The Science of Whisky: Cruise Inverness to Islay - Scotland

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1 September 2025 - 8 days - From £5,249

(Upgrade cabins per person: Balcony £6,249, Suite £6,999)

A whisky lover’s dream cruise, taking you deep into the science of how whisky is made and how different processes and stimuli affect its flavours, while touring renowned distilleries from Inverness to Islay

You will, of course, be sampling whisky, but in a science-led way that gives you an extensive understanding of how its compounds engage your senses, as well as allowing you to get the utmost enjoyment from your dram. You will explore whisky’s complexity and variety via a programme of sensory experiences delivered by accompanying expert Professor Barry C. Smith, a founding director of the University of London’s Centre for the Study of the Senses, who has also written and broadcast extensively on whisky.

You will visit distilleries such as Laphroaig, Oban, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, Tomatin and Ben Nevis, while enjoying exclusive tours, talks and tastings from industry experts including distillery managers and master distillers. Here you will experience both the traditions of distilling and learn about the new practices being introduced. Many of the drams you taste will be direct from the cask or exclusive bottlings – the really good stuff. In addition, you will enjoy tasting other favourites from our sensory experts and other visiting whisky industry leaders.

Alongside this deep immersion into the world of whisky, you will be sailing between areas of outstanding natural beauty and visiting idyllic harbour towns including Inverness, the Caledonian Canal, Loch Ness, Islay, Tobermory and Oban. You should also get chances to spot marine life including whales, sharks and dolphins.

The cruise is aboard the elegant boutique ship Lord of the Highlands, which is more country house or vintage Pullman carriage than ship. Absolutely all food and drink is included. From silver service dining to an incredibly well-stocked bar.

You’re on island time, relax, let the winds take you as you are slowly seduced by the whisky and the sailing.

In partnership with Hebridean Island Cruising.

DAY 1: BOARD AT INVERNESS AND MEET THE EXPERT

You will be welcomed aboard the Lord of the Highlands moored at the port city of Inverness from mid-afternoon.

After getting to know your fellow enthusiasts and crew, you will enjoy an introduction for the cruise ahead including a full briefing from the tour leader then presentations from the ship’s captain and the accompanying whisky expert, Professor Barry C. Smith.

On four of the evenings, Barry will run guided tastings. Here you will discover the complexity and variety of whisky, identify your personal flavour wave and explore how different production processes can significantly affect the flavours found within a simple dram. From blind tastings to experimenting with different stimuli, you will gain the insight and tools to really understand and become an advocate for whisky.

Throughout the cruise, you will enjoy meals in the elegant Caledonian restaurant. Dress code is casual and the meals are of an extremely high standard. Where sparkling glass and fine china complement the excellent cuisine and all-round picture windows mean you will never miss the view.

DAY 2: TOMATIN DISTILLERY AND SET SAIL DOWN THE CALEDONIAN CANAL

In the morning you will take a short coach journey to the Tomatin Distillery for an in-depth tour and tasting.

You will then rejoin the ship in time for lunch and journey down the stunningly beautiful and historic Caledonian Canal, built between 1803 and 1822 to connect the Great Glen’s four lochs.

This afternoon you will sail through Loch Ness before ascending the impressive series of locks at Fort Augustus, where you will moor for the night, while Barry delves deeper into the science of whisky with a tutored tasting.

DAY 3: NEPTUNES STAIRCASE AND THE BEN NEVIS DISTILLERY

Sailing further down the canal you will navigate the 8-lock engineering marvel of Neptune’s Staircase at Fort William before mooring and visiting the Ben Nevis Distillery for a tour and tasting.

If you are not quite in the mood for a full tasting, distilleries can provide a Drivers Dram in a hand-labelled vial which you can enjoy later.

The remainder of this itinerary is based on ideal weather and sailing conditions. If prevailing conditions force us to change the route whilst at sea this may impact which distilleries we visit on which days. Nevertheless, we will ensure you visit a range of distilleries and meet the industry experts, so that you experience the breadth and depth of the science of whisky.

