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How to Get to Raasay

How to Get to Raasay

Getting here for your gin and whisky distillery tours is easier than you might think.

With regular ferry sailings from the Isle of Skye seven days a week, the Isle of Raasay is one of Scotland’s most accessible islands. Step aboard CalMac’s hybrid ferry in Sconser and enjoy a scenic 25 minute sailing over to Raasay looking across the Sound of Raasay and Cuillin mountains.

Along the main road to Portree on the Isle of Skye, look out for signs to Sconser as you approach Loch Sligachan. You will see signs for Raasay (or RATHARSAIR in Gaelic) as you approach Sconser
Ferry Terminal.

By Sea

CalMac operates a regular ferry service to Raasay from Sconser Ferry Terminal on the Isle of Skye.

Advance booking on the MV Hallaig is not required. Just turn up at Sconser at least 10 minutes before departure to guarantee passage.

You can either leave your car in the car park, or drive aboard the 23 car roll on roll off ferry over to the Isle of Raasay. Tickets are purchased on the vessel.

CalMac operates Summer and Winter timetables, so please ensure you look at the right timetable for the date of your visit. Please note – there are a limited number of sailings on a Sunday, and the 9pm sailing from Skye-Raasay is only available on a Saturday. In winter, this late sailing must be pre-booked by calling Cal Mac on 0800 066 5000 or 01475 650 397.

Driving to the Isle of Raasay via Skye

Travel by car to Raasay from anywhere in the UK. Popular cities to set off from include Inverness, Edinburgh, or Glasgow. The nearest airport is in Inverness, the ‘capital of the Highlands’.

From Inverness: travelling west, take the A82 along Loch Ness-side to Invermoriston, then right onto A887 to join A87 at Loch Cluanie. Continue on A87 directly to Sconser Ferry Terminal via Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye Bridge. Alternatively, travel north on the A9 to join A835 at Tore roundabout. Continue to join A832, A890 then A87 to Sconser Ferry Terminal via Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye Bridge.

You will know you’re getting close when you pass Eilean Donan Castle – Scotland’s most photographed castle, and location for films like Highlander and Made of Honor, to name but a few! Hop out and capture your own memories.

From Edinburgh: we like to follow the A90 across the Queensferry Crossing and join the M90. Then follow the A9, turning at Dalwhinnie onto the A889/A86 (past Scotland’s highest distillery). Continue through Spean Bridge and Invergarry to Kyle of Lochalsh and over the Skye Bridge.

From Glasgow: drive west on Great Western Road to join the scenic A82 route north to Fort William. Here you can choose the A830 Road to the Isles for the Mallaig-Armadale ferry crossing, or continue to Invergarry to join the A87 route to Kyle of Lochalsh and continue over the Skye Bridge.

Parking

Parking spaces are available at the distillery, which is only a 2 minute drive or a short 10 minute walk from Raasay pier. Remember to take a right at the fork in the road. You can also leave your car for free in Sconser car park, board the ferry by foot and walk to the distillery once on Raasay.

Fun Fact

“Did you know, we are just 14 miles as the crow flies to Talisker Distillery on the Isle of Skye, one of our Hebridean Whisky Trail partners?”

Getting to Raasay by Train

From Edinburgh or Glasgow, catch a train to Inverness, travelling through the picturesque Scottish countryside to the Highland capital. From there you can take another train to Kyle of Lochalsh.

From London Euston station, you can catch the Caledonian Sleeper overnight to Inverness. Then travel by day train to the end of the line at Kyle of Lochalsh. Or join the above journey after travelling first to Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Once you reach Kyle of Lochalsh, it takes 30-minutes in a taxi or bus to the Sconser ferry terminal.

Distillery Address

Isle of Raasay MapIsle of Raasay Distillery
Borodale House
Isle of Raasay
Kyle, Scotland
IV40 8PB (view on Google Maps >)

Call us on +44 (0)1478 470 178 if you would like a hand planning your journey.

Distillery Coordinates: 57.3535 N, 6.0766W
what3words: ///cubic.misfits.laughs

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Isle of Raasay Distillery Reviews

  • We had a wonderful lunch of small plates and wandered around the store and took in the views before we started the tour and tasting. Emma, our guide, was amazing and did a fantastic job with providing information and making it a fun and interactive experience. The whisky and gin are excellent and it was a fun 1/2 day trip from Isle of Skye.

    05444
  • First of all, it’s a beautiful 20 minute boat ride from the Isle of Skye to the Isle of Raasay. Once on the island, it’s a short 10 minute walk up the hill to the distillery.

