This tour incorporates the Bladnoch, Annandale, The Borders, Galloway and Moffat distilleries.

Dumfries and Galloway is one of Scotland’s most scenic and underrated whisky regions. Your first stop on our tour is Bladnoch Distillery, the oldest whisky distillery in the Lowlands with over 200 years of history. Bladnoch offers a range of tour options including a Classic Tour with tastings and a more in-depth Spirited Tour with heritage insights and premium drams. The visitor centre and Cafe Melba make it an excellent place to linger for lunch and a dram, surrounded by the peaceful Galloway countryside.

From there, head towards Annandale Distillery in Annan, a beautifully restored historic site known for its single cask single malt whiskies. At Annandale you can take a Classic Tour that includes four tastings and insightful storytelling about the distillery’s history dating back to the 1830s. There are longer experiences like the 1836 Tour for whisky lovers who want a deeper dive. After your tour, unwind in The Maltings Café with light bites and local hospitality.

A short drive north will bring you to Galloway Distillery near Newton Stewart, a smaller craft distillery producing award-winning spirits and locally inspired whiskies. This is a great stop for a relaxed tasting and to pick up unique bottles to take home.

Next, travel east into the Scottish Borders to visit The Borders Distillery in Hawick. This distinctive distillery embraces its Border heritage and makes single malt Scotch whisky alongside gin and vodka. Tours here guide you through the production process with tastings in the distillery bar.

Make the most of your trip to the area by including visits to our suggestions below...

Caerlaverock Castle

If you like traditional Scottish castles, don’t miss Caerlaverock, around 30 minutes’ drive west of the Annandale Distillery. Caerlaverock (pronounced Ca-lav-er-rook) is a triangular castle, complete with particularly striking moat. Its proximity to England meant a turbulent history, caught up in border conflicts – this is apparent in the decimation of the south wall, but the castle is still an impressive structure with rooms and stairways a-plenty to explore. There’s also a welcoming castle tearoom open during the summer and at weekends in the winter.

The Globe Inn

The Globe Inn is said to be Robert Burns' favourite howff (that's Scots for pub or meeting place). Tour the rooms preserved as they would have been during the patronage of world-famous poet who ate, slept and held court at The Globe Inn in his remit as local Exciseman. Many original artefacts still remain and you can even sit in his chair and recite poetry where the bard once did himself.

You could also spend time visiting the pretty market town, Moffat, with its historic architecture and scenic views of the Southern Uplands, ideal for a meal or coffee before your next tasting. The scenic Galloway Forest Park is perfect for hikes or stargazing if your tour extends into the evening, and the historic towns of Annan and Hawick each have local museums and heritage sites to explore between drams.