On previous cruises, we have also visited the following distilleries: Jura, Bunnahabhain, Ardnahoe, Bruichladdich, Tobermory, Caol Isla and Bowmore.

DAY 4: AT SEA TO VISIT TOBERMORY, CRIAGNURE PLUS A TASTING WITH THE MCNEAN DISTILLERY

After breakfast, you will sail through Loch Linnhe and into the sea as you travel towards the picturesque town of Tobermory where you will be at leisure to explore. Tobermory on the island of Mull, a former 18th-century fishing port, now more famous for its appearances on TV. In the afternoon, the team from the McNean distillery will sail across to Tobermory to give a guided tasting onboard.

Afterwards, the ship will moor at the village of Craignure which is a great vantage point to spot seabirds, dolphins and otters.

DAY 5: PORT ELLEN, LAPHROAIG AND GEORGIE CRAWFORD

You will start the day with a stunning 7-hour voyage through the Inner Hebrides as you head towards the Islay village of Port Ellen for two days of exploring the distilleries of Islay.

After lunch, you will stretch your legs with a 40-minute island walk to visit the famous Laphroaig Distillery for a special tasting.

In the evening after dinner, industry legend Georgie Crawford will join you to give a fascinating talk and tasting. Georgie is currently building a state-of-the-art distillery nearby called Port-N-Truan and has previously been the manager for Lagavulin.

DAY 6: EXPLORE ISLAY INCLUDING KILCHOMAN AND LAGAVULIN

Today, you will spend the entire day exploring Islay and visiting distilleries. In the morning, you will travel by coach across to the west side of the island to Kilchoman for a roving tasting tour followed by lunch. Here you can observe the end-to-end process of barley to bottle. It is the first new distillery to be built on Islay in 124 years and the only independent distillery on the island.

In the afternoon, you will head back east for a warehouse tasting from the cask at Lagavulin, famous for its unusual pear-shaped stills. Afterwards, there will be a stop at the Ardbeg distillery for a quick shop visit before returning to the ship for a well-earned dinner.

DAY 7: OBAN

On your final day of cruising, you will enjoy an exceptionally scenic sail to the pretty port town of Oban, where you will enjoy a tutored tasting at Oban distillery followed by a final tasting and closing comments from Barry then a farewell dinner.

DAY 8: DISEMBARK AND DEPART

After breakfast, you are free to disembark. You might want to spend a few days in Oban or we can take you on a group transfer to Glasgow.

Please note: With all cruises, we can be at the mercy of prevailing conditions, particularly the weather. We have brought this cruise forward into late summer to mitigate this. Should the conditions dictate, we can’t stick to planned itinerary, we are experienced at rebuilding the itinerary on the fly. This might mean different distilleries from those planned, but they will still be as relevant and insightful. Coming aboard with a flexible outlook will help you get the most out of the cruise. The accompanying tour leader will keep you updated on a daily basis.

Highlights

Exclusive talks, tours and tastings at several distilleries.
Accompanied by a whisky expert Barry C. Smith who will give four evening workshops and tasting experiences.
Seven nights aboard a luxurious boutique ship.
Visiting Loch Ness, Islay, Oban, Tobermory, Inverness and the Caledonian Canal.
Sailing through the stunning Hebridean scenery and wildlife

Meet the expert

Barry C. Smith is a professor of philosophy and Director of the Institute of Philosophy at the University of London’s School of Advanced Study. He is also the founding director of the Centre for the Study of the Senses, which pioneers collaborative research between philosophers, psychologists, and neuroscientists.

He has written theoretical and experimental papers, publishing in Nature and Food Quality and Preference, Chemical Senses and Flavour. He collaborates with chefs and artists and consults widely for the food and drinks industry. In 2007, he edited Questions of Taste: The philosophy of wine.

