Inverness Whisky Tours – Top 6 Must Visit Distilleries

Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands is a small city with an outsized influence on whisky. A combination of pure Highland water, local barley and centuries of craft gave rise to single malts that are now famous around the world. Within an hour’s drive of the city you can visit historic distilleries that pioneered the industry, new “brew‑stillery” projects experimenting with modern sustainability, and world‑renowned Speyside giants. There are also atmospheric whisky bars and tasting experiences in Inverness itself, making it possible to enjoy Scotland’s uisge beatha (“water of life”) whether or not you have a car.

In here, we covered everything you need to know about Inverness whisky tours, drawing on official distillery and tour operator sources. We covered different whisky regions you can reach from the city, outlines the experiences offered at each distillery, suggests itineraries for various travellers, and answers common questions from first‑time visitors.

Uile‑bheist Distillery (Inverness’s Own Distillery)

For over 130 years Inverness had no working whisky distillery; the city’s last stills closed in the 1980s. In 2023, Uile‑bheist Distillery & Brewery opened on the banks of the River Ness. The project is notable for its low‑carbon ethos and innovation:

• First modern distillery in Inverness: Uile‑bheist is described as the first new distillery built in the city for 130 years. It is a combined brewery and distillery that uses state‑of‑the‑art stills engineered by Kaspar Schulz.
• Master distiller: The whisky design and production are overseen by master distiller Andrew “Drew” Shearer, who holds a Masters degree in brewing and distilling. He combines traditional techniques with modern flair.
• Unique production: Uile‑bheist uses 100 % locally sourced barley and pure water from the River Ness. Its wash is fermented using brewer’s ale yeast and its custom stills have tall necks and “boil bulbs” to create extra reflux. The new‑make spirit is matured in hand‑selected ex‑bourbon and ex‑sherry casks.
• Visitor experiences: Tours of the distillery combine whisky and beer production. Visitors learn about Uile‑bheist’s sustainable processes, taste the new make, and can sample beers from its on‑site brewery. A tasting bar overlooks the River Ness, and a cask‑programme allows enthusiasts to invest in quarter casks.

Uile‑bheist is ideal for travellers with limited time in Inverness or non‑whisky drinkers who still want a flavour of Scotch tradition. A tasting flight featuring new‑make spirit, beer and small‑batch whisky introduces the local ingredients without leaving the city centre.

Highland Distilleries Near Inverness

Tomatin Distillery

• Location & travel: Tomatin lies about 16 miles south of Inverness along the A9, roughly a 30‑minute drive. There is no direct train; tours usually require a car, taxi or organised excursion. The site sits on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park.
• Why visit: Tomatin has been producing whisky since 1897 and was once one of the largest malt distilleries in Scotland. In The Ultimate Highland Whisky Experience tour, Inverness Whisky Tours highlight Tomatin for its funky branding, friendly staff and the variety of whiskies available at the bar. The visitor centre is open on Sundays, and tours range from basic tastings to warehouse experiences where you can bottle your own single cask.
• Flavour profile: Tomatin’s single malts are known for their rich, fruity style with notes of honey and orchard fruit. The distillery’s core range includes 12‑, 14‑ and 18‑year expressions, and it regularly releases limited editions finished in wine or port casks.

Glen Ord (The Singleton Distillery)

• Location & travel: Glen Ord is located on the Black Isle near Muir of Ord, about 20 minutes by train from Inverness or 15–20 minutes by car. It is the only remaining malt distillery on the Black Isle.
• Why visit: Glen Ord malts its own barley on site, a rarity today, and produces whisky for Diageo’s Singleton range. The distillery offers several experiences, from a low‑cost exhibition tour to more in‑depth “Grain to Glass” tastings. Visitors can sample Singleton of Glen Ord in 12‑, 15‑ and 18‑year expressions, as well as other Diageo brands like Lagavulin and Oban.
• Transport: Glen Ord is the easiest distillery to reach from Inverness without a car; Muir of Ord station is a short walk from the visitor centre.

Glenmorangie Distillery

• Location & travel: Glenmorangie is near Tain, about an hour north of Inverness by train or car. It overlooks the Dornoch Firth and has strong ties to the town of Tain, once staffed by the “Sixteen Men of Tain”.
• Why visit: Glenmorangie operates some of the tallest copper pot stills in Scotland, producing a delicate spirit known for citrus and vanilla. The visitor centre offers two tours: the Classic (£25) and the Innovative (£65), plus tastings of experimental finishes. Nectar D’Or – a bourbon‑matured whisky finished in Sauternes casks – is popular with people who think they don’t like whisky; Inverness Whisky Tours even suggest serving it chilled or with ice.

Balblair Distillery

• Location: Near Edderton on the Dornoch Firth, about an hour north of Inverness. Balblair is often paired with Glenmorangie on tours.
• Why visit: Balblair bottles its whisky at “peak perfection” instead of using age statements. Tours allow visitors to bottle their own single‑cask whisky, and older vintages (e.g., 27‑year) remain relatively affordable.

Dalmore Distillery (Temporarily Closed)

Dalmore, located in Alness about 40 minutes from Inverness by train, produces rich, luxurious Highland malts. As of May 2025, the distillery is closed to visitors while a new experience is developed. Check its website before planning a visit.

Clynelish, Wolfburn and Old Pulteney

For those willing to travel farther north, Clynelish (Brora), Wolfburn (Thurso) and Old Pulteney (Wick) offer tastings that showcase coastal Highland styles. Clynelish is known for its waxy texture and citrus notes, Wolfburn boasts modern craft credentials with tours from £18, and Old Pulteney provides maritime malts in the remote town of Wick. Travel times range from two to four hours by train, so these distilleries suit multi‑day itineraries.

Speyside: The Whisky Heartland

Why Speyside?

The region east of Inverness, centred on the River Spey, hosts about 50 working distilleries. Its smooth, fruity whiskies are often finished in sherry casks and form the backbone of many blends. Speyside is accessible by car via the A95 or by organised tours. Itineraries typically include two or three distilleries and a cooperage.

Organised Day Tours from Inverness

• Speyside tour: Our small‑group tour (max 16 passengers) leaves Inverness at 8:30 am and returns around 6:15 pm. Stops include the modern Cairn Distillery, the historic Glenlivet Distillery, and The Whisky Castle in Tomintoul, plus scenic drives through Cairngorms National Park. Optional extras include a distillery tour at Cairn, a tutored tasting at the Whisky Castle and a Glenlivet tasting.
• Inverness Whisky Tours: Inverness Whisky Tours offer bespoke itineraries that might include Strathisla, Glenfiddich, Aberlour, Glenfarclas, Cardhu, Macallan, Balvenie and others. Guests can sample up to 20 whiskies over the course of a private tour. The company recommends narrowing your priorities because visiting every distillery in one day is impossible.
  

Key Speyside Distilleries to Consider

Distillery	What’s special	Notes
Strathisla	Oldest distillery in Speyside and home of Chivas Regal. Classic pagoda roofs and picturesque courtyards.	Tours from ~£22; Chivas Blending Workshop available.
Glenfiddich	Family‑owned; offers sit‑down tastings and showcases the history and innovation of the family behind one of the world’s best‑selling single malts.	Two tours daily; early booking advised.
Balvenie	Craftsmen malt their own barley and maintain their own cooperage.	Only two tours per day; schedule fills quickly.
Aberlour	Richly flavoured whiskies; complimentary tastings at the shop.	Tours may be unavailable in 2025; check ahead.
Glenfarclas	Family‑run with a famous 10‑ and 15‑year-old tasting; tours emphasise tradition.	Free tasting of the 10 & 15 year expressions.
Cardhu	One of the “Four Corners of Johnnie Walker”; offers tiered experiences to explore its role in blends.	Good for fans of Johnnie Walker Black (Cardhu is a core component).
Macallan	Architecturally striking modern distillery; advanced bookings required.	Bar experiences and dining available; limited capacity.
Glenlivet	One of the first legal distilleries in Scotland; offers a wide bar where you can taste whiskies from Chivas‑owned distilleries and chocolate pairings.	Good variety for groups with different palates.
Speyside Cooperage	Not a distillery but an educational stop where you watch coopers assemble and repair casks.	Pair with nearby distilleries for context on maturation.

Planning Tips for Speyside

1. Prioritise your favourites: Speyside’s density means you cannot visit every distillery in one day. Distillery tours often last 1–2 hours, and drives between sites can take 20–30 minutes. Tour operators recommend ranking your must‑visits.
2. Book ahead: Popular distilleries like Macallan, Balvenie and Glenfiddich fill up weeks in advance. Reserve tours online and check if experiences are available on your travel date.
3. Consider a private guide: A private driver‑guide allows your group to relax and taste whiskies without worrying about driving. It can also help you tailor a route that includes lesser‑known distilleries, chocolate pairings or castles.
4. Use public transport carefully: Some Speyside distilleries have railway stations nearby (e.g., Strathisla at Keith), but many are not accessible by train. Buses are infrequent. Tours or taxis may be more efficient.

