Whisky & Castles
2 day tour

  • Blair Castle
  • Cairngorms National Park
  • Whisky and castle tour from Edinburgh
  • Lindores Abbey Distillery
  • The Hermitage

A two-day escape exploring the majesty of the Cairngorms, Deeside, Speyside and Highland Perthshire.

Tour map

Tour Highlights

Distilleries
Castles
Mountains
National Parks
Forests
Walks

Cairngorms National Park - Gaze in awe at Scotland’s most beautifully rounded peaks.

Blair Castle* - Gardens, antlers, and gory battles: delve into Scottish history at this famous castle.

Lindores Abbey Distillery - Learn all about the 'Spiritual Home of Scotch Whisky'.

Dalwhinnie Distillery - Try not to get too light-headed as you sample whisky at Scotland’s highest distillery.

The Hermitage - Walk over mossy paths and under a dark green canopy in a gorgeous forest.

 

Your journey

 

Everybody knows Scotland’s whiskies and castles go together like peanut butter and jelly. What’s less known is how much more you discover when you sample this famous duo yourself on our two-day whisky tour.

You become an expert in Speyside whisky as you savour smuggler-founded whiskies and visit the highest working distillery in Scotland. You rejuvenate your senses with forest walks, mountain views, and regional cuisine. And you relive 750 years of political scandals, fashion styles, and gory battles within the walls of an ancient castle.

So, pair the fruity flavors of whisky with a prestigious castle on our two-day adventure through the Highlands.

 

Tour Details

Starts
Check-in closes at 23:45 (tour departs at 00:00) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ
Finishes (approx.)
00:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, George St / St. Andrews Square area, (Within 5 mins of Edinburgh Bus Station), Edinburgh,
Luggage
You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
Discounts

Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)

Important information
  • Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
  • Access to distillery production areas may not be possible
  • Some distilleries offer tutored tastings instead of tours
  • Distilleries may be substituted
  • Some attraction tickets can be purchased in advance when you book your tour. You’ll have the option to add at check-out. Other attractions will not be available to book beforehand, instead you can purchase those while on tour.
Tour inclusions
  • Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver guide
Tour exclusions
  • Tour accommodation
  • Attraction entry tickets

Itinerary

Day1

  • Cast your eyes over the pine trees and rolling hills of Perthshire and the Cairngorms National Park
  • Sample a delectable Speyside whisky at a traditional distillery

You leave Edinburgh behind and head north over the iconic Queensferry Crossing. Fertile farming lands roll into pine valleys as you journey from the Kingdom of Fife into Highland Perthshire. 

Your first stop of the day is at Lindores Abbey Distillery, known as the 'Spiritual Home of Scotch Whisky'. This wealthy Abbey entertained monarchs such as David II, Edward I of England and Robert the Bruce before it started producing its very own whisky in 1494. 

You stop in Blairgowrie to stretch your legs and admire a typical Highland town before heading to the village of Braemar for your lunch break. After a well-deserved rest, it's time to stretch your legs at Linn of Dee, a favourite picnic spot of Queen Victoria. 

With the promise of more delicious whisky tomorrow, and some fresh air in your lungs, you head to Grantown-on-Spey for your overnight stop.

 

Day 2

  • Take in views and drink up whisky at Scotland’s highest working distillery
  • Step into Scottish history at Blair Castle*

This morning, you enjoy views of the Cairngorms as we travel to Scotland’s highest working distillery, Dalwhinnie Distillery. Their whisky is nicknamed ‘the gentle spirit’ due to its soft flavours.

After warming yourself up with dram, you journey to Blair Castle. Here, you can learn about Mary Queen of Scots, discover a ballroom adorned with 175 antlers, and roam the 9-acre Georgian garden. Here is also where you take your lunch.

You head further south to the Hermitage. This classic forest walk offers sublime views of Douglas Fir trees, salmon-loving rivers, and thunderous waterfalls. Nearby is the adorable village of Dunkeld where you stop for some refreshments. 

You arrive in Edinburgh early in the evening.

*You visit Blair Castle between April and October and you go to Stirling Castle between November and March. 

Attractions

Tour Attractions

You are able to pre-purchase entrance tickets to the following attractions at the time of booking:

  • Lindores Abbey Distillery
  • Dalwhinnie Distillery
  • Blair Castle (or Stirling Castle as winter alternative)

Other attractions may be booked and paid locally during the tour.

Accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

Your tour stays one night in Grantown-on-Spey.

 

How can I book accommodation?

Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE.

Alternatively, please email us your questions at tours@rabbies.com or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.

Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab: types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.

How much will the accommodation cost?

We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.

As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices, per person per night:

 

Approximate prices, per person per night

Overnight Location

 

Sole Occupancy

Multiple Occupancy

 

(1 person per room)

(2+ people per room)

B&B Standard

£80 - £120

£60 - £80

UK & Northern Ireland

€80 - €120

€60 - €80

Ireland

B&B En-suite

£100 - £145

£55 - £95

UK & Northern Ireland

€100 - €145

€55 - €100

Ireland

Hotel

£110 - £190

£75 - £150

UK & Northern Ireland

€130 - €235

€75 - €150

Ireland

NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)

Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).

FAQs

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.

What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.

For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure

For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure

For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure

For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.

If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.

To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.

Click here to view terms and conditions

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .


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