Whisky & Royal Dornoch

by coach & on foot

This experience combines some free time in Dornoch with a visit to the distillery that produces the world famous Glenmorangie whisky.

Departing from Invergordon, an approximately 40-minute drive will bring you to the small town of Dornoch, where stone houses stand in broad, tree-lined streets. Full of character, Dornoch retains its old-world charm, despite its popularity as a holiday resort. Upon arrival, enjoy some free time to browse Dornoch on your own. You may choose to visit the craft centre or the 19th century town jail. The jail has since been transformed into a unique shop selling clothing, accessories, arts, and gifts. Alternatively, you may wish to visit Dornoch Cathedral which held its first service in 1239 and continues to be a parish church.

Next, to connoisseurs of the ‘water of life’, you will visit the distillery that produces Glenmorangie, Scotland’s favourite malt whisky. Situated in the far north of Scotland overlooking the shores of the Dornoch Firth, the name Glenmorangie comes from the Gaelic language and means ‘Valley of Tranquillity’, a particularly appropriate description for the distillery’s calm and scenic location.

Glenmorangie has been producing a fine range of malt whiskies for over 150 years. The methods by which the range is made today remain as unchanged as the surrounding landscape. The pure, mineral-rich water, essential to Glenmorangie, still comes from their own springs and malted barley is brought in from the surrounding areas. One of Glenmorangie’s most valued resources is the dedicated craftsmen who, despite two world wars, fire, drought, and other adversities, have faithfully passed on their traditional skills from old hands to new.

A guided visit will introduce you to the natural elements and the time-honoured traditional skills which make Glenmorangie so special. You’ll see the gleaming swan-neck copper stills, (the tallest in the Highlands), casks of American oak, operating equipment, and methods used in the various stages of processing of malt whisky. Following the approximately 45-minute guided tour of the distillery, enjoy a taste of Glenmorangie with the sampling of a ‘wee dram’.

During your visit, you will spend time in the Visitor Centre, converted from the distillery’s original still-house. Here you will find a magnificent 130 year-old working steam engine, tales from the ‘Sixteen Men of Tain’, and artefacts from the distillery’s past. Here you will also discover the ancient skills of coopering and malting and the effects of wood on whisky. Before leaving, you can browse in the distillery shop, which contains a wide range of whiskies for sale including the wood-finished malts together with a selection of beautifully made gifts and clothes.

Finally, you will enjoy beautiful scenery during your return drive to Invergordon.