Speyside Way

Speyside Way

A self-guided walking holiday from Buckie to Newtonmore, following the course of the spectacular River Spey

3 to 11 nights
27-101 miles
Moderate to Moderate / Demanding

From £385 per person

Find your holiday

About the trail

Follow the Speyside Way along the River Spey, covering 86 miles on foot. The trail heads inland from the wave-battered coastline through birchwoods and pastures, with views of heather-clad hills giving way steadily to the rising peaks of the Cairngorm Mountains. The Speyside Way keeps to clear paths and tracks, which are chiefly low-level save for a hillier foray from the riverbank between Ballindalloch and Grantown.

The trail is alive with welcoming villages and a wide variety of wildlife, from ospreys to dolphins, while budding historians will love the Pictish relics, standing stones and ancient castles. Some of Scotland’s most famous distilleries await, too, including Glenfiddich, Machallan, and Cardhu. Overall, the Speyside Way is an approachable, settled route through a wild and beguiling landscape. If you fancy an extra adventure, tack on the Tomintoul Spur and clamber over the moors to one of the highest villages in Scotland.

We offer multiple holiday options along this trail. If you wish to experience the entire trail, simply select the first option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • Speyside Way
  • Speyside Way and Tomintoul Spur
  • Speyside Way Short Break

About this route

8 to 9 nights
86 miles
Moderate to Moderate / Demanding
1st April to 31st October

From £985 per person

Speyside Way

The Speyside Way journeys 86 miles from coastal Buckie to the town of Newtonmore, nestled inland. The walk revels in the moorland and mountain backdrops, accompanied by the ever-present rumble of the River Spey itself as it winds through quiet forests and thriving pasture land.

The Speyside Way utilises mostly low-level paths and tracks, and is dotted with an array of welcoming villages, a wide variety of wildlife and a healthy smattering of intriguing historic sites. All of the above comes together to form an impressive walking trail worthy of exploration.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
SPW1 From Buckie to Newtonmore 8 nights, 7 days walking Moderate / Demanding £985
SPW2 From Buckie to Newtonmore 9 nights, 8 days walking Moderate £1105

Short breaks

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
SPWSB1 From Craigellachie to Grantown-on-Spey 3 nights, 2 days walking Moderate / Demanding £385
"End of the Speyside Way in Buckie" by Trisha Cressey (2024) "End of the Speyside Way in Buckie" by Trisha Cressey (2024)
"Lochan in the Inshriach Forest between Kingussie and Kincraig" by Trisha Cressey (2024) "Lochan in the Inshriach Forest between Kingussie and Kincraig" by Trisha Cressey (2024)
"The Abernethy Forest near Grantown-on-Spey" by Trisha Cressey (2024) "The Abernethy Forest near Grantown-on-Spey" by Trisha Cressey (2024)
"Found on Newtonmore's Wildcat Trail" by Trisha Cressey (2024) "Found on Newtonmore's Wildcat Trail" by Trisha Cressey (2024)
"Swallow flying across the Spey in Kincraig" by Trisha Cressey (2024) "Swallow flying across the Spey in Kincraig" by Trisha Cressey (2024)
"On the Lower Slopes of Ben Aigan" by Robert Evans (2022) "On the Lower Slopes of Ben Aigan" by Robert Evans (2022)
"Where the Spey Meets the Sea" by Robert Evans (2022) "Where the Spey Meets the Sea" by Robert Evans (2022)
"Telford's Cast Iron Bridge" by Robert Evans (2022) "Telford's Cast Iron Bridge" by Robert Evans (2022)
"Former Railway Track to Port Gordon" by Robert Evans (2022) "Former Railway Track to Port Gordon" by Robert Evans (2022)
"View from the Slopes of Ben Aigan" by Robert Evans (2022) "View from the Slopes of Ben Aigan" by Robert Evans (2022)
"Old Viaduct, Ballindalloch" by Barbara Milne-Redhead (2019) "Old Viaduct, Ballindalloch" by Barbara Milne-Redhead (2019)
"Cragganmore Old Granary Halt" by Barbara Milne-Redhead (2019) "Cragganmore Old Granary Halt" by Barbara Milne-Redhead (2019)
"Beyond Aberlour on Disused Railway Track" by Barbara Milne-Redhead (2019) "Beyond Aberlour on Disused Railway Track" by Barbara Milne-Redhead (2019)
"Aviemore" by Jan Valvekens (2018) "Aviemore" by Jan Valvekens (2018)
"Trainspotting on the Speyside Way" by David Raynor (2017) "Trainspotting on the Speyside Way" by David Raynor (2017)
"Looking out over the River Spey" by David Raynor (2017) "Looking out over the River Spey" by David Raynor (2017)

Customer reviews from the Speyside Way

“Everything worked as it should (even the weather!) We benefitted from quick responses from the office on several occasions.”
Mr Rasmussen, Denmark
“Flawless organisation. Friendly and helpful hosts. Beautiful scenery. Unexpectedly good weather.”
Mr Valvekens, Belgium
“Thank you for the great coordination and booking of accommodations. All accommodations were good as well as the luggage transfers and materials provided. Yes, would recommend both Contours and the Speyside Way to others. Yes, we have done many walking holidays through Contours and hope to continue to do more.”
Ms Greco, USA
“The lodgings were in general great, and the level of service was great.”
Mr Marshall, USA
“Weather was warm and sunny which helped make it so enjoyable. Accommodation was ideal and baggage transfers went seamlessly.”
Mr Jarvie, UK
“A great walk with great hospitality, thank you!”
Mrs Foster, UK
“Organisation and care taken by Contours was excellent.”
Mr Markovec, Australia
“You gave me every help I could expect.”
Mr Rayner, UK
“Arrangement of walk was excellent as usual.”
Mr Clarke, UK
Find your holiday