The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival runs from 29 April to 4 May 2026 across 50+ distilleries in the Speyside region. The problem is simple: the distilleries are scattered across miles of single-track roads with no public transport, limited taxis, and parking that fills by mid-morning. If you want to taste whisky – and that is the point – someone else needs to drive.
What we provide
A private Mercedes V-Class with a local driver who knows every back road between Dufftown, Craigellachie, Aberlour, and Keith. Your driver works around your tasting schedule, not the other way round.
- Collection from your accommodation each morning at whatever time suits your first event
- Driving between distilleries, restaurants, and venues throughout the day
- Driver standby while you are at each venue – no waiting, no calling ahead
- Evening service including late-night returns from the ceilidh or dinner events
- Drop-off back at your accommodation when you are done
For groups of 8 or more, we run 2 x Mercedes V-Class with a driver in each vehicle. Both vehicles coordinate throughout the day so your group stays together.
Typical festival day with a driver
This is how a day might look. Your actual itinerary depends on which events you have booked.
- 09:30 – Pick up from your accommodation in Aberlour, Craigellachie, or Dufftown
- 10:00 – First distillery visit (e.g. Macallan, 5 minutes from Craigellachie)
- 12:00 – Drive to second distillery (e.g. Aultmore, 20 minutes north towards Keith)
- 13:30 – Lunch in Dufftown or Craigellachie
- 15:00 – Afternoon distillery (e.g. Balvenie or Glenfiddich, edge of Dufftown)
- 17:30 – Return to accommodation to freshen up
- 19:00 – Evening collection for dinner or festival event
- Late – Return from evening event to accommodation
Key Speyside distances
Speyside is compact but rural. These are real drive times, not sat-nav optimism:
- Aberlour to Dufftown: 8 miles, 15 minutes (A941)
- Aberlour to Craigellachie: 3 miles, 5 minutes
- Craigellachie to Macallan: 3 miles, 5 minutes
- Craigellachie to Speyside Cooperage: 2 miles, 5 minutes
- Aberlour to Keith (Strathisla, Aultmore): 12 miles, 20 minutes
- Inverness to Aberlour: 55 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes (A96/A95)
- Aberdeen to Dufftown: 65 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes (A96)
Transfers to and from Speyside
We also provide transfers to get you into Speyside at the start of the festival and home again at the end:
- Inverness Airport or station → Speyside: 1 hour 15 minutes. The most common arrival route.
- Aberdeen Airport → Speyside: 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Edinburgh → Speyside: 3 hours 30 minutes via the A9 and A95.
Transfers can be combined with your festival chauffeur package or booked separately.
Pricing
Every festival booking is different – group size, number of days, evening service, transfers. We quote per itinerary rather than a flat rate, so you only pay for what you need.
As a guide:
- Single-day chauffeur (1 x V-Class, up to 7 pax): from £500 + VAT
- Single-day chauffeur (2 x V-Class, 8+ pax): from £900 + VAT
- Multi-day packages: priced per itinerary with a package discount
- Inverness → Speyside transfer (one way): from £180 + VAT
Get a quote for festival week →
Why use a private driver in Speyside?
- Everyone tastes. No designated driver, no arguments about whose turn it is to skip the dram.
- Local knowledge. Our drivers know which car parks fill first, which approach roads avoid the single-track bottlenecks, and which distilleries are worth the detour.
- Flexibility. Want to add an extra stop? Skip one that is not working out? Stay longer at dinner? The driver adjusts on the day.
- Late nights covered. The ceilidh at Craigellachie runs late. Your driver is waiting outside when you are ready to leave.
Read more about the festival in our Spirit of Speyside 2026 guide, or explore the Speyside region and Scottish distilleries.
Book your festival transport
Festival week fills fast. Get in touch with your dates, group size, and any events you have already booked. We will put together a transport plan and quote.
Contact us → or call +44 1463 262 820
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private driver cost for the Speyside Whisky Festival?
A single-day chauffeur service in Speyside starts from around £500 + VAT for a Mercedes V-Class (up to 7 passengers). Multi-day packages and larger groups (2 vehicles) are priced per itinerary. Contact us with your dates and group size for an exact quote.
Can you do airport transfers to Speyside as well?
Yes. We provide transfers from Inverness Airport, Aberdeen Airport, Inverness station, and Edinburgh. These can be combined with your festival chauffeur package or booked separately.
How many distilleries can we visit in a day with a driver?
Two or three is the sweet spot. Each visit typically takes 1 to 2 hours including the tasting. With a driver handling the routes and parking, you spend your time in the distilleries rather than behind the wheel.
Do you provide a driver for the evening events too?
Yes. Our chauffeur service covers the full day and evening, including late-night returns from the Craigellachie ceilidh or dinner events. We agree the schedule with you in advance and adjust on the day as needed.
What vehicle do you use?
Mercedes V-Class, which seats up to 7 passengers comfortably. For groups of 8 or more, we run 2 vehicles with a driver in each. Both vehicles coordinate so the group stays together.
How far in advance should I book?
As early as possible. Festival week is our busiest period for Speyside and vehicles are allocated on a first-come basis. We recommend booking at least 4 to 6 weeks ahead.
