Whisky Coast & Loch Lomond - 4 days

Whisky Coast & Loch Lomond - 4 days

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4 Days From

$1555

$1011

Whisky Coast & Loch Lomond - 4 days

4 Days Starting in Edinburgh, United Kingdom and ending in Islay, United Kingdom

Visiting: Edinburgh, Islay

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 16

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

18-

Trip Styles:

Small Group

From: $1555 $1011 Operator discount: -$544 -35%

NB: Prices correct on 19-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating 4-day journey through Scotland's Whisky Coast and the stunning landscapes of Loch Lomond. Starting in Edinburgh, this small group tour takes you through the breathtaking Trossachs National Park and the historic town of Oban, renowned for its seafood and whisky. Experience the charm of Islay, one of Scotland's most picturesque islands, with visits to four iconic whisky distilleries, including Ardbeg and Laphroaig, where you'll enjoy tours and tastings. Explore the island's dramatic scenery, including the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle. Conclude your adventure with a scenic drive back to Edinburgh, stopping at the charming town of Inveraray and the majestic Loch Lomond. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and the expertise of a local driver-guide throughout this unforgettable Scottish experience.

Highlights

  • Whisky Coast - Visit four whisky distilleries with the chance to taste the produce, learn about the production process and tour the distilleries

  • Explore the Victorian coastal town of Oban, famous for its seafood and whisky

  • Admire the incredible scenery surrounding Loch Lomond, one of Scotland's most famous lochs

  • Uncover the dramatic scenery and highlights of Islay, including Dunyvaig Castle

  • Visit Trossachs National Park and admire some of Scotland's famous scenery

  • Discover the historic ruins of Kildalton church and Dunyvaig Castle on Islay

  • Stop in the pretty town of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne, known for its historic buildings and old whisky shop

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Edinburgh

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Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation Name: Bowmore Cottages, The Bruce or similar

Edinburgh - Trossnachs National Park - Oban - Islay. Departing Edinburgh this morning, we head west, first visiting Trossnachs National Park. Admire some of the country's famous scenery and perhaps taste some regional delicacies. We then make our way through the mountainous Western Highlands to Oban, a port town once the strategic heartland of great feuding clans.





Modern Oban is known for two things, seafood and whisky. We have the opportunity to taste both, including a dram of locally produced whisky and an optional seafood lunch.





We then make our way through the Kilmartin Glen, home to standing stones and historic fortified strongholds dating back more than 1,500 years. At Kennacraig, we catch the ferry to the island of Islay. The crossing takes around 2 hours, and you can see the Paps of Jura as we sail past the island of Jura. Landing at Islay, we make our way to our accommodation in Bowmore.





Please note: Check-in closes at 08:15 on day 1 (tour departs at 08:30) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.





Accommodation: Bowmore Cottages, The Bruce or similar

Day 2: Whisky, Whisky & Whisky

Location: Islay

Accommodation Name: Bowmore Cottages, The Bruce or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tuck into breakfast at the accommodation before we depart on a day of whisky adventures! We are visiting three distilleries today, starting with Bowmore, one of the oldest distilleries in the whole of Scotland. There's an included tour and whisky tasting before we continue to Kilchoman Distillery, where we can try two more drams of whisky and enjoy a lunch of Scottish specialities. We then travel through the beautiful countryside of Islay to our third distillery. This will either be Bruichladdich or Bunnahabhain, depending on the departure. Bruichladdich specializes in unpeated whisky, whilst Bunnahabhain is the most remote distillery on the island. Feeling slightly light-headed, we then head back to Bowmore, where the evening is at leisure.





Accommodation: Bowmore Cottages, The Bruce or similar

Day 3: Exploring Islay

Location: Islay

Accommodation Name: Bowmore Cottages, The Bruce or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we are exploring the southern half of Islay, one of the most beautiful of the Scottish Isles. First we visit the distillery at Ardbeg, owned by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy! There's an included tour and tasting here.





