3 Best Sights in Inverness and Around the Great Glen, Scotland

Established in 1897 and once the largest malt distillery in Scotland, Tomatin is more of a large industrial complex than a typical pagoda-roofed Speyside distillery, yet the working nature of this place makes for a fascinating tour. Knowledgeable and playful guides take visitors through every step of the whisky-making process, with fun extras like a chance to stand inside a disused mash tun, and a photo opp with barrels dating back to the mid-1900s. Tours conclude with a tasting of three single malts, including the heavily peated Cu Bocan—worth the price of admission alone. Tomatin Distillery is located 13 miles northwest of Boat of Garten, on the road from Inverness.

The smallest distillery in Moray was founded in 1898. It's now owned by whisky specialist Gordon and MacPhail and produces an array of distinctive (often slightly peaty) malts, as well as its distinctive Red Door gin. An informative hourly tour will lead you through the facilities, including seeing the poignant signatures of distillery managers before and after a 15-year closure in the late 20th century. Tours end with a tutored nosing and tasting.

The final port of call on the Malt Whisky Trail, the Dallas Dhu Historic Distillery was the last such facility built in the 19th century and was still in operation until the 1980s. Today, its distillery rooms—from the malt barn to the still house to the bonded warehouses—make up a fascinating exhibition that tells the story of Scotland's national drink. You'll be walked through the entire whisky-making process by an audio-tour guide, before eventually arriving in the bar to taste a dram and watch an entertainingly dated video.