Holidays in Glenlivet and north east Scotland

Distilleries and Breweries

in Glenlivet and the Cairngorms, Aberdeenshire, Grampian,

Moray, Nairn and Inverness-shire

Please e-mail us with any comments, reports on broken links, suggestions or questions

We have included links to many other websites. We shall eventually get round to informing all of these about our links, but if we haven't yet been in touch and you would prefer us to remove the link to your site, then please let us know.

A couple of major Whisky Festivals are held in the area –

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival around the end of April/beginning of May Spirit of Speyside Website

Autumn Speyside Whisky Festival around the end of September www.dufftown.co.uk

There are quite a number of websites about whisky, but many of them have a commercial bias. Although it does carry adverts, the following website is purely information based and amazingly comprehensive. It has been and indeed still is being developed by Jean-Marie Putz, a private Belgian enthusiast Jean-Marie Putz's Website

If you want to be driven around distilleries so that you can concentrate on tasting, several companies can provide this service.

Please note that children under eight are usually not allowed on distillery tours.

Please check all opening times and charges on the relevant websites.

Comments about individual distillery tours are difficult to make because they are so dependant upon the individual guides and their interaction with tour groups.

Gordon and Macphail (Elgin)

Gordon & Macphail Website

Founded in 1895, this family business is still one of the pre-eminent bottlers of malt whisky Their retail shop in South Street is a whisky lover’s paradise – all their products on display along with a lovely delicatessen and lots of wine.

The Whisky Shop (Dufftown)

Dufftown Whisky Shop Website

Duncan Taylor's Whiskies of Scotland (Huntly)

Duncan Taylor Website

Scotch Whisky Website

Speyside Cooperage (Craigiellachie)

Speyside Cooperage Website

See coopers at work repairing whisky barrels – a hive of non-stop activity – fascinating to watch skilled men at work – guided tours - explanatory displays

of how barrels are made – café - shop

Contact 01340 871 108

Mon-Fri 9.00-4.00 (except Christmas and New Year)

Cairngorm Brewery (Aviemore)

Cairngorm Brewery Website

Only set up in 2001, but won UK Best Bitter Championship in 2006

Contact 01479 812 222

Black Isle Brewery (just north of Inverness)

Black Isle Brewery Website

Undiscovered Scotland Webpage for The Black Isle Brewery

Amazingly small scale and in an old shed, but they have plans for a new

building - very friendly. You can sit outside and enjoy a taste on a sunny day.

Contact 01463 811 871

Open Mon-Sat 10.00-6.00 and Sun 11.30-5.00 (April-Sept)

The Glenlivet

The Glenlivet distillery Website

Open Apr to October

Monday - Saturday 09.30 - 16.00: Sunday 12.00 - 16.00

For details call 01340 821 720.

Glenfarclas (on the way to Aberlour)

Glenfarclas Distillery Website

One of the very few distilleries still in private, family ownership

Opening times - last tours 90 minutes before closing – phone to check tour starting times

Apr-June M-F 10-5

July-Sep M-F 10-5 Sat 10-4

Oct-Mar M-F 10-4

By arrangement from mid December to mid January

Contact 01807 500 257

Glenfiddich (Dufftown)

http://uk.glenfiddich.com/index.html

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/dufftown/glenfiddich/index.html

There is a regular tour, which is currently free, and a Connoisseur Tour which takes about two and a half hours and costs about £20 each. Demand for the Connoisseur Tours is very high, so book as far in advance as possible.

Contact 01340 820373

Opening times

Regular tours available Monday to Friday: 09.30 to 16.30

The Visitor Centre will close for two to three weeks over the Christmas and

New Year holiday Tours will resume on Monday 7th January 2008.

Connoisseur Tours must be booked in advance – this can be done through the website, but make sure that you receive a confirmation by e-mail.

Balvenie (Dufftown)

http://www.balvenie.com/distillerytours/index.html

One of the few, if not the only place where you can see barley being malted on

a malt floor. Balvenie only does Connoisseur Tours which take about two and

a half hours and costs about £25 each. Booking as far in advance as possible is highly recommended.

Contact 01340 820373 (same number as Glenfiddich)

Connoisseur Tours must be booked in advance – this can be done through

the website, but make sure that you receive a confirmation by e-mail.

Our tour costs £25 per person.

Tours start at 10am and 2pm.

Aberlour (Aberlour)

www.aberlour.com/

Aberlour only does in depth tours that take about two hours including a

tutored tasting of five mature Aberlour whiskies as well as newly made spirit. The guides seem to be chosen for their ability to entertain as well as their knowledge of whisky - a most enjoyable tour.

Admission price about £7.50

Tour times:10.30 and 2.00

April-October: Monday to Sunday

November to March (closed over Christmas and New Year period) Monday to Friday

Please reserve tickets in advance by telephone or email:

01340 881 249

aberlour.admin@chivas.com

Macallan (near Aberlour)

www.themacallan.com

Macallan run two tours both of which require pre-booking.

The “Precious Tour” includes a tutored tasting – best to book well ahead.

Note that only a limited tour is available during most of July because of maintenance work

Opening hours:

Easter to September: Monday to Saturday, 9.30am till 4.30pm (Last regular

tour usually 3.30pm)

October: Monday to Friday, 9.30am till 4.30pm (Last regular tour usually 3.30pm)

November - Easter: 11.00am till 3.00pm (Tour times on application)

Closed from mid December to mid January

Contact 01340 872280 to check details and make bookings

Admission charges

Only children older than 8 years old are allowed on the tours and each tour is limited to a maximum of ten people.

Cardhu (Knockando)

www.discovering-distilleries.com/cardhu

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/knockando/cardow/index.html

As well as the regular tour, there is a special Tasting Tour costing about £8

per head which takes place at 3pm from May to September 2008 – booking essential.

