THISTLE BE YOUR HIGHLAND WHISKY DREAM YOU’LL NEVER WANT TO LEAVE

MORE THAN JUST A TOUR.
This is a very exciting Whisky Adventure, carefully handcrafted with love, for you to enjoy the best oftheHighland Whisky with a great choice of three most popular Whisky Regions – Speyside, Isle of Skye and Northern Lands, when you discover all different complexity, tradition and depth of flavour of the Uisge Beatha, the Water of Life, Slàinte!

PRIVATE HIGHLAND LOCAL EXPERT DRIVER-GUIDE.
At Thistle Tours we offer a unique touring experience in terms of being genuinely local to the area. Your Driver-Guide, very passionate local expert, will keep you all entertained and to drive you in safety, to make sure you have the magical experience you won’t forget.

TRAVEL WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS.
You will be part of our Highland Clan on a very personal tour with a maximum of Seven Clansmen, which means that you can travel at your own pace with family & friends as a small group, you are sure to get a one-on-one personal attention, the high-quality service and relaxed travel experience.

TRAVEL IN COMFORT.
Thistle Tours have set a high standard over the last 18 years providing perfectly tailored high-quality touring servicein our comfortable Mercedes V Class Minibus, or Landrover Discovery HSE Luxury, specifically chosen for touring the Highlands and Scotland in safety, comfort and style.All our vehicles are well cleaned, air conditioned, and spacious enough to ensure an efficient and personal service as well as an enjoyable and memorable touring experience.

REVIEWED IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
Your Highland Whisky Journey with Thistle Tours will be rich in legacy and adventure, and it will be completely tailored for you by the people who know the Highlandsbest. We promise, you won’t find anyone more welcoming than our Highland people or anywhere richer than the places we open exclusively for you. That’s what our mantra, ‘Thistle Be a Dream You’ll Never Want to Leave‘ is all about. We make it easy to travel your way, and we highly value all 5 star reviews & comments we received from our guests.

ENJOY ALL OF THE TOUR SPECIALS LISTED BELOW:

• A rare chance to view the ancient craft, and to savour the sight, sounds and smells of the Speyside working Cooperage on your Speyside Water of Life choice of our Highland Whisky Trail.
• A great opportunity for a time-travel over the sea from Skye, to enjoythe MV Gleann a’ Chaolais, a unique part of our Highland heritage, and to discover the original way of the Skye crossing used for hundreds of yearson your Isle of Skye Water of Life choice of our Highland Whisky Trail.

TRAVEL SCOTLAND THE HIGHLAND STYLE WITH THISTLE TOURS

TOUR DATES AND OPERATION SEASON.
Highland Whisky Trailis a small group tour, which runs all year round.

TOUR DURATION AND SPECIAL NOTE.
Highland Whisky Trail is a Full Day Tour, and will last about 9hrs including lunch, with the exception of the Isle of Skye Water of Life, which will last approximately 11 hours.

STARTING POINT AND TIME.
The Whisky Trail commences in Inverness from your accomodationaround 08:30hrs.

FINISHING POINT AND TIME.
The Whisky Trail concludes in Inverness at your accomodationaround 17:30hrs, with the exception of the Isle of Skye Water of Life, which will finished around 19:30hrs.

TOUR INCLUSIONS.
♦ Transportation in a 8-Seat Mercedes V Class c/w the PA System, or a 4-Seat Landrover Discovery HSE Luxury.
♦ Private Highland Local Expert Driver-Guide
♦ Admission Fees to all the Distilleries, and Skye Ferry crossing.
♦ Complementary Bottled Water.

TOUR EXCLUSIONS.
♦ Lunch
Highland Whisky Trail does not include lunchin the tour price.

♦ Travel Insurance
Highland Whisky Trail does not include Travel Insurance, however, this is an important part of your travel with us and must be in place to ensure that you are fully covered in the event that you need to cancel your tour due to unforeseen circumstances, for more information, please see our Terms and Conditions here.

TOURING CAPACITY AND TRANSPORTATION.
Enjoy your Highland Whisky Trail in our comfortable Mercedes V Class Minibus (7 passengers) and Landrover Discovery HSE Luxury (4 passengers), specifically chosen for touring the Highlands and Scotland in safety, comfort and style. All our vehicles are well cleaned, air conditioned, and spacious enough to ensure an efficient and personal service as well as an enjoyable and memorable touring experience.

TRAVELLER AGE RANGE.
We regret that we cannot accept young children under the age of 5 years old on our tours, excluding VIP tours where any age is acceptable.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
This Tour includes some outdoor itinerary, such as visitingthe Grey Cairn Iron Age Broch, and the Skye Ferry crossing, please bring outdoor clothing and footwear, suitable for this tour conditions and highly variable Highland weather. The tour doesn’t involve lengthy walks or require high levels of fitness, however, some tour locations may optionally involve walking up a short steep hill or stairs (e.g. in castles).

