North Whisky Tour: To Highland Malt Whisky Trail +Dunrobin Castle

The original Clynelish distillery was built in 1819, adjacent to the present Clynelish distillery, which was built in 1967. When Clynelish first started distilling in the years 1820-1822, they were producing around 54,000 litres per year. Over the years the distillery passed from owner to owner, until the distillery expanded around 1896, and production was increased to around 580,000 litres. Clynelish has had a strong connection with Johnnie Walker blended whisky for many years. Around 95% of the spirit is used in Johnnie Walker, most commonly found in the Gold Label Reserve.
A proper tour around the distillery followed by some tasting’s to be had here at Clynelish.

Dunrobin Castle is a stately home in Sutherland, in the Highland area of Scotland, as well as the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland, Chief of the Clan Sutherland. The décor inside the castle is truly outstanding. Their museum displays a vast collection of the trophy heads of animals shot by family members on safari, ethnographic items from around the world and an important collection of archaeological artefacts. The museum retains its Victorian-Edwardian arrangement and is housed in an 18th-century summerhouse adjoining the formal gardens. The garden also hosts a live Falcon show twice a day.

We stop in the old town of Dornoch for a spot of lunch before our next distillery where you can enjoy traditional British cuisine, tried and tested by ourselves. With plenty of time there is also the beautiful Dornoch Cathedral built in 1224 with amazing stained glass just across the road.

Originally opened in 1790 Balblair is a tourist favourite from a Victorian era. In 1911 the last batch of whisky was made which would last the distillery until 1932. However, in 1939 the distillery was closed and the next occupants in the distillery were the Norwegian Army, after the buildings were commandeered by the British Army for the duration of the second world war, which would cause the distillery not to re-open until 1948.
You can explore the buildings, meet the makers, learn how they craft their malts and enjoy a taste or two of their whisky, from the very place it was born.

The earliest record of the production of alcohol at Morangie Farm is dated back to 1703. Glenmorangie, like all distilleries and breweries in Britain, suffered terribly between 1920 and 1950, with prohibition and then the great depression in the United States reducing whisky sales. The distillery was effectively mothballed between 1931 and 1936. Today it has become one of the most known whiskies around the world and produces around 10 million bottles per year.
Enjoy a tasting of their whiskies at this beautiful location sitting on the Dornoch firth.