2024 The Central Highlands of Scotland

Sunday, July 28 – Saturday, August 3, 2024

Sunday, August 4 – Saturday, August 10, 2024

Day 1– Sunday

We will meet you at Aberdeen Dyce Airport and transport you by private van through the beautiful Scottish countryside to your home for the week, a stately mansion, in the Central Scottish Highlands.  After settling in, we will all be ready for a scrumptious dinner prepared by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris educated Chef Walter and the Artistic Gourmet Adventures Staff.

Day 2–Monday

After a hearty breakfast we will head to the Glenfiddich Distillery. Here we will have an inspiring tour and tasting at the home of the world’s most awarded malt whisky. Our tour, the  Glenfiddich Solera: Deconstructed Tour. This in-depth tour will allow enthusiasts to discover the true art of whisky making. Following your distillery tour, visit warehouse 8, home to the unique Solera process and discover what makes the 15 year old such an exceptional dram. You’ll then be taken into the Malt Masters Blending Room. Here you will enjoy tasting a number of cask-strength 15 year old samples. You’ll also have the unique opportunity to step into the Malt Master Brian Kinsman’s role – preparing your very own version of Glenfiddich 15 year old by combining different cask samples together. Each guest will be able to bottle a small sample of their own creation to keep.  Lunch at a local pub or restaurant.* Then on to Speyside Cooperage.  In the heart of Scotland’s rolling hills lies Speyside Cooperage, the only working cooperage in the UK where you can experience the ancient art of coopering (barrel making). Home to dinner prepared by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris educated Chef Walter and the Artistic Gourmet Adventures Staff.

Day 3–Tuesday

After breakfast, we will visit Fyvie Castle – Ghosts, legends and folklore are all woven into the tapestry of Fyvie’s 800-year-old history. But stories aside, we do know William the Lion was at Fyvie around 1214 and later Robert the Bruce and Charles I were among its royal guests. Lunch at a local pub or restaurant.* Home to dinner prepared by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris educated Chef Walter and the Artistic Gourmet Adventures Staff.

Day 4–Wednesday

Today we will visit the Johnston Elgin Mill. Founded in 1797, Johnstons of Elgin, is one of the premiere wool mills in the world. Out of Scotland Johnstons makes arguably the best cashmere and woolen knits in the world. We will take a guided tour of the entire manufacturing process with one of their experienced tour guides. Watch for yourself as the cashmere is dyed, teased, carded, spun and hand finished by the latest generation of Elgin craftsmen, then visit their store. Lunch out in a local Pub.* Then on to the ruins of Elgin Cathedral. The cathedral—dedicated to the Holy Trinity—was established in 1224 on land granted by King Alexander II outside the burgh of Elgin and close to the River Lossie. By the time of the Scottish Reformation in 1560, the cathedral was abandoned and its services transferred. Begun in 1224, Elgin was the principal church of the bishops of Moray. It lost its roof shortly after the Protestant Reformation of 1560, and later its central tower fell. But the cathedral’s fortunes began to change when it became a visitor attraction in the early 1800s. Home to dinner prepared by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris educated Chef Walter and the Artistic Gourmet Adventures Staff.

Day 5–Thursday

After a hearty breakfast, we will venture into the Scottish countryside to visit some ancient sites of the Scottish ancestors. Then on to Strathisla.  This small, intimate distillery was built in 1786 on the banks of the river Isla, and today is the oldest and most picturesque distillery in the highlands of Scotland. This classic Speyside malt has a deep fruitiness with a complex array of nutty and hay-like flavors and is the heart of all the Chivas Regal blends. Lunch at a local pub or restaurant.* And then a little shopping while non-shoppers can hang out in a local pub. Home to dinner prepared by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris educated Chef Walter and the Artistic Gourmet Adventures Staff.

Day 6–Friday 

A filling breakfast and on to Knockando Woolmill which sits deep in the Spey Valley, on the same site it has occupied for over 230 years. Fresh, contemporary designs are woven alongside traditional tweeds and classic woolen blankets – all produced with the same attention to detail and skilled craftsmanship that has been at the heart of the Woolmill since the beginning. A great place to learn all about weaving! Also a good opportunity to take home their woolen plaid clothing, blankets and gifts. 

 Lunch in a local Pub* then on to Caorunn Gin Distillery. While on tour, you will gain an insight into the artisanal production process through a privileged behind-the-scenes tour of the production area. After the guided tour you will then experience the unique opportunity to enjoy a tutored deconstructed nosing and tasting session. Each session features Caorunn’s five locally foraged and six traditional botanicals, botanical essences, and a neat sample of Caorunn. Home to dinner prepared by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris educated Chef Walter and the Artistic Gourmet Adventures Staff.

Day 7–Saturday

After a full breakfast, we will say goodbye at 8:00 am and transport you to the Aberdeen Airport to return home or on to your next destination!

*Lunches out are not included in the Adventure cost

Itinerary subject to change

The MacLeod family have made Dalvey House their Highland home since it was built in Forres in 1798.

Situated between the Cairngorms and the Moray sunshine coast, this beautiful Georgian home nestles in woodlands close to Speyside – the heart of Scotland’s malt whisky heritage.

A much-loved family home, it is an ideal place for your family to gather, too. Tucked away in woodland, private and secluded, it offers the chance to completely unwind. Whether celebrating a special event or simply pulling everyone together for some quality time away, we will ensure everyone feels comfortable and cared-for.

Tour cost is included.

Daily ground transportation by air conditioned van, all breakfasts and dinners with wine when dining at our Highland Mansion is included.

Breakfasts, lunches, gourmet dinners prepared by our Private Le Cordon Bleu-Paris trained Chef when dining at the Manor, wine and alcohol at the Manor is included.

Meals marked with * on the itinerary are not included.

Highland Manor Mansion accommodations with four double rooms with ensuite baths are included and double and twin rooms with shared bathrooms.

The Adventure cost covers ground transfers to and from your home for the week originating at Aberdeen Dyce Airport.

Airfare is not included.

Proof of Travel Insurance is required and can be bought on line from Travelguard.com/ or Allianz Travel Insurance.com.

$4250 pp double occupancy        

$5100 pp single occupancy