SPEYSIDE WATER OF LIFE

THE MACALLAN.
Start of the day, we travel to the heart of Speyside to begin your journey into the world of The Macallan, the mastery of wood and spirit since 1824. Discover The Macallan Bar, to sample some of the finest whiskies, and step inside The Macallan Boutique to explore the finest moments in the world of The Macallan.

GLENFARCLAS DISTILLERY.
Next,we travel along the road to discover the world of Glenfarclas with its original vision of creating the finest quality Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky in the traditional Speyside way, explore the magic of malt whisky production and relax with a couple of drams in the splendour of the Ship’s Room.

SPEYSIDE COOPERAGE.
After lunch, enjoy our tour special, and step into the world of the ancient art of coopering, and savour the sight, sounds and smells of Speyside working Cooperage with its rare chance to view this ancient craft first hand. From the viewing gallery watch all master craftsmen at work while they make and repair casks against the clock.

ABERLOUR DISTILLERY.
We leave the Cooperage,and to finish your day in style, we take a short drive to the very heart of Speyside, to enjoy Aberlour which is steeped in centuries of legend and surrounded by the dramatic Highland scenery, from its magical location alongside the River Spey, this small and intimate distillery holds a special place in the hearts of malt lovers. Relax and sample the generously multi-layered whiskies of Aberlour.

ISLE OF SKYE WATER OF LIFE

EILEAN DONAN CASTLE VIEWPOINT.
Start of the day, we travel alongthe shores of world-famous Loch Ness towards the Isle of Skye, asyour journey to the Misty Isle begins with this beautiful13th CenturyHighland Castle, a Scottish icon recognised all over the world,it steeps in history, and was used as a filming location for ‘Highlander’, ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’, ‘Loch Ness’. Step into the living postcard, and enjoy breathtaking views of Eilean Donan.

TORABHAIG DISTILLERY.
Next, we cross over the Sea to Skye, to step back in time on the Misty Isle at the magical gem of Torabhaig, its purest island spring water, the land and the climate, all play a special role in the amazing character of the Torabhaig Whisky.Experience the working environment of the distillery first hand, and sample the most recently released expression of Torabhaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

TALISKER DISTILLERY.
After lunch,we explore the famous Talisker, steeped in legend, rich with folk tales passed down through the ages, we discover Talisker history, mystery, and magic of the distillery and its legendary whisky. On your signature tour, we explore Talisker’s adventurous spirit as the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye, and sample a few drams of Talisker’s award winning single malts.

MVGLEANN A’ CHAOLAIS.
We leave Talisker,to enjoyour tour special, prepare for a time-travel over the Sea from Skye and explore the MV Gleann a’ Chaolais, a unique part of our Highland heritage, as you are about to discover the original way of the Skye crossing used for hundreds of years.

BEALACH NA RÀTAGAN.
We finish your day in style, you explore the remote, quiet and spectacular Mam Ratagan Pass, and enjoybreath-taking scenery of the beautiful Loch, surrounded by the sublime Kintail Ridge.

NORTHERN WATER OF LIFE

THE SINGLETON OF GLEN ORD.
To start your day, we take a short drive to one of Scotland’s most picturesque distilleries, the rural Highland’s hidden treasure, The Singleton Of Glen Ord,to have a wee dram of the famous Singleton of Glen Ord Whisky and relax, after exploring an excellent museum exhibition of Glen Ord. ‘Glen-Ord’ meaning Glen of the round topped hill. In 1838 it was the MacKenzies of Ord who founded what became Glen Ord Distillery, and it is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland.

GLENMORANGIE DISTILLERY.
Next, we travel further North, along the Cromarty Firth, to discover the whisky world’s best kept secret with Glenmorangie, or the ‘Valley of Tranquillity’, we sample and scent the fruity aromas, tightly woven into the long, rich history of its native land. Get to know Glenmorangie’s creamy, complex single malt as you trace the journey of its signature whisky, The Original, through the distillery, and see the bourbon casks where the whisky mellows for 10 years.

GREY CAIRN IRON AGE BROCH.
After lunch, our special visit to a uniquely Highland Broch, a sophisticated type of Iron Age settlement, accompanied by the ruins of an associated village – a rare survival of stone houses.Even in its ruined state, the Grey Carn Broch shows the ingenuity of Highland’s Iron Age farmers, and the sophistication of their architecture in designing an impressive and well-defended settlement.

