DAY 1

Morning

If you’re arriving during the summer, why not try the passenger ferry from Tayvallich? This will bring you straight to Craighouse at the footsteps of Jura Distillery. You’ll have about an hour to explore the village before the 12:00 tour of the distillery. Walk down to the Old Pier where one can find quality crafts in Camella Crafts and The Whisky Island Gallery & Studio.

Afternoon

If you bring your bike on the ferry, you can cycle out towards the Paps of Jura, maybe do a spot of hillwalking. If you’re on foot, Jura Boat Tours offers tours to various areas of outstanding natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife around the island’s shores, right from Craighouse. The tours take you to enjoy the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, raised beaches (remnants from the Ice Age), caves, lighthouses and more.

Paps of Jura

Accommodation and Dining:

The Jura Hotel is the perfect basecamp for which to explore the island. From the peaceful village of Craighouse and just a few steps away from the distillery, the Jura Hotel has breathtaking views across the water. The Hotel offers expertly prepared meals made with fresh ingredients served daily in the restaurant, pub and lounge bar. If you’re more of a B&B or self-catering kind, you’ll find a range from renovated bothies to 5-star estates available on our small island.

Transportation:

During the summer, the Jura Passenger Ferry operates from Tayvallich and drops you off at the pier at Craighouse, just steps away from the distillery.

Argyll and Bute Council provide a year-round passenger and car ferry from Port Askaig, Islay, to Jura. If you arrive on Islay via a CalMac ferry at Port Askaig, you’ll disembark right next to the 6 car ferry. It’s a short journey across, and tickets can be purchased at the port. To get to Islay, you’ll need to take a CalMac ferry or fly into Islay Airport. If you are coming on foot, you’ll need to arrange a taxi to take you the 8 miles into Craighouse.

Craighouse pier also offers 8 moorings with no charge for an overnight stay, for those sailing the Hebridean Whisky Trail.

Helpful tips:

 Jura Distillery is open weekdays, Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm. Tours book up quickly, so it’s best to book ahead of time to ensure a spot is available.

 The Isle of Jura website has useful suggestions on further itineraries.

DAY 2

Morning

After returning to Tayvallich, head up the road to Mallaig. From here you can take the CalMac ferry to Armadale, just minutes from Torabhaig Distillery. Torabhaig Distillery is housed in an old farm steading which has been lovingly restored. Visitors can take a guided distillery tour and enjoy a tutored tasting of Torabhaig Cnoc Na Moine – the third expression in a series of four which will take them to their 10-year-old release.

Afternoon

Just a further 5 minutes down the road is Isleornsay, where you can meet up with South Skye Sea Kayaks for a 2 hour beginner kayaking trip in single sit on top kayaks. Learn about Skye’s past, its wildlife and even a little Gaelic. Our guides will let you know all about this special area. The sit on top allows beginners to discover without fear, these kayaks are virtually unsinkable. For those who prefer to remain on land, head south for the walk to the Point of Sleat, where you’ll find a white sand beach, views to the Small Isles, and the chance for some amazing bird and marine wildlife watching.

Sea Kayaking

Accommodation and Dining:

The two nearest hotels are Toravaig House Hotel and Duisdale Hotel, the latter offering a full service restaurant and bar as well.

Transportation:

The CalMac Ferry from Armadale to Mallaig is a lovely adventure when coming up from Jura. However, if you have a car, it’s about the same length of time to drive up the A87 past photogenic Eilean Donan Castle to the Skye Bridge and cross over without the ferry.

DAY 3

Morning

From Sleat, your next stop is the Isle of Raasay. Only an hour and a half from Torabhaig including the ferry ride, this oft-overlooked part of the journey is a true hidden gem. Raasay is known for its breath-taking natural beauty, exaggerated landscapes, impressive geology, and an incredibly diverse ecosystem. For hillwalkers, there’s none better than Dun Caan, the Isle of Raasay’s flat-topped peak that sits like a fort watching over the island as its stories unfold. If you prefer a long walk with less elevation, consider walking out to Hallaig, once Raasay’s largest township before the Highland Clearances when ninety-four families (more than double the population of Raasay today) were cleared from the island. The grassy footpath takes you from Fearns as far as the cairn commemorating Sorley MacLean’s poem, Hallaig, which evokes the poignant history of the Hallaig township once filled with MacLean’s ancestors.

