speyside whisky walking tours

SPEYSIDE WHISKY TOUR:

The malt whisky trail.

Book our Speyside whisky tour and follow the Malt Whisky Trail!

The world’s definitive whisky experience!

For our tours we select three distillery tours or tastings per day, depending on availability from the list below:

Macallan, Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie, Glenfarclas, Aberlour, Benromach, Benriach, Cardhu, Dallas Dhu, Glenallachie, Glen Grant, Glen Moray, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, Speyside Cooperage (cooperage tour), Strathisla and Glendronach.

Whisky included

We operate our tours so that our customers receive tastings at each of the distilleries we’ve selected. Our Speyside whisky tours are a mix of local expert led full distillery tours and tutored tastings. Usually two or three samples available at each stop.

  Accommodation Is Included

We include accommodation If you decide to do a two day or three day tour we know the best local hotels, B&Bs and restaurants for your stay in this once in a lifetime trip. We recommend and can book bed and breakfasts and hotels such as the Aberlour hotel, the Dowans hotel, the Spey valley resort similar standard properties.

For transport on our Speyside whisky tours, we use comfortable, new and well maintained saloons or spacious 8 or 9 seat vehicles from Mercedes, Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen. Larger vehicles available on request.

Larger Groups

If you require a reservation for over six people, please call or email us. It would be great to hear from you and we are experienced with groups of all sizes.

We can also tailor the tour to your needs to make your Speyside Whisky Tour is the best possible and customizing tours is something we specialise in. Contact us for more information, let us know your favourite whiskies and must see distilleries. Group discounts are available if you email or call us.

If you decide to do a two day tour we know the best local hotels and restaurants for your stay in this once in a lifetime trip. We recommend bed and breakfasts such as the Aberlour hotel, the Dowans hotel and the Spey valley resort.

Whisky included We operate our tours so that our customers receive tastings at each of the distilleries we’ve selected. Our Speyside whisky tours are a mix of local expert led full distillery tours and tutored tastings. Usually two or three samples available at each stop.

Transport For transport on our Speyside whisky tours, we use comfortable, new and well maintained saloons or spacious 8 or 9 seat vehicles from Mercedes, Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen. Larger vehicles available on request.

Larger Groups If you require a reservation for over six people, please call or email us. It would be great to hear from you and we are experienced with groups of all sizes.

We offer customisable whisky tours in Speyside

One day whisky tour, choose your tour date:.

One Day Example Itinerary

Departure – 6:30am from Edinburgh (Later if you are located nearer to the tour location or we can adjust tour times if required)

• Glenlivet – 10:00am-11:15pm
• Macallan – 12:00pm-1:30pm
• Stop for lunch in Aberlour – 1:40pm-2:30pm
• Cardhu – 3:00pm-4:00pm

Return to Edinburgh around 7:30pm

All itineraries are examples we use as a guide, but there may be slight adjustments due to availability

Two Day Whisky Tour

Two Day Example Itinerary

• Departure – 6:30am from Edinburgh (Later if you are located near to the our location or we can adjust tour times if required)
• Stop for lunch – 1:40pm-2:30pm
• Highlander Inn whisky tasting (One whisky flight per person) – 3:00pm – 4:30pm
• Return to accommodation – 5:00pm
• Glenfiddich – 10:00am-11:30am
• Lunch – 12:00pm to 1:15pm
• Cragganmore – 2:00pm to 3:00pm
• Dalwhinnie whisky and chocolate tasting – 4:00pm-4:30pm
• Return to Edinburgh – 8:00pm 

Three Day Whisky Tour

Three Day Example Itinerary

• Departure – 6:30am from Edinburgh (Later if you are located near our tour location or we can adjust tour times if required)
• Lunch at the fantastic Glenfiddich Malt Barn  – 12:00pm to 1:15pm
• Cardhu Johnnie Walker experience – 4:00pm-5:00pm
• Return to accommodation around 5:30pm
• Speyside Cooperage – 10:00am-11:00am
• Ballindalloch Castle (Or Equivalent) – 11:30am-1:00pm
• Lunch at Granton on Spey – 1:30pm-2:30pm
• Dalwhinnie whisky and chocolate tasting – 3:30pm-4:30pm
• Return to Edinburgh – 7:00pm
• Return to Edinburgh – 8:00pm 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your covid-19 policy.

• Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff.
• Social distancing enforced throughout experience.
• Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas.
• Gear/equipment sanitized between use.
• Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized.
• Guides required to regularly wash hands.
• Regular temperature checks for staff.

What does the Speyside whisky tour ticket price include?

• Free pickup and drop off from your accommodation or from a location in Edinburgh. If outside Edinburgh contact for a bespoke quote.
• Three stops per day for whisky distillery tours and tastings or sightseeing – at least 3 whiskies provided per stop
• Accommodation included – well-reviewed hotels and B&Bs. Examples above.
• Driver Guide
• Bottled water provided in the tour vehicle
• Itinerary booked and planned and communicated by text or email
• Lunch table booked each day
• Free time in the evening
• Extra whisky

What group size is the whisky tour?

When does the whisky tour run, the tour dates i need are fully booked, i have another question.

If you have any questions not addressed here, please email us at [email protected] or call us on: 07549839684

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Best Speyside Whisky Distillery Tours – Travel Guide

Last Updated:  February 23, 2024

If you want to visit Speyside distilleries but are unsure where to go, you must read our Speyside Distillery Tours Travel Guide. We have done the research and have come up with the optimal strategies, whether you are self-driving, catching public transport, or would like to have someone else organise a whisky tour for you. We've also researched accommodation options, tour options, and other things to see and do while you're adventuring in the Spey and Moray regions of the Scottish Highlands.

Map of Speyside Distilleries

Map pins shown in  black  are distilleries  not open to the public . While there are a lot of whisky distilleries in Speyside, half of them are not accessible to the public. They're on the map, as you might want to take a photo if you're going past (you might not get further than the front gate, though!).

Visits to distilleries with map pins shown in  orange  are only open to the public by appointment.

Distilleries with  green pins  are usually  open to the public , and most of the time, you can stop by for a tasting, have a look around, or purchase a bottle. However, most distilleries in Speyside now require advanced bookings for tours . Keep on reading for more information.

Click on the map below to zoom in and out, or click the [ ] top right corner to 'open larger map' in Google MyMaps and plot your routes. Please see our  Scotland Distillery Map  if you need further information on  how to use our interactive Google maps.

List of Speyside Distilleries Open To The Public

The Speyside Distilleries that you can actually (usually) visit are:

• Aberlour Distillery (tastings only at the moment)

Ballindalloch Distillery

• Balmenach Distillery (tours of the gin distillery only)

The Balvenie Distillery

Benromach distillery, the cairn distillery, cardhu distillery, cragganmore distillery.

• GlenAllachie Distillery

Glen Grant Distillery

Glenfiddich distillery, the glenlivet distillery, glen moray distillery.

• Knockdhu Distillery (not currently doing tours)
• The Macallan Estate  (tours by appointment only)

Strathisla Distillery

• Speyside Distillery (tours by appointment only)

Tomintoul Distillery

But i don’t want to (or can’t) drive.

The following distilleries are accessible by public transport (bus) from Elgin via the Stagecoach No 36 service , which runs approximately hourly (Monday to Saturday) from Elgin Bus Station to Dufftown Square, via Aberlour and Craigellachie. These distilleries listed below only have a short walk from the bus stop to the distillery (less than 0.3 mile / 500 metres).

• Aberlour Distillery (tastings only at present)
• The Benriach Distillery (advanced booking essential)
• The Balvenie Distillery (advanced booking essential)
• The Macallan Estate and GlenAllachie Distillery are also on the Stagecoach No. 36 route, however you will need to walk approximately 1.5 miles / 2.4 km from the bus stop to the distilleries. The Macallan advise against trying to walk to their distillery.
• Strathisla Distillery is located in the town of Keith which is accessible via train or bus from Elgin or Aberdeen - for more information see Traveline Scotland .
• Glen Moray Distillery is located in the town of Elgin and is approximately 1 mile from the nearest bus stop. If you're staying in Elgin, you can either walk to Glen Moray Distillery , or find a taxi or uber.

Organised Whisky Tours

Rabbie’s Tours offer a number of organised small-group tours to Speyside from Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness in their 16-seater mini buses. Each of the following small group tours visits at least one distillery and is a fantastic way of visiting the region without having to drive yourself.

Speyside Whisky Trail - 1 Day Tour From Aberdeen

One day tour from Aberdeen visiting Speyside Cooperage and Cardhu Distillery via Royal Deeside and a walk in the woods of the Cambus O’May forest.

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Speyside Whisky & Moray Firth - 1 Day Tour From Inverness

Inverness to Moray and Speyside, visiting Glen Moray Distillery , Elgin Cathedral, the Gordon and Macphail Whisky Shop, and Cardhu Distillery .

Speyside Whisky Trail - 3 day Tour From Edinburgh

Departing Edinburgh, head towards the Cairngorms via Lindores Abbey and Royal Lochnagar Distilleries . Then two nights in Grantown-on-Spey, stopping in at Glen Moray Distillery , the Speyside Cooperage, Cardhu Distillery and finally, home again via Dalwhinnie Distillery .

Islay, Edinburgh & Speyside Whisky Holiday - 8 day Tour From Edinburgh

The Ultimate Whisky Region Holiday!! Departing Edinburgh, spend three days on Islay ( Bowmore, Ardnahoe, Kilchoman, Laphroaig*, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg ), head back to Edinburgh for a night, then onwards to Speyside via Lindores Abbey (Lowlands), Royal Lochnagar (Highlands), Dalwhinnie (Highlands), Speyside Cooperage, Glen Moray Distillery (Speyside), Cardhu Distillery (Speyside), Dalwhinnie Distillery (Highlands)

Road Trip! Self-Drive Whisky Tour

You have your pick of distillery tours in Speyside. Our maps (below) are designed to be interactive – click on the map to open it in Google My Maps and zoom around and get a feel for where everything is (the maps are viewable/zoom-able even if you don't have a Google account). Modifying the routes is easiest on a computer, not on a mobile phone, however, if you’ve only got a mobile device, you can import the destination pins into Google Maps (or other mapping software) and use the directions features to get the best routes - you will need a google account to modify the maps in Google Maps. Click here for more information on how to use the maps on this page . To see a map of ALL the distilleries in Scotland (including maps per whisky region), see our Scotland Whisky Distillery Map .

We’ve chosen the following Speyside distillery routes as the distilleries are open most days with regular tours, but please keep in mind i t is generally now essential to  pre-book your visit at least a day or two in advance and many may close their tours at short notice due to COVID. Even in 'normal times' tours often book out, especially on weekends and during summer, and you don’t want to drive all that way and miss out. We've included the online booking and phone booking information in each distillery profile below.

As there are a considerable number of distilleries close together in the Spey and Moray regions, you can visit a lot more distilleries in one day than you could in say, the Highlands or Lowlands. However, tours take time, and and you don't want to be rushing around the Scottish countryside trying to cram everything in.

We recommend you pick your favourite TWO distilleries for a tour.

You can certainly stop by other distilleries, have a look, take some photos and do a tasting (or grab yourself a bottle to take home). If you do try and attempt three tours in one day, you probably wont get a chance to stop off at any other distilleries or visit other scenic attractions along the way (hard to believe, but there are actually things to do in Speyside other than whisky !).

