A Speyside Whisky Safari - Featuring the Speyburn Distillery

Information

Join Mitch Bechard — founder of CopperCairn, former Glenfiddich & Diageo Ambassador, independent bottler of Turas Mòr, and author of Not Another F@cking Whisky Book (signed copy included in the tour) — for an exclusive three-hour guided whisky safari around Speyside, designed to take you beyond the standard distillery visit and into the places, stories, and viewpoints most visitors never see.

Starting and finishing at Craigellachie.

Travelling through Speyside in a small group (maximum 8 guests), you’ll explore hidden riverbank spots, iconic whisky landmarks, and lesser-known corners of the region — guided by a true local who knows where whisky was really made, moved, hidden, and enjoyed long before visitor centres existed.

The experience includes a sit-down dram at Speyburn Distillery with Master Blender Sarah Burgess. During the Safari you will savour four exceptional drams enjoyed at carefully chosen locations across Speyside — from the banks of the River Spey to the dramatic Craigellachie Bridge.

Mitch has spent decades taking Scotch whisky around the world — and now brings those stories back to the landscape where they began.
This isn’t a distillery tour in disguise. It’s a moving, immersive journey through Speyside — its history, its characters, and the places that shaped Scotch whisky. Whether you’re new to whisky or properly obsessed, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the region and why it produces whisky like nowhere else on earth.

Your Whisky Safari Itinerary

You will be picked up at The Craigellachie Hotel Car Park

First Dram – The River Spey

We begin beside the river that made Speyside possible. At a hidden spot along the Spey, Mitch brings tales of smugglers, illicit stills, and whisky’s rebellious past to life.

Second Dram – An Iconic Speyside Stop

A pause at a classic Speyside distillery location for storytelling, photos, and a carefully chosen dram — setting the scene for the day’s featured distillery.

Third Dram – Speyburn Distillery

A sit-down visit at Speyburn, where you’ll enjoy a dram and conversation with Master Blender, Sarah Burgess, exploring what defines Speyburn’s distinctive style.

Fourth Dram – Craigellachie Bridge

Enjoy the final dram of the safari beside one of Speyside’s most iconic landmarks. This Thomas Telford bridge has watched whisky, people, and industry move through the region for centuries — a fitting place to raise a glass and reflect on the journey.

Finish – Craigellachie
We’ll drop you off in Craigellachie, perfectly placed to grab a bite to eat and a refreshing ale afterwards at either the Highlander Inn or the Craigellachie Hotel.**
We strongly recommend booking ahead, especially during the festival.

£69 per person includes:

• Four premium single malt whiskies (including Turas Mòr)
• A signed copy of Not Another F@cking Whisky Book (RRP £12.99)
• A CopperCairn Glencairn glass to take home
• Comfortable transport in CopperCairns 9-seater vehicle with bottled water provided
• Stories you’ll be retelling for years
• A dram with Sarah Burgess
• Drivers drams available (must be requested at time of booking)

Limited to just 8 guests — this is a genuinely small-group experience, not a bus tour with better marketing.

📌 Please note: While we stop at distillery locations for storytelling, photos, and drams, this experience does not include internal distillery tours except the tasting room at Speyburn. The focus is on offering a broader, more authentic view of Speyside’s whisky landscape.

Refund Policy: No refund before event.

Getting here: Getting to Craigellachie by bus: Craigellachie is served by Stagecoach North Scotland bus route 36, which runs between Elgin Bus Station and Dufftown, stopping at Craigellachie (Brickfield / Fife Street / Lodge). The journey from Elgin takes around 30–35 minutes and typically runs hourly Monday–Saturday (reduced Sunday service). We recommend checking the latest timetables on the Stagecoach website or app before travel. The safari start and finish points are within a short walk of the main bus stops.
Our Distillery Map helps you get a sense of the Speyside region when planning your visit.