Scottish Whiskey Distillery and Loch Lomond
I don’t know if there is anything more stereotypically Scottish than a whiskey and a trip to a lake. Except maybe when you do both in the pouring rain.
In May 2019, I went on a half-day tour that included a trip to the Glengoyne Whiskey Distillery and the nearby Loch Lomond. I booked the tour through Rabbie’s, which is a tour company based in Scotland.
I did not book a private tour, but my tour accidentally turned into one. The four other passengers that were supposed to join me on this trip never showed up. So I departed Glasgow in a six-passenger van that only contained the driver, me, and the person I was travelling with.
The tour cost about 28 euros per person, which did not include the tour cost for the distillery — that was extra. The exact tour that I booked is no longer being offered, but there is a similar full-day tour through Rabbie’s which includes a visit to Stirling Castle and the Balmaha Nature Trail Walk, in addition to the distillery and the loch.
Glengoyne Whiskey Distillery
The first stop of this Scottish tour included an hour at the Glengoyne Whiskey Distillery. I paid around 18 euros per person for a tour and whisky tasting. The tour was thorough and included an in-depth look at the entire whiskey-making process. Plus, the tour ended at a gift shop which offered a variety of sizes and ages of whiskey to take home.
Further Reading: If you have the opportunity to also explore Ireland, the city of Dublin has a tour option for its famous Guinness Storehouse.
Loch Lomond
After indulging in whiskey, it was nice to have a van driver to transport me to the second location on the tour. Although Loch Lomond is not the most famous loch in Scotland, I would vote it the most tranquil. This is a place where you can really sit and contemplate life. And I was relatively undisturbed during the hour or so that I spent there, with only one human and one dog passing by on the rocky outskirts of the water.
Since Scotland is one of the wettest regions in Europe, tourists must deal with unpredictable rainy weather. So it is always good to bring an umbrella with you. An umbrella was especially needed for my time at this loch.
Travel Tip
If you feel comfortable enough to drive a car in Scotland, you can skip the cost of booking with a tour company. Instead just rent a car and drive through the Scottish countryside yourself. Stop for a whiskey and spend the rest of your day exploring a gorgeous lake.
