25 Scotland’s Top Experiences - Discover Scotland: Experience the Best of Scotland - page 22

Whisky
Scotland's national drink - from the Gaelic uisge bagh , meaning 'water of life' - has been
distilled here for more than 500 years. More than 100 distilleries are still in operation, pro-
ducing hundreds of varieties of single malt; learning to distinguish the smoky, peaty
whiskies of Islay from, say, the flowery, sherried malts of Speyside has become a hugely
popular pastime. Many distilleries offer guided tours ( Click here ) , rounded off with a tast-
ing session, and ticking off the local varieties is a great way to explore the whisky-making
regions.