Inspiration

The water of life: five Scottish holiday cottages near distilleries

Guest Expert

5 min read

Renowned across the world, Scotland’s proud and ancient whisky heritage dates back at least as far as 1494, when monks in abbeys distilled the infamous spirit. Back then a dram wouldn’t have been for the faint hearted but today’s single malt whisky is made from only quality malted barley and the purest spring water, before being matured for a minimum of two years. From mellow, triple distilled Lowland single malts to the peaty, smoky whiskies of the Hebrides, Scotland’s varied geography gives each region’s brew its complex character and flavour. We’ve chosen five self-catering cottages all within easy reach of a distillery for a tour and a dram.

Tagged with:

Scotland

Lochinch Castle Cottages

Charming garden cottages around a half hour drive from 200-year-old Bladnoch Distillery, one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. Take a tour and tasting visit to discover how they craft their Lowland single malt, then return to roam one of Scotland’s finest gardens with the dreamy ruins of Castle Kennedy at one end and Lochinch Castle at the other. You stay in one of three properties: Chauffeur’s, on the top floor of a two-storey Victorian carriage house, Balker Lodge, originally a gate house, now a bolthole for two, or Ice House, a single-storey cottage with pretty bedrooms. All have their own private outside space and splendid welcome baskets.

Owner Emily: Our two freshwater lochs are a Site of Special Scientific Interest for breeding and wintering wildfowl, and we’re surrounded by 75 acres of stunning gardens.

View place >

The Five Turrets

Despite the house’s 1870 construction, the interiors are very much 21st-century, with airy open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas to spread out in. If you’re interested in a fun, but surprisingly educational experience – visit the new Borders Distillery visitor centre in Hawick for an opportunity to explore the distillery, learn about the whisky production process, and perhaps even sample some of their crafted scotches. However, if gin’s really more your thing, try a gin tasting session in the house with Selkirk Distillers brings the tasting experience directly to your accommodation – so you can focus on lying back in comfort, and enjoying the scenic surrounds from a comfortable setting.

Guest Radi: Lovely home, quaint town and amazing views! We truly enjoyed our time at Five Turrets and exploring the Scottish Borders. Gethin was a fantastic host who was helpful, kind – much appreciated!

View place >

Old Parkhill Cottage at Hyrneside

Lindores Abbey, now a ruin but once a wealthy monastery founded in 1191, and its neighbouring working distillery is just a short walk from the rural estate where you stay. Stroll through Priests’ Burn Field (where the owners grow malting barley for the distillery) to discover the story of the birthplace of Scottish whisky. The distillery tour is very relaxed – even dogs are welcome! You stay in a stylishly restored cottage overlooking the River Tay with farmland, forest and trails to discover: the Fife Coastal Path and National Cycle Route 777 run through the farm. A wildflower meadow out the back, sunset views over the river and an Ooni pizza oven mean balmy evenings are magical.

Sawday’s inspector, Nicola: Great birdwatching and wildlife spotting by the river in an SSSI, home-produced cider on the farm, golf courses galore and dogs welcome. Everybody will love it here.

View place >

Cuil an Duin Cottages

Beautiful grounds and breathtaking views at these two cottages, with separate entrances and a shared outside space, which can be taken together, in the wing of a warm yellow house. The Blair Athol Distillery, in the foothills of the Grampian mountains, is five miles down the road. Its ancient source of water – the Allt Dour – flows from the slopes of Ben Vrackie giving the whisky its smooth finish. Sally and David, who do B&B in the main part of the house, are charming hosts. Admire mountain views, head off into ancient woodland, roam the gardens – the 20 acres are stunning – and you may spot wild deer, a tawny owl and red squirrels.

Guest Julie: This is a wonderful place to stay and the owners have thought of everything to make your stay special.

View place >

Strathspey Lodge

With a place as beautiful as this contemporary lodge, especially with that balcony to sit on, you might just watch the world go by for a few days, but you’d be hugely missing out. As the name suggest, you’re right on the Spey, which means distilleries are never far away. Dalwhinnie and the famous Glenfiddich are within easy reach, but consider dropping into Glenfarclas, one of the few distilleries in Scotland that’s still completely independent and family run. A tour takes in the array of giant copper stills and musty warehouses, speculates as to why anyone would build a distillery away from the river, and finishes in the tasting room where you’re introduced to the Glenfarclas specialty – sherry-casked whiskies that roll over you in sweet, smoky waves. Whoever has to drive can wait until they get a bottle back home, with the surroundings of the lodge the perfect place to crack it open.

Guest Rupinda: An absolutely amazing place to spend time where a week feels like so much longer. We loved it and miss the chance to get up and sit outside just staring at the amazing views.

View place >

Browse all our holiday cottages in Scotland >

Want more travel inspiration? Get our email updates direct to your inbox.

Carmen McCormack

Guest Expert

Carmen is a freelance writer specialising in travel. She once lived in a bus in north Wales, skipped off to study in Barcelona, and now calls Bristol home. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she can be found reading (a lot), lake swimming (a little), and pottering on the allotment with husband and two kiddos. She’s currently dreaming about cold cerveza and torta in Mexico.

View more articles by this author