This tour incorporates the Edradour, Blair Athol, Aberfeldy, Glenturret, Tullibardine and Deanston distilleries.

Our Perth and Kinross tour takes you gently down towards the central belt. Beginning in beautiful Pitlochry, this tour is a wonderful way to get a taste of the Scottish countryside, without moving so far off the beaten track that civilisation is just a memory.

Pitlochry is home to both the Edradour and Blair Athol distilleries, a six-minute drive apart (take a look at Blair Athol's dedicated page for a full list of their tours, including their Allt Dour Tour, with three drams from their Whisky Treasure Trove). We’ve recommended 6 days for the Perth and Kinross tour for a distillery a day, but it’d be easy to fit these two distilleries into one day if you’re pressed for time.

Pitlochry Dam, Power Station and Fish Ladder

A what now? A Fish. Ladder. Riiiiight, ok then. The first time we heard this (at the age of 10) we drastically underestimated the agility of fish, but the Pitlochry Dam proved us wrong. The fish in question are, of course, salmon, who make their way up the fish ladder – the same way they would normally swim upstream – to return to breed in the rivers they were hatched. Without the ladder they’d never get past the dam, so the ladder’s 34 tiered pools help them on their way. And that’s ‘just’ the ladder – there’s also a visitor centre to tell you about the hydro electricity generated and the dam’s heritage, which began construction in 1947.

Queen’s View

Pitlochry’s also home to the Queen’s View, which isn’t bad we suppose, if you like jaw dropping, heart stopping, feet stumbling, incredible views. And it sits 800m away from the Allean Forrest, home to an ancient Pictish fort and part of Perthshire’s Big Tree Country. We’re a bit of a fan of big trees at Distillery Tours – picnic and a hipflask anyone?

Queen's View from Pitlochry

Moving on from Pitlochry, the next distillery is the Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery – check out their dedicated page for more information on the different tours they run, including their Whisky and Chocolate tour, yum.

Abefeldy Watermill

Honestly, anyone would think we get a lot of rain in Scotland. The Aberfeldy Watermill is no longer a working mill, but is a lovely stop on your journey for lunch, a peruse of their fantastic book shop or a walk round their art gallery. Check the website for details of any events they have coming up – upcoming exhibitions, book readings and signings, launches and music nights happen all year round.

The Hermitage

Heading south, the next stop is the Glenturret Distillery - check out their dedicated page for more information on the different tours they run, including their 'Perfect Day' tour. On the way down the A9, stop at The Hermitage – a lovely chance to stretch your legs, walk through the forest to the Black Linn Falls and Ossian’s Hall – a folly built in 1757.

The Hermitage

White Water Rafting

If you’ve not tried it, white water rafting is loads of fun and a good way to get in touch with your inner adrenaline junkie. Don’t worry about the inevitable ‘how on earth will I fit into this wetsuit?’ as your fellow boaters will all, literally, be in the same boat. Nae Limits offer rafting on the rivers Tay and Tummel, as well as Tubing, Gorge Walking, Cliff Jumping and Canyoning – and even land-based activities too!

Scone Palace

The British like their scones, and we’re no exception. Unfortunately, Scone Palace is not a palace made from scones – we know – the disappointment!! Never mind, instead they have an actual palace to walk round, with a collection of unique treasures including furniture, clocks, ivories and porcelain, some of which were carved in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries in elephant and walrus tusk – not something you see every day. But the real jewel in Scone Palace’s crown is its gardens, with the family friendly, albeit slightly worrying, Murray Star Maze. Ever been lost in a maze? Kind of fun, kind of scary - enjoy!

Murray Star Maze, Scone Palace

Gleneagles

Heading south again to the Tullibardine Distillery (take a look at their dedicated page to hear more about their delicious Chocolate and Whisky Tour), the Gleneagles Hotel is on your way. It’s a five-star hotel so is obviously a lovely place to stay, but they also offer golf, shooting, archery, fishing, riding, tennis, falconry and more. If five-star accommodation is a little out of your budget, we still recommend digging deep for lunch, dinner or drinks in the Hotel’s numerous bars and restaurants, and especially their al-fresco whisky and cigar bar – The Blue Bar – which sits at the 18th hole of the The King’s and The Queen’s golf courses; as well as the incredibly well-stocked Century Bar, with more than 140 whiskies, and the American Bar, with more than 40.

Blair Drummond Safari Park

Our final distillery is the Deanston Distillery near Doune. A short drive south takes you to Blair Drummond Safari Park, where even the most seasoned safari park attendee will be delighted with the Sea Lion Presentation – don’t miss it. In addition to traditional animal favourites such as giraffes, bison, lions, elephants, zebra and rhinos, there’s also boat trips, bird of prey displays, fun fair, an adventure playground and face painting. If you’ve got kids of a certain age, face painting is really all they want and the rest is just a bonus!

Accommodation

Gleneagles, mentioned above, is an expensive but incredibly luxurious option. Not mentioned above is their spa, health club and hair and beauty lodge – worth a visit if you’re feeling the effects of nearly a week’s whisky tour. If glamping is more your style, check out the Kennacoil Glamping Pods just down the road from The Hermitage. The Mains of Taymouth near Aberfeldy is delightfully dog friendly and includes a riding stables, golf course, restaurant, delicatessen and shop, and offers a real mixture of accommodation, all of a high standard. Further north is the Ivybank Lodge in Blairgowrie, offering traditional bed and breakfast in a welcoming and magnificently restored, stone built, Victorian villa.