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East Africa Single Malt Club
Whisky Tour 2011
Personal Guided Tour
The partner Company in Scotland which we have chosen specialises in personal guided tours of Scotland, so we can be assured of personal attention at all times. We will be able to stop and take pictures and have lunch when we want at the many places that our guide will recommend along the way. From the moment we are collected we will be able to fine-tune our tour to suit our requirements. We have already mapped out an itinerary with the guide to ensure that you see the areas of Scotland we have already requested.
ISLAY & West Coast
Day 1 - Sunday, 15th May 2011
10.00Depart Nairobi on Virgin Atlantic
Depart Nairobi on Virgin Atlantic 16.25Arrive London
Arrive London19.15Depart London Heathrow – Flight BD12
Depart London Heathrow – Flight BD1220.45Arrive Glasgow, Scotland's largest city.
Arrive Glasgow, Scotland's largest city.We will be collected from the Airport on the 15th May 2011 and will be given a very warm Scottish welcome by our personal tour guide, a proud native Scot, who will be waiting to give us a truly memorable experience of the best Scotland has to offer. The wonderful scenery and colourful history will be brought to life whilst you relax in a comfortable mini-coach, thus ensuring that you don’t miss any of the highlights along the way. This gives us the ultimate "freedom" to explore Scotland
Overflowing with style and culture, Glasgow is a revelation to its growing number of visitors. Its blend of internationally-acclaimed museums and galleries, stunning architecture, vibrant nightlife, fabulous shopping and superlative wining and dining prove irresistible.
Accommodation in Glasgow will be located in Glasgow’s West End. The Hotel is a family run business renowned for its warm welcome and close proximity to a wealth of tourist attractions and unrivalled shopping opportunities. The Hotel has 22 well appointed en-suite rooms, free internet access and a 24 hour reception service. It offers exceptional service and excellent accommodation in the heart of Glasgow.
Overnight - Glasgow
Day 2 – Monday, 16th May
Depart Glasgow and travel north along the beautiful banks of Loch Lomond. A wonderfully scenic journey takes us to the picture postcard village of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne.
Continue onwards down the length of the Kintyre Peninsula to the small town of Campbeltown where we will visit Springbank Distillery, the oldest independent family owned distillery in Scotland.
In the afternoon we will travel to Kennacraig, situated in West Loch Tarbert where your ferry will take you over to the beautiful Island of Islay, our home for the next 3 nights of your Scottish holiday.
Our accommodation on Islay is a unique home from home. Perched high above the golden sands of Laggan Bay, your hotel is run with the warmth and informality that brings people back time and again. The minute you step through the door you‟ll be welcomed with friendliness and warmth and you‟ll find yourself unwinding right away. Built 250 years ago as a farmhouse, every room enjoys either a sea or mountain view and the natural beauty of the Island is around you at every moment.
All of the bedrooms have been recently refurbished to create a calm atmosphere in which you can relax. Spacious and full of light, they are all equipped with en-suite bathroom, television, direct dial telephone, tea & coffee-making facilities and those other comforts you need when you‟re away from home.
The Restaurant is a favourite with hotel guests, visitors and residents of the island and is an un-missable part of any trip to Islay. The reputation of the menu rests on a blend of fine local produce – including Islay beef and lamb, lobster, crab, scallops and prawns – and thoughtful preparation. After dinner you can move through to one of the cosy bars, the heart of the Hotel and start getting to know some of Islay‟s famous single malt whiskies.
Day 3 – Tuesday 17th May
Islay is the most southerly island of the Hebrides archipelago and its green, barren landscape is world- renowned for its smoky, single-malt whiskies. With seven distilleries all running guided tours and pumping out thousands of gallons each year, a visit to the Island will give you ample chance to taste it.
for its smoky, single-malt whiskies. With seven distilleries all running guided tours and pumping out thousands of gallons each year, a visit to the Island will give you ample chance to taste it. In the morning we visit the Bowmore Distillery, which is located on the shores of Loch Indaal and has been in operation since 1779 – it has a great visitors centre and offers regular guided tours. As with the majority of distillery tours on the island the admission charge includes a wee dram.
In the afternoon we travel north to the distilleries of Caol Ila and Bunnabhain
The whisky on Islay is world famous, and many would say it is also the worlds best. Its a characteristically strong whisky with a peaty and also sea-weedy flavour, although there are discernible differences in its several malts.
Day 4 – Wednesday, 18th May
While the majority may wish to visit more of the island’s distilleries today, others may prefer to explore the rest of the island.
1.Distilleries
DistilleriesWe travel south to find the whiskies for the true “aficionado” – the uncompromising malts of Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig. If time permits we travel back up the coast in the afternoon and visit the Bruichladdich distillery on the west of the Island.
