Tours meet at 9:00 am for leaving at 9:15am from the front of the Columba Hotel

Firstly , a tour and tasting at Glen Moray Distillery in Elgin takes us back to the traditional. A change in ownership in 2008 has seen the distillery go “back to basics” and produce a quality, uncomplicated Speyside single malt. The “Elgin Heritage” range is the result, comprising of a 12-, 15- and 18-year-old single malt that does not disappoint.

Then it's onwards to our next distillery. It’s said that “Rome was built on seven hills, and Dufftown stands on seven stills”. One of those stills is the world famous Glenfiddich Distillery, next on our itinerary for a whisky tasting. Glenfiddich is one of the few distilleries that remains family owned, producing a distinctive single malt developed by generations of “maverick whisky makers”. Today, Glenfiddich is the most awarded Single Malt Whisky, a testament to the distillery’s uncompromising methods.

Stop here for some lunch and to marvel at the bar built in 1896 and designed to resemble a small ship

We leave the rugged Highlands behind, and begin our journey through the lush Spey Valley, passing golden barley fields on our whisky trail, one of the three key ingredients used in the magic of single malt whisky production. Enjoy a tasting at Cardhu Distillery, which was established in 1824 by former whisky smugglers, John and Helen Cumming. In the days of the couple’s illicit distilling, Helen would fly a red flag to warn the neighbours that excise men were lodging with them at their farm. Cardhu Distillery was one of the first to partner with John Walker & Sons. It has remained in this family for 200 years, carefully producing the “elegant, smooth, sensual character of Cardhu” single malt whisky.