The routes: plan your trip
The A9
In order to appreciate the beer, gin and whisky along the way obviously it would be beneficial if you had a designated driver but if not, then the vast majority of locations offer drivers kits so you can appreciate the samples once you get home. The most obvious way of travelling is by car but there is no reason why you could not do it by bike, motorcycle or if you put your mind to it, by public transport. Between Inverness and Thurso ( journey time four hours) the train stops at 22 stations, so plenty of opportunities to get on and off at say Tain to visit Glenmorangie or alight at Brora to visit Clynelish. It would take some organising but this railway has some of the most stunning views, so well worth it.
It is essential when visiting any of the below locations that you visit the appropriate website and book a tour in advance because in high season turning up without making a booking could lead to disappointment. The route has been split into two stages :
Stirling to Inverness (150 miles)
Allanwater Brewhouse, allanwaterbrewhouse.co.uk
A range of 30 cask and keg beers and, unusually, produces its own craft ciders as well.
Stirling Gin, stirlinggin.co.uk Attend their gin school where over two hours you will learn the history of Scottish gin and make some of your own, or you can take one of the three other tours on offer.
Tullibardine, tullibardine.com
‘A drop of pure Highland Gold’ and if you like whisky pairing then enjoy their whisky and chocolate tour at £25 per person.
Moulin Brewery, moulinhotel. co.uk
Opened in the former coach house and stables of the Moulin Hotel with a sister pub, the Bothy Bar in Blair Atholl.
Edradou, edradour.com
One of the most picturesque distilleries in Scotland.
Blair Atholl, malts.com
The home of Bell’s blended whisky.
Dalwhinnie, malts.com
One of Scotland’s highest distilleries at 355m and another one easily visited if travelling by train.
Speyside, speysidedistillery.com Must be booked well in advance and very limited opening times but set in the most beautiful surround of Glen Tromie.
Tomatin, tomatin.com
You’ve very nearly reached Inverness but this is a must and only five minutes off the A9.
Other places of interest
Morrison & Mackay, www.mandmwhisky
Producers of whisky-based liqueurs and independent bottlers.
Adjacent Taste Perthshire, tasteofperthshire.co.uk Restaurant and deli.
Killiecrankie visitor centre, nts.org.uk
Interprets the battle of Killiecrankie really well.
Blair Castle, blair-castle.co.uk Ancestral home of the Murray Clan, Dukes of Atholl and one of the most impressive castles in Scotland.
House of Bruar, houseofbruar. com
Scottish country clothing specialist with food hall and deli.
Inverness to Thurso via Wick (130 miles)
Black Isle Brewery, blackislebrewery.com
Scotland’s only organic brewery and offers accommodation either in the adjacent farmhouse or try the shepherd’s hut.
Dalmore, thedalmore.com Traditionally once noted for blended whisky but now recognised as a very special single malt.
Glenmorangie, glenmorangie.com
With the tallest stills in Scotland, make sure you taste the Original 10 Years Old 40% ABV.
Balblair, balblair.com
A fascinating Time Capsule room where visitors can experience the sight and sounds of the distillery’s history.
Dornoch, thompsonbrosdistillers.com
Head for the Dornoch Castle Hotel and make sure you enjoy a dram from the vast selection of rare and unique whiskies.
Clynelish, malts.com
If you are ever thinking of putting a blended whisky together, Clynelish is a superb start.
Take a slight deviation and on to the A99 towards Wick
Old Pulteney, oldpulteney.com
Wolfburn, wolfburn.com
The end of the road at Scotland’s most northerly distillery but make absolutely sure you book first.
If you’ve reached this far you have to make the trip over to Orkney and appreciate:
Scapa Distillery, scapawhisky.com Highland Park Distillery, highlandparkwhisky.com
The Orkney Brewery, orkneybrewery.com Deerness Distillery, deernessdistillery.com Orkney Distilling Company, orkneydistilling.com Orkney Wine Company, orkneywine.co.uk
Other places of interest
Dornoch, visitdornoch.com
Just a great town to visit and make sure you go to the beach with stunning views over Dornoch Firth.
Dunrobin Castle, dunrobin.co.uk Family seat of Earl of Sutherland, stunning French Renaissance-style stately home
Wick Heritage Centre, wickheritage.org
A fascinating insight into Wick’s former role as the herring capital of Europe.
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