Glenglassaugh Distillery

The coastal road between Banff and Portsoy drops you at a low-slung distillery that spent decades closed before reopening in 2008. Glenglassaugh sits right on the Moray Firth, and the sea air genuinely matters here - it's part of why the whisky tastes the way it does. You'll get a proper tour through the production, see the stills, taste the result. They do visitor experiences that range from a quick dram to full masterclasses, depending on what you're after and how much you want to spend. Most people allocate two hours, though you can stretch it to three if you're serious about whisky.

Whisky enthusiasts will find it worth the trip - the releases sell out regularly and the quality punches well above its size. If you're dragging reluctant family members along, fair warning: it's not flashy or interactive. Kids will get bored unless they're genuinely interested in the process. The views from the grounds are worth the visit alone though, especially on a clear day.

Camp at Sandend Holidays just down the road - it's literally walking distance - and you've got the distillery sorted. Portsoy Links and Whitehills offer more space if you need it. Best to check opening hours and book ahead on their website; these smaller distilleries don't keep London hours. Go mid-week if you can, it's less rammed.