Scottish Whiskey & Wildlife

Day One: Arrival

We journey north to Scotland and to The Grant Arms Hotel, checking in before our first evenings included dinner.

Day Two

We begin our day with a visit to the Culloden Visitor Centre, which tells the story of the 1746 Battle of Culloden. The richly researched, stimulating and sensitive centre, which stands beside the battlefield, is both a monument and a guide. In the afternoon, we board the Dolphin Spirit Boat for a 2 hour wildlife cruise between the Beauly Firth and Inverness Firth. Our guide will provide commentary, and we may see otters, seals, red kites, ospreys, herons and the resident bottlenose dolphins!

Day Three

This morning we visit Ballindalloch Castle. The castle remains first and foremost a beloved family residence, and there are plenty of personal heirlooms and memorabilia belonging to the current occupants scattered amongst the general finery. Highlights include a fine collection of 17th-century Spanish paintings, one of the finest country house libraries in all of Scotland, the grand dining room with its magnificent fireplace, the vaulted hall and the delightful nursery with its antique toys. In the afternoon, we visit Glen Moray distillery for a guided tour and tasting. Well over a century old, the distillery nestles on the banks of the River Lossie in the city of Elgin, the capital of Speyside, and has gone from strength to strength, now producing 2 million litres each year in a variety of casks, each producing its own unique flavour.

Day Four

Our day begins with a visit to the Highland Wildlife Park, a 105-hectare safari park in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. There are both drive-through and walk-round areas to explore with over 200 animals to spot, including native Scottish species and rare and endangered animals from around the world. We keep our eyes peeled for Scottish wildcats, snow leopards, Amur tigers, Japanese macaques and Scotland's only polar bears. We spend the rest of the day at leisure in Aviemore with free time to explore this popular Cairngorms resort, famous for its winter sports and hill-walking.

Day Five

After breakfast, we journey home.