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Edinburgh, Islay and the Whisky Coast Escorted Tour
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PACKAGE | INCLUSIONS | ITINERARY | TRAVEL OPTIONS & TOURS | REVIEWS | DESTINATION NOTES |
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AIR AND LAND PRICE [PriceDisp]*
LAND PRICE [PriceDisp]*
Your journey starts with a two night stay in Edinburgh. It's dramatic skyline is dominated by Edinburgh Castle home of the Scottish crown jewels and host to the world famous annual military Tattoo. Explore the National galleries and Museums to fabulous restaurants and nightlife prior to the start of your special whisky tour. Continue your journey to the “Queen of the Isles” and the Whisky Coast. Islay is home to 8 of Scotland’s finest malt whisky distilleries Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich, Ardbeg, Caol Ila and Kilchoman. For the whisky enthusiast this tour will give you an in depth knowledge and even better - you won’t need to drive anywhere yourself! Follow the shores of Loch Lomond to the historic village of Inveraray. Wonder at the standing stones and mysterious circles of Kilmartin before taking a ferry ride to the island of Islay, located off the west coast of Scotland. During the ferry ride catch glimpses of wildlife, particularly birds, but perhaps even dolphins and whales depending on the season. Overnight in cottages on the ground of the Bowmore Distillery, then over the next couple of days tour various distilleries and explore quaint villages, shop for island handcrafts and enjoy coastal walks. On the final day follow the coast to the bustling harbor town of Oban, and explore the area before returning to Edinburgh where your journey ends.
Dates available: June 12, 22; July 6, 10, 13, 20, 27; August 7, 10, 17, 24, 31; September 4, 7, 14, 21; October 5
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Roundtrip air Edinburgh
3-night hotel accommodations in Edinburgh (2-Pre, 1-Post)
3-night Ensuite accommodations at the Bowmore Distillery Self Catering Cottages during Escorted Tour
Escorted sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
Breakfast as noted on itinerary
Discount Card - money off restaurants, shopping and attractions
Dates available: June 12, 22; July 6, 10, 13, 20, 27; August 7, 10, 17, 24, 31; September 4, 7, 14, 21; October 5
Please Note:
On this tour we have pre-booked a number of rooms in the beautiful Bowmore Distillery Cottages. These are self catering cottages in the grounds of Bowmore distillery and offer a unique accommodation
experience. The cottages have between 3 and 6 bedrooms and these are all en-suite. The kitchen and lounge facilities are shared and self-service continental breakfast ingredients will be provided. Please note that due to the shared nature of the accommodation individual bedrooms do not have lockable doors.
No children under the age of 18 are allowed on this tour
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Itinerary | | Tour Highlights: This specialist whisky tour takes you to the “Queen of the Isles” and the Whisky Coast. Islay is home to 8 of Scotland’s finest malt whisky distilleries Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich, Ardbeg, Caol Ila and Kilchoman. For the whisky enthusiast this tour will give you an in depth knowledge and even better - you won’t need to drive anywhere yourself!
Day 1: Depart United States, overnight flight
Day 2: Edinburgh Touch down at Edinburgh International Airport and transfer to your hotel (own account). Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring, shopping, or take an optional afternoon tour (own account). Discover the Edinburgh that inspired renowned writers such as Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, Ian Rankin and JK Rowling.
Accommodation: Murrayfield Hotel and Lodgel (B)
Day 3: Edinburgh Spend the day exploring Edinburgh on your own. The iconic Edinburgh castle will fascinate you with its mix of Royal palace, historic fortress and war museum, the history of its Royal Mile and the splendor of the castle will astound you. For a mysterious journey through myth and legend, visit Rosslyn Chapel. One of many optional tours offered in Edinburgh.
