Speyside Way

The Speyside Way follows Scotland's loveliest river from the Moray Firth to the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains through the heart of malt whisky country. Following paths and disused railway trackbeds the trail passes through a beguiling mix of scenery: the wave-battered shores of the Moray Firth, rich farmland, mixed woodland, heather-clad hills and ancient Caledonian pine forests. Along the way it visits many attractive villages and small towns as well as sites of historical interest including stone circles, standing stones, pictish relics, imposing castles and ancient kirks. This beautiful corner of Scotland is also rich in a wide variety of wildlife, from dolphins at Spey Bay to Ospreys at Loch Garten. Other highlights include the opportunity to visit some of the most famous distilleries in Scotland including Machallan, Glenfiddich, Cardhu and Glenlivet.

Starting from the fishing port of Buckie, the Speyside Way follows the shores of the Moray Firth through quaint fishing villages to Spey Bay at the mouth of the river. From here it follows forest tracks to Fochabers, an interesting village built by the 4th Duke of Gordon in 1776 when he decided that the original settlement was too close to his castle. At Boat O' Brig, the trail leaves the river and follows forest tracks around Ben Aigen to Craigellachie, with wonderful views along the Spey to the sea. Perched above the confluence of the sparkling waters of the Spey and the Fiddich, Craigellachie is a charming village, with a couple of welcoming old inns. Consider an extra night here if you would like to visit the Speyside Cooperage, which makes oak whisky casks, the Macallan Distillery or follow the 4-mile (6.5km) 'Dufftown Spur' that runs along the banks of the River Fiddich to the Glenfiddich Distillery, Balvenie Castle and the delightful little town of Dufftown, the 'Malt Whisky Capital of the World'.

From Craigellachie, the trail continues towards Aviemore through Aberlour, Carron and Knockando to Ballindalloch. Ballindalloch, an isolated hamlet consisting of little more than a scattering of houses, an inn, a distillery and a wonderful fairytale castle, is the starting point of the optional 'Tomintoul Spur'. This marvellous 15-mile (24km) walk, which takes one or two days to complete, visits the legendary Glenlivet Distillery and then ascends Carn Daimh, which provides breathtaking views into the heart of the Cairngorm Mountains, before following an old cattle drovers track to Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands. From Ballindalloch, the route meanders through farmland and forest past the attractive little Georgian town of Grantown-on-Spey to the village of Nethy Bridge. Then it crosses the Abernethy Nature Reserve past idyllic Loch Garten, to the hamlet of Boat of Garten, before following the famous Strathspey Steam Railway across heather moor dotted with scots pines and birch woodland to the village of Aviemore at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains.