This tour incorporates the Isle of Arran, Lagg, Springbank, Glengyle Kilkerran and Glen Scotia distilleries.

Start your journey in Ayrshire and catch the ferry from Ardrossan over to Brodick on Arran. Travel south to the Lagg Distillery in the south of Arran, then north to their sister distillery the Isle of Arran Distillery at the north tip, then catch another ferry over to Claonaig on Kintyre. Enjoy the stunning scenery as you make your way down either coast of Kintyre to Campbeltown, then do the full loop and catch the Campbeltown-Ardrossan ferry home.

Culzean Castle

As children, us folks at DistilleryTours spent many a happy afternoon mucking around at Culzean Castle, but there’s plenty for adults too. Their 260-hectare estate includes stunning gardens, woodland walks, miles of sandy coastline dotted with caves, a swan pond, an ice house, fruit-filled glasshouses and a deer park filled with deer, llamas and Highland cows. The castle itself is home to an impressive cache of historical weapons, as well as the architect Robert Adam’s Oval Staircase. And if that wasn’t enough, Culzean Castle sits overlooking the Ayrshire coast so there’s incredible views from inside and out.

Culzean Castle, Maybole

Robert Burns

Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns lived from 1759 to 1796 and created hundreds of poems and songs, now celebrated on his birthday – 25 January – with Burn’s Night. Ayrshire is his birthplace and the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is a collection of sites where he spent time and which inspired his poems. Tam O’Shanter is a personal favourite here, so the Auld Brig, otherwise known as ‘Brig o’ Doon’ (the bridge over the Doon River) is a must see, but all the sites are evocative and a fascinating insight into Burns’ life.

Brig O' Doon

Craft Town

Heading off on a slight detour north of Ardrossan, West Kilbride is Scotland’s Craft Town which mostly centres around The Barony Centre, a converted church to art exhibition space, shop and café. This is a good chance to see locally made art, jewellery, ceramics and other crafts, as well as attend talks and classes.

Goat Fell

Heading over to Arran on the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick, we recommend bringing your walking boots and taking a walk up through town towards Goat Fell. Standing at 2,866ft, the mountain is not for the faint hearted, but the walk on the way and the views from the top are a fantastic reward – just make sure you choose a clear day and take clothes for all weathers, the walk to the top and back takes around five hours.

Goat Fell Waterfall

Machrihanish Dunes

After visiting the Lagg Distillery in the south of the island and the Isle of Arran Distillery in the north, catch the ferry to Claonaig on the Kintyre Peninsula and, if you’re a golf fan, drive south down the west coast of Kintyre to the world’s most natural golf course, Machrihanish Dunes. Machrihanish is the only course ever created on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), meaning that of the 259 acres on which the course sits, only seven were disturbed during the construction of the course – only the tees and greens were shaped. The dramatic backdrop of the Atlantic will provide you with thunderous applause on every swing of the golf club.

Accommodation

The Western House Hotel in Ayr, on the edge of Ayr Racecourse, is a four star hotel and restaurant with outstanding service. Moving up the coast, the Seamill Hydro sits on the beach – a lovely hotel with restaurant, spa and beautiful views out to Arran, the beach is so close you can take an amble while you’re waiting for dessert. On the Isle of Arran, the Douglas Hotel is five minutes from the ferry terminal in Brodick – well-designed and well-cared for, the hotel has also a good bistro restaurant and a friendly bar. Saddell Castle on the west coast of Kintyre sleeps 8 people and has breath-taking views out across the Kilbrannan Sound to the Arran. With no phone reception and no TV, this really is the epitome of getting away from it all. In Campbeltown, the Craigard House Hotel is really welcoming and offers a friendly and informal stay with sea views in many of its rooms.