Planning a trip through the Scottish Highlands is exciting, but choosing which whisky distilleries to visit can be hard. Each one has its own character, style, setting, and history.
The Scottish Highlands are home to some of the best and most famous whisky distilleries. A visit can turn a simple day trip into a day filled with history, scenery, and memorable stories. You can travel through some of Scotland’s most beautiful areas, see how whisky is made, and learn how each distillery got its start.
This guide gives you an overview of six distilleries, where they are, and how to plan your trip. It also helps you learn about the different places to visit before you set out.
Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie is in Tain, near the Dornoch Firth. It started in 1843 and is known for its tall copper stills.
Our guided tours take you through each step of the whisky-making process, from grain to cask. Tain is also a great place to start exploring northern Scotland, with many beautiful places to see nearby. Glenmorangie is a friendly and easy place to visit if it’s your first time at a distillery.
The Oban Distillery
The Oban Distillery is located in the centre of Oban on the west coast. After your tour, you can easily walk to the harbour and explore the town. It’s a good stop if you’re travelling through the Western Highlands. It also shows how some of the best whisky distilleries in the Scottish Highlands sit right in the middle of busy towns.
Dalmore Distillery
Dalmore is close to Inverness and sits beside the Cromarty Firth. The water views are a big part of the visit, so you can enjoy the scenery as you explore the area.
Private tours tell the distillery’s story and explain how it makes its whisky. Tour spaces are limited, so check the website for the latest booking details before you go. If you enjoy history and coastal views, Dalmore can be a great stop on a Scottish Highland trip.
Balblair Distillery
Balblair is in Edderton, near Tain, and dates back to 1790. You can see its old warehouses and buildings during your visit.
The tours explain how whisky is made and share stories about the people behind the distillery. It’s a quiet place, so it can be a nice stop if you want some time away from busy areas. You can also visit places near Tain and Dornoch to make a full day in the northern Highlands.
Glen Ord Distillery
You can get to Glen Ord from Inverness quickly by car. It’s on the Black Isle, so it’s simple to reach from the city. The Black Isle has peaceful countryside, small towns, and coastal views. A stop at Glen Ord lets you learn how whisky is made and see a quieter side of the Highlands. If you want to visit whisky distilleries in the Scottish Highlands, Glen Ord is a good choice for a route that starts in Inverness.
Tomatin Distillery
Tomatin is south of Inverness and is a nice place to visit for the day. You can learn how the distillery works and how whisky is made. You can also visit other Highland sites nearby to keep your day interesting without driving too far.
How to Choose a Distillery in the Highlands for Your Trip
Plan your visits around your route.
- Near Inverness: Check out Tomatin and Glen Ord.
- Northern Scotland: Balblair and Glenmorangie work well on the same trip.
- Near the Cromarty Firth: Add Dalmore to your route.
Time is important too. You can visit one or two distilleries per day because a guided tour can last up to a few hours. This also leaves time for castles, lochs, and lookouts.
Visiting Two Distilleries in One Day?
Yes, you can visit two distilleries in one day if they are close to each other. Check the tour times first, then plan your route between the two stops.
Highland roads can take longer than they look on a map. Leave enough time for photo stops, lunch, and village walks. A simple plan gives you enough time at each distillery.
If you have many places to see, spread your visits across several days. This can also help you avoid busy times.
What Do You Do When You Visit a Whisky Distillery?
Most visits include a guided walk through the production area. You might learn about storage, stills, casks, and ingredients. At the end of some tours, visitors who meet the legal age requirement can join a tasting.
You don’t need to know anything about whisky before you go. Guides explain each step and answer your questions along the way.
Check each distillery’s timing before you go. Check opening times, tour times, and booking details before reading about notable Highland whiskies.
Making Plans for a Whisky Trip From Invergordon
Many cruise ship passengers stop in Invergordon on their way to the Highlands. A distillery visit can fill a day, since several are close to the port.
Start with your ship’s schedule. Plan your route so you have enough time to get back to the port before departure.
A guided Invergordon whisky tour handles the driving and timing so that you can take in the views along the way. If you want to take a specific cruise, book early.
Why Should You Visit Highland Whisky Distilleries?
Visiting a distillery lets you learn about Scottish whisky and where it is made. Many are tucked away among hills, rivers, firths, and small towns.
Distillery old buildings hold stories too. Some have stood in the same places for hundreds of years.
History, local culture, beautiful scenery, and craft come together at the best Highland whisky distilleries.
Use this list of Highland whisky distilleries to find more places to visit on your trip.
Want to learn about whisky styles and names before you go? Read about some of the best ones and make a list of your favourite Highland whiskies before planning your multi-day trips.
Are You Ready to Plan Your Trip to the Highlands?
This is a simple plan: Pick one or two distilleries from this list. Check the tour times and book your spot early. Between visits, add a stop with lovely views. You can avoid driving by booking a ride or a guided tour. Some tours fill up quickly during busy times, so book as soon as you know when you want to go.
Conclusion
You don’t need to visit every distillery in the Scottish Highlands to have a memorable whisky trip. The Scottish Highlands cover a large area, so picking a few distilleries near your route can save driving time and leave room for other places.
Glenmorangie is a great stop near Tain and works well for a northern Highlands route. Dalmore sits beside the Cromarty Firth, offering water views during your visit. Balblair is near Edderton and gives you a quieter stop in the northern Highlands.
Glen Ord works well if your route starts near Inverness and heads toward the Black Isle. Tomatin is south of Inverness and can be a useful stop when visiting Loch Ness and other nearby Highland sights. On the west coast, the Oban Distillery is located in the centre of Oban, close to the harbour and other attractions in town.
The best plan is to choose distilleries that fit the rest of your day. Leave enough time for guided tours, driving, photo stops, lunch, castles, lochs, villages, and viewpoints. Checking tour times before you set out can also help you avoid rushing from one place to another.
Go Highlands Tour can plan a route that includes castles, lochs, villages, scenic stops, and Highland whisky distilleries. Send us your dates for your Highland whisky day today and start planning your route.
FAQs
Q1. Where in the Scottish Highlands are the best places to make whisky?
Ans: Glenmorangie, Dalmore, Balblair, Glen Ord, Tomatin, and Oban are all excellent places to visit. Pick distilleries based on your route, tour times, and how much time you have.
Q2. Which Highland distillery is a great choice for people who have never visited one before?
Glenmorangie is a great first stop. Its guided tours explain the distillery’s history and show how whisky is made.
Q3. What distilleries are close to Inverness?
Ans: Glen Ord is on the Black Isle, a short drive from Inverness. Tomatin is south of Inverness and also works well for a day trip from the city. Dalmore is farther north, near the Cromarty Firth.
Q4. What makes Dalmore unique?
Ans: Dalmore sits beside the Cromarty Firth and has a long history. Its private experiences give visitors a closer look at the distillery and how it makes its whisky.
Q5. Can I go to Balblair on a trip to the northern Highlands?
Ans: Yes. Balblair is in Edderton, close to Tain, so it works well with other stops in the area. You can also visit places around Tain and Dornoch during the same day.
Q6. Can people on cruises go to distilleries from Invergordon?
Ans: Yes. Invergordon is a popular cruise stop, and several Highland distilleries are within reach of the port. Check tour times before you go and leave enough time to return to the ship before departure. Booking your tour early can also help secure your preferred time.