Tequendama is the ideal yacht to take you on your
own Malt Whisky cruise, not least because all her inventory of whisky
and wine glasses are made of real glass! Within reach are at least nine
of the best and most romantic Malt Whisky distilleries.
The nearest distillery to Ardrossan is also Scotland’s
newest – the Isle of Arran Distillery at Lochranza at the north
end of the island. The anchorage is only a short and delightful stroll
from the distillery. Starting early with fair winds, this trip could be
achieved easily in a day from Ardrossan. Incidentally, Brodick on the
east shore of Arran, has its own brewery near the Castle, producing delicious
and highly acclaimed beers of various types.
Springbank distillery in Campbeltown, one of the
last distilleries to do everything from malting to bottling on site, is
close to the southern end of the Kintyre peninsular. It is well within
range for a weekend, with safe mooring at a pontoon.
The Isle of Islay has seven distilleries, three
(Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg) being within walking distance of Port
Ellen, the main town where there is safe pontoon mooring. The other four
are easily accessible by the excellent bus service round the island, or
by taxi.
The Isle of Jura distillery is across the Sound
of Islay at Craighouse, and so a visit here could be included in the same
trip. The safe anchorage is within sight of the distillery.
If starting from home base in Ardrossan, this
trip would involve rounding the Mull of Kintyre, requiring time and careful
planning, but a visit to Islay and Jura can also be achieved when approached
from the north, when the boat is based in Loch Melfort.