If you’re visiting Scotland for the first time, we envy you! Consistently rated as one of the most beautiful countries in the world, there are so many ways to experience its incredible scenery.
With popular routes like the NC500 acting as a way to take in as many sights as possible, many other alternative routes can be taken – for example – why not tour Scotland via its whisky distilleries?
With many distilleries offering tours of their own, they can be a great way of soaking up the local history of an area through the eyes of those who have lived and worked there for decades, and even centuries – while also getting to taste the local wares for yourself!
Due to the effects of the local landscape having a profound impact on the flavour of each whisky (known as ‘terroir’ in the wine trade), each distillery will have its own unique characteristics, making visiting each a unique and worthwhile experience.
Whether you live in Scotland or are visiting from elsewhere, and whether you’re a whisky aficionado/history buff who wants to see them all, or want to incorporate one or two into a more general visit, there’s something for everyone.
In this list, we’ll cover the best whisky distillery tours that the West of Scotland has to offer- covering the rugged beauty of its islands, as well as some mainland favourites.
Jura Distillery, Isle of Jura
Starting on the Inner Hebridean island of Jura, this sparsely populated island is home to one of the country’s most famous distilleries. Being an island off of the coast of Scotland, it’s no surprise that the immaculate water source plays a large part in the whisky’s quality.
Ergonomics play a large part in what makes Jura unique, with the still used in the whisky’s production some of the tallest of any island distillery providing higher levels of purity, and aiding in its unique flavour.
At Jura Distillery, there are two unique tours on offer:
Daily Distillery Tour: 10am or 12pm: £15 P/P: A tour of the still house, filling store and warehouses, with two drams chosen by your tour guide and a Jura Whisky glass will also be included.
Distillery Exclusives Tour: 2pm: A chance to taste Jura Whisky directly from the distillery’s oldest casks, including limited releases and three single-cask distillery exclusives.
Visiting Jura Distillery from Oban be done via public transport or car in a matter of hours; however, ferry travel from Tayvallich is essential to reach the island.
Lagavulin, Islay
Situated near Dunvegan castle, a castle owned and partially occupied to this day by Hugh Macleod of the Macleod clan, the distillery itself is equally steeped in Scottish history, with the distillery itself beginning life here in 1816.
Those visiting the distillery for the tour have many options to choose from, including straightforward warehouse tours to premium tasting experiences with exclusive, out-of-production whiskys available for tasting, ranging in price from £22-£105 and with options all the way up the ladder to suit your needs.
Hopping from Jura to the nearby Isle of Islay, you can reach Lagavulin in just over an hour from Jura’s distillery, should you wish to do so, however, travelling from Oban will take a little longer at just over four hours if conditions permit.
The Chaotic Scot has published a guide to Islay, including instructions on how to travel to the island from Oban. Click here to learn more!
Lochranza Distillery, Isle of Arran
Arran is often thought of as a diorama of Scotland itself, with many of its most attractive attributes (ahem) distilled into one smaller landmass, so it’s no surprise that it also comes with a couple of distilleries in tow.
Open all year long, Lochranza Distillery comes with a standard (£20) and premium (£25) tour, as well as tasting options as you’d expect; however, rather uniquely, there is also a daily Whisky & Arran
Chocolate Tasting available, pairing delicious whiskies with chocolate handmade on the island for just £15.
By car and ferry, you can expect this journey will take around two and a half hours from Oban as you travel down the length of the picturesque Kintyre peninsula.
Tobermory Distillery, Isle of Mull
Located in the middle of the idyllic coastal town of Tobermory – Mull’s largest settlement – Tobermory Distillery is practically metropolitan when compared with some of the others on this list, but that’s not all that makes it unique.
Alongside a reasonably priced distillery tour featuring two whisky drams for just £18, Tobermory distillery also produces gin, offering a similar tour for the same price.
If you’re feeling particularly tenacious, why not visit them back-to-back? With plenty of fresh seafood up for grabs nearby, you’ll have a wealth of delicious eats to keep you compos mentis!
Visiting Tobermory Distillery from Oban is easy. As with all island distilleries on this list, a ferry will be necessary to complete the trip. At just under two hours total, and directly from Oban’s terminal, Tobermory remains a great option for those tight for time.
Glen Scotia, Campbeltown
Moving back to the mainland, Glen Scotia may be one of the smallest Scottish distilleries, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be a priority visit.
Producing peated and unpeated whisky in equipment that has remained largely unchanged since their beginnings, flavours range from sweet and fruity to rich and smoky, making it a great stop for those wanting to experience the wide spectrum of Scottish whisky in one stop.
Situated on the southernmost end of the Kintyre peninsula, getting there is just a two-hour drive from Oban, but it can be achieved in double the time via public transport.
Nc’Nean, Lochaline, Morvern
Finally, we come to Nc’Nean Distillery. Requiring two ferries from Oban, this distillery may be a little trickier to reach than some of the other options on this list, but this standout distillery is a must-see for anyone curious about the future of Scottish whisky.
B-Corp certified, and powered completely by renewable energy, Nc’Nean Distillery uses organic Scottish barley exclusively in its stills, 100% recycled glass bottles, and even diverts 99.7% of its waste from landfill sites. Nc’Nean also produces their own ‘Botanical Spirit’, a gin-like drink that retains some of the maltiness of the barley used in their equally delicious whisky.
With a compelling story to tell, Nc’Nean Distillery offers several fascinating tours, including a sustainability and tasting tour led by Nc’Nean’s Sustainability Officer, and a private tour with a two and a half hours experience tailored to families and parties of friends.
Additionally, those visiting from Tobermory will have the option to take their water taxi tour, a chance to enjoy the distillery’s gallery, alongside tea, coffee, cake, drams and a fully licensed bar, while also taking in nearby beach walks and wildlife.
Summary
With an incredible range of options available for those looking to learn as much as possible about Scottish whisky culture, visiting any one of these distilleries would be a worthwhile treat.
For connoisseurs, the good news is we’ve barely scratched the surface.
Book your first-class accommodation in Oban for your Scottish West Coast whisky odyssey here.