Telephone 01340 872555 or e-mail helen.gardiner@diageo.com

Opening times for regular tours

Tours commence every hour on the hour

October - Easter: Mon - Fri: 11am - 3pm

Easter - June: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm

July - Sept: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm: Sunday: 12noon - 4pm

Closed between Christmas & New Year.

There is an adult admission fee of £4 which includes a £3 discount voucher redeemable in the Visitor Centre Shop. Children under 18 are free of charge. Children under 8 years of age are welcome, but will not be permitted to the production area.

Cragganmore (Ballindalloch)

www.discovering-distilleries.com/cragganmore

Only open to Friends of the Classic Malts and then only by appointment. You

can join the Friends on the following website www.malts.com

Contact telephone: 01340 872555

Opening Times

May - September: Mon - Fri: Tours daily at 11.30 and 14.00 by appointment only.

Glen Grant (Rothes)

www.glengrant.com/

The gardens are an added attraction here – see section on Gardens

Opening times - last tour 4pm

April-October (plus a few days either side, but check up on this)

Mon-Sat 9.30 to 5.00 Sundays 12 noon to 5.00

The following website gives information about Rothes

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/rothes/rothes/index.html

Glen Ord (north west of Inverness)

www.discovering-distilleries.com/glenord

Due to maintenance requirements, it’s not always possible to tour the distillery

so please telephone 01463 872004 to check.

Opening times – last tour one hour before closing

January-March: Mon-Fri 11 to 3

April – June: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm

July to September: (07/07/07-30/09/07): Mon - Fri 10 to 5: Sat/Sun 12 noon to - 4

October – December: Mon - Fri: 11am - 3pm

Closed between Christmas & New Year.

Adult admission charges include a discount voucher, redeemable at the

distillery against the purchase of a 70cl of single malt whisky. Children under

8 years are welcome but not admitted to the production areas.

The following websites have information about the nearby town of Beauly and

its ancient Priory

www.visitbeauly.com

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/beauly/beauly/index.html

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/beauly/beaulypriory/index.html

Dalmore

http://www.thedalmore.com/distillery/tour.htm

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/alness/dalmoredistillery/index.html

Open from 10am to 4.30pm Mon – Thurs, 10am – 3pm Fri

Admission charge was £2 per person in 2007

Information on the nearby village of Alness

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/alness/alness/index.html

Glenmorangie (Tain)

www.glenmorangie.com

Open all year except during Christmas holiday

Monday to Friday: 9.00 - 5.00

Saturdays from June to August: 10.00 - 4.00 and Sundays: 12.00 - 4.00

Regular tours from 10.30, last full tour 15.30

Pre-booking advisable.

Contact 01862 892477

Adult admission charge.

Tomatin (half way to Inverness on A9)

www.tomatin.com/home.htm

This tour apparently offers wheelchair access to all areas. They offer a regular tour as well as an in-depth tour and tasting, £2 and £30 respectively in 2007.

Contact 01808 511444

Opening Times

Regular tours - Monday to Friday 9.00 till 5.00. Tours, costing £2.00 per

person, are offered daily at 11.00am & 2.30pm. Booking is always advisable.

Tasting tour – booking essential 01808 511234

Glen Moray (Elgin)

www.glenmoray.com

As well as regular tours, there are also more in depth “Fifth Chapter Tours”

which include a tasting at around £15 per head – advance booking essential

Opening times

Tours at 9.30, 11.00, 12.30, 2.00, 3.30

Sat 10.30, 12.00, 1.30, 3.00

Closed over Christmas and New Year holidays

Contact 01343 550 900

Benromach (Forres)

www.benromach.com

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/forres/benromach/index.html

One of the very few distilleries still in private, family ownership (Gordon & Macphail of Elgin, whose shop is mentioned at the top of the page)

Contact 01309 675968

Opening Times

October to April: Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm (last tour 3.00pm)

(Closed from 21st December 2007 - 31st January 2008)

May to September: Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 5pm (last tour 4.00pm)

Open also on Sundays in June, July and August 12 noon - 4pm (last tour

3.00pm)

Admission charges Adult (18years and over) £3.00 (includes a voucher for

£2.50 redeemable at the Distillery against a purchase of 70cl Malt Whisky

aged 10 years or more)

Dallas Dhu (just south of Forres)

www.historic-sctoland.gov.uk

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/forres/dallasdhu/index.html

Historic Scotland

This is a mothballed distillery (so not as noisy as a working distillery) now

looked after by Historic Scotland, but they still have enough stock of whisky

to include a free dram as well as an audio guide in the entrance price. Shop – picnic area. Purists seem to scoff at the idea of touring a non-working distillery, but you can get much closer to the equipment when it's not boiling hot and I

found it quite interesting when I was last there in the 1990s.

Contact 01309 676548

Opening times - last entry 30 minutes before closing

Summer (1 April - 30 September), Monday to Sunday, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

Winter (1 October - 31 March), Saturday to Wednesday (closed Thursday

and Friday), 9.30 am to 4.30 pm

The visitor centre and shop are all on ground level. Due to the many stairs, visitors using wheelchairs should visit only the ground floor levels. There is

a picnic area within the grounds although grassed areas can be soft. The

visitor centre has a multilingual presentation and an audio tour is available

to all visitors. Parking available beside visitor centre. Shop

Strathisla (Keith)

www.chivas.com

One of the more picturesque distilleries and spiritual home of Chivas Regal.

our covers both malt and blended whiskies with a couple of whiskies to taste. Opening times

April to end October: Mon-Sat: 9.30am-4pm, Sun: 12.30pm-4pm

Admission £5

Contact 01542 783044

The following websites give information about Keith and the Scottish Tartans Museum

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/keith/keith/index.html