Barry is also frequent broadcaster, who has appeared on BBC One’s Masterchef, BBC Two’s Inside the Factory and on BBC Radio 4’s The Kitchen Cabinet. He is a contributor to The World of Fine Wine and wine columnist for Prospect Magazine.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Entry to all the distillery tours and tastings as indicated.
Walking seminars, evening tasting and sensory experiments with the accompanying expert.
Full board plus all-inclusive drinks including whisky, champagne, beers and soft drinks.
All port fees, tourist fees and fuel expenses.
Group transfer from Inverness Airport.
Group transfer to Glasgow City Centre and Airport.
Wifi onboard.
Gratuities for onboard crew.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

Travel insurance.
Single cabin supplement which is double the cabin price. If you would prefer to share a cabin with another solo traveller of the same gender, we will try and arrange this for you.

PACE AND PHYSICALITY

Access to the vessel, whilst on the Caledonian Canal, is via a lowered stepped gangway, and a ramp gangway whilst out at sea. Internally, there are two stairways each of 11 steps that inter-connect each deck level – all have a handrail. There is no lift on board and therefore, the ship is not suitable for guests with severe mobility impairment. Guests with limited mobility can be accommodated provided they are accompanied by an assisting companion.

When visiting the distilleries there will be steep steps and heights to navigate. Distilleries are designed for creating outstanding whisky, but not necessarily for group tours. Nevertheless, this will allow you to get up close to the inner working of the distilleries.

Plenty of time is built in for rest and relaxation both under sail and when docked, giving you the opportunity to explore the beautiful Hebridean towns and villages.

Many of the tastings will be of cask-strength whisky. If you don't feel like it you are under no pressure to take part and you can have your samples decanted into a small bottle for later.

No activity or tasting is mandatory and we do ask you to drink responsibly.

Accommodation

Lord of the Highlands with her convivial company of just 38 guests and a dedicated crew, offers a British country house atmosphere on board this small, luxury Scottish cruise ship. Guests can relax in comfort and style as they discover these beautiful waters

With a high crew to guest ratio, the crew will quickly get to know the preferences of everyone on board. This ensures the exceptional personal service and the crew greet you with a smile, it is a smile of real welcome. Behind the scenes, the team strive to ensure that everything is just right. Your job is to simply sit back and relax.

Elegant in design, the ship’s rich interiors with hardwood finishes and cream panelling are reminiscent of a vintage Pullman carriage There is nothing quite like that sense of freedom you will feel, knowing that everything from tours ashore, to meals and drinks, port taxes and even gratuities are included in the fare you pay.

This cruise is genuinely all inclusive. This includes on board dining experiences, complimentary drinks, all shore visits and tours, plus gratuities and taxes.

The Tweedsmuir Deck is the upper deck on Lord of the Highlands, where panoramic windows frame stunning Scottish vistas. This is where the Panorama lounge and bar are located on this boutique cruise ship. A shared space, where guests can relax with a drink, enjoy a chat with friends and take in the scenery. It is also where you’ll find the Caledonian restaurant for a sociable dining experience. At mealtimes, guests are seated together in this relaxed and informal dining room. Picture windows ensure there is always a spectacular view as you cruise Scotland in comfort.

Each cabin is furnished in rich hardwood finishes with the best of contemporary design. All cabins feature a dressing table, stool, wardrobe, satellite TV, safe and hairdryer. For your added comfort slippers, bathrobes and luxury Molton Brown toiletries are also provided in the en-suite shower rooms. The deluxe cabins are outward facing and boast picture windows so that no view is missed.

The four balcony cabins feature twin beds and a small private balcony with teak furniture for you to enjoy the magnificent scenery.

The spacious suite features a King-sized bed and large picture windows both port and starboard affording delightful views. In addition to standard facilities, the comfortable sitting area is furnished with a sofa, coffee table and mini bar containing a selection of complimentary beverages.

The elegant Caledonian Restaurant on Lord of the Highlands takes guests on a culinary journey. Using only the freshest and finest ingredients. Independent travellers are seated with fellow guests in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Where sparkling glass and fine china complement the excellent cuisine and all-round picture windows mean you will never miss the view.

Lord of the Highlands cruises are fully-inclusive, which means that all food and drinks are included in the fare. Food is complemented with specially selected wines of the day, house wines and spirits, soft drinks and beers, tea and coffee. Taittinger Champagne is also included by the glass.