5 of Scotland's best whisky distilleries to visit by helicopter

Scotland received a huge publicity boost this summer when Roman Abramovich’s superyacht Eclipse was spotted off Greenock. A huge lure of a private adventure or a luxury yacht charter in Scotland has always been the ability to discover some of the world's finest whisky distilleries by superyacht. Abramovich took advantage of this and went whisky tasting during his five days on his luxury yacht in Scotland. However, some of country's best distilleries are hidden in the rolling hills meaning that you might have to venture by air to discover their delights.

Here are five hidden gems to consider visiting by helicopter:

1. Glenmorangie (Northern Highlands)

Glenmorangie in Tain is a joy to visit. The welcome is warm, the whiskies are wonderful and Glenmo House an absolute delight to dine in. Make sure you enjoy a dram of Glenmorangie Signet, the richest, most intense whisky in the range.

Balblair will be familiar to cineastes for its role in Ken Loach’s 2012 film The Angels’ Share and to whiskyphiles for the exceptional quality of its vintage malts. Try the 2003 Balblair 1st Release Single Malt, loaded with toffee, butterscotch, honey and candied orange peel.

Dalwhinnie sits in proud isolation high in the Cairngorms National Park. The weather here can be harsh – it’s reputed to be the coldest inhabited spot in the UK – but the whisky itself, notably the 15 Year Old, is fabled for its softness and warmth.

Start at Benromach, Speyside’s smallest working distillery and Scotland’s only producer of 100 per cent organic single malt. Family owned by malt whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail, it produces barely 1,000 casks a year and takes only two men to operate.

Highland Park stands on the hill overlooking Kirkwall on Mainland, Orkney. The sweet, floral, smoky flavour of local Hobbister Moor peat is what HP is all about. Try the newly released sherried Highland Park Dark Origins and taste for yourself.