Enjoy two great whisky distilleries amidst some of the most fantastic scenery where the Scottish Highlands meet the west coast. Based in picturesque Plockton on the shores of Loch Carron we enjoy a whole day exploring the romantic Isle of Skye with Talisker Distillery and a whole day exploring the local area with woodland walks and a seafood and wildlife trip with a local fisherman. Visit a palace and castles from different ages. Many of the places we visit are beyond the usual coach routes.
Day 1 - Leaving Edinburgh we head straight for Braveheart and Robert the Bruce country. Visit Linlithgow Palace, birth place of Mary Queen of Scots, to hear about the local history and get a feel of palace life. Enjoy a short walk in Glencoe and hear about the terrible massacre of Clan MacDonald in 1692. Continue through some of Scotland's finest scenery stopping at a fantastic seafood café on the shores of Loch Leven. Sample some local beer at the Atlas brewery in Kinlochleven then wind our way along the Atlantic coastline to the pretty little village of Plockton, our home for 3 nights. Waterside Guesthouse...
Day 2 - Today is a chance to explore more of the local area. Enjoy a great circuit walk with fabulous views over Loch Carron and the mountains beyond. 2km/1.25 miles, 1 hour. Visit the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle, the clan seat of the MacRae clan. Taste seafood on a wildlife cruise with a local fisherman from the MacRae clan. Visit picturesque Lochcarron village to visit the local butcher to buy haggis, sausages and black pudding. Visit famous Lochcarron Weavers to see tweed being hand woven and the ruined North Strome Castle. Learn to smoke salmon with oak chips from a whisky barrel for this evening's dinner! Enjoy with award winning cheeses from the West Highland dairy over the hill. This evening, there is an optional excursion to the pub to take in some more of the local culture and folk music.
Day 3 - A full and active day round the Isle of Skye, with easy walks and time to take in the magic. First stop is Portree, the capital of the Isle of Skye, translating as ‘port of the king' in the local language of Gaelic. Walk down to the harbour famous for its colourful houses. From here we take the single track road typical of this romantic Isle to the west coast. Meet the local Oyster farms and enjoy them freshly shucked on his rustic oyster bar. Take a short walk (1km) to Dunbeag Broch, an Iron Age fort built by the ancient Celtic tribes over 2000 years ago, with great views of Loch Bracadale. Enjoy lunch at the Old Inn at Carbost, with a terrace overlooking Loch Harport, famous for fresh local prawns and oysters. Visit Talisker distillery for a connoisseur tasting with 6 whiskies! It also includes a viewing of the warehouse. This alluring, sweet, full-bodied single malt is so easy to enjoy.
Day 4 - After it's time for a spot of monster hunting by Loch Ness in the town of Fort Augustus. In the afternoon before winding our way through the Grampian Mountains we stop at Dalwhinnie distillery. An opportunity to sample the 'Gentle Spirit' of the glen at one of the highest distilleries in the land, it is a wonderfully full-bodied, smooth and warming malt whisky. Visit Dunkeld for a short walk in this riverside cathedral town.
