Scotland is a perfect place for anyone to take a short break. It has a wilderness quality to it that comes with its vast beaches, cliff top scenery and fresh, clean air but is balanced with a thriving nightlife, welcoming people and traditional fishing villages that gives it that quaint, homely feel. On top of that, Scotland has the freshest food served in the finest restaurants, it has championship golf courses and a choice of thirteen magnificent and striking castles.

However, there can be no better reason to travel to Scotland than for the whiskey. World famous for its single malts, complex pure malts and Scotch blends, this area is rich with not only the most picturesque scenery in the country as well as imposing granite buildings constructed from local stone but an alcoholic drink to beat all others.

If you wish to take the famous whiskey trail, then start by picking up a vehicle at the car hire from Aberdeen Airport. You will need a vehicle for this trek but remember to go easy on the samples. Better to take home your whiskey trail results and take your time testing and savouring each and every one of them in your own time.

So, you have your car hire from Aberdeen Airport and now you need to head North to Keith where your first stop will be Strathisla Distillery. This is where you will be able to take a tour and bring home your twelve year old bottle of Chivas Regal. Samples will be tempting so if you think you won't be able to resist, take the missus along. Secretly book her as the driver with the company that deals with car hire from Aberdeen Airport, swear you thought you were the named driver and you'll be free to sample away.

From Keith, head North West to Elgin, to the Glen Moray distillery on the banks of the River Lossie. This is possibly a place where you might like to stay for a day or two, book a room and take in the scenery of one of Scotland's most beautiful areas, if you can still see after a few drams of Scotland's finest.

Heading West across the coast next day, you have the choice of two distilleries: Scotland's smallest Benromach founded in 1898 and Dallas Dhu, which was the last distillery to be built in the nineteenth century. So, why would you want to visit them all? Is one distillery much the same as any other? Apparently not. All have their own recipes and processes, producing unique blends, strengths and flavours.

Once you have recovered from this, head South East to Rothes to the Glen Grant distillery and then it's just a short journey to the Speyside Cooperage at Craigellachie. Cardhu distillery at Knockando (the only distillery to be pioneered by a woman) and the Glenlivet distillery are also worth a tour while you are in the region.

North East from here will take you to Homer Simpsons dream destination of Dufftown where the Glenfiddich distillery of world famous single malt Scotch will be the premises best served to pick up all your souvenirs ready for those long winters at home when you need to keep warm. A short drive and you will find yourself back to deliver your vehicle to car hire at Aberdeen Airport and you're on your way home.