Detailed Route Description

The Speyside Way is a fantastic walk through the heart of Scotland’s malt whisky country. The following route description provides a brief outline of what to expect over the course of your walking adventure.All the individual itineraries we offer are made up of the below sections.  A great information source is the Speyside Way official website.  This keeps you up to date with any diversions on the path.

Section 1 | Buckie to Fochabers | 10 miles| 16 Km | 5-6 hours

Starting from the fishing port of Buckie you follow the coastline of Spey Bay before turning left along a disused railway line to follow the River Spey to Fochabers.

Section 2 | Fochabers to Craigallachie | 13 miles| 21 Km | 6-7 hours

You climb steeply as you leave Fochabers but are rewarded with expansive views over the Spey Valley and the Boat o’ Brig. After a stretch of mixed forest and farmland before reaching the small village of Craigallachie. The Craigallachie Hotel famously boasts 550 malt whiskies behind its bar.

Section 3 | Craigallachie to Ballindalloch | 12 miles| 20 Km | 5-6 hours

You start your day following a pretty section of the Spey before passing close to Aberlour where you may wish to divert o visit the town’s distillery. A pleasant period of walking passes before you reach the hamlet of Ballindalloch.

Section 4 | Ballindalloch to Grantown | 13miles| 21 Km | 6-7 hours

This is a rougher section of more challenging walking with good views and lovely pinewoods between Cromdale and Grantown. Grantown-on-Spey is a charming village to while away an afternoon.

Section 5 | Grantown to Aviemore | 17 miles| 27 Km | 7-8 hours

Today you enter Strathspey and the Cairngorm Mountains start to dominate the view to your left. The walking is easy and passes through farmland and uses old railway tracks to bring you to the bustling town of Aviemore, the end of your journey.

Spur 1 | Dufftown Circuit | 10 miles| 16 Km | 5-6 hours

The Dufftown Spur is a very pleasant excursion off the main route of the way and facilitates a visit to the world famous Glenfiddich Distillery. Well worth it if you are a whisky lover.

Spur 2 | Tomintoul Spur | 15 miles| 24 Km | 7-8 hours

Probably my favourite part of the Speyside Way as it ventures into the wild places of the Cairngorms and gives you a real insight into the reality of life in a small highland village. Oh, and you also pass by Glenlivet, which certainly helps you on your way.

Accommodation

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.

Meals

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.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 15kg per person.

Additional Nights

Many of our clients choose to add extra nights along the walk and these can be added at the time of booking.   Aviemore is a great place to have an extra night at the end of your walk.

 

 

 

Bed & Breakfast

Visit the website

Rosemount House - Buckie

This impressive Victorian Townhouse in the scottish highlands was built in 1890 and is ideally situated overlooking the Moray Firth and is at the beginning of the Speyside Way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Country Hotel

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Grant Arms Hotel - Fochabers

The Grant Arms is a family run Hotel located in the picturesque small town of Fochabers. They offer cosy accommodation and have a bar and resturant to enjoy after a days walk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Country Inn

Visit the website

Highlander Inn - Craigellachie

The Highlander Inn is in the centre of the village of Craigellachie, the heart of Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotel

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Speybank - Craigellachie

Geraldine and Peter welcome you to their home which is a unique and traditional B&B in the heart of malt whisky country. They will look after you well and make sure you have a comfortable and relaxing stay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

B&B

Visit the website

Woodville B&B - Ballindalloch

Recently refurbished to a very high standard, Woodville offers quality B&B accommodation in peaceful woodland surroundings in Ballandalloch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

B&B

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Cragganmore House - Ballindalloch

Set in a secluded Glen, Cragganmore House has glorious views to the River Spey and provides fantastic accommodation and evening meals for walkers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bed & Breakfast

Visit the website

Argyle House - Tomintoul

Argyle House Bed and Breakfast, Tomintoul in the Scottish Highlands dates back to 1891. It is a stone built, cottage-style building of one and a half stories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bed & Breakfast

Visit the website

Dunallan House - Grantown on Spey

Situated in a quiet location, yet only a short stroll to all amenities in Grantown On Spey, Dunallan offers quality Scottish Tourist Board 4 Star accommodation in a large lovingly restored Victorian Villa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bed & Breakfast

Visit the website

Ravenscraig - Aviemore

Beautifully decorated throughout and offering a warm welcome with Highland hospitality, Ravenscraig provides the perfect location for enjoying the wealth of outdoor pursuits in the area.

 

 

 

Getting to Buckie and from Aviemore

Air:  Aberdeen and Inverness both have airports which are convenient for the Speyside Way. Use one of the following modes of transport listed below to get you to the start and finish of the walk.

Road:  Buckie is approximately 60 miles and a one hour drive from both Inverness and Aberdeen. Aviemore is 30 miles south of Inverness and 120 miles north of Edinburgh on the A9.

Rail:  If travelling via Inverness, a change of train to Keith (2 hours) and then a bus (35 mins) to Buckie is required. If travelling via Aberdeen a change of train to Keith (1 hour 30 mins) and then a bus (35 mins) to Buckie is required. From Aviemore to Inverness is 30 mins and to Edinburgh is 1 hour 30 mins.

Planning a trip on the Speyside Way can be daunting, especially if this is your first long distance walking holiday. We are often asked the following questions and I hope that you will find the answers useful.

How fit do I need to be?

The Speyside Way 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. 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.

How far in advance do I need to book?

We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the Speyside Way 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.

What personal equipment do I need?

You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc. You can download a full equipment list from the downloads page of our website.

When is the best time of year?

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 late March and October offers a wonderful experience.

Which direction should I walk?

We recommend you walk from North to South as all the guidebooks are written in this direction and this is also our personal preference. If you would prefer to walk from South to North we can of course accommodate you.

Am I able to take my dog?

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

What happens if I can’t walk a stage?

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

The Speyside Way holiday is available from March to October in the months coloured green. You can start your holiday on any date in the season. To make a provisional reservation select "Book" for the itinerary you are interested in.

Option prices will be displayed as part of the booking process.

Because every Speyside Way holiday we book is unique availability changes from day to day and our booking process works as follows:

• You provisionally book the tour you are interested in for your preferred dates and pay a 20% deposit online or by phone.
• We confirm availability and book all your accommodation and options and send final confirmation as soon as everything is confirmed (max 5 working days).
• If we are unable to accommodate you on your confirmed dates/tour or an alternative of your choice your deposit is fully refunded.