Your home in the Highlands
The west Highlands are whisky country, and some of Scotland's best-loved distilleries are within a drive of the door, from the Classic Malts to the island stills. Here are the ones worth the journey, and a dram or two closer to home.
Whisky takes its name from the Gaelic uisge beatha, the water of life. A single malt comes from one distillery and is made only from malted barley; a blend brings together whiskies from several. The west coast and its islands have been distilling for a very long time.
A dram or two
Distilleries to visit
Roughly nearest first, from Oban and Fort William to the islands.
Oban Distillery
Right in the middle of Oban on Stafford Street, and one of the original Six Classic Malts of Scotland. The tour walks you through the whole process, with a dram at the end and a bottle to carry home. It is popular, so book ahead in season.
Ben Nevis Distillery, Fort William
On the edge of Fort William, and one of Scotland's oldest, founded in 1825. You are met by the two resident Highland cows, Ben and Nevis, and inside there are good displays, plenty of drams to try and a little cafe that does a fine bowl of soup and home baking.
Dalwhinnie
Head north past Fort William to Dalwhinnie, one of the highest distilleries in Scotland and another of the Classic Malts, known for its gentle, honeyed whisky. A lovely drive up through the hills to reach it.
Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Beside the marina on Tobermory's famously colourful waterfront, a fine stop on a day out to Mull. MacGochans bar is close by for a bite afterwards, and there is always a bottle to take home, if it survives the ferry.
Glenturret, Crieff
About an hour and a half away, but Scotland's oldest working distillery, tracing its story back to 1763, is worth the trip. The tours are genuinely good fun, and Crieff itself is full of independent shops and good coffee.
And if you would rather not drive, the Captain's Bar at the neighbouring Holly Tree Hotel keeps a good shelf of malts and gins, so you can taste your way around the west coast without leaving Kentallen.