2.Exploring the Island
Exploring the IslandIslay was the political centre of the Hebrides during Medieval times and the area was the Seat of the MacDonalds, the self-proclaimed “Lords of the Isles”. Most of the settlements to be found on the Island, however, date from the 19th century, when the whisky distilling industry really started to develop and prosper.
Besides whisky, Islay is also a wildlife watchers dream, with more than 250 recorded species of bird. It has a wild and spectacular coastline and some of the most immaculate and deserted beaches to explore and wander along.
If you travel southwest across the Island from Port Askaig you will find pretty Loch Finlaggan. In this loch, on two crannogs (artificial islands) was the seat of the lords of the Isles, descendants of the MacDonald Clan. There‟s a visitors centre nearby where you can learn more about the history of the Island and the MacDonalds.
Overnight - Islay
Day 5 – Thursday, 19th May
We take the morning ferry back over to Kennacraig and then travel up the West Coast to Oban, Scotlands most popular west coast holiday town and the unofficial „Gateway to the Isles. From here there are exceptionally fine views across the Firth of Lorn and the Sound of Mull to the Inner Hebrides.
In the afternoon we will see one of the classic malt whiskys being made and discover the secrets of the ancient art of distilling at the 5 star Oban Distillery and visitor attraction overlooking the sea.
Our accommodation in Oban enjoys a splendid location on the Oban seafront. From its superior vantage point it commands magnificent panoramas towards the town and the Islands of Kerrera, Lismore and Mull. Built in 1895 for John Stuart McCaig, a wealthy Oban banker who financed the construction of the famous local landmark known as McCaigs Tower (see photo on previous page) , the house exudes an air of opulence in keeping with its late Victorian origins.
Overnight Oban
Day 6 – Friday 20th May
We will now travel back to Glasgow by driving inland along the shores of Loch Awe.
From here we will turn south to rejoin the banks of Loch Lomond, renowned for its beauty and tranquility and offers picture postcard views around every corner.
Continue south along the shores of Loch Lomond and when we arrive into Balloch on the southern shores of the loch we may wish to stop here for a while in one of the cafes at Loch Lomond Shores, which is a principal gateway to Scotland‟s first National Park. It is one of Scotland‟s most spectacular visitor destinations combining the beautiful environment with an outstanding mixture of leisure and shopping experiences overlooking the majesty of Loch Lomond.
It is then a short journey to Glengoyne Distillery, the final distillery of your tour. Glengoyne is one of the leading premium malt whiskies in the world. An award winning malt, it's the product of an unconventional process, remarkable ingredients and the pride and passion of its people.
After visiting Glengoyne we will then travel back to Glasgow for your final night.
Overnight - Glasgow
Day 7 - Saturday, 21st May
In the morning we will arrange for a guided tour of Glasgow which will provide us with a great view of the city‟s many sights. The tour will travel past the Gothic Cathedral, the Riverside, the University, Gallery of Modern Art and the Botanic Gardens. The other highlights of this tour include the Merchant City, the city‟s main commercial district, the Georgian grandeur of Blythswood Square and the splendid Kelvingrove Art Gallery.
The tour will then take you to Glasgow Airport in time for your return flight home.
15.05Depart Glasgow
Depart Glasgow16.30Arrive London
Arrive London21.00Depart London – Virgin Atlantic
Depart London – Virgin AtlanticDay 8 – Sunday, 22nd May
07.50Arrive Nairobi
Arrive NairobiInformation Pack
We will include comprehensive details of your accommodation, ferry travel and tour guide in your Information Pack along with a full itinerary for your stay in Scotland.
Your Information Pack will also include:
• Route notes outlining your journey by day including directions to your accommodation
• A detailed road map of Scotland with our recommended route highlighted for you
• Information on the best pubs and restaurants to eat and drink in each evening
• Suggestions on additional places to visit each day
• Various leaflets and guidebooks to provide you with additional information on the places you will visit
Pricing
The price of the above itinerary is as follows:
USD 2,650 per person for those sharing a double or twin room and
USD 2,850 per person for those staying in a single room.
N.B. The overall package pricing assumes a minimum group size of 10 people.
Our package includes:
• Return Economy flight (Nairobi – London – Nairobi) on Virgin Atlantic
• Return Economy flight (London – Glasgow – London)on Mid Atlantic
• 6 nights accommodation to include breakfast in a variety of 4* Guest Houses or 3* Hotels
• Return ferry crossing from Kennacraig to Islay
• Comprehensive Information Pack containing travel guides and suggestions of additional places to see and visit
Lunch, Dinner and Beverages are not included and will be the responsibility of the individual travelers.
A deposit of USD250.00 per person will be required in order to secure our booking. The Balance will be due 6 weeks before our Tour
