Speyside & Islay:

A Whisky Journey

Today's rain is tomorrow's whisky

Dates: April 30 – May 8, 2026
Destination: Scotland
Hosted by: Kerk Allen (aka: your whisky-loving Scotland guide!)

Why This Trip?

This isn’t a bus tour or a cookie-cutter package. It’s a small-group trip with friends, built around Scotland’s best whisky moments. We’ll dive into Speyside during the world-famous whisky festival, wind through the Highlands, and finish on Islay, whisky lovers’ paradise. The essentials (hotels, ferries, core tours) are locked in, with flexibility where it matters: festival events, downtime, and free evenings.

Good whisky. Good people. The kind of Scottish experience you can’t Google.

  • Arrive in Inverness Airport by early afternoon. After checking into our Speyside hotel, we’ll kick off with a welcome dram and dinner. The festival will be in full swing, the perfect way to start our week.

  • Three full days at the Spirit of Speyside Festival, with visits to distilleries like Balvenie, Cardhu, and Glenfarclas, plus tastings, pairings, and iconic whisky bars. (Final festival schedule is released in 2026.)

  • Journey through the Cairngorm mountains, with a whisky & chocolate pairing at Dalwhinnie before an overnight castle stay in Inveraray.

  • Three days on Islay, touring legendary peat distilleries — Lagavulin, Bowmore, Caol Ila, Bruichladdich — and enjoying coastal walks, seafood dinners, and the island’s quiet charm. Stay at Glenegadale House, an award winning guesthouse.

  • Morning ferry back to the mainland, onward to Glasgow or Edinburgh for late afternoon/evening flights — or extend for one night in Edinburgh.

  • Optional Edinburgh extension: explore the Royal Mile, shopping, and the Johnnie Walker Experience.

The Journey

    • Step 1: Check your calendar. Confirm April 30 – May 8, 2026 works for you.

    • Step 2: Talk it over. Make sure it aligns with your budget, vacation days, and family commitments.

    • Step 3: Secure your spot. A $400 deposit per person holds your place. Final balance is due March 2, 2026. This timeline ensures all arrangements are confirmed well ahead of the festival.

    • Step 4: Protect your trip. Travel insurance is required. I can provide cancel-for-any-reason quotes so you’re fully covered.

    • Step 5: Get excited. Once you’re in, I’ll handle the logistics — from hotel reservations to distillery bookings.

    After your deposit, you can make payments in installments at your own pace up until the March 2, 2026 deadline

How to Book

    • $1,770 per person (shared rooms)

    • $2,161 per person (single rooms, except Islay accommodation which is shared)

    • Deposit: $400 per person to confirm your spot (refundable until January 15, 2026. After that, deposits become non-refundable).

    • Final balance due: Due by March 2, 2026.

    (The package includes one night in Edinburgh. If you choose to depart directly after Islay, $196 will be deducted from your total.)

  • ✓ 8 days / 7 nights hand-selected accommodations
    Boutique hotels and guesthouses chosen for comfort, charm, and ideal locations in Speyside, Islay, and Edinburgh.

    ✓ Daily breakfast
    Breakfasts included at each hotel.

    ✓ 5 pre-booked distillery tours & tastings

    ✓ Private vehicle & hosted transport
    Rental van, fuel, insurance, and ferry crossings arranged for the group.

    ✓ Private van transport with a designated driver — so no one has to worry about navigating or driving after tastings.

    ✓ Personal hosting & concierge service
    On-the-ground support, logistics, and festival coordination provided throughout the trip.

    ✓ Flight research & booking assistance
    Flight search, booking, and monitoring support available; airfare itself not included.

    ✓ Festival & distillery coordination
    Advance booking of Spirit of Speyside Festival events and distillery tours once schedules are released, to secure the best experiences.

    ✓ Small group experience (maximum 5 travelers)
    More flexibility and personalized attention compared to larger commercial tours.