The routes below are around 90 minutes of driving excluding all other activities . Most distilleries run tours between 10:00 am and 3:30/4:00 pm (last tour at 3:30/4:00 pm), but this varies depending on the time of year (most close earlier Nov – Mar). Distillery tours are generally 60 minutes, though some tasting/tour experiences will easily run for 90 - 120 minutes. Remember to consider this when you’re picking your destinations, and prepare for a long day.

Some distilleries are better suited as a rest stop than others - we've put together a list of the Best Speyside Distilleries with Impressive Visitor Centres - places you can stop for a bite to eat or a quiet dram - often with amazing views.

Top 5 Speyside Distilleries With Impressive Visitor Centres

Distilleries near grantown on spey.

• Tomintoul Distillery (by appointment only)
• Ballindalloch Distillery (by appointment only)
• Cragganmore Distillery (Apr-Oct 2024)

Balmenach Distillery is an option to visit on this route - they do make whisky, but we haven't included them in the route list as only the gin-making portion of the distillery is open for tours and tastings.

The Tomatin Distillery and The Speyside Distillery are also not far from Grantown-on-Spey, however, there are no other distilleries near them (and they are not near each other), so we have not included them in this route. If you're headed to Inverness, we would recommend including The Tomatin in your itinerary, and if you're headed south along the A9, book ahead to secure your tour of Speyside Distillery (tours by pre-appointment only).

Distilleries Near Aberlour and Craigeallachie

There are a substantial number of distilleries concentrated around Aberlour and Craigellachie - these two towns would be our choice of locations for where to stay (see our gude to the Best Places to Stay in Speyside ) and all the Spey distilleries can be visited if you're based in these two towns. Craigellachie and Aberlour are within 2 miles of each other, so the driving distance/time is negligible, which means the itineraries below are interchangeable regardless of which town you stay in.

Distilleries Craigellachie - North Moray

• The Benriach Distillery  
• Speyside Cooperage (not a distillery but worth a visit)

Distilleries Aberlour - South to Avon

• The Macallan Estate (tours by appointment only)
• Cardhu Distillery (The Johnnie Walker Experience)

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Speyside Distillery Tours - Distillery Profiles

Aberlour distillery.

Banffshire, A95, Aberlour AB38 9PJ, United Kingdom Telephone +441340881249

Aberlour Distillery is located in the wee village of Aberlour. It was established in 1879 by James Fleming to take advantage of the waters of the Lour Burn, where it meets the River Spey. The water used for the whisky is drawn from nearby natural springs.

Aberlour Distillery Opening Hours

Monday to Sunday :  10am - 4pm

The minimum age of participants on tours and tastings is 18 years though children are welcome in the visitor's centre/shop. There is no parking available on site at Aberlour Distillery - parking is available in the village with a short walk to the visitors centre. For those with mobility impairment contact the distillery prior to your visit to arrange parking/drop off. The shop and main tasting room are wheelchair accessible and there is an accessible bathroom but the tours are not accessible as there are stairs in production areas.

Aberlour Distillery are under construction and tours of the production areas are not available.

Aberlour Express Tasting

March to December 2024:  Available twice daily (10 am and 12:15 pm), this is a tutored tasting of three (3) Aberlou r single malts , each selected to showcase the diversity of the distillery.  Each dram is 25ml. £20 per pers on, approximately 30 minutes duration. Online advanced bookings are recommended - max 10 persons per tasting. 

Aberlour : Deconstructed Tasting

March to December 2024: Available at 11:00 am, 1:15 pm and 4:15 pm daily, this  tutored tasting of six (6)  will introduce you to Aberlour's  new make spirit  (unaged), before sampling  a double cask matured whisky . Next, you will deconstruct Aberlour's traditional methods by sampling  two distillery exclusives , then exploring  a single cask edition  before finishing with  a limited edition Aberlour whisky . Each dram is 15ml.  £40 per person,  approximately  45 minutes duration.   Online advanced bookings for the Aberlour Single Cask Tasting Experience are recommended - max 10 persons per tasting.

Ballindalloch AB37 9AA, United Kingdom , Tel: +44 1807 500 331

The history of distillation on Ballindalloch Estate extends to 1869 with Sir George Macpherson-Grant, who leased part of the lands to John Smith to build Cragganmore Distillery. While Ballindalloch Distillery is a relatively 'new' distillery (it officialy opened in 2015 , though distillation began in 2014), the building they're housed in dates to 1848. Ballindaloch is one of few 'single estate' distilleries - they grow their own barley and feed the draff (waste grain residue after the mash) back to cattle across the Estate. Some of the production techniques also hark back to an older time - worm tubs are used to cool the wash/spirit. The Macpherson-Grant family are still the owners of Ballindalloch Estate (and Ballindalloch Castle ), and though their stake in Cragganmore Distillery ended in 1965 , tastings of aged Cragganmore whisky forms part of the Ballindalloch Distillery tour experience.

Ballindalloch Distillery Opening Hours

Ballindalloch Distillery shop is open Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm.

Ballindalloch Distillery Tour and Tasting

Monday to Friday at 10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm.  A short tour of the Ballindalloch Distillery and two drams of Ballindalloch whisky. £20 per person and approximately 45 minutes duration.  Online advanced bookings of the Ballindalloch Short Tour and Tasting are essential. Drivers drams (takeaway samples) are available on request.

Ballindalloch Bespoke Tour and Tasting

Thursdays at 11am , enjoy a private tour and tasting at Ballindalloch Distillery and discover the unique history of their family-owned manual distillery. You will enjoy an in-depth tour and tasting with one of Ballindalloch's experienced distillery ambassadors, who will tailor the experience to your interest and knowledge, including tastings of rare and unique Ballindalloch single malts. £80 per person and 90 minutes duration, maximum 8 persons. Online advanced bookings of the Ballindalloch Bespoke Tour and Tasting Experience are essential.

Balvenie Distillery, Dufftown, Keith AB55 4BB, United Kingdom , Tel: +44 1340 822 210

The Balvenie is the only distillery in the Scottish Highlands that still grows and malts a proportion of its own barley (side note: Balllindalloch grow and use only their own barley, but dont malt it on site, while Balvenie floor malts only some of their own barley on site - floor maltings are inefficient and very labor intensive, which is why very few distilleries still have them - the distilleries that still do usually also truck in most of their barley from offsite maltsters). The Balvennie is worth a visit to see floor maltings in action.

Balvenie Distillery Opening Hours

The Balvennie Distillery Shop is open Monday to Friday from 10 am til 3.30 pm. Persons must be over 18 years of age to visit the distillery. The Balvennie is worth a visit to see floor maltings in action - very few distilleries still have floor maltings.

The Balvenie Distillery Tour

Twice daily, Monday to Friday 10 am and 2 pm. Enjoy a guided tour of the distillery, including the floor maltings, cooperage and warehouse 24, followed by a tutored tasting of Balvennie whiskies. £75 per person and approximately 2.5 hours duration . Online advanced bookings are essential. Drivers drams are available for takeaway (2cl sample of each of the 5 drams available during the tour).

The Benriach Distillery

Benriach A941, Elgin, IV30 8SJ  Telephone +44 1314 562 681

The Benriach Distillery Shop is open Monday to Sunday 10.30 am to 5 pm. Tours are only for persons aged 18 years and over. Tours should be booked well in advance as there are only limited spaces and times available.

The Benriach Original Tour

A guided tour through the distillery, tasting of 3 whiskies and includes the opportunity to create your own Benriach cocktail. 75 minutes duration, £20 per person . Online bookings for the Benriach Original Tour are available.  

Benriach Barley to Barrels Tour

Learn about Benriach's whisky making heritage and their use of an eclectic selection of casks from around the world in this in depth tour of the distillery and warehouse 13, before returning to the visitor centre for a tutored tasting of five whiskies from the Benriach range.  2 hours duration, £45 per person. Online bookings for the Benriach Barley to Barrels Tour are available.

Benriach Grape and Grain Tour 

Sherry, Port, Madeira and Marsala are a selection of some of the cask types used to mature Benriach whisky. After a guided tour of the distillery, uncover the breadth of casks maturing inside Warehouse 13 and explore the flavours created from the different wine casks with a tasting of 5 limited release and single cask bottlings with a matched food pairing . 2.5 hours duration, £65 per person.  Online advanced bookings for the Benriach Grape to Grain Tour are essential.

Invererne Road, Forres, Moray IV36 3EB , Tel: +44 1309 675 968

Benromach Distillery Opening Hours

January, February: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm March to October: Monday to Saturday: 9.30 am - 5:00 pm November, December: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Online booking requests are available (48 hours advance booking required), otherwise contact the distillery on +44 1309 675 968 . You must be over 18 years of age to go on a Benromach Distillery Tour. Have a quick look around the distillery before you go with a Benromach Distillery Virtual Tour .  Benromach Distillery Tours are not wheelchair accessible, though the Vistor's Centre is accessible.

Benromach Classic Tour

Guided tour of the Benromach Distillery. £10 per person and 60 minutes duration. Online booking requests for the Benromach Classic Tour are available.

Benromach Contrast Tour

Guided tour and tasting of the Benromach Contrast Range, compared to the Classic Benromach Whiskies. £25 per person and 90 minutes duration. Online booking requests for the Benromach Contrast Tour are available.

Benromach Heritage Tour

Guided tour of the distillery and tasting of a selection of unique and rare whiskies hand picked by Benromach's Distillery Manager. £75 per person and 2 hours duration.  Online booking requests for the Benromach Heritage Tour are available.

Grantown-On-Spey PH26 3NT, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 1479 816 543

The newest distillery to open in the Speyside region and the first distillery in the Cairngorms National Park for many years. The Cairn distillery opened in 2022 and is a very shiny new operation. While the stills may have only just been switched on, there is a decent amount of whisky to taste on site as the owners of The Cairn Distillery are none other than Independent Bottlers Gordon and MacPhail . Not many distilleries commence life with aged whiskies (from other distilleries) readily available to sample and purchase: the CRN57° range is available in 12YO, 18YO, 25YO, 30YO, 57YO (!) and 70YO (!!) . The Cairn Distillery is open year round, but due to their location in the Cairngorms, they may close at short notice in the winter months if the weather is too wild. On-site cafe/bistro - The Gathering - stocks local produce and whisky inspired fare.

The Explorer Experience

The Explorer Experience at The Cairn Distillery includes a tour of the distillery and two tastings of CRN57 blended malts: the 12 Year Old , and 18 year Old .  £25 per person and approximately 60 minutes duration.  The Explorer Tour is available Tuesday to Saturday hourly from 9:30 am to 2:30pm. Online advanced bookings for the Explorer Experience are recommended.

The Adventurer Experience

The Adventurer Experience is the Explorer guided distillery tour, and three drams of CRN57 blended malts: the 12 Year Old , 18 year Old and the 25 year old in the top floor tasting lounge, before heading on to a selection of tapas in the Gathering bistro .  £60 per person and approximately 90 minutes duration.  The Adventurer Tour is available Tuesday to Saturday hourly from 9:30 am to 2:30pm.  Online advanced bookings for the Adventurer Experience are recommended.

