A Blend of Whisky and Walking on the Speyside Way

The Speyside Way walking holiday takes you into the heart of Scotland’s famous Malt Whisky country. Follow a route through the ancient Caledonian pine forests of the Speyside valley, famous for it’s 50 plus distilleries spread around Speyside and Strathspey, including Glenfiddich and Glenlivet.

Highlights
  • Walk through The Cairngorms, Britain's largest National Park
  • Visit some of Scotland's finest whisky distilleries
  • Explore the Ballindalloch Castle estate
  • Wildlife abounds in the Speyside River valley - a special area of conservation
  • Pass through characterful villages along the way such as Craigellachie, Aviemore and Ballindalloch
  • The Strathspey Steam Railway that runs between Broomhill and Aviemore (via Boat of Garten)
  • Take back a sample from the heart of Malt Whisky Country
  • 6 to 7 nights
  • 65 mls (view km)
  • Buckie, North East Scotland
  • Easy
  • Mar to Oct
  • £550

Highland Hiking Along the Speyside Way

The Speyside Way runs from the Moray Coast to Aviemore in the Cairngorm Mountains, through a variety of rich scenery. The route navigates hills, farmland, mixed woodland and riverside paths following the coursing River Spey - the fastest flowing river in Scotland.

The Spey is Scotland’s second longest river, renowned by anglers for the quality of its salmon and trout fishing. The river between coast and foothills of the Cairngorm National Park is a treasured Special Area of Conservation. Where the river Spey meets the Moray Firth is a feeding point for Dolphins around Spey Bay (near Fochabers), and it's along the river Spey that the fresh supply of salmon also supports the native sea eagles and ospreys of the inland mountains and lochs.

Buzzards and kestrels are known to this land and sharp eyed walkers may be within a chance of spotting the rare Scottish wildcat, the UK’s rarest mammal and resident of Scotland for over two million years.

The Speyside Whisky Trail

Whisky is an anglicised mutation of ‘Uisge’ in Scottish Gaelic, water that has been distilled in the Spey valley since the 16th century. Your walk features visits to local villages and market towns, to Clan castles, and of course the chance to visit some of the finest whisky distilleries in Scotland (distillery tours should be pre-booked). These include such iconic labels as Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and the Macallan. In addition, we have the renowned Quaich Bar - with 700 malts displayed in alphabetical order!

Path Walkthrough

Speyside Way walk map
Our linear Speyside Way route takes you from Buckie to Aviemore

Following the River Spey from the coast at Buckie, the Speyside Way encompasses the towns and villages that makes up the heart of malth whisky country. Your route traces a path around the foothills of the Cairngorms, in the valley of Scotland's second-longest river. The walking is fairly straightforward - the path itself follows path and disused railway line through woods, hills and farmland, and is mostly free of steep ascents and descents. This walk is for the experienced and newer long distance walker alike, being less rugged, flatter than say The West Highland Way.

The distances covered in each section almost always exceeds 10+ miles plus, as you follow the path south west from Buckie. There is some (inevitable) road walking toward Craigellachie, but the majority of the path is through farmland, old railway line and pine forest track.

Walk Gallery

Scotland Whiskey Walks
Scotland Countryside Walking
Whiskey Trail Scotland
Speyside Way Walking Holidays
Telford bridge
Speyside Way Walking Holidays
Hiking Holiday Speyside Way
Ballindalloch Castle
Walking Speyside Way
River Spey
Aviemore
Glen Dronach Distillery
Fochabers and Craigellachie
Craigellachie Bridge over the Spey
Hiking Speyside Way
Walking Holidays Speyside Way
Walking holidays Speyside Way

Our Speyside Way Walking Itineraries

Prices are per person, based on 2 people sharing, single person supplements apply.

Buckie to Aviemore

Length: 65 miles/ 104.5 km | Difficulty: Easy

Code
Duration
From
SPW1
7 Nights / 6 Days
£625 pp
View Itinerary

Buckie to Aviemore

7 Nights / 6 Days
Holiday Code: SPW1
From: £625 (pp)
Single occupancy (groups): £30 (pn)
DayLocationDistance
Day 1:Arrive Buckie
Day 2:Buckie to Fochabers10 miles/16km
Day 3:Fochabers to Craigellachie13 miles/21km
Day 4:Craigellachie to Ballindalloch12 miles/19km
Day 5:Ballindalloch to Grantown-on-Spey13 miles/21km
Day 6:Grantown-on-Spey to Boat of Garten11 miles/18km
Day 7:Boat of Garten to Aviemore6 miles/10km
Day 8:Depart Aviemore

Itinerary Information: 7 nights accommodation with 6 walking days. Arrive in Buckie on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Aviemore on morning of day 8.

Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.

Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.

What's Included: view full details.

Back to all itineraries

SPW2
6 Nights / 5 Days
£550 pp
View Itinerary

Buckie to Aviemore

6 Nights / 5 Days
Holiday Code: SPW2
From: £550 (pp)
Single occupancy (groups): £30 (pn)
DayLocationsDistance
Day 1:Arrive Buckie
Day 2:Buckie to Fochabers10 miles/16km
Day 3:Fochabers to Craigellachie13 miles/21km
Day 4:Craigellachie to Ballindalloch12 miles/19km
Day 5:Ballindalloch to Grantown-on-Spey13 miles/21km
Day 6:Grantown-on-Spey to Aviemore17 miles/27km
Day 7:Depart Aviemore

Itinerary Information: 6 nights accommodation with 5 walking days. Arrive in Buckie on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Aviemore on morning of day 7.

Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.

Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.

What's Included: view full details.

Back to all itineraries

  • What's Included?

    We include:

    • High standard accommodation at a mixture of Guesthouses, Farmhouses, local Inns and B&B’s with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible
    • Breakfast
    • Luggage transfers (one bag per walker, max 18kg per bag)
    • Personal transfer between accommodation and path where necessary
    • Route planning
    • Walk Pack including Trail Guide, itinerary, accommodation directions, local interest leaflets and holiday planning
  • Essential Info.

    Rest days: From £50 per person per night.

    Postage overseas: £5.00 (Europe), £10.00 (Rest of the World) per walk pack

    Bank holidays & short notice bookings may incur extra charges.

    Although the area has a high concentration of distilleries, most have no visitor facilities. If you visit during a whiskey festival, you'll be able to visit distilleries that are normally closed to the public.

    For the ones that are open:

    Aberlour: 5 mins off way from Aberlour village

    Cardhu:  On way to Ballindalloch

    Cragganmore: Between Ballindalloch and Grantown

    Glenfiddich: A de-tour from Craigellachie to Dufftown

    Glenlivet: On way by River Livet

    Macallan: On way to Craigellachie, cross Telford bridge, turn left and continue half mile

    Scottish Distilleries: http://www.scotlandwhisky.com/distilleries/

    Please note that it always worth ringing the distillery ahead of visit.

  • Getting There

    Railway stations are located in Aviemore and Elgin or Keith for Buckie.

    www.nationalrail.co.uk

                 

    Bus stations are located at Buckie, Fochabers, Aberlour, Craigellachie, and Aviemore (infrequent service to Speybridge near Grantown-on-Spey)

    www.travelinescotland.com/welcome.do

  • Best Time to Travel

    It is possible to visit The Speyside Way at any point of the year without facing any considerable difficulties. However, there are practical issues relating to accommodation - e.g. summer tends to book quite quickly, but in winter a lot of B&B's close their doors. We would recommend visiting the area Spring/Autumn as the optimal time to visit - this way you are also less likely to have to fend off midges on your journey.

    Average Temperatures Aviemore                                       Average Sunshine Aviemore                                   Average Rainfall Aviemore

Our Clients Speyside Way Reviews

Our past clients rated this walk 4.7 out of 5; read a selection of 7 reviews below.

All went without a hitch. Speyside Way was beautiful. Wonderful views, fresh air, beautiful country. Enjoyable and stress-free. Celtic Trails were just about perfect. Exactly what we wanted. Good price and excellent organisation.

5 out of 5

July 2019

It was great to walk the whole way, door-to-door, without using any vehicles. The Speyside Way is well way-marked and the walking relatively easy, while still feeling quite wild and with fabulous views.

4 out of 5

April 2019

Great accommodations. Thank you.

5 out of 5

August 2018

"Outstanding vacation. All locations very friendly."

4.8 out of 5

June 2018

Have walked with you four times before and you met our expectations again.

5 out of 5

May 2018

B&Bs were (as usual) very good... beautiful walk.

4.5 out of 5

June 2017

'To my mind it is a wonderful adventure - lots of exercise & beautiful places to see, without the burden of a backpack or the worry of finding suitable accommodations'.

4.7 out of 5

July 2010

Leave your own review of your Speyside Way Walking Holiday with us here

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We will check your details and come back to you within two working days with a personalised estimate based on your requirements. We will then formally request a deposit of £100 per person (£150 for solo walkers) and book all your arrangements - find out about our full booking porcess here.

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If you are still unsure on any of your requirements, please do enquire with us first and one of our friendly team will be happy to help you with any queries you have.