"ON THE ROCKS" GEOTOURS
These full-day guided tours, based at different locations around Scotland’s East Coast, include visits to world-class geological outcrops and tour/tasting visits to renowned whisky or gin distilleries. Stops include beaches, coastal paths and cliffs. Participants need to be able to walk ~1km, handle low to moderate inclines and should wear sturdy ankle supporting footwear and weather appropriate clothing. These tours are designed for between 4 and 8 attendees.
The “On The Rocks” GeoTour price is £150 per person and this covers the cost of the tour guide, transport, field guide, snacks and whisky or gin tour/tasting (as applicable). Lunch costs are not included.
Please note if less than 4 attendees sign-up for these tours or distillery tour/tasting spaces are unavailable when bookings are made the tours may be cancelled or rescheduled. Our cancellation policy can be found here.
If you cannot find a “On The Rocks” GeoTour to suit your schedule please feel free to contact us on private_tours@balgownie-geo.com to see if we can design one to suit your requirements.
MORAY FIRTH NORTH
Starting and finishing in BRORA this Whisky “On The Rock” GeoTour is for those interested in exploring Devonian and Jurassic age fluvial, shallow marine, and deep marine sediments.
The tour finishes with a tour and tasting at the CLYNELISH distillery.
EASTER ROSS
Starting and finishing in INVERGORDON this Whisky “On The Rocks” GeoTour gives attendees the chance to study Devonian age rocks created when Scotland was near the equator and covered by ancient deserts.
The tour finishes with a tour and tasting at the GLENMORANGIE distillery.
THE GREAT GLEN FAULT
Starting and finishing in INVERNESS this Gin “On The Rocks” GeoTour gives attendees the opportunity to explore one of Scotland’s most significant geological features and the contrasting age rocks either side of it.
The tour finishes with a tour and tasting at the GREAT GLEN distillery.
MORAY FIRTH SOUTH
Starting and finishing in ELGIN this Whisky “On The Rocks” GeoTour is for those who want to explore Permian and Triassic age desert sediments and hunt for the dinosaurs that lived in those deserts.
The tour finishes with a tour and tasting at the GLEN MORAY distillery.
BUCHAN WEST
Starting and finishing in BANFF this Whisky “On The Rocks” GeoTour gives attendees the opportunity to study rocks created over 500 million years ago, and experience the stunning scenery they helped create.
The tour finishes with a tour and tasting at the GLENGLASSAUGH distillery.
BUCHAN EAST
Starting and finishing in MACDUFF this Whisky “On The Rocks” GeoTour is designed for attendees who are keen to explore a wide range of rock types, from deep marine fans to desert soils.
The tour finishes with a tour and tasting at the GLENGLASSAUGH distillery.
THE HIGHLAND BOUNDARY
Starting and finishing in ABERDEEN this Whisky “On The Rocks” GeoTour gives attendees the opportunity to explore the major boundary fault that separates two ancient continents.
The tour finishes with a tour and tasting at the FETTERCAIRN distillery.
ANGUS NORTH
Starting and finishing in MONTROSE this Gin “On The Rocks” GeoTour is the perfect opportunity for attendees to study ancient “Old Red Sandstone” river and desert sediments.
The tour finishes with a tour and tasting at the ARBIKIE distillery.
ANGUS SOUTH
Starting and finishing in ARBROATH this Gin “On The Rocks” GeoTour along South Angus’ stunning cliffs allow detailed examination of faulted and fractured Devonian age river sediments.
The tour finishes with a tour and tasting at the ARBIKIE distillery.
NORTH FIFE
Starting and finishing in ST. ANDREWS this Whisky “On The Rocks” GeoTour allows attendees to explore “Scotland in the Carboniferous”; a world of swamps, forests and volcanoes.
The tour finishes with a tour and tasting at the KINGSBARNS distillery.
THE "EAST NEUK"
Starting and finishing in ELIE this Gin “On The Rocks” GeoTour is another perfect opportunity to study Carboniferous sediments, explosive volcanoes, and mine for coal.
The tour finishes with a tour and tasting at the DARNLEYS/KINGSBARNS distillery.