Knockando, Aberlour AB38 7RY, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 1479 874 635

Cardhu Distillery is the Speyside home of Johnnie Walker - and as one of Diageo's flagship distilleries, the visitor experience is a considerable priority (along with  Caol Ila ,  Clynelish  and  Glenkinchie , the other homes of Johnnie Walker with fabulous visitor centres). Tours are highly immersive experiences and use a combination of light, media, music, sensory moments and special effects that may not be suitable for all audiences, including those with a nut allergy. 

Cardhu Distillery  consulted Euan's guide  on their redevelopment and have accessible parking, bathrooms and accessible tasting areas. Due to the age of the distillery itself, distillery tours are only partially accessible to those with mobility impairment as there are some stairs in the still house, but the Spirit Safe and Spirit Stills are visible from an accessible viewing area if stairs are not your thing.

Cardhu Distillery allows children over the age of 8 years on tours (at a discounted rate too).

Cardhu Distillery Opening Hours

• January and February: Thursday to Monday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
• March to October: Monday to Sunday (7 days): 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• November and December : Wednesday  to Sunday : 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Cardhu Flavour Journey - Full Sensory Tour and Tasting

A guided journey through Cardhu’s fascinating founding by two generations of resolute women. Your full-sensory tour culminates in a tutored whisky tasting and a cocktail in the Cardhu Tasting Kitchen. £19 per person and approximately 90 minutes duration . Online advanced bookings for the Cardhu Flavour Journey Tour and Tasting are recommended.

Note: Cardhu Distillery is closed for tours most of October due to maintenance (silent season), however Flavour Journey Tastings are still available in the visitor's centre.

Guess Dhu Tour and Tasting Challenge

A guided full-sensory tour of the distillery coupled with a "Guess the Dhu" tasting experience - if you love a challenge and enjoy matching your flavour perceptions against others’, this is the experience for you. This optional nosing and tasting finish to the Cardhu Flavour Journey invites you to test your senses in a mystery whisky challenge in the Cardhu Collection Room. Correctly identify the whiskies, and you’ll earn a spot in Cardhu's Guess Dhu Hall of Fame. £22 per person and approximately 90 minutes duration . Online advanced bookings for the Cardhu Guess Dhu Tour and Tasting Challenge are recommended as this tour runs only once a day.

Note: Cardhu Distillery is closed for tours most of October due to maintenance (silent season), however tastings are still available in the visitor's centre.

Cragganmore, Ballindalloch AB37 9AB, United Kingdom Telephone +44 1479 874 715

Cragganmore was established in 1869 by John Smith (also involved with Macallan, Glenlivet and Glenfarclas) on Ballindalloch Estate land. The stills used (and still do) a pioneering flat-top pot still design with relatively short necks which contributes (along with the long fermentation times) to Cragganmore spirit's distinctive taste.

Due to the age of the distillery, Cragganmore is not very mobility friendly. There are three disabled parking spaces on site but no accessible bathrooms, and there is a 15cm high step leading into the shop. The still house can be viewed via a small ramp but the rest of the distillery has stairs. For full information see Cragganmore's accessibility statement .

Children over the age of 8 years are welcome at the distillery and on the Cragganmore Tour.

Cragganmore Distillery Opening Hours

• 15 April to October:  Monday to Sunday (7 days) : 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Cragganmore: A Taste of Speyside Tour and Tasting

A guided tour of the Cragganmore Distillery followed by a tutored tasting of three (3) Cragganmore whiskies : £20 per person (£10 for children 8 to 18), approximately 60 minutes duration.  Advanced online bookings of the Cragganmore Taste of Speyside Tour are recommended.

Glenallachie Distillery

Glenallachie, Aberlour AB38 9LR, United Kingdom Telephone +44 1340 872 547

GlenAllachie (pronounced "Glen-Alla-Key") derives from Gleann Aileachaidh, an old Scottish Gaelic phrase which translates to the "Valley of the Rocks". Master distiller Billy Walker leads GlenAllachie (formerly Deanston, Tobermory, BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh). Unlike most scotch distilleries, GlenAllachie has two separate spirit safes, which allow them to operate each set of stills independently. They also are a bit unusual in having a very long fermentation time (160 hours vs 48 hours for Glen Grant and a lot of ) , and they have horizontal rather than vertical condensers, as the distillery was designed to be gravity fed.

The GlenAllachie Visitor Centre and Distillery Shop are both accessible to wheelchair users, however access is limited in the production area of the distillery due to stairs. There is a virtual tour experience available from the tasting room if stairs are an issue. Email the distillery in advance if you would like to organise a virtual tour [email protected] .

Persons under the age of 18 years are not permitted on distillery tours but are allowed in the Visitor's Centre.

GlenAllachie Distillery Opening Hours

• April to October:  7 days Monday to Sunday : 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
• November to March: 6 days Monday to Saturday : 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

The GlenAllachie Experience

Guided tour of the distillery followed by a tasting of four (4) drams GlenAllachie core range whiskies, including The GlenAllachie 12yo. £25 per person and approximately 60 minutes duration. Online advanced bookings are recommended.

The Premium GlenAllachie Experience

Guided tour of the distillery followed by a tasting of four (4) premium drams of GlenAllachie whisky, including limited edition releases. £35 per person and approximately 60 minutes duration. Online advanced bookings are recommended.

A95, Ballindalloch, United Kingdom Telephone +44 1807 500 345

For more information see our full Glenfarclas Distillery Profile.

The distillery is in an old building and not very accessible for those with mobility issues as there are quite a lot of stairs. The warehouses, visitor centre and tasting areas are wheelchair accessible however, and there is an accessible bathroom.

Children over the age of 10 years are permitted on tours.

Glenfarclas Distillery Duty Free Warehouse No.6

Glenfarclas Distillery Opening Hours

• April, May, June:  Monday to Friday : 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• July, August and September: Monday to Friday:   10:00 am to 5:00 pm   and Saturday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm  
• October to March: Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Classic Tour

Guided tour of Glenfarclas Distillery and tasting of Glenfarclas whisky in the Ship's room at the end of the tour.  £7.50 per person and approximately 90 minutes duration. Advanced bookings are highly recommended, however online bookings are not available - to make a booking email [email protected] with the preferred time and date of your visit and the number of people in your group.

• April to September: Monday to Friday:   10:30, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30
• July, August and September: Saturday  10:30, 12:00, 13:15, 14:30
• October to March: Monday to Friday:   10:30, 12:00, 13:15, 14:30

Dufftown, Keith AB55 4DH, United Kingdom Telephone +44 1340 820 373

Glenfiddich distillery is in an old building and not very accessible for those with mobility issues as there are multiple sets of steep stairs. If you have mobility requirements, email the distillery in advance [email protected] and they should be able to revise the tour for you - there are flat tour options for accessing the Mash House, Still House (weather permitting) and Warehouse. The Tun Room is only accessible via stairs however.

Glenfiddich Distillery Opening Hours

• Wednesday - Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays):  9.00 am to 5:00 pm

Glenfiddich Distillery Tour

• Wednesday to Sunday:   first tour at 9.30 am and last tour at 3.30 pm

Guided tour of Glenfiddich Distillery followed by a tutored tasting of The Glenfiddich 12 year old, 15 year old and 18 year old whiskies as well as the Glenfiddich Gran Reserva which is a 21 year old finished in rum casks.  £20 per person and approximately 90 minutes duration.  Advanced bookings are highly recommended as Glenfiddich is an incredibly popular distillery to visit, and may book out weeks in advance.

Glenfiddich Solera Deconstructed Tour

• Thursday & Saturday:   2.00 pm

An expertly guided tour of the distillery as well as a visit to Warehouse 8, to see Glenfiddich's unique Solera process and discover what makes Glenfiddich 15 year old such an exceptional whisky. The next part of the Solera journey is the Malt Master’s Blending Room to enjoy a tasting of four (4) Glenfiddich cask-strength 15-year-old samples . You will also have the unique opportunity to step into Malt Master Brian Kinsman’s role - preparing your very own version of Glenfiddich 15 year old by combining different cask samples together, and bottle a sample of your favourite to take home. £60 per person and approximately 2.5 hours duration.  Advanced bookings are highly recommended as Glenfiddich is an incredibly popular distillery to visit, and the Solera Deconstructed tour only runs twice a week. This tour is for persons aged 18 years and over only.

Elgin Road, Rothes, Aberlour AB38 7BS, United Kingdom Telephone +44 1340 832 118

The Glen Grant Distillery was established in 1840 by John and James Grant after their lease at Aberlour expired in 1839. While Glen Grant Distillery is well worth a visit to tour the distillery, the gardens make it stand out from other distilleries you can visit in Speyside. The Glen Grant Garden (The Major's Garden) is 22 acres of parkland with a diverse mix of plants from The Major's (James Grant Jrs) adventures around the world - he was a keen hunter and often travelled to Africa and abroad - he established the garden in 1886. If you find yourself in the scenic gorge, keep an eye out for The Major's private whisky safe, hidden in The Den. The Major was also responsible for the unusually shaped (tall and slender) stills and purifiers installed in 1872.

Glen Grant is another distillery located in a fabulously old building and not very accessible for those with mobility issues as there are multiple sets of stairs. The visitors centre is wheelchair accessible, as are much of the gardens.

Tours are free for children under 18 years of age. Glen Grant are probably the best option for visiting a distillery in Speyside with children as they're welcome on site and the gardens make for a great play area.

Glen Grant Distillery Opening Hours

• November to March: Monday to Saturday (closed Sunday): 9.30 am – 3.30 pm
• April to October: Monday to Saturday: 9.30 am – 4:00 pm   and  Sunday: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Glen Grant Distillery Tour

Guided tou r of Glen Grant Distillery followed by a tasting of two (2) Glen Grant whiskies .  £7.50 per person and approximately 40 minutes duration (40 minutes for the tour, tasting as long as you like, with access to the gardens afterwards ) .  Advanced bookings are essential however online bookings are not available. To book contact The Glen Grant Visitor Centre on (+44) (0)1340 832 118 or email [email protected]

Glenlivet, Ballindalloch AB37 9DB, United Kingdom Telephone +44 1340 821 720

The Glenlivet has seen many firsts - in 1824 it became the first licensed distillery in Speyside, established by George Smith. He had previously been distilling quite successfully illicitly, along with many others in the Glenlivet region. By licensing his operations, George fell into considerable disfavour with the other distillers, to the point where he needed to carry a pair of pistols on his person for over a decade (for more on this, see  Charles MacLean's Spirit of Place ).

By the mid-1880s, the name 'Glenlivet' was synonymous with whisky from the Speyside region, thanks to the success of Usher's Old Vatted Glenlivet (created 1853), the first branded Scotch whisky. George Smith had appointed Andrew Usher as his agent in the mid-1820s, and after 1860 Usher's was a blend of 3 whiskies, including Glenlivet. In 1884 The Glenlivet obtained a court order stipulating that they were the one and only;  The  Glenlivet. However, this didn't stop other distilleries from continuing to add 'Glenlivet' to their name, which is why you'll often see 'Glenlivet' appended to many other Speyside distilleries ( e.g. Glenfarclas-Glenlivet, Glen Grant-Glenlivet ). 

While the history of Glenlivet Distillery extends as long as the history of legal distilling in Speyside, the distillery you visit today is a modern distillery, having been rebuilt in 2010 within the original Glenlivet site.

