The best whisky distillery tours in Scotland

Speyside

Speyside, north of Aberdeen, is the true heartland of whisky. From Cragganmore, with its complex blends and exclusive clubroom (think roaring fire and lots of antlers) for connoisseur whisky tastings, to Glenlivet, which sits in a remote glen and organises a variety of tours, from classic distillery poke-arounds to luxury samplings. Speyside is also home to Strathisla, which is the oldest working whisky distillery in Scotland (established in 1786) and, with its distinctive pagodas, may also be the most beautiful distillery in the country.

The recent success story of the region is Copper Dog, a blended-malt created in 2016 at the beautiful 19^th century Craigellaiche Hotel. It’s proved a hit thanks to its down to earth price and taste, and the fact it goes pretty well in a cocktail or three. The hotel is home to the wonderful Copper Dog pub, named after the copper device historically used to ‘re-appropriate’ the good stuff from barrels, which is the watering hole of choice for Speyside’s whisky-makers.