About Us
The Hebridean Whisky Trail was launched by Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association in August 2018. The Hebridean Whisky Trail offers visitors an opportunity to experience the rich culture, provenance and landscape of four of Scotland’s Hebridean Islands: Harris, Raasay, Skye and Jura whilst visiting five very different Scotch Whisky distilleries. The trail has been designed with intrepid whisky wanderers in mind, connecting five island distilleries through one spectacular 300-mile route. The five distilleries are:
– The Isle of Raasay Distillery
– The Isle of Harris Distillery
– Torabhaig Distillery
– Talisker Distillery
– Jura Distillery
Set amidst some of Scotland’s most scenic sea and mountain locations, each distillery has its own character and atmosphere. From the oldest, Talisker, founded in 1830, to the youngest, Isle of Raasay which began production in 2017, all five have unique stories to tell and distinctive approaches to the craft of making whisky. The Hebridean Whisky Trail can be travelled and enjoyed by road and by sea, with ferry routes for foot and car travellers, as well as yacht berthing facilities near each distillery. Each distillery offers guided tours and tastings which cater for all levels of whisky knowledge, from the curious to the connoisseur. Distillery tour guides share their local knowledge of the area’s geography, community and whisky history.
The trail offers visitors a variety of outdoor experiences throughout their journey as the route includes many of the must-see locations on Skye, Raasay, Harris and Jura from the white sandy beaches of Harris to the grandeur of the Cuillins on Skye to the iconic Paps of Jura.
Karen Betts, CEO of Scotch Whisky Association: “Newcomers to Scotch Whisky and aficionados alike can enjoy visiting these uniquely island distilleries, each offering something quite different in terms of heritage, location and, of course, Scotch. What the distilleries on the trail have been unable to agree on is whose is the best whisky and whose distillery has the most spectacular view – that is now for each visitor to decide.” “I’m sure visitors to our new Hebridean whisky trail will find the combination of beautiful landscapes, a friendly welcome and outstanding whisky a uniquely memorable experience.”
