The Easter Ross Whisky Trail: The Distilleries of the Firths

The Easter Ross Whisky Trail: The Distilleries of the Firths

The trail at a glance

Distance~30–40 miles — the tightest cluster in the Highlands
Time2–3 days at a civilised pace
Distilleries9 within a short drive; 6 open to visitors, 3 production-only
BaseTain or Dingwall
Best timeApr–Oct
Our takeThe easiest whisky trail in Scotland — everything’s close

North of Inverness, wrapped around the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths, sits one of the most rewarding little whisky clusters in the country: nine distilleries within a short drive of one another, including two of the great names of the Highlands. Because it’s so compact, you can see the best of it in a couple of unhurried days, with the sea never far away.

The Black Isle & Dingwall

Start on the Black Isle at Glen Ord (The Singleton), which has a smart modern visitor centre, then drop into Dingwall for the remarkable, 100%-community-owned GlenWyvis — no regular walk-in tours, but shareholder open days and a shop in town.

Alness & the Cromarty Firth

A few miles on lies Alness, with the luxurious, sherried Dalmore (by appointment — book ahead) on the firth, plus two production-only distilleries you’ll only see from the road: Teaninich and young Ardross.

Tain, Edderton & the Dornoch Firth

The jewel is Glenmorangie at Tain, with its giraffe-necked stills; just up the road at Edderton is elegant Balblair, and out on the Fearn peninsula the tiny, historic Toulvaddie (production-only for now). Cross the firth to the cathedral town of Dornoch, home of the Thompson brothers’ cult micro-distillery and its superb whisky bar.

📝 Kevin’s note: our pick of the cluster, the Glenmorangie/Tarbat coast and the Portmahomack Pictish stones, and where we stayed — add from our own visit. (Photos to add.)

Overnights, food & the practical bit

Tain and Dornoch make the best bases, both with good food and famous golf links; the coast around the Tarbat peninsula is quiet and beautiful for an overnight. Book Dalmore ahead (appointment only); Glenmorangie, Glen Ord and Balblair take regular visitors. Keep a sober driver — drams to take home — and you can comfortably do two, even three, in a day here because nothing is far.

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