We’re all about wine tours and this one was all about…whisky. Islay Single Malt Whiskies are the strongest flavoured of all malt whiskies: made of stern stuff indeed. A spectacular drive & ferry crossing led us to the iconic island of Islay, nestled off the west coast of Scotland. This was quintessential Scotland. We spent three days visiting all 8 distilleries on the island. The most peaty being Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroig, on the South Coast; Bowmore, Bruichladdich and Kilchoman in the centre; and Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila in the North. Our evenings were all about roaring fires and long chats in homely cottages on the grounds of Bowmore. Also there were cask samples, barrel tastings & finally a whisky and chocolate tasting at Glengoyne en route back to Glasgow: it was every whisky lover’s dream come true.