While the distillery is relatively modern (2010), the production areas are not suitable for those with mobility impairment. There is disabled access in the visitor centre & warehouses, and a viewing platform exists in the still house for people with limited mobility. The Speyside Room (interactive tour) uses a combination of audio-visual aids, including sound, lighting and elements of fast motion media that may not be suitable for all audiences.

Tours and Tastings are for persons aged 18 years and over only.

Glenlivet Distillery 2023 Opening Hours

• 05 January to 03 March: Monday to Friday : 10:00 am to 4:00pm
• 07 March to 28 October: Tuesday to Saturday : 10:00 am to 5:00pm
• 31 October to 01 December: Tuesday to Saturday:  10:00 am to 4:00 pm
• 04 December to 22 December: Monday to Friday:  10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Glenlivet The Original Distillery Tour

Guided tour explaining how The Glenlivet became the original Speyside distillery, including an immersive visual experince in the Speyside and Process Room where you will meet the individuals who are integral to The Glenlivet today from the local farming community to the cask management team. Followed by a visit to Warehouse 1, and a tutored tasting of three (3) Glenlivet whiskies : The Glenlivet 12 year old, 15 year old and a Distillery Exclusive edition. £20.00 per person and approximately 90 minutes duration. Over 18s only. Online advanced bookings are highly recommended  as The Glenlivet is a very popular distillery.

Glenlivet Single Cask Tasting

Tutored tasting of four (4) Glenlivet exclusive single cask editions from the Distillery Reserve Collection. £40.00 per person and approximately 60 minutes duration. Over 18s only. Online advanced bookings are highly recommended  as The Glenlivet is a very popular distillery.

The Glenlivet Archives Tasting

Start your experience in bonded Warehouse No. 3, where you will learn of The Glenlivets finely tuned processes for cask selection and warehousing, followed by a guided tasting in one of Glenlivet's private tasting rooms, enjoying The Glenlivet’s oldest and rarest whiskies including The Glenlivet XXV, The Glenlivet 30 Year Old Cellar Collection and a dram from one of the Glenlivet archives. Available at 2.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays (March to October) this tour must be booked in advance . Alternate times for group bookings can be arranged by emailing [email protected] . £100.00 per person and approximately 120 minutes duration . Over 18s only.

Bruceland Rd, Elgin, United Kingdom, Telephone +44 1343 550 900

Glen Moray Distillery was founded in 1897 by a consortium of local businessmen, the Glen Moray-Glenlivet Distillery Company (another Glenlivet appended distillery). Current owners La Martiniqueaise purchsed it in 2008 and have dramatically expanded production for their Label 5 blended scotch, one of the best selling whiskies in France (where Glen Moray is sold as a Single Malt under the label Glen Turner). Glen Moray is situated in the town of Elgin (north Moray) - the distillery began life as a brewery in the late 1820s/early 1830s. Glen Moray have a long history of using ex-wine casks for maturation, with Marsala and Sherry being used since the early days - one of their current tasting experiences pairs wine (Port and Madeira) with whisky.

Children are welcome at the distillery and on tours and admission is free for under 18s.

Glen Moray Distillery Opening Hours

• May to September: Monday to Saturday: 9am to 5pm  Sunday: Closed
• October to April: Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm  Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Glen Moray Distillery Tour

• 9.30 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm

Guided tour of Glen Moray distillery along with an optional complimentary tasting of two (2) whiskies . £7.00 per person. Online bookings not available, though advanced bookings are recommended by phoning  +44 1343 550 900 or sending a message by their contact us page . Children are welcome on the tour and their entry is free of charge.

Glen Moray Wine to Whisky Tasting Experience

• 11:00 am Tuesdays and Thursdays, subject to availability

A tasting masterclass (no tour) exploring the connection between Glen Moray whisky, Porto Cruz port wine and Henriques & Henriques madeira wine. This tasting will give the chance to try the wines that have come from the casks originally plus 3 Glen Moray whiskies finished in the same casks. £50.00 per person and 60 minutes duration. Online bookings not available, though this tour is available only by prior appointment: phone +44 1343 550 900 or send a message by the Glen Moray contact us page .

Glen Moray Chocolate and Whisky Tasting

• 3:00 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, subject to availability

Tasting of four (4) Glen Moray whiskies paired with hand crafted COCO chocolates - suitable for groups of up to 10 people. £50.00 per person and 60 minutes duration. Online bookings not available, though this tour is available only by prior appointment: phone +44 1343 550 900 or send a message by the Glen Moray contact us page .

Knockdhu Distillery

Knock, Huntly, Aberdeenshire. AB54 7LJ Telephone +44 1466 771 223

Knockdhu is Gaelic for Black Hill, also known as Knock Hill (which is technically Hill Hill...). The idea for Knockdhu Distillery came about in 1892 when John Morrison acquired Knock Estate and discovered a spring of crystal clear water on the southern slopes of Knock Hill . The actual construction of Knockdhu distillery in 1894 was overseen by Distillers Company Ltd (DCL), and it was the first distillery commissioned by the company (which would eventually become Diageo). For more information see Charles MacLean : Spirit of Place .

Knockdhu Distillery whisky trades under the label anCnoc (pronounced "a-nock") - named to avoid confusion with Knockando Distillery - and also a local name for Knock Hill. Knockdhu is generally considered a Speyside distillery, however, it is nowhere near the river Spey, so technically it is an East Highlands Distillery - they're a great example of where the regional classifications often mean very little in terms of the actual whisky, and can even be unhelpfully confusing.

Fast forward to the present day, and Knockdhu (owned by Inver House Distillers/International Beverage Holdings/ThaiBev  since 1988) has undergone some rather impressive sustainability upgrades. Knockdhu has developed wetlands on the distillery grounds - comprising six separate cells (2,000 square metres) of 17 different plant species (>21,000 individual plants). The wetlands catch and filter the wastewater from the mash house, tun room and the spent yeast residue from the Spirit Still.

Water extracted from the Knock Hill spring  is used at least seven times in processing  to minimise waste, from cooling the wort to pre-heating the wash still and flushing out the washbacks before being sent to the wetlands. While many associate Scotland with rain (it is a rather damp and soggy climate much of the time) , drought has wreaked havoc on the whisky industry multiple times over the past 150 years. Many distilleries are now looking to implement similar measures for waste minimisation in an increasingly erratic climate, as it is impossible to make whisky without a lot of water.

Knockdhu Distillery Opening Hours

• Monday to Friday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Knockdhu / AnCnoc are not currently open for tours due to COVID-19 - the distillery are trying to minimise the impact on their workforce/whisky production.

The Macallan Estate

Easter Elchies, Aberlour AB38 9RX, United Kingdom Telephone +44 1340 318 000

Macallan Estate underwent a spectacular £140million refurbishment in 2018 (see video below) and now offer a range of experiences, as long as you are over the age of 18 -  children are not permitted in the production areas of the distillery, nor on the first floor, though they are permitted in ground floor areas including the Boutique, Elchies Brasserie and Jewel Box. All tour and tasting experiences must be booked in advance - they will not accept walk in bookings. Elchies Brasserie and The Boutique and the Jewel Box are open to the general public without a prior booking, though only on Saturday and Sunday.

The new Macallan distillery is a spectacular achievement in design and engineering and is unlike any other distillery we've visited. The distillery is integrated with the visitor experience, all under one roof in an open-plan layout of epic proportions.

Accessibility - all guest areas within The Macallan Estate Distillery are wheelchair accessible, though there is a small section in the Still House that mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs will be unable to pass through. There is a lift for mobility access to all levels, and four disabled parking spaces. Flooring within the production area is grated which assistance dogs may find uncomfortable. See the Macallan's tour terms and conditions page for further accessibility details.

The Macallan Distillery Opening Hours

• From Saturday 28th January 2023 until 30th April 2023 the Macallan are open for pre-booked experiences on Thursdays to Sundays. 

The Macallan Discovery Experience

• From Saturday 28th January 2023 until 30th April 2023  Discovery Experiences are available at 10 am and 11 am Thursdays to Sundays . Due to the limited number of tours available, and their extreme popularity, bookings should be made as soon as you know your travel dates . Macallan tours often book out weeks in advance.

This expertly led 2.5 hour experience commences with The Macallan roast coffee and scones, followed by an initiation into The Macallan's heritage and 'acorn to glass' distillery process, followed by a sampling of The Macallan whiskies, first in the Cave Priveé for a tutored tasting, before ending up in the Macallan Bar. £50.00 per person . Advanced bookings are essential.

The Macallan Mastery Experience

Believe it or not, this is not the ultimate Macallan Experience (check out the  Bentley Motors  or Edition No. 6 Fishing Experience  for that), but it's close. A four hour in-depth deep dive into Macallan with a matched-wine dining experience at Elchies Brasserie followed by a carefully curated tutored tasting of The Macallan in Cave Priveé before heading onto a whisky flight tasting in the Macallan Bar . You even get a commemorative glass to take home. If you can afford it, go for it, as this should be an experience to remember, if you can after all that. This would be our pick - now, who's paying?  £250.00.00 per person . Advanced bookings are essential.

• From Saturday 28th January 2023 until 30th April 2023 The  Macallan Mastery Experiences are available at 12 noon Thursdays to Sundays . Bookings should be made as soon as you know your travel dates .

Seafield Ave, Keith AB55 5BS, United Kingdom Telephone +44 1542 783 044

Licensed in 1786, Strathisla (sometimes known as Strathisla-Glenlivet and Longmore's Strathisla) is the oldest working licensed distillery in Speyside, and possibly considered the oldest working distillery in all of the Highlands, depending on how you look at Glenturret's establishment date (Glenturret wasn't licensed until 1818 but the distillery has been running since around 1763). Purchased by Seagram/Chivas Brothers Holdings in 1950 the majority of Strathisla whisky was then and is now destined for Chivas Regal (now owned by Pernod Ricard).

Strathisla is considered to be one of the prettiest distilleries in Speyside, with its twin pagoda chimneys and neatly restored buildings and grounds. 

Strathisla experiences are for persons aged 18 years and older only.

Watch the following Chivas Taste Discovery video in full screen mode as you can pan around 360 degrees.

Strathisla Distillery Opening Hours

• 1st May to 31st October: Monday to Sunday:  10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• 1st November to 30th April: Monday to Saturday (Closed Sundays): 12 noon to 5:00 pm

Strathisla Distillery Tour

• Daily at 10:00 am

Start your morning with a Highball cocktail before commencing your guided tour of Strathisla, learning of the history of the distillery and of Chivas Brothers, and finishing with a tutored tasting of four (4) whiskies . £20.00 per person and approximately 80 minutes duration. Online advanced bookings are highly recommended.

The Chivas Cellar Tasting

• Monday, Thursday, Saturday until 31 October: 3:00 pm

Guided tasting experience (no tour) of drams drawn straight from the casks in the Chivas Regal Cellar of Warehouse No. 3, including a Bourbon barrel of Chivas Regal 12 year old, a sherry butt of Chivas Extra, a hogshead of Chivas Regal 18 year old, a sherry butt of Chivas Regal 25 year old and a barrel of Chivas Ultis. £40.00 per person and approximately 45 minutes duration. Online advanced bookings are highly recommended.

Strathisla Distillery Reserve Collection

• Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday until 31 October: 3:00 pm

Guided tasting experience (no tour) of five (5) Strathisla single malts from the Distillery Reserve Collection. £50.00 per person and approximately 60 minutes duration. Online advanced bookings are highly recommended.

