Though Scotland offers peerless terrain both for road trips and whisky tours, the two make unhappy bedfellows – unless you enlist Speyside Whisky Tours as your designated driver. The company chauffeurs guests around the world’s foremost whisky region, taking in pioneering and little-known distilleries, as well as those run by established brands like Glenfiddich (exclusive driver-guide from £150pp per day, not including entrance to the distilleries, lunch or drinks). Hosted by well-informed local guides, these bespoke tours can also include visits to a cooperage, where whisky barrels are made, plus stops at pubs and stores, all the while as the classically Scottish scenery of lochs and castles shifts past your window.

• ARRIVE – Inverness is an hour’s drive from Speyside; fly there with BA, easyjet and Fly, or catch the sleeper from London.
• STAY – The village of Aberlour is well-placed for distilleries -occupying a grand house, the Dowa ns Hotel offers smart rooms with tartan touches.