Speyside Way: Whisky & Walking

Programme

Day 1:  Buckie to Fochabers

Individual arrival in Inverness. From Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, you will take the bus to the pretty coastal town of Buckie. Here at the mouth of the river Spey starts the Speyside Way. Follow the shore and enjoy fantastic views over the Moray Firth, home to the most northerly resident Bottlenose Dolphin colony in the world. In Spey Bay you leave the coast behind and follow the trek inland along the River Spey to Fochabers. Over the coming days the river will be your constant companion. Walk: 11 miles, 4-4.5 hrs, ccommodation: Fochabers

Day 2: Fochabers to Craigellachie

Start the day with a hearty breakfast before leaving Fochabers behind and heading steadily uphill with great views over Spey Valley and Boat o’Brig. Follow the route through woods and farmland until you reach the small village of Craigellachie. Welcome to the centre of the Speyside, the most famous whisky region in the world. Craigellachie itself boast two whisky distilleries, the neighbouring village of Dufftown is home to the famous Glenfiddich distillery and is hailed as Scotland’s whisky capital. The Quaich bar at the Craigellachie Hotel with its selection of over 600 whiskies is a must visit for every whisky fan. Walk: 12.5 miles, 4-5 hrs, Accommodation: Craigellachie

Additional Day (optional add-on)

This additional day is for the whisky enthusiasts. Today you can visit one or two distilleries and the Speyside Cooperage. Follow an off-shoot of the Speyside Way along an old railway and the River Fiddich to Dufftown. You will pass abandoned and still operating distilleries like Convalmore, Balvenie and Glenfiddich. Join a tour or tasting to learn more about Scotland’s “aqua vita”. In the afternoon you can visit the Speyside Cooperage, where thousands of whisky barrels are repaired every year. The viewing gallery offers a chance to watch the Coopers while they work. Or take a walk to iconic Macallan, showcasing its new distillery and visitor experience, a striking piece of contemporary architecture. Walk: 12.5 miles, 5-6 hrs, Accommodation: Craigellachie

Day 3: Craigellachie to Ballindalloch

This pretty section of the Speyside Way follows the River Spey along the bed of the old railway line. Stop off in the picturesque little town of Aberlour and visit Aberlour Distillery. Join one of the best distillery tours in the country, including a tasting of 6 drams! Stop at the superb local deli before continuing on to Ballindalloch. In Ballindalloch you can visit another distillery which only opened a few years ago. Or visit the imposing Ballindalloch Castle. Walk: 12 miles, 4-5 hrs, Accommodation: Ballindalloch

Day 4: Ballindalloch to Grantown-on-Spey

The most strenuous section of the Speyside Way rewards with fantastic views and some of the prettiest woodland treks in the region. You will pass Anagach Woods where you can see some of the rare native Scots pines. If you are lucky you might even spot ospreys, otters and red deer. You can visit Cragganmore distillery, built in 1869 and now part of the Diageo group. Walk: 14.5 miles, 5-6h, Accommodation: Grantown-on-Spey

Day 5: Grantown-on-Spey to Nethy Bridge

Today you can relax and take it easy. Have a picknick at the river and dangle your feet into the refreshing waters of the shallow Spey before following an easy 6.5 miles trek through the Strathspey. The adjacent Abernethy Forest is home to the Caledonian Forest with its Scots pines directly descended from the first pines to arrive in Scotland following the late Glacial about 7000 BC. Walk: 6.5 miles, 4 hrs, Accommodation: Nethy Bridge

Day 6: Nethy Bridge to Aviemore

You continue through Strathspey with the Cairngorm mountains as backdrop. The largest national park in the United Kingdom, The Cairngorms themselves are a spectacular landscape and provide a unique alpine tundra moorland habitat, home to many rare plants and animals. The walk leads you through nature reserve woodland and farmland, following the old train treks to your final destination: the winter ski town of Aviemore. The surrounding area is popular with outdoor enthusiast and offers a variety of biking and hiking trails as well as climbing and water sport opportunities. Walk: 10.5 miles, 5-6 hrs, Accommodation: Aviemore

Day 7: Departure 

Use the morning to discover the town and buy some souvenirs bevor leaving Aviemore in the afternoon. Individual departure.

Services

Tour includes

• 6 overnight stays in 3-4* B&B accommodation (en-suite)
• Scottish breakfast
• Luggage transfer from Buckie to Aviemore
• Speyside Way map
• Comprehensive info pack including leisure and restaurant recommendations
• 24/7 emergency hotline

Not included

• flights
• transfer from/to airport
• lunch and dinner
• admissions

Optional add-ons

• £ pp extra day/rest day
• £ pp transfer from Edinburgh/Glasgow to Inverness/Aviemore (train or coach)

Additional Information

Duration: 7 days
Participants: from 2 pax
Start: 12 noon in Buckie
Finish: 10 am in Aviemore

When booking your flights, please bear in mind that a transfer between Edinburgh and Buckie takes approximately 5,5 hrs. You might have to factor in an extra night in Inverness. Travelling from Aviemore to Edinburgh takes roughly 2,5 hrs.

When deciding on your travel dates, please bear in mind that we require at least 6 weeks to prepare. Every trip is meticulously planned and organised, and the information pack is compiled with great care and attention. We also have to allow time for the information pack to be delivered (postal delivery can take on average 4 weeks in Europe). If you do want to travel at short notice, please contact us by email. Thank you for your cooperation!

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