CLYNELISH DISTILLERY.
We leave the Grey Broch, to finish your day in style, we take a short driveto discover the mysterious and hidden spirit of Clynelish’s rich, waxy whisky, carrying notes of tropical fruit and honey, distilled by Clynelish craftspeople.Relax with Clynelish world-class cocktails, delicious drams, and platters of locally sourced Scottish cuisine alongside some astonishing coastal views.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS MY TOUR?
If you miss your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicablein the event of a ‘no show’, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Thistle Tours operates on the basis of a 14-day Cancellation Policy for any tours / shore excursions in the Highlands.

Cancelled bookings out with the 14-days of the planned tour will be fully refunded minus 10% admin fees, should the Guest cancel less than 14-days prior to the booking start date of the tour, a cancellation fee equal to the full tour booking rate will be charged.

In the event of a ‘no show’ the Guest will be charged 100% of the tour price.

The Guest will be fully refunded, if the tour is unable to be completed due to unforeseen circumstances e.g. weather, road closures etc / if the cruise liner has been unable to dock at the arranged port of collection.

A sympathetic attitude will be taken as a general rule and in some cases, at the discretion of the proprietor, refunds may be made out with the circumstances detailed above.

Cancellations by us (not Government imposed restrictions relating to Covid etc). If we have to cancel your tour for any reason other than Government imposed restrictions relating to Covid etc, we offer a 100% refund, or an alternative date agreed by the Guest. More details can be found here.

CAN THE ITINERARY CHANGE?
Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible, however, we reserve the right to alter our itineraries at any time, due to unforeseen circumstances e.g. weather, road closures etc. We will endeavour to provide a service as close to the itinerary as possible in these circumstances. If your tour is unable to be completed for any reason, we will ensure that all passengers are returned to their point of departure and will repay money to the guests based upon the amount of the tour that was completed. These figures will be calculated based upon the time of day that the tour was aborted.

DO YOU HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY IN WHAT WE SEE AND HOW LONG WE STAY AT EACH SITE? IS IT POSSIBLE TO EITHER SKIP A SITE, OR PERHAPS ADD SOME TIME ONTO THE TOUR?
Yes, absolutely. All our tours have flexibility in what you see, and how long you stay at each site, we can certainly incorporate the places you would like to visit in the itinerary, and skip other sites. Please let us know, if there are some other particular places you would like to visit, and we would be happy to tailor this for you.

IS THIS A PRIVATE TOUR, IN WHICH OURPARTY TRAVELSIN THE ENTIRE VENICLE, EVEN IF WE DON’T HAVE SEVEN TRAVELING WITH US?
Yes, all our tours would come as small group private tours in our comfortable Mercedes V Class, or Landrover Discovery in which your party would travel with us at your own pace in the entire vehicle, even if you don’t have the maximum people in your party. The price is per vehicle and NOT per person.

IN YOUR SEVEN SEAT MINIBUS, ARE ANY OF THE SEATS FACING BACKWARDS, AND IF SO, HOW MANY?
All of our seven seats in the Minibus are facing forward for a better view.

DO YOU TAKE CHILDREN ON YOUR TOURS?
We regret that we cannot accept children under the age of 5 years old on our tours, excluding VIP tours, where any age is acceptable.

WHAT ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE?
We Do Not Provide Travel Insurance, and we would strongly advise that you take out your own Travel Insurance before you travel with us.It is up to you to ensure that you are fully covered in the event that you need to cancel your tour, or leave the tour early, due to unforeseen circumstances.

WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE AND WHAT CLOTHING WILL BE SUITABLE FOR THE TOUR?
The Highland’s climate is actually quite moderate and very changeable, although on occasions it can get really hot or really cold. As the old Highland saying goes, ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes!’
All of our tours include some outdoor itinerary, please bring outdoor clothing and footwear (including umbrellas), suitable for the tour conditions and highly variable Highland weather.

WHAT IS YOUR TOURS FITNESS AND MOBILITY CONDITIONS?
All our tours donot involve lengthy walks or require high levels of fitness, however, some tour locations may optionally involve walking up a short steep hill or stairs (e.g. in castles).

WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE IS VERY NEGATIVE ON THE TOUR?
Our aim is to ensure that everyone on the tour have a fantastic experience in the Highlands. We would love everyone to have fun,to learn about Scotland and the Highland history, to enjoy stunning scenery on the journey. For most people coming on our tours it is the holiday of a lifetime and a very special experience. If some of the guests begin to dominate conversation with negative or depressing topics, then we will have no alternative other than to privately ask them to stop. We never intend to upset guests, however, it is our responsibility to ensure that everyone can enjoy the experience they have paid for.