Hello, I am planning a 5 day driving trip starting in Edinburgh and ending in Islay. Need suggestions on the route, cities to visit and stay. Would like to stay two nights in Edinburgh, rent a car and start the trip. suggestions would be appreciated.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2320 posts
If you are planning two nights in Edinburgh, that is only going to give three days for your whisky tour. That isn't a lot of time so don't be too enthusiastic about where to go. My suggestion would be to head to Aberdeenshire where there are lots of different distilleries. Have a look at this [Whisky Tour website][1.
A word of warning - Scotland has very strict drink driving rules (more strict than the rest of the UK) so the driver won't be able to sample the whisky.
Posted by
Edinburgh
2684 posts
your are going to need a ferry to and from Islay unless you plan on leaving a car there and flying to Glasgow
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
As far as I know only island car rental companies are represented at Islay airport, so a one day journey is not possible.
You could train to Oban, visit that distillery, ferry to Islay twice a week normally, have a car meet to at the ferry, then drive back.
Or use train and bus through Arran, and to the Kennacraig ferry. Rental car on island.
Arran also be an island car rental company.
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1694 posts
IMHO Islay probably merits a full day/two nights given the number of distilleries. Furthermore, that might make getting across to Jura worth while.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks for all your responses and valuable info. Based on the comments, now we plan 2-3 nights in Edinburgh and want to do a whisky, loch ness, sterling castle tour, preferably with a small group in a van, so we wont have to drive.
Any suggestions on hotel in Edinburgh and a company that can organize a 4 day tour that would include whisky, Loch Ness and Stirling?
Plan on arriving Edinburgh on May 24.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
This one from Rabbies might have suited you-https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh/2-4-day-tours/islay-the-whisky-coast-4-day-tour
But there is no availability around that time.
Loch Ness is not on the way to Islay, rather Loch Lomond is, so you are unlikely to find such a tour-
However there is this 3 day tour around Speyside Whisky with a suitable departure- https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh/2-4-day-tours/speyside-whisky-trail-3-day-tour
That would leave you with a day to easily do Stirling by yourself on the train on one of the other days, and maybe do this 1 day tour to Loch Ness- https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh/day-tours/loch-ness-glencoe-highlands-day-tour