Speyside Whisky Trail Map and Itinerary

Starting Point: Craigellachie

Only 2 hours from Inverness this small town lies in the heart of whisky country and is a fitting starting point to the Speyside Whisky Trail. The Cooperage centre in the town is the only one of it’s kind remaining and you also have great views of the River Spey from Telford’s Iron Bridge. The Craigellachie Hotel famously boasts 550 malt whiskies behind the bar. .

Circular walk to Glenfiddich Distillery - 12 miles

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.

Craigellachie to Ballindalloch - 12 miles

Follow the River Spey to both the Aberlour and Cardhu distilleries 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.

Ballindalloch to Glenlivet– 7 miles

Ballindalloch is the site of the beautiful and renowned Ballindalloch castle and the famous Cragganmore Distillery. Leaving the village the Speyside Whisky 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.

Glenlivet to Tomintoul– 8 miles

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’!

Distillery visits

The Speyside Whisky Trail passes 13 distilleries and there is the opportunity to visit at least 6. Below is a brief description to some of the most famous:

Macallan distillery: Day 1,2 or 3

At the start of the walk and a great introduction to the Speyside whiskies. The visitor centre overlooks the River Spey with magnificent views across to Ben Rinnes. Explore the ‘Story of Oak’ and how the special casks develop the distinctive character of the Macallan.

Macallan Distillery official website. 

 

Aberlour distillery: Day 2 or 3

At the junction of the River Spey and the River Lour the distillery get’s it’s name from the Gaelic for ’mouth of the chattering burn’. Taste the wort and wash and nose the different fractions of the spirit run.

Aberlour Distillery official website. 

 

Glenfiddich distillery: Day 2

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’.

Glenfiddich Distillery official website. 

 

Cardhu distillery: Day 3

The only whisky distillery started by a woman. Experience the distinctive warm and clean ‘silky’ taste with a tour.

Carhu Distillery official website. 

 

Cragganmore distillery: Day 3 or 4

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.

Cragganmore Distillery official website. 

 

Glenlivet distillery: Day 4 or 5

This 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.

Glenlivet Distillery official website. 

 

Walks on the Glenlivet Estate

In the latter half of the 18th Century a series of Government imposed Whisky taxes led to high level of illicit distilling. The remote nature of Glenlivet was perfect for this practice and up to 200 illegal stills were thought be operating at the peak of production. In order to move the cargo a number of renowned smugglers created secret paths through the forests and glens and these may still be walked to this day. Indeed, there are a number of way marked circular paths within the Crown Estate that surrounds the Glenlivet distillery and 2 are described below as interesting side trips through the area:

George Smith Smugglers Trail – 3.75m/6km

Following a new excise act in 1823, George Smith was the first person granted a licence to distil in the area and his endeavours led to the creation of the Glenlivet Distillery. This trail, starting at the distillery, follows the River Livet to the remains of the 14th Century Drumlin Castle built by the Earl of Buchan, also known as the ‘Wolf of Badenoch’. The trail follows grassy paths, woodland tracks and surfaced trails and is graded as easy walking.

Robbie MacPherson Trail – 7m/11km

Robbie MacPherson was one of the most famous smugglers and this challenging walk is the perfect way to experience the terrain in which he hid his whisky from the prying eyes of the excise men. Starting at the Glenlivet Distillery the route bypasses ‘Josie’s Well’, a natural underground spring that provides perfect water for making whisky. The trail takes in the site of George Smith’s original distillery and moves out into the rugged moorland so typical of the region. Following a trek up to Carn Daimh (summit -570m) the walk also passes the remains of the 16th Century Blairfindy Castle. Due to the remote upland nature of this walk and the associated changeable weather conditions it is imperative to be properly equipped. This walk is graded as moderate.

A free map and guide is published by the Crown estate – ‘Walk and Explore Glenlivet Estate’. This covers these and many further walks in the region.

Ordnance Survey Landranger maps no. 36 and 37 cover the area.

A useful resource for these walks is the official Glenlivet Estate walks website.

Glenlivet Estate Walksofficial website.