Menu
£920
£960
£1000
2 days
8 hours / day
Obtain quote
Includes:
Ferry – Kennacraig to Port Ellen
Ferry – Port Askaig to Kennacraig
Accommodation supplement for guide
Complimentary Whisky
Complimentary Snacks
Excludes:
Distillery Tours
All meals
Accommodation
Please visit FAQ for more information
Oban to Kennacraig – (1.40 hours)
Kennacraig to Port Ellen – (2.20 hours)
Islay
Islay is a fertile island and has attracted visitors from at least as early as 8000 BC. By 800 AD the Vikings arrived on Islay as it lay on their sea trading route between their homeland and settlements on the Isle of Man and Ireland. Initially as raiders, the Vikings began to settle, marrying into local families who became known as Gael-Gall. The potato famine in 1840 saw many immigrate to places like New Zealand. It is believed that Irish monks in the 14th century were the first to recognise that Islay was ideal for the production of whisky – Uisge Beathe, (water of life). The supply of peat, the pure soft water from the rivers and lochs and ‘bere’ the fore-runner for barley were all here in abundance.
Tour Choices
Select 2 distilleries of your personal choice. Most distilleries offer a range of tour options and prices vary. Therefore the entry fee has not been factored into the tour costs. Clients can either pay on access to the distillery or have it added to the overall tour cost.
Ardbeg / Bowmore / Bruichladdich / Bunnahabhain / Caol Ila / Kilchoman / a range / Laphroaig
Overnight in Bowmore.
Port Ellen ferry to Kennacraig 0910 hrs (2.20 hours)
Dunadd
Dunadd was originally an Iron Age hillfort that dominates a raised rocky outcrop. Standing proudly above the Moine Mhor (the great moss) Dunadd became the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dal Riata between AD 500 and AD900. This was one of the most important places of its time with a buoyant crafts industry and strong trading activities across Europe. It was thought that kings were anointed here. The original Scots were migrants from Ireland who settled across Argyll in ever greater numbers. They were known as Gaels because they share the common language of Gaelic. The Latin speaking fraternity in the south referred to them as Scoti, thought to be a derogatory term that scribed them as pirates.
Kilmartin Glen
Stroll through the glen and explore ancient burial mounds and standing stones. The area is one of the richest concentrations of prehistoric monuments and historical sites in Scotland. Over 5000 years of human existence stretches across this ancient valley. It contains over 350 monuments within a 6-mile radius with 150 being prehistoric. The monuments include: chambered cairns, round cairns, cists, standing stones and rock carvings. The inhabitants of this area in Scotland pre-date the pyramids and they constructed unique linear cemeteries at Nether Largie South and stone circles at Templewood.
Nestled beneath the steep cliffs that overlook Oban, the distillery is one of the oldest and one of the smallest with only 2 pot stills. Established in 1794, it was built before the town sprung up around the craggy harbour. The whisky is described as having a ‘West Highland’ flavour that falls between the dry smoky style of the Scottish islands and the lighter, sweeter malts of the highlands.