Whisky Trail Cruises

Whisky Cruises

We offer whisky cruises aboard hotel barges Scottish Highlander and Spirit of Scotland along the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness, with a special itinerary that allows whisky lovers to visit a number of long-established distilleries to find out more about how Scotland’s favourite export is produced, as well, of course, the opportunity to taste it! Whisky cruises can be taken at any time by a group chartering the barge.

There are visits to at least 3 distilleries, each with an impressive pedigree. There is the Benromach Distillery near Forres, a family business founded over 100 years ago and the smallest distillery on Speyside. Here you will be given a guided tour and then enjoy a tutored tasting of the classic Benromach Speyside single malt. On another day, there is a drive through wonderful scenery to the Tomatin distillery, founded in 1897 at the height of the Victorian whisky boom in its beautiful isolated surroundings. Again, a guided tour and a private tasting awaits.

The Dalwhinnie is a very well-known name in the world of the single malt and there will be a visit to the esteemed distillery sited in the Cairngorms National Park. There will not only be an expert to give you a fascinating tour, but the subsequent tasting will match a number of single malts with different chocolates. A perfect combination!

And to offer extra interest on this whisky trail cruises in this beautiful part of the Highlands, there will also be optional visits to historic sites such as Eilean Donan, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, the famous battlefield of Culloden Moor and the ruins of Urquhart Castle in a spectacular setting overlooking Loch Ness.

The whisky cruise is perfect for single malt whisky enthusiasts, whether they taste the liquid nectar at any of the distilleries we visit, or partake of a wee dram or two from the many whiskies available on Scottish Highlander.