The Water of Life Tour
7 Nights

Day 1

Arrival into Edinburgh, ‘Taste of Scotland’ Whisky Experience

Transport: Executive Vehicle & Private Driver
Accommodation: The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh (2 Nights)
Dinner: Amber Restaurant at The Scottish Whisky Experience

After landing at Edinburgh Airport, you will be greeted by your personal chauffeur who will give you a warm welcome to Scotland before helping you with your bags into your luxury vehicle. They will then whisk you off into Scotland’s beautiful capital, Edinburgh, to your accommodation for the next two evenings: The Balmoral Hotel. Ideally situated in the heart of this historic city, The Balmoral is an iconic landmark on the sublime Edinburgh skyline.

After settling into your new surroundings, you will make your way to the top of The Royal Mile, the street connecting Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood Palace, where you will enjoy the Taste of Scotland tour at the Scottish Whisky Experience.

This tour and tasting extravaganza has it all. It begins with a fully immersive tour that teaches you all about the art of making whisky, whetting your appetite for what is to come. The tour continues to the Collection Room where a staggering 3,384 bottles of Scotch are proudly displayed. Here you will enjoy a tasting experience of four single malt whiskies and one blended whisky, including a chocolate pairing.

You will then make your way to The Amber Restaurant for dinner where you will enjoy a trio starter, trio main course, and finish with another whisky matched with either a dessert or tea or coffee.

From there you will make your way back to The Balmoral for a relaxing evening before your first full day of touring begins in the morning.

Day 2

Half day walking tour of Edinburgh, ‘Journey of Flavour’ tour at Johnnie Walker

Dinner: Number One at The Balmoral

After a few drams the night before, a stroll around Edinburgh may be just what you need. So, today kicks off with a half day guided walking tour around the city.

Your tour begins at Princes Street Gardens, once a neglected loch transformed in 1820 into exquisite gardens marking the boundary between Old and New Towns. Here you can admire the grandeur of The Scott Monument, a majestic tribute to famous Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott, before ascending Calton Hill for sweeping views of Edinburgh.

You will then make your way to The Royal Mile, which is bursting with pubs, gift shops, and lively street performers. Hidden away down a small side street or “close” as they are called in Edinburgh, is The Jolly Judge, a hidden gem of a pub, the ideal spot to grab a refreshing drink. From there it is on to the magnificent St Giles Cathedral which dates back to the 12^th century and boasts marvellous stained-glass windows. Finally, your tour ends at Edinburgh Castle, home of the Crown Jewels, Stone of Destiny, and the Mons Meg cannon. You will then be treated to a well-deserved afternoon tea at the castle.

From there you will make your way to Johnnie Walker Princes Street for the Journey of Flavour Tour, an exhilarating experience which uses music, lights, and special effects to bring the Johnnie Walker story to life. A guided whisky tasting shows off the diverse range of flavours in the Johnnie Walker collection.

Dinner this evening is an indulgent affair at The Balmoral’s Number One restaurant. The sleek and sophisticated dining room, featuring artwork from renowned painters, sets the scene for a delightful evening. With an incredible four AA Rosettes to its name, nowhere does fine dining quite like the Number One.

Day 3

Stirling Castle, Scottish Antiques and Arts Centre,
‘The Glenturret Tour’ at Glenturret Distillery, Walk around Pitlochry

Transport: Executive Vehicle & Private Driver
Accommodation: Fonab Castle, Pitlochry (1 Night)
Dinner: Sandemans at Fonab Castle

On day three your chauffeur will drive you north to Stirling where you will visit the unmissable Stirling Castle.

Sitting at the top of a colossal crag moulded by glaciers, its elevated position was strategically invaluable for armies defending the castle as it provided a terrific vantage point. Today, it provides breathtaking views across Stirling.

You will then be taken to the Scottish Antiques and Arts Centre where a charming assortment of antiques, collectibles, and modern gifts awaits. This is the perfect opportunity to grab some gifts for loved ones back home.

Up next is a trip to The Glenturret Distillery in Crieff. This is the oldest working distillery in Scotland, with records showing that whisky was made here as far back as 1763. Here you will firstly embark on the Glenturret Tour which provides an in depth lesson on the illustrious history of The Glenturret. Your guide will also talk you through how the whisky makers here stick to traditional methods that have served them so well in making truly world-class whisky. The tour culminates with an in-depth guided tasting experience of The Glenturret’s Lalique whisky flight in the Lalique salon.

You will then have a chance to enjoy some fresh Scottish air with a stroll around the beautiful Pitlochry, a quiet town sitting on the banks of the River Tummel.

This evening you will be staying at the picturesque Fonab Castle where dinner will be served in the Sandemans restaurant which boasts three AA Rosettes. Suave and striking décor set the tone for a lavish meal. With five and seven course tasting menus available, including a vegan option, there is no doubt you will leave Sandemans feeling fully satisfied.

Day 4

Scenic drive through The Cairngorms, Tour of Dalwhinnie Distillery,
House of Bruar luxury shopping centre, Cawdor Castle, The Malt Room

Transport: Executive Vehicle & Private Driver
Accommodation: Ness Walk Hotel, Inverness (2 Nights)
Dinner: The Torrish at Ness Walk Hotel

Your fourth day begins with a scenic drive through one of the wildest places in the UK: The Cairngorms National Park.

Your next stop is Dalwhinnie Distillery, the highest distillery in Scotland. Here you will enjoy a guided tour of the distillery as well as a tutored tasting of three delicious Dalwhinnie single malts, expertly paired with handmade Scottish chocolate.

Up next is a trip to the luxury shopping centre House of Bruar. With so many luxury brands under one roof, you will be sure to find that little something special to take home as a lovely reminder of your time in Scotland.