The final distillery of our tour is Laphroaig, a 200-year-old distiller known to be a favourite of the British Royal Family.





Throughout the day, we will also stop at some of the island's main highlights. See the historic ruins of Kildalton church and Dunyvaig Castle, which was once held by the chiefs of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg. We then return to Bowmore for our last night.





Accommodation: Bowmore Cottages, The Bruce or similar

Day 4: Islay

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Location: Edinburgh

Meals Included: Breakfast

Islay - Loch Lomond - Edinburgh. Say goodbye to Islay as we take the return ferry back to the mainland. We then make our way back to Edinburgh, stopping on the way in the pretty town of Inveraray, on the banks of Loch Fyne. Admire the historic buildings, boats and an old whisky shop. Our final stop is at Loch Lomond, where you can admire Great Britain's largest body of water by surface area. We then complete our drive to Edinburgh, where our tour comes to an end.





Please note: This tour ends at 19:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Simple guesthouse (hotel upgrade available)

  • 3 breakfasts

  • 3 nights simple guesthouse with self-service breakfast provided (hotel upgrade available on select departures)

  • Escorted by a local driver-guide

  • Visits to four whiskey distilleries: Ardbeg, Kilchoman, Bowmore, Laphroaig including tour & tasting (subject to change)

  • Transportation in 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning

  • All necessary ferry journeys between Scottish Islands and the mainland

  • All road tolls

  • 20kg luggage - see Trip Notes for details

  • Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

What's Not Included

  • International flights & visas

  • Airport transfers (pick up and drop off information can be found in the Trip Notes)

  • Meals not specified in itinerary

  • Tipping - an entirely personal gesture!

  • Entry fees unless specified

Age Policy

Minimum age 18

Mode of Transport

Travel in style with a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach equipped with air-conditioning, ensuring a comfortable journey. All necessary ferry journeys between Scottish Islands and the mainland are included, along with road tolls.

Accommodation

Enjoy a comfortable stay at simple guesthouses in Bowmore, with self-service breakfast provided. Hotel upgrades are available on select departures, ensuring a cozy and convenient base for your whisky adventures.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 3 nights in a simple guesthouse with self-service breakfast provided. There is an option for a hotel upgrade on select departures.

  • What kind of transportation is used during the tour?

    Transportation is provided in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning.

  • Is there a guide accompanying the tour?

    Yes, the tour is escorted by a local driver-guide.

  • Are ferry journeys included in the tour?

    Yes, all necessary ferry journeys between the Scottish Islands and the mainland are included.

  • What is the luggage allowance for the tour?

    The tour allows for 20kg of luggage per person. Further details can be found in the Trip Notes.

  • What is the minimum age requirement for this tour?

    The minimum age requirement for this tour is 18 years old.

  • Will there be opportunities to taste whisky during the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes visits to four whisky distilleries with tours and tastings at each location.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

Land of the Northern Lights 5 day tour of Iceland

10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away.

Simla Patel (Google Reviewer)  

This company doesn’t deserve even...

26-Nov-2024

This company doesn’t deserve even 1 star. I would not recommend this company. There are hidden fees which means the cost of the holiday ends up being very expensive. We recently came back from our trip to China where it is not customary to tip in restaurants & hotel staff. Yet we had to make a payment upfront in cash to to the guide for more than £100. The hotel service was appalling. Just think £100 from each person. The trip was suppose to be a Tour yet we had to pay for all entrance fees. We complained about the poor condition of the hotels but no one responded to our emails to date. The after sales service is non existent. Do not use this company. Far far too expensive for what you get. Not competitive at all. They messed up our booking; repeatedly asked for the same information. We spent so much time correcting their errors. Very difficult to get hold of anyone because they all work in S Africa or New Zealand. Absolute nightmare

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

1 Select your preferred date

Monday - Thursday

Mar 17, 2025 - Mar 20, 2025
$1555 $1011

Operator discount: -$544

Monday - Thursday

Mar 24, 2025 - Mar 27, 2025
$1555 $1011

Operator discount: -$544

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Mar 31, 2025 - Apr 03, 2025
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Operator discount: -$544

