D is for Distilleries and Dolphins – all available on our doorstep. Visiting Scotland means you are duty-bound to visit at least one whisky distillery. So if you are a Malt Whisky fan or even a Dolphin fan or indeed both and you are planning a stay at Blervie House – well you are in luck we have over 50 distilleries on our doorstep and plenty of dolphins to see.
So plan your day – which one are you going to see? My advice is if you have a favourite whisky that distillery should be your first stop. If you are here to enjoy Scotland then your choice might be different. Don’t forget to plan your day to visit some of the attractions close to distilleries that are easily missed.
One of the newest and most famous is indeed The Macallan with their new distillery opened in 2018. Enjoy a beautiful drive over stunning moorland to visit this world-famous distillery. Take one of their tours and learn the whole whisky process in more detail and sample a wee dram at their bar.
Benromach is our closest distillery. With many award-winning whiskies and a fabulous visitor centre, this is well worth a visit. Owned by Gordon and MacPhail renowned for their whisky expertise.
Oldest and most picturesque – has to be Strathisla. Worth the trip just for the photo opportunity.
Historical – Dallas Dhu was once a working distillery. Now a historical museum showing whisky production as it used to be. It is both a very worthwhile and informative step back in time.
Gin – if whisky is not your thing we can recommend some very good local gin distilleries! In fact, you can visit Red Door at the same site as Benromach.
Dolphins
Did you know the Moray Coast is one of the best dolphin spotting areas in the UK? The dolphins living here in Moray Firth are some of the largest you will see anywhere, this might have something to do with the extra blubber they carry to keep them warm up here in Scotland.
If you are lucky you might also see orcas and even humpback whales too. You have an excellent choice of places to see them.
Closest to us is North 58 Adventures taking a Rib out of Findhorn Village with an exhilarating ride along the Moray Firth coastline. If the Findhorn rib is fully booked their adventures also go from Lossiemouth as well.
If a trip on a rib is not for you then pop into Inverness and set sail with Dolphin Spirit You can also combine this with a visit to Inverness city centre.
If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground then you have plenty of choices. One-stop could be the Scottish Dolphin Centre.
Another popular Dolphin watching spot is Channory point on the Black Isle opposite Fort George. Many of our guests pull up at the Harbour in Nairn and watch Dolphins from there. If the Dolphins are feeling particularly cooperative you may be able to enjoy a spot of dolphin watching while eating dinner at The Sundancer in Nairn.
Find the time to enjoy the cliff top walking of the Moray Coastal Trail and watch dolphins at the same time, really good spots are Burghead to Hopeman or around Bow Fiddle Rock near Cullen.
To be fair this part of Scotland is famed not only for its world-famous Malt Whisky Distilleries in Speyside but also for its superb Coastline, so taking the time to either walk or drive the Coastline presents an opportunity to Dolphin Watch almost anywhere anytime so you never know your where or when you will get lucky!