  • ✘ Airfare (but I can provide booking assistance at no extra cost)
    ✘ Lunches & dinners (estimate £20–£40 per meal)
    ✘ Travel insurance is required (cancel-for-any-reason recommended). I’ll provide personalized quotes.
    ✘ Personal expenses, souvenirs, tips

  • The official Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival program will be released in February 2026. Guests can book additional ticketed events (beyond the 5 core distillery tours included in your package). Based on past years, here’s what to expect:

    • Special tastings & masterclasses (~£20–£60 per ticket)

    • Cigar & whisky pairings (~£30–£60)

    • Aperitivo hours & cocktail nights in festival bars (~£25–£40)

    • Unique food experiences like Cardhu whisky-infused ice cream or whisky & chocolate pairings (~£20–£40)

    • Premium dinners & rare bottling events for those who want to splurge (£140+ up to £400+)

    I’ll coordinate group bookings once the official schedule is released so we can lock in the best experiences before they sell out.

  • Speyside Hotel (Craigellachie) | Apr 30 – May 3 (3 nights)
    Boutique base in the heart of whisky country, walking distance to pubs and festival venues. Room options:

    • Classic Double (1 bed, sleeps 1)

    • Classic Twin (2 beds, sleeps 2)

    Stonefield Castle (Inveraray) | May 3–4 (1 night)
    One-night stay in a historic castle overlooking Loch Fyne. Room options:

    • Double (1 bed, sleeps 1)

    • Twin (2 beds, sleeps 2)

    Glenegadale House (Islay) | May 4–7 (3 nights)
    Family-run guesthouse, award-winning hospitality, hearty Scottish breakfasts. Shared rooms required.

    • 2 x Twin (2 beds, sleeps 2)

    Hub by Premier Inn (Edinburgh) | May 7–8 (1 night)
    Modern, central stay in Edinburgh’s New Town — perfect for a final night out.

    • Double (1 bed, sleeps 1)

Only 2 spots left. Updated Aug. 27, 2025

  • I’ve traveled Scotland many times and know which distilleries, events, and routes are worth your time. No guesswork, no wasted days.

  • Key things like hotels, ferries, and core tours are locked in, while festival events and evenings stay flexible. Structure without losing freedom.

  • I’ve chosen comfortable, authentic stays — not luxury for the sake of it. You’ll know exactly what’s included, what’s optional, and why.

  • Festival tickets, ferries, and boutique hotels sell out early. I secure them for the group so you don’t have to stress about availability or details.

  • With a designated driver and host handling logistics, you can enjoy tastings freely, knowing the trip is on track from start to finish.

  • Large companies charge $2,500–$3,500 for 6 nights with 15–20 people. Our trip is $1,770–$2,161 for 7 nights with just 5 travelers. More included, more personal.

✺ FAQs✺

  • Because it’s the only way to secure our festival passes, ferry spots, and boutique hotels as a group. Running this through my agency means I can handle all the logistics — deposits, reservations, protections — so you don’t have to. It also gives us access to group rates and ensures we’re protected with proper contracts and insurance.

  • Our hotels and ferries require deposits to hold space — especially during the whisky festival, when everything books up early. The $400 deposit secures your spot, and the waiver is a standard form that protects everyone by making sure responsibilities are clear. It’s not red tape — it just ensures the group is covered.

  • That’s exactly why travel insurance is required. A “cancel-for-any-reason” policy protects your investment if life throws a curveball (illness, emergencies, work, etc.). Without it, refunds aren’t possible, since the group bookings are locked in. I can provide quotes so you’re covered.

  • Not at all. You just need to enjoy the idea of exploring Scotland, tasting, and learning along the way.

    • ✓ Block April 30–May 8, 2026 in your calendar (+ travel days)

    • ✓ Confirm with your family/partner the timing works

    • ✓ Check that your passport is valid through Nov 2026

    • ✓ Budget for meals, flights, and optional events on top of the trip cost

    • ✓ Be ready to send your $500 deposit by the deadline to hold your spot.

  • Yes. You’re free to book with points, miles, or your preferred airline. I’ll provide recommended arrival/departure times so everything connects smoothly, and I can also assist with flight booking if you’d like.

  • Nope! We’ll have flexibility. The Spirit of Speyside Festival lets you pick events based on your interests — from big-name tastings to small hidden-gem pairings. Same on Islay: our core distillery tours are set, but we’ll also have free time for walks, pubs, or downtime.