Scotland's whisky & wildlife

Today visit Bowmore Distillery for a shared tour and tasting. Continue your journey south and embark on a shared wildlife cruise. Look out for otters, seals and porpoise on a boat trip along the coastline of Islay. In the afternoon, visit Ardbeg and Lagavulin distilleries for more tours and tastings, to compare the two distinctive Islay malts.

Take the ferry back to the mainland, then drive toward Oban, exploring the ancient stone circles of Kilmartin Glen en route. Spend the afternoon visiting Oban Distillery.

This morning begins by meeting your private guide to take a tiny ferry across to the island of Kerrera. You’ll spend around four to five hours hiking on a circular trail around the island’s south coast, which offers excellent views across to the Isle of Mull. Along the way you’ll stop to explore the ruins of an ancient castle, and have lunch in a local tea room.

Meeting your guide again this morning, you’ll take the ferry to the Isle of Mull, a journey of around 45 minutes which gives plenty of opportunity to look out for dolphins and porpoises. Disembarking on Mull, you’ll first head to a hidden wildlife hide in order to watch for white-tailed eagles, the largest bird of prey in the UK. Later, you’ll explore along the coastline on foot, looking out for seals, otters and golden eagles.

Take an hour-long ferry to the island of Lismore with your guide and rental bikes. The island is known for its early adoption of Christianity, and its 6th-century monastery was built just a few years after St Columba founded a monastic community on the nearby island of Iona. You’ll cycle north across the island, then take a small ferry over to Port Appin on the mainland. From here, you’ll meander southwards back to Oban on quiet roads and traffic-free bike paths, enjoying spectacular mountain and sea views all the way. Later, drive the short distance north to Glencoe.

Head north to Speyside today, better known as whisky country. Visit both the Dalwhinnie Distillery for a shared tour and tasting. Continue your afternoon by driving to Rothiemurchus Estate and spend the day exploring the great outdoors.

Today visit both the Macallan Distillery and Glenfiddich Distillery for tours and tastings.

Drive to Inverness airport and drop off your car prior to your onward flight.