Next on the itinerary is a stop at the 15^th century Cawdor Castle which has three beautiful gardens, a courtyard café, and many rooms to explore which have been left as they were in the 19^th century, giving you a glimpse of what life would have been like there all those years ago.

You will then head to The Malt Room, the first whisky bar in Inverness, where the knowledgeable staff will be on hand to help you select the whisky that best suits your taste.

Ness Walk Hotel will be home for the next two evenings and tonight you will be dining in their Torrish restaurant. The chefs here are proud to serve dishes which show off the wide range of delectable, fresh produce the surrounding Scottish landscape provides, such as the Speyside beef daube.

Day 5

‘The Discovery Experience’ tour at Macallan Distillery,
‘The Original’ tour at Glenlivet Distillery, Clava Cairns

Transport: Executive Vehicle & Private Driver
Dinner: The Mustard Seed in Inverness 

Your first stop today is the renowned Macallan Distillery where you will be treated to their Discovery Experience tour. Probably one of the best-known whisky producers, Macallan have been making world-class whisky since 1824, creating many unique and rare bottles along the way. One such bottle, a 64 year old single malt, fetched an eye-watering £365,000 at auction.

The recent £140m visitor centre has one of the most complex timber roofs in the world, with over 1,800 individual beams. It is the perfect place to be welcomed with refreshments before the tour, hear all about Macallan’s rich history while admiring the distillery, and enjoy a tutored whisky tasting taking place in both the wonderful Cafe Priveé and The Macallan Bar.

From there you will head to Glenlivet Distillery to embark on their Original tour. On this tour you will hear about how the founder, George Smith, drove the distillery through some tough times, pushing Glenlivet to be what it is today. Following the tour, you will sample some drams from the distillery’s core range: the 12, 15, and 18 year old single malts.

Wrapping up today’s adventure, you will visit the Clava Cairns — an ancient cemetery dating back to the Bronze Age. This site features incredibly well-preserved standing stones and burial cairns, as well as a more recent medieval chapel, offering visitors a unique opportunity to reflect on the ceremonies that took place here over four millennia ago.

Tonight, you will dine at The Mustard Seed in Inverness which is celebrated for its exceptional cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Housed in a converted church, the restaurant’s distinctive features, such as a double-height ceiling and open fireplace, add to its unique charm.

Day 6

Scenic drive through the Cairngorms, ‘The Essence’ tour at Royal Lochnagar Distillery,
Whisky and food pairing experience at The Fife Arms

Transport: Executive Vehicle & Private Driver
Accommodation: The Fife Arms, Braemar (1 Night)
Dinner: Clunie Dining Room at The Fife Arms

This morning you will have another chance to admire the natural beauty of Scotland as you route through the Cairngorms National Park once more on your way to Royal Lochnagar Distillery.

Less than a mile from Balmoral Castle and nestled under the imposing Cairngorm Mountains, there is hardly a more scenic location for a distillery. The clear waters of the Scarnock spring feed this distillery with one of the vital ingredients for whisky, and on The Essence tour you will hear how they have their own unique process for adding the other ingredients to produce whisky of exceptional quality. The tour concludes with a tutored tasting and nosing of two specially selected single malts.

You will then enjoy a truly special occasion: the whisky and food pairing experience courtesy of The Fife Arms showcases the very best of Scottish whisky paired with premium local produce to create a memorable day. This exclusive experience takes you to a remote farmhouse in a little corner of the Cairngorms where Ghillie Basan, renowned travel and food writer, will talk you through all the delicious food and drink on offer.

You will then head back to The Fife Arms itself where dinner will be served in the Clunie Dining Room before you can enjoy a nightcap in the striking Flying Stag bar.

Day 7

St Andrews (town and castle), ‘Kingsbarns’ tour at Kingsbarns Distillery,
See the Forth Road Bridge

Transport: Executive Vehicle & Private Driver
Accommodation: The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh (1 Night)
Dinner: The Brasserie Prince at The Balmoral Hotel

Your final day of touring begins with a trip to St Andrews where you will have the chance to explore this quaint seaside town by visiting the ruined cathedral and enjoying a walk along West Sands Beach before heading to St Andrews Castle. This once mighty castle now lies in ruins, but its location atop imposing cliffs over the North Sea makes it the ideal place to get a stunning picture.

Of course, it would not be the last day of this tour without one last distillery visit, so up next is a trip to Kingsbarns Distillery to enjoy their signature Kingsbarns tour. The tour begins in the distillery’s exhibition space, an incredible structure which details the history of Kingsbarns and has some intriguing items on display. Your guide will then show you round the distillery before inviting you to enjoy some premium whisky, including their special edition Dream to Dram.

You will then make your way back to The Balmoral in Edinburgh and en route you will see the magnificent Forth Road Bridge. At a cost of £1.4bn, this major infrastructure project saw the creation of the third bridge to span this stretch of water, following the Forth Rail Bridge (built in 1890) and the Forth Road Bridge (built in 1964). These three bridges, spanning three centuries, are a wonderful sight to behold.

Dinner this evening will be served in The Balmoral’s Brasserie Prince restaurant. The elegant surroundings provide a hint of the marriage of cuisines here, with head chef Paul Hart taking fresh Scottish produce and adding some French flare to create eye-catching, mouth-watering dishes of the highest quality.

Day 8

Departure (Edinburgh Airport)

Having learned how Scotland’s magical water of life is made and sampled some of the finest whisky in the world, it’s time to head home.

Your chauffeur will help you with your bags before making the short drive to Edinburgh Airport where they will bid you a fond farewell.