Whisky Tours Without a Car – Visiting by Train

The Scotch Whisky Experience provides a useful guide to distilleries reachable from Inverness by train. Here are some highlights that you can combine into a self‑guided itinerary:

Distillery & Region	Nearest Station	Time from Inverness	Experiences
The Singleton of Glen Ord (Highland)	Muir of Ord	~20 min	Classic tour (£22) showcasing the distillery’s slow craft process; Single Pairing Experience (£70).
Benromach (Speyside)	Forres	~30 min	Smoky Speyside malt; tours and tastings £15–95.
Glen Moray (Speyside)	Elgin (30 min walk)	~40 min	Friendly visitor centre; tours £16 and tasting flights from £52.50.
Glenmorangie (Highland)	Tain	~1 hr	Classic and Innovative tours; variety of finished expressions.
Strathisla (Speyside	Keith	~1 hr	Chivas blend birthplace; tours £22 and blending workshops £45.
Clynelish (Highland)	Brora	~2 hr 15 min	Flavour Journey tasting (£21) and Express Tasting (£17); remote coastal setting.
Wolfburn (Highland)	Thurso	~3 hr 45 min	Modern craft distillery; Classic tour £18; Premium tour £40.
Old Pulteney (Highland)	Wick	~4 hr 15 min	Maritime malts; “Taste of Old Pulteney” (£20) and “From the Source” (£40).

This rail‑based itinerary is ideal for travellers who prefer not to drive. However, travelling to Wolfburn or Old Pulteney requires an overnight stay due to the long journey times.

Whisky Experiences in Inverness (Without Leaving Town)

Not everyone in your group may want to spend the whole day visiting distilleries. Inverness has several whisky experiences within walking distance of hotels:

• Highland Malt Whisky Experience at MacGregor’s Bar: For visitors who are short on time or don’t want to travel, MacGregor’s bar offers a guided tasting of Highland single malts. A knowledgeable host explains production techniques and flavours in a relaxed pub setting.
• The Malt Room: This small bar in central Inverness has one of the city’s best selections of whisky by the dram. Staff can curate flights tailored to beginners or connoisseurs.
• Whisky shops: The Whisky Shop on Church Street and The Whisky Castle’s Inverness outpost (in Tomatin’s area) sell a range of bottles and often offer tastings.

Planning Your Inverness Whisky Adventure

How to Choose a Tour

1. Decide how far you want to travel. Uile‑bheist and whisky bars suit visitors who want to stay in town. Highland distilleries like Glen Ord, Tomatin and Glenmorangie are 20-60 minutes away, while Speyside and northern distilleries require longer drives or tours.
2. Consider your palate. Highland whiskies often deliver cereal sweetness, heather and coastal notes, whereas Speyside malts are typically fruity and sherried. If you enjoy smoky whisky, Benromach and some independent bottlers will appeal.
3. Private vs group. Private tours (e.g., Inverness Whisky Tours) let you set your own schedule and sample bottles from the guide’s personal collection. Group tours are more affordable and include transport but have fixed itineraries.
4. Budget. Distillery tours range from £15 to £70 per person. Factor in tasting fees, lunch, transportation and purchases.

Tips for Non‑Drivers

• Designated driver: Hiring a driver or joining a tour is the safest way to sample whisky. UK drink‑drive laws are strict, and rural roads can be challenging.
• Public transport: Combine train and taxi journeys when visiting distilleries like Glen Ord or Benromach. Bus services to Tomatin are infrequent; check timetables if travelling independently.
• Stay near a distillery: If you plan to spend a night outside Inverness, consider accommodation in Tain (near Glenmorangie) or Dufftown/Grantown‑on‑Spey (for Speyside) and walk or taxi between distilleries.

When to Go

• Distilleries usually open year‑round, but some have reduced hours in winter. Many release special editions or host festivals in spring (e.g., Spirit of Speyside Festival in late April/early May).
• Booking is essential in the summer high season and around festival dates.
• Expect variable weather; as Scots say, “Today’s rain is tomorrow’s whisky”.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Inverness offers whisky experiences for every level of enthusiasm. You can sip drams overlooking the River Ness at Uile‑bheist, explore the Highland region’s heritage distilleries, or venture into Speyside’s “Malt Whisky Trail” to see iconic names like Macallan and Glenfiddich. Whether you’re a group of friends seeking a less‑commercial tasting, a non‑whisky drinker curious about Scotland’s national drink, or a connoisseur chasing limited editions, use this guide to plan an unforgettable whisky adventure from Inverness.