Islay Whisky Tours: the Ones Worth the Ferry

1.4 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,520Our pick

Travel from Edinburgh to Islay with a driver-guide and a maximum of 16 people. Visit Bunnahabhain, Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, and Laphroaig, with tastings, ferry crossings, three nights’ accommodation, and breakfast included.

“This was well worth the cost to have all the details taken care of in advance. Moray was a great guide, and the quantity/variety/pace of the experiences at the various distilleries (and the Whisky Vault) was pretty perfect. (But when they tell you you need dinner reservations in Bowmore, you really do - even for 1.)”

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2.4-Day Islay & Whisky Tour Including Admissions from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,351

Travel from Edinburgh to Islay in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, with ferry crossings, six distillery visits, whisky tastings, historic sites, and three nights at Bowmore Distillery Cottages. Guides such as Adam, Andy, Emily, and Duncan bring Scottish history and good humor to the road. Tastings, some meals, and optional admissions cost extra.

“This tour was a great way to see Islay and experience 6 of the distilleries on the island. But there is much more to Islay than just Whisky. Gail, our tour guide, made every effort to provide a tour that balanced the tastings with other sites and experiences.”

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3.Islay and The Whisky Coast 4-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 55 reviews · 4 days · from $1,205

Travel from Edinburgh to Islay with a small group and an English-speaking Rabbie’s driver-guide. Visit Bowmore, Kilchoman, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Lagavulin, with ferry crossings, three nights in Bowmore, tastings, and a Kilchoman lunch included. Expect beautiful coastal scenery, local history, and plenty of peaty whisky.

“This was a fantastic trip and insane value for the price. Our guide Stevie was friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. He really treated us as valued guests and went above and beyond to make sure each of us on the tour had the experience we wanted. While our focus was of course scotch tasting, there were many additional parts of the trip including visiting historic sites, geography and cultural lessons, and plenty of amusing anecdotes. Each of the distilleries is unique and requires no additional explanations. Finally the accommodations were perfect (frankly exceeding expectations) and served as a perfect base in Bowmore for the time on Islay. Thanks Stevie! #aliveanddrinking 2025”

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4.Caol Ila Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 23 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $28Best value

Join an English-speaking guide for Caol Ila’s 90-minute Flavour Journey on Islay. Tour the distillery and sensory story room, then taste three 15ml drams and a small cocktail in the bar, with the Paps of Jura across the water. Non-alcoholic options and drivers packs are available.

“Amazing tour and tasting. Julia was an excellent guide. We had her all to ourselves! The tour was super modern and well thought through! I learnt way more this tour than the other we did! Loads of sensory tasks throughout the tour. The view was stunning and the bar alone was insane! Would highly recommend. I can’t wait to go back!”

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