The Speyside Way explores the heart of Scotch Whisky country as it follows the River Spey from the sea at Buckie to the bustling town of Aviemore. Since adding the Speyside Way to our walking holiday programme in 2008 it has become one of our most popular walking holidays in Scotland. It's always difficult to get across the pleasure and delights of a walking holiday on the Speyside Way in our brochures and website so I thought I would share this lovely account of the walk we just received from Sue Bourne who just finished the way.

"Hello Kath,

Thanks for the immaculate way the holiday went. David was exactly on time to pick us up at the airport and that set the tone for the whole week.

Alison at Rosemount in Buckie was delightfully welcoming and couldn't do enough to make us comfortable; she even gave us some "sweeties" her daughter had made at school as an extra to the packed lunch. The room was huge and very comfortable.

The Highlander at Craigellachie had marvellous food and a very modern bedroom but the Ballindalloch stop at Craggenmore House was the pinnacle of perfection. We didn't even need to take our own alchohol as the owners gave us  a glass of wine on the house, to go with the meal. We had the bath to ourselves if we wanted to use it alongside the shower which went with the room, as there was no-one else booked in. Who would not want to wallow in a roll top bath with a feature plug and containing what seemed to be up to 3 feet of water as hot as you want??? Our room was a joy; it was decorated in distressed Victorian style as is the rest of the house, with layer upon layer of interesting items and mixed furniture which hit the right note of comfort and homeliness. We will be returning to Scotland and both the Highlander and Craggenmore House are places for a revisit. The surroundings at Craggenmore are very peaceful with a surprise addition of Indian Runner Ducks on a pen on the lawn.

The owner at Dunallen House at Granton was quietly humorous and showed us to a well-equipped bedroom. The breakfast was inspiring and the owner recommended the Garth for an evening meal and was spot on with the recommendation. It is fabulous.

Ravenscraig Guest House at Aviemore was comfortable with an inspiring breakfast menu;

the proprietor would have rushed away our wet clothing to the drying room (only we'd dried off naturally by then!) It was worthy of note that this Guest House was one of the few fully booked when we stayed.

We were thrilled to see seals on the route from Buckie, several red squirrels, deer, hares and a tiny frog most unexpectedly on a dry forest path, plus hares and many bunnies. The birdlife is a breath of fresh air. We've never encountered Oyster Catchers before and one bird, like a Dipper and in exactly the same surroundings - a rock in a stream, but with a vivid green-yellow tummy, remails a mystery.

Having been told about the insectivorous plant, Pinguicula, at school (many, many years ago) I was delighted to encounter it at one part of the walk.

We had a wondeful time. Thank you so much for arranging it.

If you'd like to use any comments in your literature please feel free!

All best wishes from Sue"

Our website has plenty of information on our Speyside Way Walking Holidays. I hope that you will find the time to enjoy this lovely walking holiday soon.