Day 1 - Arrive in Inverness
Arrive at your accommodation in Inverness
Day 2 – Inverness → Culloden → Cawdor Castle → Forres → Elgin
Distance: ~80 miles / 130 km
Driving Time: ~3.5 hrs (plus sightseeing)
Morning:
Start in Inverness, capital of the Highlands
Visit Culloden Battlefield, site of the last Jacobite Rising in 1746. The visitor centre and battlefield walk are immersive and moving
Nearby, visit Clava Cairns, ancient Bronze Age burial stones — haunting and beautiful (and a must for Outlander fans)
Midday:
Continue east to Cawdor Castle, famed for its fairytale gardens and Macbeth connections
Stop for lunch at Cawdor Tavern or The Classroom Bistro in Nairn
Afternoon:
Visit Benromach Distillery in Forres, a small, independent distillery producing classic Speyside whiskies.
End your day in Elgin, visiting Elgin Cathedral (ruins of a stunning medieval cathedral known as the “Lantern of the North”)
Dinner:
Drouthy Cobbler, Elgin – great whisky selection and modern Scottish dishes
Day 3 - Elgin → Dufftown → Craigellachie → Aberlour (The Malt Whisky Trail)
Distance: ~60 miles / 95 km
Driving Time: 2–3 hrs (short day, lots of tasting stops!)
Morning:
Follow the Malt Whisky Trail, beginning with Glen Moray Distillery in Elgin (optional early visit)
Drive to Dufftown, “the whisky capital of the world,” home to Glenfiddich and Balvenie distilleries:
Glenfiddich Distillery – large, polished tours and tastings
The Balvenie – book ahead for an in-depth craft whisky experience (one of the best in Scotland)
Midday:
Lunch at The Coffee Pot or Seven Stills Bistro in Dufftown
Afternoon:
Continue to Craigellachie and Aberlour
Stop at the Craigellachie Bridge over the River Spey – an elegant 19th-century iron bridge
Visit Aberlour Distillery or the Speyside Cooperage, where whisky barrels are handmade
Optional visit to Macallan Distillery – stunning architecture and ultra-modern tasting experience
Dinner:
Copper Dog Pub or Dowans 57 Lounge Bar
Day 4 - Aberlour → Tomintoul → Balmoral Castle → Braemar
Distance: ~95 miles / 150 km
Driving Time: ~4.5 hrs
Morning:
Drive south through the Cairngorms National Park via Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands
Visit The Glenlivet Distillery, one of Scotland’s most famous names, with a scenic visitor centre and trails through Glenlivet Estate
Midday:
Continue along the Snow Roads Scenic Route, one of Scotland’s most beautiful drives, winding through wild mountain landscapes
Stop for lunch in Ballater or Crathie
Afternoon:
Visit Balmoral Castle, the King’s Scottish residence (open to visitors April–July)
Optional scenic detour to the Linn of Dee, a deep gorge and waterfall near Braemar — popular with Queen Victoria
Dinner:
The Bothy Braemar – relaxed Scottish comfort food
Day 5 – Braemar → Pitlochry (Edradour & Blair Athol Distilleries)
Distance: ~90 miles / 145 km
Driving Time: ~3.5 hrs
Morning:
Depart Braemar, heading south through Glen Shee, a spectacular drive past mountain peaks and ski slopes
Stop at Spittal of Glenshee viewpoint for photos
Midday:
Arrive in Pitlochry, a charming Victorian town famous for whisky and outdoor walks
Visit Edradour Distillery, Scotland’s smallest traditional distillery (tours feel personal and old-fashioned)
Alternatively or additionally, tour Blair Athol Distillery, known for its rich single malts used in Bell’s blends
Afternoon:
Walk to Pitlochry Dam & Fish Ladder for lovely views of the River Tummel
Optional visit to Blair Castle, seat of Clan Murray, with grand interiors and gardens
Dinner:
Victoria’s Restaurant or The Old Mill Inn
Day 6 – Pitlochry → Dunkeld → Stirling → Edinburgh
Distance: ~120 miles / 195 km
Driving Time: 4–5 hrs
Morning:
Short drive to Dunkeld, one of Perthshire’s prettiest towns. Visit Dunkeld Cathedral on the banks of the River Tay and explore its artisan shops
Optional visit to The Hermitage, a forest walk to a beautiful waterfall
Midday:
Continue south to Stirling, where Scotland’s history was forged
Visit Stirling Castle, one of the country’s most impressive fortresses, and the nearby Wallace Monument for panoramic views
Afternoon:
Optional detour to Castle Fraser (Aberdeenshire) if looping back north, or to Deanston Distillery near Doune
Drive onward to Edinburgh (or return to Inverness if doing a circular trip)
Dinner:
The Scran & Scallie or Monteiths (Edinburgh)
The trip ends at the end of the journey unless you have booked extra nights or other optional services with us.
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