Speyside Whisky Trail Day Tour from Aberdeen: Two Distilleries

Two working distilleries and a cooperage that makes the casks whisky ages in.

A full-day tour from Aberdeen into Speyside, Scotland's whisky heartland, with reserved entry and tastings at Cardhu Distillery and Speyside Cooperage, plus a stop at Corgarff Castle and an optional tasting at Whisky Castle. A professional guide leads a small group of up to 16 in a modern air-conditioned coach. Minimum age is 18. Luggage is limited to one carry-on bag per person.

Step-by-step itinerary

Speyside Whisky Trail Distilleries Tour

• Walk to Corgarff Castle
• Visit Whisky Castle for tasting and lunch
• Tour Speyside Cooperage
• Flavour Journey tour and tasting at Cardhu Distillery

The experience

The tour leaves Aberdeen and heads into Speyside, home to roughly half of Scotland's whisky distilleries. Your first stop is Corgarff Castle, an 18th-century military fortress that once stood as a noble residence. From there, you reach Whisky Castle, a malt whisky emporium stocking over 600 varieties, where you can arrange a tasting and lunch on your own before moving on to the two main attractions.

Speyside Cooperage comes next. This is where the casks that age whisky are made: an essential part of the Speyside Whisky Trail that most visitors miss. You'll see how coopers craft and repair the barrels, and the tour includes a tasting. Then you move to Cardhu Distillery, the first distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming, and now the key whisky in Johnnie Walker's Black Label. The Flavour Journey tour and tasting are included in the price. Note that from late September through mid-October, Cardhu's production facilities close for maintenance. During that period, you'll watch animated videos and sample whisky instead of touring the working distillery.

The entire day runs 10 hours including travel, stops and comfort breaks. You travel in a modern Mercedes mini-coach with a professional driver and guide who speaks English. Groups stay under 16 people, which keeps the experience manageable at each stop. Luggage is limited to one carry-on-sized bag plus one small personal item per person.

What’s included

• Entry and tastings at Speyside Cooperage and Cardhu Distillery.
• professional driver and guide speaking English.
• small group of up to 16 travelers.
• modern air-conditioned Mercedes mini-coach.
• comfort breaks along the route.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 11 Jun 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 16 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Rabbies Trail Burners

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see how whisky is actually made (from the cooperage that builds the aging casks to the distillery floor) rather than just taste finished products. The small group size and reserved entry at both distilleries mean you move through each stop without waiting in line.

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Top questions

What exactly happens at Speyside Cooperage on this tour?

Speyside Cooperage shows you how casks are made and repaired: the barrels that age whisky for years. The tour is included in the price, and you'll also get a tasting there.

Can I do a whisky tasting at Whisky Castle, or is that a walk-through stop?

Whisky Castle is optional for tasting and lunch. You can arrange both there on your own if you want. The emporium stocks over 600 malt whiskies and has been in business for more than 120 years.

What happens if I book during Cardhu's silent season in late September or October?

Cardhu closes its production facilities for maintenance from 29 September to 17 October. During that period, you'll watch animated videos about the distillery and whisky-making instead of touring the working facilities, and you'll still get whisky samples.

Is hotel pickup included, or do I meet the coach somewhere?

Hotel pickup is not included. You'll meet the coach in Aberdeen at a departure point the operator will confirm when you book.

How much luggage can I bring on the 10-hour tour?

You're limited to one piece of luggage per person: a carry-on-sized bag of about 55cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 17in x 10in), plus one small bag for personal items onboard. The total should not exceed 20kg (44lbs) per person.

Is this tour suitable if I don't know much about whisky?

Yes. The tour is built for both whisky lovers and people new to it. The guides explain the history, process and flavours of Scottish whisky at both distilleries, so you'll learn as you taste.