Speyside Distillery

Tromie Mills, Kingussie PH21 1NS, United Kingdom Telephone +44 1479 810 126

The Speyside Distillery is quite a distance from the other Speyside Distilleries, off to the south west on the River Tromie, a branch of the River Spey. It is a solid rival to Strathisla for prettiest / most historic and photographable Speyside distillery (we're going to give the Macallan the title of most photographable modern Speyside distillery). While Speyside Distillery looks old, it wasn't a distillery until 1990! The buildings were part of a barley mill and croft dating back to the 1700s, and active until 1965.

The distillery is not wheelchair accessible (stairs) and persons must be aged 18 years or older to visit the distillery.

Speyside Distillery Opening Hours

• The Speyside Distillery is not currently open to the general public and tours are by appointment only
• The Snug / Speyside Distillery Shop  is open most days from 10:00 am

Speyside Distillery Tour and Tasting

Tours of the Speyside Distillery must be booked in advance as the distillery is not open to the general public. Tours include a guided history of the distillery and four (4) tastings of single malt. £35.00 per person.

Tomintoul, Ballindalloch AB37 9AQ, United Kingdom Telephone +44 1807 590 274

Tomintoul Distillery (aka Tomintoul-Glenlivet), a relatively 'new' distillery built in 1964, is  located on the 23,000-hectare Glenlivet Estate (not to be confused with The Glenlivet, though this distillery resides within the Estate). From the 1500’s to the early 20th Century, the  Estate of Glenlivet  belonged to the Gordon family (later the Dukes of Richmond and Gordon) but has been part of The Crown Estate Scotland since 1937.

Tomintoul Distillery Tour

• Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm

Guided tour of Tomintoul Distillery followed by a tasting of three (3) Tomintoul whiskies . £20.00 per person and approximately 90 minutes duration. Online bookings not available, though advanced bookings are essential by phoning +44 1807 590 274 .

Speyside Cooperage

Dufftown Road, Craigellachie, Banffshire, Aberlour AB38 9RS, United Kingdom Telephone +44 1340 871 108

Not a distillery but should be on your list to visit and see how casks are crafted (such an important part in the whisky making process), and learn the history of Coopering (the origins of the craft are over 5000 years old). There is also a cafe on site  serving sandwiches, cakes and coffee, as well as a gift shop .

The Speyside Cooperage is mostly wheelchair accessible. There is a ramp leading to the visitors centre and the mini cinema is also accessible. The viewing platform is up 15 stairs; if you're unable to manage the stairs they have a live video link you can watch (and pan and zoom) from the reception area accompanied by your own guide who will explain it all to you. The Speyside Cooperage Accessibility Statement is available as a PDF download . There is also an accessible bathroom and five disabled parking bays.

Children are welcome at the Speyside Cooperage.

Speyside Cooperage Opening Hours

• Monday to Friday : 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Speyside Cooperage Classic Tour

• Monday to Friday, Hourly Tours, on the hour (e.g. 9:00 am, 10:00 am ...) last tour at 3:00 pm

Guided tour through the Speyside Cooperage exhibition which includes an informative cinematic presentation followed by a visit to the viewing gallery where you can watch the Coopers at work. £5.00 per person and approximately 45 minutes duration.  Bookings are not essential but are highly recommended in summery. To make a booking call +44 1340 871 108 or email [email protected] .

Best Accommodation Locations For Speyside Whisky Tours

There are a large number of accommodation options in the Spey and Moray districts (see our guide to the Best Places To Stay In Speyside ) whether you wish to stay in a hotel or self-catered accommodation .  Grantown-on-Spey is one of the biggest towns in Speyside with quite a few accommodation options to chose from and a wide selection of restaurants and bars. Aberlour (where you’ll find the Aberlour Distillery ) and Craigellachie are two villages right in the middle of all the distilleries with some fabulous options to combine accommodation and whisky tasting.

Best Places To Stay In Speyside Scotland Near Distilleries

Other things to see and do in speyside.

Hard as it is to believe, there are non-whisky things to see and do in the Spey and Moray regions, though we're aware the following suggestion are somewhat whisky-related:

• Elgin Cathedral - these medieval ruins are right around the corner from Glen Moray Distillery and the Gordon and MacPhail Whisky Shop where you can do a fabulous tasting from their Discovery, Distillery Labels and Connoisseurs Choice ranges, or go all out on an extra special Rare and Vintage Tasting .
• Glen Grant Gardens - even if you don't want to tour the distillery, the gardens are a lovely space to meander the paths along the Black Burn without venturing too far from whisky. Great location if you have kids in tow. Dogs are not permitted on the grounds, however.
• Ballindalloch Castle and Gardens  - Ballindalloch Distillery is part of the Ballindalloch Estate, home of Ballindalloch Castle and Gardens. The castle is situated on the banks of the River Avon where it meets the River Spey and has been the home of the Macpherson-Grant family since 1546; the lands themselves were granted to John Grant of Freuchie by King James IV in 1498. The castle and gardens are open from mid-April to the end of September, Sunday to Thursday (closed Fridays and Saturdays), and no advanced booking is required.
• The Old Packhorse Bridge  - the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands (built 1717) and the first to cross the Dulnain River

References & Further Reading

Spirit of Place : Whisky Distilleries of Scotland by Charles MacLean

Treating Scotland as eight distinct regions (splitting the Highlands into Central, North, East, and West, plus the usual designations of Lowlands, Islay, Speyside and Islands), the Spirit of Place provides insight and imagery for fifty of Scotland's greatest distilleries. Beautifully photographed by Lara Platman and Allan MacDonald, this is a captivating modern companion to Alfred Barnard's great Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom.

The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom

One of Amanda's favourite books. Around 1885, Alfred Barnard was secretary of Harper's Weekly Gazette, a journal dedicated to the wine and spirit trade. In order to provide his readers with the history and descriptions of the whisky-making process, Barnard decided to visit all distilleries in Scotland, England and Ireland. Accompanied by friends, he visited and sketched over 150 distilleries. This is a wonderful step back in time and a must have book for a whisky history geek. 

General Distillery Visitor Information

COVID-19 has caused significant changes to many distilleries' operation and tour schedules and nearly all now require advanced bookings, even for tastings. We endeavour to ensure the information on this website is accurate; however, due to the unpredictable nature of COVID outbreaks, information may change at short notice. Please check the distillery's website before you go as (see links in the distillery profiles below).

Even in 'normal' times, we recommend that you book in advance to avoid disappointment or avoid long wait times. The booking links and phone numbers for each distillery are below. While you can sometimes drop in, distilleries are becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination, and tours often sell out days, or even weeks in advance.

Please check the distillery's website for opening hours and tour times as they change throughout the year. The times listed below were accurate at the time of writing.

Dogs, Children and Speyside Distillery Tours

Dogs are generally not allowed in distillery restaurants/cafes, visitor centres or in production areas, so don’t plan to bring your dog on a distillery tour. Guide dogs and special assistance dogs are permitted, although they may not be allowed in some production areas, so please check with the distillery before you book a tour.

Each distillery has a different policy on the age or number of children that can be taken on a distillery tour or be present during a tasting; please check the distillery's website or call ahead to confirm whether your child/children can join you. 

• Glen Grant Distillery is your best option if you are travelling with children - they have a fabulous Victorian garden to explore, and not only are children permitted on tours but their admission is free.  
• Glenfiddich and Glen Moray are other good options for tours while travelling with children - children are allowed on most tours (not tastings) and their admission is free.
• Cardhu Distillery and Cragganmore Distillery do not permit children under the age of 8 years on tours | Children over 8 years old only.
• Glenfarclas Distillery do not permit children under the age of 10 years on tours  | Children over 10 years old only.
• Balblair Distillery do not permit children under the age of 12 years on tours | Children over 12 years old only.
• Aberlour Distillery , Ballindalloch , Balvenie , GlenAllachie , The Macallan and The Glenlivet , do not permit children under the age of 18 years on tours or tastings though they are welcome in the visitor centre | Adults only on tours/tastings.

For a list of distilleries that are suitable for children, see our guide to  50 Distillery Tours In Scotland Your Kids Can Actually Go On .

50 Distillery Tours In Scotland Your Kids Can Actually Go On

Accessibility / wheelchair access.

Most distillery tours in Speyside Scotland are not wheelchair accessible/suitable for those with mobility impairments as they are in old buildings with lots of stairs. We'd normally recommend you have a look at Euan's Guide - a purpose built website that makes it easier for disabled persons to find great places to go - however only two Speyside distilleries are currently listed ( Cardhu and Macallan ). If you have mobility issues and there is a particular distillery you wish to tour, contact the distillery directly to see if they can organise something for you.

• Cardhu Distillery tours are your best bet for wheelchair accessibility, with an accessible toilet, lift, and four accessible parking spaces. The still room has stairs but the spirit safe and stills are viewable from a wheelchair accessible viewing area. For more information see Cardhu's profile on Euan's guide . Cardhu consulted Euan's guide when redoing the visitor's centre.
• The Macallan Estate tour and tasting experiences are wheelchair accessible, with an accessible lift and four accessible parking spaces - see Macallan's Distillery Tour Terms and Conditions for more information.
• Aberlour ( see their accessibility statement ), GlenAllachie and Glenfarclas Distilleries are wheelchair accessible in the shop and tasting rooms only - the tours involve stairs. There are wheelchair accessible bathrooms. GlenAllachie have a virtual tour option available. 
• The Benromach Distillery Visitor Centre's centre is wheelchair accessible however the distillery tours are not (stairs).

About the author

Amanda is an Australian-born photographer, digital nomad and whisky lover. Her passion for travel and whisky lead her to Islay, where she fell in love with an Ileach (an Islay native). Amanda and Roddy now share their Spirited Adventures.

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Glenfarclas distillery | grant family owned since 1865.

Did you find this post helpful? Did we miss anything? Do you have questions?

What are your tips or stories? We'd love to hear them!

This may seem silly but due to medication I can’t drink alcohol and can’t drive but my partner loves whisky. We would love to do some tours. Would I still have to pay the full price.

Hi Dorothy. Quite a few distilleries offer a ‘driver’s dram’ / take away samples, meaning you pay the same price, but your partner can have your samples later (and this will be a helpful option for your partner if they’re the one doing the driving). Others may be able to offer discount tours (or even complimentary) for a non-drinker. It would definitely be worth contacting the distilleries you want to visit and asking them, as it could save you quite a bit of money (I would do this before you travel so that you can narrow down which distilleries to visit).

Perhaps you can help me. What is the best way to find a driver/tour guide for a 1 day tour of Dufftown area distilleries? We would like to be picked up at our AirBnB in Kenmore Aberfeldy, visit Macallan & Balvenie distilleries & ride the Keith & Dufftown Railway.

I’ve not used any services personally in that area, but I’ve had a bit of a look for private tour taxi services, and there’s one based out of nearby Killin that might be able to help you out.

They’ve just been awarded Taxi Service of the Year and they have some fabulous reviews. They have 4 and 8 seater vehicles available. If they cant help you out they might be able to refer you to another local operator who can.

https://www.facebook.com/SaltirePrivateHire

https://saltireprivatehire.uk/private-scenic-tours/

The main thing I’d keep in mind for the tour you’re proposing is that it’s 2.5 hours drive from Kenmore to Dufftown – so most of your day will be spent in the car driving. It wont leave much time for visiting distilleries and train tour unless you plan to start your day very early. You’re much closer to Blair Athol, Dewar’s, Royal Lochnagar and Dalwhinnie (I’d normally suggest Edradour but they ceased tours due to COVID risks/staff shortages).

