Glenlivet Hill Trek
Glenlivet Hill Trek
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
We are a specialist off road touring company established in 2009 based in Glenlivet in the Scottish Highlands infamous for its illicit whisky production and smuggling in the mid 18th to mid 19th century. We use 4 x 4 Land Rovers Station Wagons and 8x8 Argocat vehicles driven by expert local guides to transport clients on a selection of whisky history and heritage themed tours within the Cairngorms National Park and Speyside. Although our tours specialise in whisky smuggling and folklore, they include distillery visits, wildlife, stunning scenery and a whisky or two. We offer tours ranging from 2 hour to full day excursions. We cater for corporate events to a maximum of 15 persons. We were Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards Finalists in the 'Best Outdoor Adventure' category in 2015,2017, 2018 and 2017 winners of the Spirit of Speyside Awards 'Best New Event' category. NOTE.
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Glenlivet Hill Trek
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5.0
52 reviews
Excellent
52
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
brucegskinner
Banchory, UK6 contributions
Nov 2021
From booking the experience to the communications in the run up to it and the actual "Livet Illicit" tour everything was done very well.
Charlie arranged to pick us up from a Distillery tour at Glenallachie, it was lunch time and we had not factored in lunch, Charlie took us to Aberlour first so we could get some lunch, then the tour started.
For a November day, it was reasonably mild, and the sun was out at times. The autumn colours were amazing. If you ever get the chance to visit Speyside in Autumn, do it, the scenery will blow you away.
We toured Glenlivet and visited the sites of some illicit stills, also the site of the original Glen Livet Distillery and the new one.
Along the way Charlie filed us in with many stories of the area and served some cracking drams from The Glenlivet distillery at every stop.
We finished the tour at a bothy near the site of the old Glenlivet Distillery. Charlie had a recording (I think from the 1950s) where two older gentlemen were regaling stories of the many illicit stills in Glenlivet area.
After the tour we were very kindly dropped off at our accommodation near Aberlour, ready for the evening’s festivities.
If you want to do something different in Speyside that still revolves around Whisky, this is an experience well worth going on.
Charlie arranged to pick us up from a Distillery tour at Glenallachie, it was lunch time and we had not factored in lunch, Charlie took us to Aberlour first so we could get some lunch, then the tour started.
For a November day, it was reasonably mild, and the sun was out at times. The autumn colours were amazing. If you ever get the chance to visit Speyside in Autumn, do it, the scenery will blow you away.
We toured Glenlivet and visited the sites of some illicit stills, also the site of the original Glen Livet Distillery and the new one.
Along the way Charlie filed us in with many stories of the area and served some cracking drams from The Glenlivet distillery at every stop.
We finished the tour at a bothy near the site of the old Glenlivet Distillery. Charlie had a recording (I think from the 1950s) where two older gentlemen were regaling stories of the many illicit stills in Glenlivet area.
After the tour we were very kindly dropped off at our accommodation near Aberlour, ready for the evening’s festivities.
If you want to do something different in Speyside that still revolves around Whisky, this is an experience well worth going on.
Written 19 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking the time to review us and for your kind comments. It was a pleasure showing you all around.
Written 1 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Trevor M
Coventry, United Kingdom45 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
Spent the day with Charlie as part of a 6 day break on my own. I was lucky enough to be the only one booked on the tour which went ahead regardless and was the highlight of my holiday. Such a unique experience visiting places behind the story of Glen Livet and getting Charlie’s insight into it all and of course tasting the product as you go. Lunch in the Bothy was brilliant with superb home cooked food and very atmospheric surroundings.
The tour at the distillery is well worth it and the new visitor centre is amazing and very well designed.
I was definitely spoiled to get Charlie all to myself as he was great company and I was very impressed that even though it was just one client nothing was overlooked or rushed so I thoroughly recommend without hesitation, just don’t plan to drive anywhere till the following day 😂
The tour at the distillery is well worth it and the new visitor centre is amazing and very well designed.
I was definitely spoiled to get Charlie all to myself as he was great company and I was very impressed that even though it was just one client nothing was overlooked or rushed so I thoroughly recommend without hesitation, just don’t plan to drive anywhere till the following day 😂
Written 31 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking the time to review us. It was a pleasure showing you around.
Written 3 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
siskog2015
London, UK5 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
The booking and planning of our Livet on The Edge Argo Tour was made easy by Charlie and Susan Ironside. They were helpful, flexible and very accommodating, making sure the trip was perfectly tailored for the three generations of our family group.
We were given detailed instructions on the time and meeting place of the tour and all safety requirements were fully adhered to before the start of the trip.
Charlie was a fun tour guide, managing to engage everyone with information on the history and geography as well as current and future plans for the Glenlivet Estate and Distillery.
At the cairn, we enjoyed a wee dram of the Glenlivet’s famous produce and Irn-Bru, ‘Scotland’s other National drink’ for the youngsters!
Charlie offered to take photographs of our group at various points of interest during the tour and true to his promise, he promptly forwarded the shots to us by a text message!
