It’s no surprise that in Gaelic, the word “whisky” loosely translates to “water of life”. This beloved spirit is an integral part of their cultural heritage. And while there is disagreement on whether whisky was invented in Ireland or Scotland, everyone agrees that the two countries offer their own unique, yet equally satisfying, styles of the spirit.
If you want to discuss the ins and outs of Scottish whisky distilling, what better place to do it than aboard one of European Waterways’ luxury barges. Choose between the 8-passenger Scottish Highlander and the 12-passenger Spirit of Scotland. Both vessels cruise the Caledonian Canal of the Scottish Highlands between Muirtown and Banavie. Have we mentioned that these are Whisky Trail Cruises? Each voyage visits at least three Scottish distilleries. And the bar on each barge offers more than 20 single malts. Its a whisky lover’s dream! The 6-night, all-inclusive voyages offer ample time to discuss the finer points of the beloved spirit while enjoying fabulous meals and daily trips.
Whisky Trail Cruises
European Waterways’ Whisky Trail Cruises on the Spirit of Scotland and the Scottish Highlander feature a special itinerary tailored to whisky enthusiasts. They include private guided tours that reveal the unique production processes behind the various single malts, followed by tasting classes. Among the destinations is the Dalwhinnie distillery, known for its exclusive bottling and single malts. Nestled in the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains, at an elevation of 1,164 feet above sea level, it is also the highest distillery in Scotland.
Guests also visit the Tomatin distillery 25 minutes south of Inverness, as well as the Glen Ord distillery on the Black Isle. Founded by Thomas Mackenzie in 1838, Glen Ord is one of the few in Scotland with onsite maltings. The Speyside Benromach distillery, a family-owned business for more than 100 years, is also on the itinerary.
Whisky Trail Cruises can be chartered at any time of the season and are not subject to a supplement. In addition to the distillery tours, they feature excursions to historic castles and, of course, spectacular Highland vistas and memorable crossings of famous lochs that include the home of “Nessie”. Check the website for pricing and further details.