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1JnLdvvWy_zUWPHdj9WgQIkYDi44&usp=sharing

Please note that Balvenie requires prior appointment to visit the distillery (not even the shop is open without an appointment) https://www.thebalvenie.com/tour-the-balvenie-distillery/ and they appear to only do tours Monday to Friday.

The Macallan can be visited externally without a prior booking but if you want to do a tour and see inside the distillery then you must book well in advance. Currently their booking system is only showing dates up to the 31st May. https://www.themacallan.com/en/distillery/book-experiences# – generally they are open on Thursday to Sunday only – the tours are 2.5 hours so its going to be hard to fit that in with Balvenie and the train.

The train operates Friday to Sunday.

The only common day for all 3 is Friday. I think you will be very rushed if you try and do all three though. I’d pick one distillery to tour in the morning (Balvenie has tours on Fridays at 10.00 & 11.00 – Macallan haven’t released times yet), have a nice lunch, then jump on the train.

I hope this helps

Kind Regards

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Spectacular  Speyside Whisky Tours , Taste and Nose the Best Whisky in the World, visiting your favourite Speyside Whisky Distilleries

Relax with a dram in Speyside’s finest malt whisky distilleries on this tour from Edinburgh.

Tour Highlights

Lindores Abbey Distillery - The oldest written reference to whisky mentions this location. Sample a dram at the modern distillery and drink in the history.

Dalwhinnie Distillery - Try not to get too light-headed as you sample whisky at Scotland’s highest distillery.

Cairngorms National Park - Gaze in awe at Scotland’s most beautifully rounded peaks.

Speyside Cooperage* - Learn about the lifecycle of a whisky cask.

Cardhu Distillery* - The first distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming

Speyside  With 50 whisky distilleries, this region is the heartland of Scotch whisky production. It also enchants with tranquil rivers, rolling hillsides and wee villages where hospitality is as warm as a dram by the hearth.

Elgin - Visit this spirited town and explore the best little whisky shop in the world.

Royal Deeside - Throughout history, the Royal Family have loved exploring this gorgeous region of Scotland.

Your journey

Join this whisky tour and wake up in a whisky lover’s paradise. This tour takes you to Speyside, home of over half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries. You get the chance to explore four distilleries, learn how whisky is intertwined with Scottish culture, and venture through the beautiful Cairngorms National Park.

Tour Details

Students, and seniors over 60

• Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
• Unfortunately, we don't carry anyone under 18 years old on this tour
• Access to distillery production areas may not be possible
• Some distilleries offer tutored tastings instead of tours
• Distilleries may be substituted
• Some attraction tickets can be purchased in advance when you book your tour. You’ll have the option to add at check-out. Other attractions will not be available to book beforehand, instead you can purchase those while on tour.
• Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
• Air conditioning as standard
• The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
• Tour accommodation
• Attraction entry tickets
• Travel through the inspirational landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park
• Sample your first delicious whisky of the tour

You head north through the Kingdom of Fife, to your first distillery; Lindores Abbey. This is a modern Scottish distillery built on the site of the first-ever recorded distiller in the country in 1494. Visit this site to discover the historic legacy of the area blended with innovation and sustainable practices all captured in their fine whisky.

Continue north towards the UK's largest National Park, Cairngorms National Park. This will be a stunning drive, so keep your cameras ready. You stop in Braemar and have some time for lunch and a little explore.

A bite to eat is a good idea though because your next stop is the Whisky Castle. This whisky emporium has been selling the finest malt whiskies for over 120 years and is stocking over 600 malts. Savour three Speyside whiskies to get familiar with a distinctive taste of this region.

Once you’ve warmed with this dram of “the gentle spirit”, you continue through the Cairngorms National Park before reaching Grantown-on-Spey, your base for two nights.

• Understand the craftsmanship of the whisky cask at the Speyside Cooperage
• Discover a distillery pioneered by a woman

Time for some fun. Today you spend the whole day exploring Scotland’s most famous whisky region. Your first stop is Cardhu Distillery, which is the first distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming. Today, Cardhu is the most important whisky in Johnnie Walker Black Label.

After lunch in nearby Aberlour, you travel along the Spey River to Craigellachie for a visit to the Speyside Cooperage*, where you see another aspect of the whisky making process.

*After a scenic drive towards the coast, you head to Glen Moray, where you can try whisky matured in a wide selection of casks.

Time permitting, your driver-guide might stop in at Sueno's Stone for a quick photo, where you can admire this incredible Pictish standing stone. From here you travel back to Grantown-on-Spey.

*Speyside Cooperage is visited on Monday and Wednesday departures.

* If your tour leaves after 1st April 2025, you will visit Cragganmore Distillery instead.  

• Visit Dalwhinnie, Scotland's highest distillery
• Venture through the dense woodland of the Hermitage

In the morning get ready for a whisky and chocolate tasting at Dalwhinnie Distillery, set in splendid mountain scenery at the heart of the Cairngorm National Park. 

You then leave the Highlands and journey south to Perthshire. Lying in the heart of Scotland, Pitlochry is a beautiful little town with plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes. The time is yours to explore and have some lunch. 

Next, you stop for a walk among towering Douglas firs in the Hermitage, a lovely forest with a roaring waterfall. From here the route south takes you to the stunning wee village of Dunkeld, where you've got some time to explore before heading to your final whisky experience of the tour. 

You then over the Firth of Forth, take in the magnificent South Queensferry bridges, and head back into Edinburgh.

*Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

Attractions

Tour Attractions

You are able to pre-purchase entrance tickets to the following attractions at the time of booking:

• Dalwhinnie Distillery
• Lindores Abbey Distillery
• Glen Moray Distillery*
• Speyside Cooperage (Strathisla Distillery will be visited during April-May instead)
• Cardhu Distillery

Other attractions may be booked and paid locally during the tour.

* If your tour leaves after 1st April 2025, you will visit Cragganmore Distillery instead.

Accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

You stay two nights in Grantown-on-Spey in the Cairngorms National Park.

How can I book accommodation?

Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE .

Alternatively, please email us your questions at [email protected] or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.

Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab : types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.

How much will the accommodation cost?

We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.

As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices,  per person per night :

NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)

Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.

What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure

For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure

For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure

For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.

If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.

To cancel your booking, email [email protected] as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.

Click here to view terms and conditions

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email [email protected] , or check out our full FAQs .

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Customer reviews.

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Prices from £195.00

Dufftown Distilleries Walks

Get off the tourist track! Discover the Malt Whisky Capital of the World - with a local!

The renowned Dufftown Distilleries Walk is a relaxed walking tour around the past and present distillery sites of Dufftown. Drink in the history and your surroundings while Michelle provides you with samples from the distilleries. Please note this tour does not go inside any of the distilleries, however all tours include Michelle's Mum's world-famous shortbread!

Please remember your walking shoes. We will walk 5.5km in total, if this is a problem for you please get in touch. Dogs are more than welcome. Unfortunately we can't have any humans under 18 years old.

There are 3 options for your tour, BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL for all tours, on the day is fine. Check availability using the button below and then book via e-mail at [email protected] We will reply with confirmation within 24hrs:

• DURATION 3.5 Hrs.

All tours start from the Dufftown clocktower. Please note there are no toilet facilites during the walking tour, only lots of non prickly Scottish bushes!

If you would like a tour tailored to your requirements or indeed you would like to incorporate other Speyside distilleries, please get in touch. Email: [email protected]

We recommend that you stay the night in Dufftown or nearby. Please don't drive after the walk! We can provide lovely self-catering accommodation

Speyside Way, East Highlands

[email protected]

• Hiking & Walking

Group Hiking - 60 miles off the beaten track

The Scottish Highlands is spectacular at any time of the year. We can advise on several challenging or easy walks and trails both locally around the Cairngorms National Park or further afield.

  Waymarked Trails

  Be aware of wildlife

Walking Trails

Boat of Garten lies on the edge of Abernethy National Nature Reserve, and is the perfect base for low-level and high-level walking and climbing in the Cairngorms and the Monadhliath. There is a wide choice of walks from an hour to a full day or multi-day walk.

Low-level walking:

Walk in the pinewoods bordering the village, and back along the river Spey or follow the Speyside Way through Abernethy Forest to Nethybridge, and catch a bus or the steam train back. Visit the Osprey Centre at Loch Garten on the way! Or take the Speyside Way south to Aviemore across the moor, with great views of the Cairngorms.

High-level walking:

To the south, the Cairngorms provide wonderful high-level walks, with high summits, and huge sub-arctic plateaux, with ptarmigan, golden eagle, dotterel and mountain hare. To the west, you can explore the Monadhliath range with their lonely glens and corries. These are among the least visited hills in the Highlands. There are numerous Munros (mountains with summits above 3000ft) in the Cairngorms, which require an OS map, compass and navigation skills.

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something special?

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• Shuttle and Transfer
• Whisky Tour

Hiking Speyside Way & Whisky Trail: Overview & Tips

If you love whisky and enjoy hiking (or the other way around), Scotland’s  Speyside Way  is the place for you. The picturesque long-distance hiking trail takes you through enchanting landscapes into the heart of the Speyside whisky region. This is the area with the largest number of distilleries in Scotland.

The Speyside Way offers you the chance to combine hiking in the stunning scenery and nature of Scotland with tasting some of the finest whisky in the world, learning more about the history of whisky at each stop.

In this post, you will find all of the information you need to plan a hike in this unique region.

Hiking the Speyside Way

1. where is the speyside way.

The  Speyside Way  is located in northeast Scotland. This 116km trail begins in  Buckie  on the coast and then runs south to the edge of the Cairngorm Mountains and ends in  Aviemore . It follows the river  Spey  for long stretches and takes you from its mouth to its wide river valley.

The Speyside Way can also be supplemented by additional routes. The circular route at  Dufftown  or The Dufftown Loop , as well as the detour to the Tomintoul Spur,  take you to other distilleries and can be used for alternative route planning. A recent 34km extension has also been added to the route from Aviemore to Newtonmore.

2. How long does it take to hike the Speyside Way?

The length of a hike on the Speyside Way depends on how many kilometers you want to hike each day and which route you choose. 5 to 8 days should be planned for the entire trail depending on your desired daily walking distance and route. If you want to be on the path longer or shorter, you can choose a different starting point or run the additional routes mentioned above. With  Hillwalk Tours  you can book tailor-made hikes and choose between gentle, moderate and challenging levels.

It is also worthwhile allowing enough time for visits to the more than 20 distilleries near the trail so that you can fully enjoy your visit to the region.

3. What is the difficulty level of the Speyside Way?

The Speyside Way is classified as a moderate hiking trail and is suitable for beginners. The path is well signposted and has a total ascent of only 2,400 meters (for comparison: the more demanding West Highland Way has a total ascent of around 3,900 meters). The ascent is gentle and especially the first sections are relatively flat.

The Speyside Way uses old railway lines, forest paths and good-surface footpaths for walking over long stretches.

4. How can I get to Speyside Way?

The nearest airports are in  Edinburgh, Glasgow  and  Inverness . From here, public transport buses will take you to your starting point in  Buckie, Fochabers, Aberlour  etc.

