Old Pulteney – the Spirit of Wick Tour
A few hours.
The route
Old Pulteney has made whisky in Wick's Pulteneytown since 1826, on the far north coast where the salt wind is said to find its way into the casks.
The Spirit of Wick tour takes up to an hour, following the spirit from the mill to the warehouse, and ends with two drams. It's a good hour or two for anyone who likes a dram, with drivers' drams to take away for whoever is at the wheel.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is House of the Northern Gate, 17 miles away. Sleeps 18.
Book the Spirit of Wick tour on Old Pulteney's website before you go, on a weekday from October to March (Monday to Saturday from April to September): up to an hour, two drams, £25 a head at the time of writing, children 12 to 17 only with an adult, drivers' drams for the driver.
The day
Wick
An hour among the stills and the casks, then a look round the shop and bar.
About an hour and a half
Old Pulteney Distillery
An attraction
Old Pulteney stands on Huddart Street in Pulteneytown, the harbour side of Wick, a mile's walk from the station. There is no car park at the distillery, so park on the street nearby. From October to March it opens Monday to Friday, 10am to 4.30pm, and from April to September Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Book the Spirit of Wick tour ahead: up to an hour from the mill to the warehouse, with two drams at the end, for £25 a head at the time of writing. Children aged 12 to 17 may join this tour with an adult; no one under 18 goes on the others. Whoever is driving is given drivers' drams in small bottles to take home. Wear closed shoes, as the floors are mesh and grating in places, and layers for the heat of the stills. There are stairs in parts: ring ahead and the staff will find another way round where they can. Only assistance dogs are allowed. The shop and bar are open whenever the distillery is.
If it rains
The tour, the shop and the bar are all indoors.
No 1 Bistro, a restaurant in Wick.
Photographs by Andre Beckmann and AK via Google