Afternoon

After your endorphins have had their excitement, return to the Isle of Raasay Distillery. Distillery tours are available 7 days a week, and the shop and onsite bar are open daily 10am-11pm. Raasay Distillery prides itself on being independent, not traditionalist but rather doing things their own way, always looking for ways to do better. Their fresh approach to whisky sets it apart from the other distilleries along the trail.

Dun Caan

Accommodation and Dining:

Here’s a rare treat! The Isle of Raasay Distillery offers accommodation in the distillery! Borodale House is part of the distillery and offers limited accommodation, so be sure to check ahead. They also offer restaurant dining, reservations are essential. If reservations aren’t available at the distillery, nearby Raasay House Hotel offers food, accommodation and local water activities as well.

Transportation:

The CalMac ferry from Sconser is a turn up and go ferry with no advance booking. It’s just a 25 minute ride across the water and offers some spectacular views of the Cuillins.

DAY 4

Morning

Hop the ferry back to the mainland, and from here you’re just a 20 minute drive to Talisker Distillery. On the way there, most visitors like to stop off and hike the Fairy Pools at Glenbrittle. For something a bit more adventurous, you can bag a munro in the Cuillins, a world famous mountain range on the Isle of Skye. The mountains can be approached from the Sligachan Hotel to the north or from Glenbrittle.

Afternoon

Get down to Carbost for an experience to excite your senses. Talisker offers traditional distillery tours, a multi-sensory tasting session taking you through the Talisker story, while your palate comes alive with three expressions of their single malt, and for those who want a hands-on experience, you can draw a dram from a cask, or fill your own bottle! Talisker’s tours are in demand, so be sure to book this one far in advance. If tours are filled up, they also offer a retail area and bar where you can purchase a flight for tasting.

The Fairy Pools

Accommodation and Dining:

Talisker offers a bar and restaurant seasonally, check at the retail area for details of opening hours. For those a bit peckish and wanting delicious fresh seafood, grab a bite to eat from the Oyster Shed only a few minutes behind Talisker. The Old Inn is a free house pub set on the shores of Loch Harport very near Talisker. Popular with locals as well as tourists and hill walkers, The Old Inn offers a warm highland welcome to all including dogs. Nearby Glenbrittle Campsite is an award-winning campsite and cafe. Alternatively, head back to the Sligachan Hotel, where rooms and campsites may be available.

Transportation:

From Raasay, take the CalMac ferry back to Sconser and continue along the road until you reach Sligachan. Turn left and follow the signs to Carbost / Talisker. Please obey road signs regarding the size of the vehicle which can go on the roads.

Helpful tips:

Skye is a very popular destination during the summer months, advance reservations are highly recommended for Talisker tours, accommodation including campsites, and even dining.

DAY 5

Morning

Take the early ferry from Uig on Skye to Harris, and you’ll be greeted with the site of the Isle of Harris Distillery as you disembark. Enjoy a tour and tastings of their gin and whisky, or pop into their onsite cafe for a cake. On the tour you’ll learn about their community focus, and how important the distillery is to the island.

Afternoon

Taking the circular drive along the island will take you down the Golden Road to see bays and rocky inlets along the east coast. Your goal is Northton, where you can indulge in one final walk,  a popular hill climb to Ceapabhal rewards the walker with stunning views over the beaches and nearby islands. After your walk, return to Tarbert up the west coast of the island to enjoy those iconic Caribbean-like white sandy beaches with turquoise waters, the perfect way to end your adventure.

Luskentyre

Accommodation and Dining:

In Tarbert, you’ll find accommodation near the distillery at Hotel Hebrides and the Harris Hotel. Harris has many B&Bs on offer as well.

Transportation:

CalMac offers several ferries to get to Harris. From Talisker, the easiest is to drive an hour north to Uig to pick up the Tarbert ferry. Depending on where you’re heading when you leave Harris, there are also ferries south at Leverburgh which take their passengers south to North Uist, and also north at Stornoway, which will bring you back to the mainland at Ullapool.