If you want to travel by  ferry  from mainland Europe, you can take a ferry from  Zeebrugge  in Belgium to  Hull , in the middle of England, even without a car. Long-distance buses also run between various European cities and Great Britain. Most of the time you have to change trains here in London and then take the train or bus to Scotland.

Further information is available on the Travel Info tab on Hillwalk Tours tour information site .

Highlights on the Speyside Way Whisky Trail

The highlights on the Speyside Way revolve primarily around the acclaimed drink for which Scotland is so famous. In the numerous distilleries you can not only taste the different whiskies, but also visit their production facilities. Wondering why it’s called whisky in Scotland? Find out here .

In  Craigellachie , you can also see how traditional oak barrels are made and repaired at the  Speyside Cooperage , a cooperage. The tradition of the Scottish cooper goes back 5,000 years and its production is therefore a direct link with the past. The oak barrel also influences the taste of the whisky and is an important part of the quality product.

Architecture

Other highlights of the region include beautiful castles like  Ballindaloch  and  Balvenie Castle,  historic bridges, and even a steam locomotive that is still in service.

The Speyside Way is not just a special experience for whisky fans. The Scottish mountain landscape of the Cairngorms, lonely moors, quiet forests and the prospect of observing wild animals make the Speyside Way a first-class travel destination for nature lovers too.

The  Cairngorms National Park  is actually the largest nature reserve in the UK and was chosen by National Geographic as one of the 20 most beautiful places in the world.

5. What makes Speyside whisky so special?

There are a total of 50 distilleries in the Speyside region. 60 percent of Scottish whisky is made here. The Speyside malt whisky is famous for its lightness and its sweet, fruity taste, which, as connoisseurs say, contains vanilla, raisins and spices. The purity of the mountain water, the good growing conditions for barley and a climate that is perfect for whisky maturing have always made Speyside a first-class whisky region.

6. Which distilleries are there?

Glenfiddich.

Glenfiddich  is probably the most famous distillery in the region. Founded in 1886 by William Grant, this distillery is still a family business today. It is located in an idyllic valley in  Dufftown  and offers various guided tours.

A tour not only includes a tasting, but allows you to experience the production of the whisky live. The special highlight is the moment when you witness how the master distiller captures the heart of the distillate from the uniquely shaped copper bubbles.

Strathisla Distillery

The  Strathisla Distillery  was founded in 1786 under the name Milton Distillery and is the oldest distillery in the region that is still in operation today. The distillery has a turbulent history of regular changes of ownership and even bankruptcy. In 1950, the Chivas brothers bought the production facility and since then it has been considered “the home of the Chivas Regal”, a famous blend.

During a tour of the Strathisla Distillery, not only are you allowed to taste and familiarize yourself with whisky, but also to mix your own whisky. The distillery is located in  Keith , approximately eight miles from  Fochabers  and the Speyside Way.

Glenlivet Distillery

The name Glenlivet comes from the Livet Valley (Glen), in which the distillery was founded in 1824. Since then, the region has proudly maintained the quality standards of the region. Even the King of England and many nobles were fans of this whisky. The standard was hotly contested and gladly imitated, so that in 1884 a court ruling forbade other manufacturers to name their whisky Glenlivet.

You can follow traces of this history today if you take a stroll around the distillery on the smugglers’ route. The Glenlivet Distillery itself is open to visitors and offers various tours and tastings. The distillery is located in  Ballindalloch  on the branch of the Speyside Way, which leads from  Tomintoul .

7. What other sights are there on the Speyside Way?

Balvenie Castle  dates back to the 13th century and is one of the oldest castles in all of Scotland. The well-preserved curtain wall is an imposing example of medieval military architecture and was supplemented by later Renaissance buildings. Allegedly, the annual rent of the castle at the time of construction was one red rose per year.

Ballindalloch Castle  was built a few centuries later (1546) and is still habitable today. Mysterious events run through the history of the building. At the time of construction, what was built up during the day was torn down every night until the condition of a mysterious voice was met.

The ghost of James Grant is also said to haunt the castle. You can get to the bottom of these legends during a visit.

The  Old Packhorse Bridge  at  Carrbridge  is in fact the oldest stone bridge in the Scottish Highlands. Erected in 1717, it enabled residents to cross the Dulnain River. During floods, the dead could not be brought to the cemetery on the other side of the bank and buried. The construction of the bridge was therefore a great relief and was financed by the municipality.

The   Craigellachie Bridge   is an iron arch bridge that spans the Spey itself. It was built between 1812 and 1814 and is located in  Aberlour . The bridge is considered a masterpiece of engineering and can still be used today by cyclists and pedestrians. She once even inspired the composer William Marshall to write a dance piece.

Steam locomotive

On the 16km long railway line between Aviemore  and  Broomhill there is a rare sight in summer: a steam locomotive pulls its plume of smoke through the landscape. Forty years ago, volunteers put this historic form of transport back on the rails of the original highland railway line. The Strathsprey Railway runs parallel to Speyside Way and delights hikers with its nostalgic tooting and rattling.

Accommodation and Food

8. where can i stay on the speyside way.

On the Speyside Way, your next place to stay is never more than a day’s hike away. In the cozy B&Bs along the trail, you can rest your tired feet in the evening and enjoy a warm shower. Due to the popularity of the region and the many yearly whisky festivals, it is worth booking a place to sleep as far in advance as possible.

There are also campsites near the Speyside Way. Even wild camping is legal under  Scottish law  , as long as you behave responsibly.

9. What is the food like on the Speyside Way?

On the  Speyside Way  there is not only excellent whisky, the (other) side of physical well-being is also more than taken care of. Along the hiking trail you can stop to eat in hotels, pubs and restaurants, or go shopping in supermarkets. Vegetarians and vegans also get their money’s worth in the restaurants on Speyside Way.

Probably the most famous specialty made in Speyside is  Walker’s Shortbread . Shortbread is a type of rectangular Scottish shortbread that is exported all over the world. In addition to the biscuits, you can try other delicious pastries such as meringues, oat biscuits and cakes at the factory in  Aberlour .

Close to  Fochabers , you can also visit  Baxters Highland Village , where the grocer has made more than 100 products, including sauces, canned soups and much more, for over 150 years.

Equipment for the Speyside Way

10. what is the weather like on the speyside way.

Scottish weather is famous around the world but Speyside is actually considered to be the driest and warmest region in Scotland. Located between the coast and the mountains, the geographic conditions here still ensure variability and a certain unpredictability for weather forecasters.

The months from April to June are generally considered a favorable time to travel in Scotland. Then there are the most hours of sunshine and less rainfall than in the following summer months.  You  can find more information about the climate in Scotland here.

11. What must be in your backpack on the Speyside Way?

Your equipment on the Speyside Way must do one thing above all: be prepared for different weather conditions. The following things should therefore not be missing in any hiking backpack:

• Rainwear (jacket and pants)
• Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
• Water and refillable drinking vessels
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hiking socks (pack spare pair)
• Blister plasters and petroleum jelly for foot care
• Snacks for in between
• Hiking map (GPS, mobile phone, compass, depending on your preference)

These are the basics that you should always have with you in your daypack. On multi-day hikes, you will of course need other items, such as warm layers, spare clothes, care products and personal valuables.

When you book a hike with Hillwalk Tours , the luggage that you don’t need in your daypack will be transported for you to your next B&B each day. This has the advantage that you can carry a lot less weight with you and just focus on enjoying the walking.

12. When is the best time to hike the Speyside Way?

May is normally one of the most popular months for hiking in Scotland. The days are long, the temperature rises and the average rainfall is lower than in the other summer months.

But also the spring with the reawakening of nature is a magical time to visit. Autumn radiates romance and coziness with the beautiful changing colours of the leaves and landscape, which goes perfectly with evenings filled with whisky and shortbread.

In winter some of the accommodations are closed and snowfall can make hiking trails impassable. The hiking season here generally lasts from March to October. During this period, it is entirely up to you which time of year you prefer to hike the Speyside Whisky Trail.

Interested in hiking the Speyside Way & Whisky Trail? Hillwalk Tours are specialists in self-guided hiking in Scotland and have a wide range of bespoke itineraries to choose from.

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Travelling this year? There are still many trips available for 2024 .

Speyside Whisky Trail (6 days & 5 nights)

• Savour the elegantly rounded flavours of a 12 year old Glenfiddich malt
• Combine easy-going walks with distillery visits of your choice
• Peaceful hiking through ancient pine forests
• Drink to purple heather-clad glens, haunt of the golden eagle
• Stock up on your favourite Speyside malts to enjoy at home

Only 2 hours from Inverness this small town lies in the heart of whisky country and is a fitting starting point for a journey through Speyside's whisky country. The Cooperage centre in the town is the only one of its kind remaining and you also have great views of the River Spey from Telford’s Iron Bridge. Make sure to visit the Craigellachie Hotel, which famously boasts 550 malt whiskies behind the bar!

Bridge View B&B is a traditional Scottish family home set in an elevated position, overlooking the River Spey and surrounding countryside. All rooms are centrally heated with TV and tea/coffee making facilities and WIFI internet access.

Craigellachie Lodge was originally built in 1860 for a local distillery manager. and sits high on a hill overlooking the Spey Valley. Scott and Jodi will make you feel at home right away and are more than happy to assist with booking any distillery visits on your behalf. 

The Highlander Inn is a friendly hotel in the centre of Craigellachie and has been recognised as one of Scotland's best known "Village Inns". Relax in your en suite room before enjoying a 'dram' at The Whisky Bar, which has an outstanding selection of malt whiskies from across the world. Dinner can be enjoyed in the restaurant where fresh food is prepared with locally sourced ingredients where possible. 

On this way marked circular section the trail follows the River Fiddich to the world famous Glenfiddich Distillery. Following an easy ascent you are afforded wonderful views of the Spey Valley from the summit of Gownie Path at 1100 ft.

This world famous distillery was set up in 1886 with the goal of creating the ‘best dram in the valley’. You can make your own decision with a tour ranging from the general distillery experience to a ‘connoisseur tour’.

Ascent:  +271m  / Descent:  -281m

Follow the River Spey en route to the hamlet of Ballindalloch. The walking is a through a mix of atmospheric woodland with hidden waterfalls utilising a disused railway track bed. You will pass several distilleries today including Aberlour, Tamdhu, Knockando and Dalmunach. If you wish to detour slightly from the trail you can also visit Cardhu Distillery and The Macallan Distillery. 

Cragganmore Distillery is positioned on the banks of the River Spey at Ballindalloch, you may take a tour to experience one of the most complex and characterful whiskies of all. Uncover the story of John Smiths whisky dream.

Ascent:  +69m  / Descent:  -15m

Cragganmore House offers lovely comfortable accommodation for walkers, set in a secluded glen, with glorious views to the River Spey and across to Ben Rinnes. Situated in the heart of golfing and Malt Whisky country on the edge of the Cairngorm National Park. Room are all individually furnished and have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.

The Delnashaugh overlooks the River Avon, amidst the delightful countryside of the Spey valley. You will be greeted with the warmest of welcomes. Newly renovated and refurbished, the hotel has every modern convenience, while retaining the best of its original character. You can relax in the evening in the warm and inviting bar which also has an open fire where you can enjoy a relaxing meal or sample a few of their malt whiskies including the very local Ballindalloch malt from their well-stocked bar. Alternatively, you can relax in the lounge where there are comfortable sofas and a large television for your entertainment.

