Nowhere has an air of magic and mystery quite like the wilds of Scotland. Its great outdoors is inscribed with tales of the country’s storied past and supports many rare species and wild habitats. Heritage pervades through ancient landmarks, traditional music and age-old legends. And the Highlands and Islands produce some of the finest single malt whiskies in the world.
Journey to the “Queen of the Hebrides”, Islay, and experience – by land, air and sea – the elements of nature, culture and, of course, whisky, in the splendid seclusion of a private estate. Here, the naturally-pure water source, sea air and fertile lands produce whiskies for the true aficionado. Sample some of their rarest malts as you learn the art of the distiller directly from the master distiller himself.
Connect to nature under the expert guidance of local gamekeepers and an RSPB expert; Hand dive for scallops and fish creels for crab; Immerse in Scottish culture with the sporting traditions of links golf and loch fishing; Or witness the age-old skill of milling wool and playing the bagpipes.
Islay is sure to leave its mark and call you back, time and time again.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Sample rare whiskies and freshly-caught Islay oysters
- Hike across the glens of your private estate with the gamekeeper
- Be entertained by the iconic sounds of the bagpipes, hand dive for scallops, and enjoy a seafood banquet of the day’s fresh catch
- Explore the archipelago by RIB to see one of the largest colonies of grey seal in Europe
- Get an aerial view of the spectacular scenery on a paramotor flight with an award-winning pilot
- Go nature and bird watching with one of the RSPB’s wildlife managers
Need to Know
- Best time to travel: April to October
- Number of nights: Four
- For individuals, couples, families or small private groups
Islay offers the ultimate chance to immerse yourself in nature, tradition and history. Meet gamekeepers, wildlife experts, master distillers, pipers and fishermen, to uncover the rich tapestry of island life. And what better way to do it than with a dram of one of life’s greatest pleasures – whisky – in hand.
day one
- On arrival in Islay, be transferred to your private estate attended by your own chef, waiter and host
- Have a private visit to one of Islay’s eight working distilleries
- Enjoy a tasting of Islay’s distinctly smokey malts with the Stillman
- Sample Islay oysters before a chef-prepared meal
- Choose from a selection of rare whiskies for a digestif
day TWO
- Hike across the estate’s glens and mountains with the gamekeeper
- Have a hillside picnic in stunning surrounds
- Test your deadeye skills at clay-pigeon shooting
- Visit Islay Woollen Mill where tartan and tweed are often produced for the Hollywood film industry
- Savour cocktails and canapés accompanied by the sounds of the bagpipes
- Feast on a seafood banquet of fresh, locally-sourced produce
day THREE
- Explore the southern islands of the archipelago by RIB
- Watch the large colony of grey seal in their natural habitat
- Learn how to hand dive for scallops and fish lobster creels for a fresh-from-the-ocean lunch
- Meet the Master Distiller for a private viewing of Ardbeg Distillery
- Head to Machrie Links for a round of golf with the Atlantic coast as your backdrop
- Eat dinner in a Scottish bothy like the shepherds of yore
day FOUR
- Head to the north of the island to spot some of the
- 200 different species of bird found on the island , and
- discover Islay’s nature reserve with one of the RSPB’s specialist wildlife managers
- Take flight with a record-breaking paramotor pilot to get a bird’s-eye view of the diverse wildlife across the varied terrain
- Kayak-fish Islay’s vast coastline
- Experience the tradition of an overnight stay in a Scottish bothy cottage or luxury tipi
day FIVE
- There is the option to explore the island’s miles of unspoilt beaches on horseback this morning, before returning to the mainland for your onward journey home.