only a couple of miles away and the local bus will cover it, aberfeldy is about 8 miles away and again is on a bus route so public transport all the way..and train to get to the town in the first place

or you could saty in Elgin or dufftown, stagecoach run a whisky trail bus which can get you to 12 distilleries I think..its just a public bus route up the valley

Explore The Whisky Trail with Stagecoach Bus (Elgin, Scotland): Address, Phone Number - Tripadvisor

www.tripadvisor.co.uk

FTM · 3 Jan 2023 at 16:22

plus if you were based in elgin you could visit Gordon and macphail who do tastings of their bottlings

but just up the valley dufftown by itself has 5 distilleries I think

dlockers · 3 Jan 2023 at 16:22

There was a small Whsikey shop on a hill somewhere in Edinburgh that was a fantastic experience.