After the tour, Charlie went above and beyond his official remit as our guide by recommending us a stunning picnic spot by The Old Packhorse Bridge.
We would wholeheartedly recommend this tour.
We were given detailed instructions on the time and meeting place of the tour and all safety requirements were fully adhered to before the start of the trip.
Charlie was a fun tour guide, managing to engage everyone with information on the history and geography as well as current and future plans for the Glenlivet Estate and Distillery.
At the cairn, we enjoyed a wee dram of the Glenlivet’s famous produce and Irn-Bru, ‘Scotland’s other National drink’ for the youngsters!
Charlie offered to take photographs of our group at various points of interest during the tour and true to his promise, he promptly forwarded the shots to us by a text message!
After the tour, Charlie went above and beyond his official remit as our guide by recommending us a stunning picnic spot by The Old Packhorse Bridge.
We would wholeheartedly recommend this tour.
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to review us and for your kind comments.
We hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Scotland.
Written 30 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sharon e
7 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
We had an amazing experience with Charlie (Glenlivet Hill Trek) on the “One Life Livet Premiere Whisky Smugglers” Tour! We spent the day touring historical sites on the Glenlivet Estate, had an awesome lunch at a historical bothy sitting outside and overlooking spectacular scenery then finished up the day with a very informative Glenlivet Distillery Tour and whisky tasting. Charlie’s wife, Wish we had been able to linger at the bothy for the entire afternoon! Charlie has great knowledge and stories about the area and we were able to taste various Glenlivet Scotch Whisky’s along the way. They even picked us up at our cottage and brought us back at end of day. What an incredible day! We enjoyed the tour so much we’d do it again!
Written 17 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kyle F
17 contributions
Nov 2021
Fantastic organised tour of the illicit distilling sites in the Glenlivet area. Our host and driver Charles was very warm, personable, and provided great knowledge of the area and some hidden gems in the historical underground distilling (literally). Tour concluded in a lovely bothy that was handbuilt by Charles and his son, and it really topped off the whole experience. Highly recommend this company and tour if given the chance!
Written 12 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle F
Boynton Beach, FL15 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Charlie showed us an amazing, interesting, relaxing time! We did the illicit tour and how interesting it was. He was full of information and facts. He took his time pointing out things of interest, wildlife, etc. The conclusion in the bothy really made the experience memorable. Oh, and the whiskey is good too!!
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking the time to review us and for your kind words.
It was a pleasure showing you all around.
Written 10 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gendr
25 contributions
Sept 2021 • Family
We met Charlie at the Glenlivet distillery and had a great, informative walk up and down hill, over bog and through forest. We were fortified by a dram of Glenlivet in a bothy half way through - can't get much better than that!
The sun shone as we learned about whisky from the days of the illicit still at the back of the croft to the international business that's modern whisky production.
Our dog was welcome, Charlie was a wonderful guide and we spent a great afternoon in the Glen. Thoroughly recommended!
The sun shone as we learned about whisky from the days of the illicit still at the back of the croft to the international business that's modern whisky production.
Our dog was welcome, Charlie was a wonderful guide and we spent a great afternoon in the Glen. Thoroughly recommended!
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking the time to review us. It was a pleasure to show you all around.
Written 3 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Natalie
5 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
We did the tour as part of the Whisky festival. An amazing experience. Absolutely brilliant from start to finish. The argocat tour has a bit of everything adventure, history and a very atmospheric moor. Charles knowledge of the area is fabulous and it was so interesting hearing the history of the area. The wee dram at the top was very special. Would highly recommend it.
Written 2 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to review us and for your kind comments. It was a pleasure meeting you both.
Written 11 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
enibas90
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Despite 4 of us knackered after a long journey, Charlie kept our energy up, was a wealth of information and keen to ensure we enjoyed our time. Incredibly friendly guy, who took the time to answer questions and give an insight into the local area. Loved the walk and the tour
Written 5 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking the time to review us and your kind comments.
It was an absolute pleasure walking with you all.
Written 10 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Scott B
1 contribution
Nov 2021 • Solo
Such a privilege to spend time with Charlie on this must do Speyside experience. His knowledge is second to none and it makes the day so special. Really really amazed and pleased to see illicit still site but also the beauty that Speyside has to give in Autumn 🍂. Charlie is a guardian of the past and I enjoyed my afternoon sharing history, stories and drams. This experience comes highly recommended 👌 and I look forward to doing more experiences with Glenlivet Hill Trek in the future 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Thank you once again Charlie 😀
Written 11 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking the time to review us. It was a pleasure showing you around and sharing some of our local knowledge.
Written 1 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Quick question : Are kids allowed? We have a 7 and 11 yr old. Please let us know.
Written 24 July 2019
Hi
Thanks for your enquiry.
Yes children are allowed. For our full day tours that involve a distillery tour under 18’s are not permitted within the distillery. We can however offer the alternative of a visit to a rare breeds farm with the opportunity to hand feed the Cairngorm reindeer herd. The kids love it!
Hope this answers your question.
Kind Regards,
Charlie Ironside
Owner/Operator
Written 24 July 2019
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