    The tasting room/bar is beautiful. The views are gorgeous! We tasted two whiskeys and one gin, which were pretty good. Then we took a half hour tour of the distillery, which was very interesting. All in all, it was an enjoyable day.

    yannis63
  • We came along on a quiet Sunday and were greeted for a quick lunch at their bar before the 2.45pm tour with Helen. Big credits for her as she mentioned starting working at the distillery 2 weeks ago and provided excellent insight on the range of spirits produced at Raasay.
    We are already thinking of coming back and stay overnight to discover more of the Island.
    Thank you for a truely memorable whisky experience.

    Shane S
  • Interesting and staff were friendly and enthusiastic. Lunch was very good as was the whisky. Who knew you should put 3 drops of spring water in to your drink to bring out the flavour.

    SAK59
  • Absolutely lovely tasting tour, great guide. The distillery is fabulous and food and drinks very well priced. Absolutely worth a hop to the island as you can walk to the distillery in 5 minutes from the ferry, however we took the car and made a day out of it. I imagine it’s a great place to come if it’s raining as you can do the tasting + lunch and drinks.

    ALTravelling
  • I loved the tour and the tasting. The guide and other staff were excellent, friendly and knowledgeable and the whiskies and gin were great. Very nice and modern shop, restaurant and tourist rooms with Lovely views over to Skye.

    John P
  • A very enjoyable experience.

    Our guide helped us really get into the nitty gritty of how the distillery works. He was very informative but didn’t complicate things for the novices like myself!

    The tasting was fun and we stayed for lunch after. We shared some small plates which were fantastic and it was rounded off with a cocktail.

    We obviously couldn’t leave without purchasing some of their whisky on the way out the door!

    Would recommend and we’ll definitely be returning!

    GrandTour741737
  • The beautiful island of Raasay was very welcoming. Our host was very talented in telling the stories of the distillery and the island. The tasting was very interesting. Thank you !

    Client 2
  • Beautiful location, super comfortable room, excellent food, sublime drinks. Loved the whole Raasay experience!
    John Bardwell
  • We visited Skye and decided on a last minute ferry ride over to the distillery. We looooved our tour and our time on the isle. We toured at a few other distilleries in Scotland, and Raasay blew the others out of the water. Our guide made it personal, fun, and educational. Not only is the whisky and gin delicious and unique, but the experience was the best! We arrived as strangers, and left as friends and HUGE fans. We appreciate the sustainability practices they use, how they try to keep every step as local as possible, and how they foster and add to the community on the isle of Raasay. Not many distilleries have positive impacts on the people and economy of an area, but Raasay definitely does. It feels like you’re walking into a family distillery, where everyone does their part, is in love with what they do, and the product they make. What a beautiful story Raasay has to tell, and they tell it well. We’re proud and honored to have been welcomed into it.
    Breezy B
  • Perfect was to spend my American husbands 50th with a tour of the distillery and then some tasty. Extremely friendly, knowledgeable staff that went above and beyond to ensure everyone had an amazing experience. The drink at the bar afterwards was like sitting on ur local as such a fun and chatting bar staff. Best whisky tour ever, as my very happy husband said. Also took a bottle home for my dad and he loved it.
    Lisa Kassar

Your Guide to Visiting the Isle of Raasay

We’ve curated a wide range of blogs, articles and guides all about getting the most out of your visit to the Isle of Raasay. From the best walks, most captivating views and our rich history, you’re guaranteed to find something that suits you.

Hebridean Whisky Trail by Ferry

The History of Getting to Raasay

Exploring the rich history of travel and transport to the Isle of Raasay.
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Welcome Back To Raasay

This year, VisitScotland has launched Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, celebrating stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland. As part of this fantastic...
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The Best Views of Skye are from Raasay!

The Best Isle of Skye Views are from Raasay!

We consider ourselves incredibly lucky here on Raasay: beautiful scenery, interesting historical sites, quiet rocky beaches and a variety of...
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Distillery Tours

Available 7 days a week.
Advanced booking recommended.

Tour Times & Book >>

Shop & Bar

Open 7 days a week 10am – 11pm

Sample Menu >>

Restaurant

Reservations are recommended for both lunch and dinner.

View Menus & Book >>

The Isle of Raasay, an island rooted in centuries of illicit distilling, provides the ingredients for the perfect dram. Our lightly peated Isle of Raasay Single Malt is an expression of this magical place.

Our zesty, smooth and refreshing Isle of Raasay Gin combines an exciting selection of ten Raasay and traditional botanicals, including Raasay juniper, sweet orange peel, rhubarb root and our double distilled spirit.

Enjoy a warm island welcome at our award-winning visitor centre and whisky hotel, Borodale House. Discover our tour options and book today, or better still, wake up in the Isle of Raasay Distillery for an unforgettable experience!