Accommodation: Murrayfield Hotel and Lodgel (B)
Day 4: Edinburgh – Inveraray – Kilmartin - Islay: Start your Escorted Tour After breakfast make your way to the Rabbie`s Trailburner Offices at 207 High Street by 8:15am to start your escorted tour at 8:30am sharp. You will meet your driver/guide and will receive all necessary documents for your escorted tour. Leaving Edinburgh at 08.30 you will head west through Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow along Loch Lomond then west through the mountains to the beautiful little village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. Here you can perhaps sample some of the local seafood for lunch or just explore the historic town itself. After lunch you will then travel through Argyll and into the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada. There are more than 350 prehistoric monuments within a six-mile radius of the village of Kilmartin. We will stop here to see the mysterious stone circles and standing stones and visit the community museum. From here it is a short drive to Kennacraig where we catch the early evening ferry to Islay. The sail is just over 2 hours and you should look out for wildlife such as dolphins, whales and seabirds.
Accommodation: Bowmore Distillery Cottages (B)
Day 5: Islay A full day exploring Islay. The itinerary today is quite flexible with a mixture of beautiful scenery, white sand beaches, short walks and of course the famous Islay whiskies –renowned for their strong peaty flavours and nurtured by the salty sea air. In the morning we will take the short drive to the west of the island via Saligo Bay for a visit to Kilchoman Distillery (the newest and smallest on the island)
with the option of a coastal walk to Machair Bay for any non-whisky lovers. In the afternoon you will stop at the privately owned Bruichladdich Distillery for a tour and tasting and visit the tiny harbour village of Portnahaven (look out for seals) before taking the back roads along the west coast with its
lovely sandy bays.
You then travel back to Bowmore for an overnight stay
Accommodation: Bowmore Distillery Cottages (B)
Day 6: Islay If you are back in Bowmore early you could visit the famous Round Church,
Bowmore Distillery itself (open June through August) or just relax with a quiet drink looking
out over the water.
Accommodation: Bowmore Distillery Cottages (B)
Day 7: Islay – Edinburgh: End of Escorted Tour This morning you take the ferry back to the mainland then travel up the coast to Oban – a busy harbour town and the main ferry port for the islands. Here we will drop off anyone who is continuing on the Mull, Iona and Isle of Skye extension. The others will have some free time to explore the town, have a late lunch or even pop into Oban Distillery before departing for the return trip to Edinburgh. Return time is approx. 8:00pm.
Accommodation: Murrayfield Hotel and Lodgel (B)
Day 8: Edinburgh-USA Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport (own account) for your flight home.
Hotel accommodation include :
3-night hotel accommodations in Edinburgh (2-pre, 1-post)
3-night accommodations in Islay at the Bowmore Distillery Cottages*
*On this tour we have pre-booked a number of rooms in the beautiful Bowmore Distillery Cottages. These are self catering cottages in the grounds of Bowmore distillery and offer a unique accommodation
experience. The cottages have between 3 and 6 bedrooms and these are all en-suite. The kitchen and lounge facilities are shared and self-service continental breakfast ingredients will be provided. Please note that due to the shared nature of the accommodation individual bedrooms do not have lockable doors.
Escorted Tour Details:
Escorted Tour Departs: Select Tuesdays and Fridays
Departure time: 8:30am from 207 High St, Edinburgh
Return time: Approx 8:00pm to Waverley Bridge opposite Waverley Train Station
Services include:
Transportation by top of the range 16 seat Mercedes minicoach for a more personal experience.
Services of a professional Rabbie's driver/guide
Self Catering Breakfast
Discount Card - money off restaurants, shopping and attractions
Tour does NOT include:
Lunch, dinner or beverages
Entrance fees
Incidentals or Expenses of a personal nature
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Travel Options
Check out our optional sightseeing. Save time and money by pre-booking your sightseeing tours before you travel.
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| Reviews |
| Destination Notes Please Note:
Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to variation throughout the season and may not be the same described above; however there will always be a minimum of 4 distillery visits during the tour.
No children under the age of 18 are allowed on this tour
Tour does NOT include:
Transfers not indicated on itinerary
Lunches, dinners or
beverages
Entrance fees
Incidentals or Expenses of a personal nature |
SELECT AVAILABLE DATE
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NOTE: Upgrade prices are per person for the package.
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