Ballindalloch is also the site of the beautiful and renowned Ballindalloch castle. Leaving the village the trail takes you out into the wild scenery of upland heather clad moorland. Rising up to the summits of Cairncay and Deskie the trail descends to the welcoming site of the Glenlivet distillery and surrounding estate.

The Glenlivet Distillery is steeped in history. Due to whisky taxes imposed in the 18th Century, the remote area around Glenlivet was a centre for illicit stills. As Glenlivet is the site of the original single malt you will want to experience the taste on a tour. There is also much scope to walk way marked smugglers trails on the estate. 

After time to visit Glenlivet distillery a transfer will return you to Ballindalloch for your overnight. 

Ascent:  +360m  / Descent:  -253m

A morning transfer collects you from Ballindalloch and returns you to Glenlivet to continue on the trail.

Following in the footsteps of illicit whisky smugglers of the 18th century the trail ventures into the wild uplands with views of the Cairngorm Mountains. At Tomintoul the renowned Whisky Castle shop has been selling the finest malt whiskies for over 100 years. Mike and Cathy will surely provide you with a warm welcome and help you stock up on the ‘Life Blood of Scotland’!

Ascent:  +376m  / Descent:  -359m

Argyle House dates back to 1891, it is a stone built, cottage-style building of one and a half stories. Your hosts will be Steven and Dianne during your stay. Both are South African born and delighted to have settled in Scotland, a place they have always loved and frequently visited from their former base in London.

Dianne comes from a hotel background having worked as a Guest Relations Manager in a 4-star hotel in London. She will ensure that you will have a great experience at the Argyle Guest House.

Steven, has an Architectural background. His love for the outdoors and all it has to offer will provide you with the information you need in the local area, and what exciting things there are to do. He has a passion for cooking and will ensure that you leave for the day feeling satiated with a wonderful breakfast.

The Glen Avon is a small family run hotel nestled in the heart of the Highlands of Scotland. It is situated overlooking the village square of delightful Tomintoul, reputed as the highest village in the Highlands. They offer en-suite rooms with bed & breakfast facilities, all of which are double glazed with central heating, colour television and tea & coffee making amenities. Enjoy a meal in their restaurant, a glass of Scotland's finest whisky or a traditional real ale in the warm and friendly atmosphere of our lounge bar. Either sit by the bar and exchange stories with some of the local characters, play pool or relax quietly by the log fire.

The Richmond Arms is a magnificent 25-bedroom hotel nestling centrally in the tranquil village of Tomintoul which claims to be the highest village in the Highlands. You will be guaranteed a warm welcome when you check into the hotel and your room will have all the amenities you require for a great overnight stay. They have two well stocked bars and have an extensive choice of 35 individual malt whisky’s, with many from the Speyside area, and others from the lowlands, Islay and highland regions, plus 4 Glenlivet and 3 Tomintoul varieties.

If you haven't visited all the distilleries you wished to, make sure to visit today before your onward journey.

This morning we include an onward travel taxi transfer to Grantown-On-Spey (or back to Craigellachie if you prefer) to make your onward travel easier. 

This trip has a carbon score of 7kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 7kg is equivalent to 1 single running shoe (not even a pair!). Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've  carbon counted our trips .

Other Information

If you want to discover the whisky, water and land of Scotland there is no better way. Taste the complex flavours of the Speyside whiskies as you walk through the changing landscapes from riverside through farm and moorland to rich forests. The perfect trip for both walker and whisky connoisseur.

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

This is an easy to moderate tour with relatively low daily mileages covering mostly flat, but occassionally rolling terrain. Paths are generally very good and the route follows a mix of forest tracks and paths on compact dirt or gravel.

The Speyside Whisky Trail is a relatively easy walk so if you are a regular walker or lead and active lifestyle you'll enjoy the walk. We offer a range of itineraries so you can choose your preferred daily distance so hopefully you will find an itinerary that suits your preferred level of activity.

One of the highlights of this walking holiday is the high standard of the accommodation you will enjoy. The hotels, inns, guesthouses and B&B’s we use are hand-picked to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. All offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We do recommend that you book this trip early as the area is always popular and the hotels and inns do fill up early, especially in high season. You will find descriptions, photos and weblinks to a selection of the accommodation below.

Single Rooms

This independent walking holiday is available to solo walkers but as all our holidays are priced per person based on two sharing there is a single supplement payable to cover the additional costs we incur. If you require single rooms within your party we will of course try to accommodate your request subject to availability.

Breakfast is included each morning while lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Your accommodation will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival, alternatively your guidebook also includes details of local shops and convenient lunch stops on the way. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants and your info pack will of course have recommendations.

The routes are not always signposted but will access to our easy-to-use Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app, and the trip guidebook with route notes you should have no problem finding your way.

• 5 Nights in hand-picked B&B's, guesthouses and small hotels
• 5 Breakfasts
• Baggage transfers and onward travel transfer to Grantown-on-Spey
• Information pack and guidebook
• Access to detailed maps and GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
• 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office
• Travel to Craigellachie / from Grantown-on-Spey
• Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
• Distillery tours and entrance fees
• Personal equipment
• Travel insurance (required)
• Additional nights along the route

This tour cannot depart on Sunday's or Monday's due to the fact the Glenfiddich Distillery is closed on Monday's and Tuesday's.

We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the months of April to August are popular times to visit the distilleries along the trail. You can bein the trip on any day of the week and you will find up to date availability on our website.

If you have specific distilleries in mind please check their websites for opening times and days when they run the tour you'd like to take to avaoid disappointment. Opening hours and tour timtables are often seasonal.

By Air: Aberdeen (3hrs) and Inverness (2hrs) both have airports which are convenient for the Speyside Whisky Trail.

Use one of the following modes of transport listed below to get you to the start and finish of the walk.

By Road:  Craigellachie is approximately 60 miles and a 1.5 hours drive from both Inverness and Aberdeen. From Glasgow and Edinburgh drive time is approximately 4 hours. 

By Rail or Bus:  If travelling by bus from Inverness airport you may change buses at Elgin. The overall journey time is approximately 2 hours. If travelling by bus from Aberdeen airport a combination of a bus to Dyce followed by a train to Elgin and a final bus will take approximately 3 hours in total. You may also travel out from Aberdeen town centre by train to Elgin and a bus onto Craigellachie. This journey will take up to 2.5 hours.

Train timetables can be found here  Scotrail  and the buses are operated by Stagecoach . 

By Bus:  Public transport from Granton-on-Spey is available via a bus to the town of Aviemore (0.5 hrs) where trains run to Inverness (45m) and onward to Aberdeen (4-5hrs total journey). Buses are operated by Stagecoach . Buses operated by Scottish Citylink  run directly to Glasgow (3hrs) with an indirect service to Edinburgh (3.5hrs).

By Rail:   There are direct train services to Glasgow (3hrs) from Aviemore and an indirect service to Edinburgh (3.5hrs).  The provider for the train is  Scotrail . 

Traveline Scotland  is a great website for planning journeys by public transport around the country.

We can also arrange transfers for you to either Craigellachie or Granton-on-Spey following your final nights' stay.

Daily door to door baggage transfer is included in the cost of your holiday. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase.   Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person.   It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack. 

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

The Speyside Whisky Trail is a relatively easy walk so if you are a regular walker or lead and active lifestyle youll enjoy the walk. We offer a range of itineraries so you can choose your preferred daily distance so hopefully you will find an itinerary that suits your preferred level of activity. If you currently don’t enjoy an active lifestyle we suggest regular walking in hilly terrain supplemented by cardio vascular exercise for at least 6 months prior to your walk. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.

We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the Speyside Whisky Trail is extremely popular especially over April/May and July/August. You will find up to date availability on our website and we will always try and accommodate your plans.

You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc.

Traditionally April/May has always been the most popular time of year because the theory goes that the weather is better. Although I believe any time between April and October offers a wonderful experience. Be aware that certain distilleries may be closed at weekends especially early or late in the season. We suggest that for any specific distillery visits you research beforehand to avoid disappointment.

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved on to your next overnight accommodation.  We ask that you limit your luggage to one bag of up to 15kg per person.

Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.

You can use public transport or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop.

Arran Coastal Way - 8 Days & 7 Nights

• A coastal journey around 'Scotland in miniature'
• An island brimming with Scottish history
• Look out for seals basking on the shoreline

Speyside Way - 8 Days & 7 Nights

• Enjoy relaxed walking in the beautiful Spey Valley
• Forested trails passing grand Speyside castles
• Optional visits to local whisky distilleries

Rob Roy Way - 8 Days & 7 Nights

• Relatively easy-going walking in Perthshire
• Archaeological sites and recreated crannogs
• Indulge in local whisky alongside a hearty dinner

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Visit Glenfiddich Distillery on a Speyside Whisky Tour

© DCphoto

Speyside Whisky Tours departing from Aberlour, Craigellachie and Dufftown.

Discover the delights of Speyside on your private Speyside Whisky Tour. This Speyside Whisky Tour can be tailored to your requirements with a number of distilleries to choose from. This whisky tour departs from Aberlour, Craigellachie or Dufftown.

Speyside Whisky Tour from Aberlour, Craigellachie or Dufftown

This is a bespoke tour exclusively for you. Please contact us with:

• Your tour date(s)
• Departure town/area
• Distillery preferences (if any)

We'll then put together a draft itinerary and quote for your consideration with no obligation to book.

This Speyside Whisky Tour departs from Aberlour, Craigellachie or Dufftown. If you are basing yourself in central Speyside, there are a choice of whisky trail routes.

This is a private tour, exclusively for your party. We carry a maximum of 3 passengers.

Travel in comfort in a Honda CRV with leather seats, panoramic glass roof and air conditioning.

Possible Distilleries

We can head towards Keith to discover picturesque Strashisla Distillery. Head west to find the innovation of Glen Moray and then family owned Benromach Distillery, noted for its peaty whisky which is unusual in Speyside. Close by there's BenRiach and Glen Grant.

To the centre an d south ..........

Glenfarclas and Glenfiddich (still family owned). The mighty Macallan sits on a hill overlooking Speyside while the other giant Glenlivet is found deep into Speyside.

Journey in comfort through Speyside absorbing the scenery and heritage of Speyside.

Your itinerary can be adapted to your requirements and can be a balance of whisky tours and tastings. There are some more in depth experiences available e.g. Balvenie available including specialist tastings, blending experiences and food and whisky pairings.

Contact us for your tailor made itinerary.

Price on Request

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

January — December

Contact details

• +44 (07521) 322491
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Tour information

• Craigellachie
• Driver guide
• Small Group (1-16)

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Tour company information

Highland spirit tours.

We provide Speyside Whisky Tours which are tailor made to your requirements. Discover the area's whiskies & distilleries while touring beautiful Speyside. Tour distilleries from Macallan to Glenlivet. Discover smaller distilleries like Benromach and visit the Cooperage. Departures are from your accommodation and includes Moray, Speyside and Inverness. Tour in comfort in our Honda CRV with leather seats and panoramic glass roof. All our tours are tailor made and exclusive to your group. They include distillery tours and whisky tastings. We look forward to hearing from you.

Visit Highland Spirit Tours

Opening times

0700 to 1900

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