Speyside Whisky Tour from Inverness: Private Distillery Tastings

Taste whisky at your chosen Speyside distilleries without the fixed itinerary.

A private whisky tour from Inverness to Speyside in a luxury van, where you pick which distilleries to visit and set the pace of your tastings. Pickup from Inverness or Aviemore (including airports and rail stations) is included; you choose whether to add full distillery tours, book lunch at a venue of your choice, or simply taste at the bar. The driver coordinates timing so that if you book multiple tours, each one starts at least an hour after the last one ends.

Step-by-step itinerary

Speyside Whisky Distillery Tour

• Collect from Inverness or Aviemore
• Drive to Speyside distilleries
• Visit Glenlivet Distillery for tour and tasting
• Visit Cardhu Distillery for tour and tasting
• Visit Tomatin Distillery for tour and tasting
• Tour barrel making plant
• Enjoy lunch at chosen venue
• Visit additional distilleries for tastings
• Return to Inverness or Aviemore

The Experience

The day starts with collection from your Inverness or Aviemore location—airport, rail station, or hotel—and a drive south into Speyside in a modern luxury van. From there, the itinerary is yours to shape. You might visit Glenlivet Distillery, Cardhu Distillery, Tomatin Distillery, or others in the region; the operator will confirm your choices before the day and adjust the route accordingly. Each stop offers tastings at the bar, shopping, and the option to book a full distillery tour if you want the behind-the-scenes experience. Booking ahead for tours is essential, especially during peak season when distilleries fill up quickly.

Tastings happen at your own pace—there's no rush between stops, and you're not locked into a group schedule. If you want lunch, you choose the venue and the operator factors it into the day. Bottled water is provided, and WiFi is available throughout the van. The whole experience runs 7 to 8 hours, giving you time to visit multiple distilleries without feeling hurried. If you book more than one full tour, just leave at least an hour between the end of one and the start of the next so the timing holds.

This setup works because the driver knows Speyside and handles the logistics—you don't navigate between distilleries or worry about getting back to Inverness on time. Tours can also be booked on the day if you prefer to decide once you're there, though availability tightens during busy periods. The van seats either 1–4 people or 5–6 people depending on the option you choose, so the group stays small and the experience stays relaxed.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from Inverness or Aviemore (airports, rail stations, or your chosen location).
• luxury van transport between distilleries.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• complimentary WiFi in the van.
• your choice of which distilleries to visit and which tastings or full tours to book.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Highland-Excursions.Com

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to taste whisky at several Speyside distilleries without a fixed schedule dictating which ones or how long you stay at each. The flexibility to choose your stops, set your own pace, and add full tours only where they interest you makes it work for whisky enthusiasts who know what they want to taste and those still deciding. If you're docked at Invergordon cruise terminal, the distance to Speyside is substantial—the operator's Northern Delights Whiskey Tour is closer to the port.

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Top questions

Can I visit Glenlivet, Cardhu and Tomatin all in one day?

Yes. Glenlivet Distillery, Cardhu Distillery and Tomatin Distillery are all Speyside stops the operator can include. If you book full tours at more than one, you'll need to leave at least an hour between the end of one tour and the start of the next so the timing works. Tastings at the bar take less time, so mixing a couple of full tours with bar tastings at other distilleries is common.

What happens if I want to book a full distillery tour instead of just a tasting?

Full distillery tours can be added subject to availability and must be booked in advance—the operator will arrange your visit and make sure the van gets you there on time. You pay the distillery directly for the tour fee. If you prefer to decide on the day, some distilleries may have space, but availability drops during peak season, so booking ahead is safer.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You choose a venue you'd like to visit, and the operator factors it into the day's timing so the stop fits without throwing off your distillery schedule.

Where does the van pick me up?

Pickup is included from Inverness or Aviemore, including airports and rail stations. You can also arrange collection from your hotel or another location in those areas—just confirm the exact spot when you book.

How long is the whole day?

The tour runs 7 to 8 hours from pickup to drop-off, giving you time to visit multiple distilleries and taste at your own pace without rushing back to Inverness.

What's the difference between the 1–4 person and 5–6 person options?

The tour is available for either group size. Choose based on how many people are in your party. Both options include the same pickup, van, and flexibility to shape your distillery stops.