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Operator discount: -$586

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Operator discount: -$586

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Operator discount: -$586

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Operator discount: -$586

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Operator discount: -$586

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Operator discount: -$586

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Operator discount: -$586

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Operator discount: -$586

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Operator discount: -$586

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Operator discount: -$586

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Operator discount: -$625

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Operator discount: -$625

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Operator discount: -$625

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Operator discount: -$625

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Operator discount: -$625

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Operator discount: -$625

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Operator discount: -$625

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$1785 $1160

Operator discount: -$625

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Operator discount: -$625

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Jul 11, 2025 - Jul 14, 2025
$1785 $1160

Operator discount: -$625

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Operator discount: -$625

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Operator discount: -$625

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Jul 21, 2025 - Jul 24, 2025
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Operator discount: -$625

Friday - Monday

Jul 25, 2025 - Jul 28, 2025
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Operator discount: -$625

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Jul 28, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025
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Operator discount: -$625

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Aug 01, 2025 - Aug 04, 2025
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Operator discount: -$625

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Aug 04, 2025 - Aug 07, 2025
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Operator discount: -$625

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Aug 08, 2025 - Aug 11, 2025
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Operator discount: -$625

Monday - Thursday

Aug 11, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025
$1785 $1160

Operator discount: -$625

Friday - Monday

Aug 15, 2025 - Aug 18, 2025
$1785 $1160

Operator discount: -$625

Monday - Thursday

Aug 18, 2025 - Aug 21, 2025
$1785 $1160

Operator discount: -$625

Friday - Monday

Aug 22, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025
$1785 $1160

Operator discount: -$625

Monday - Thursday

Aug 25, 2025 - Aug 28, 2025
$1785 $1160

Operator discount: -$625

Friday - Monday

Aug 29, 2025 - Sep 01, 2025
$1785 $1160

Operator discount: -$625

Monday - Thursday

Sep 01, 2025 - Sep 04, 2025
$1785 $1428

Operator discount: -$357

Friday - Monday

Sep 05, 2025 - Sep 08, 2025
$1785 $1428

Operator discount: -$357

Monday - Thursday

Sep 08, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025
$1785 $1428

Operator discount: -$357

Friday - Monday

Sep 12, 2025 - Sep 15, 2025
$1785 $1428

Operator discount: -$357

Monday - Thursday

Sep 15, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025
$1785 $1428

Operator discount: -$357

Friday - Monday

Sep 19, 2025 - Sep 22, 2025
$1785 $1428

Operator discount: -$357

Monday - Thursday

Sep 22, 2025 - Sep 25, 2025
$1785 $1428

Operator discount: -$357

Friday - Monday

Sep 26, 2025 - Sep 29, 2025
$1785 $1428

Operator discount: -$357

Monday - Thursday

Sep 29, 2025 - Oct 02, 2025
$1785 $1428

Operator discount: -$357

Friday - Monday

Oct 03, 2025 - Oct 06, 2025
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Monday - Thursday

Oct 06, 2025 - Oct 09, 2025
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Friday - Monday

Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 13, 2025
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Monday - Thursday

Oct 13, 2025 - Oct 16, 2025
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Friday - Monday

Oct 17, 2025 - Oct 20, 2025
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Monday - Thursday

Oct 20, 2025 - Oct 23, 2025
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Friday - Monday

Oct 24, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Monday - Thursday

Oct 27, 2025 - Oct 30, 2025
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Friday - Monday

Oct 31, 2025 - Nov 03, 2025
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Monday - Thursday

Mar 16, 2026 - Mar 19, 2026
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Friday - Monday

Mar 20, 2026 - Mar 23, 2026
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Monday - Thursday

Mar 23, 2026 - Mar 26, 2026
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Friday - Monday

Mar 27, 2026 - Mar 30, 2026
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Monday - Thursday

Mar 30, 2026 - Apr 02, 2026
$1675 $1340

Operator discount: -$335

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.