Walk 
6 to 7 nights
65 mls (km)
North East Scotland
Easy to Moderate 
Mar to Oct
£725
A Blend of Whisky and Walking on the Speyside Way
- 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
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
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.
Our Speyside Way Itineraries
Buckie to Aviemore
Distance: 65 miles (104.5km)
SPW1
7 Nights
from £910
SPW1 ~ Buckie to Aviemore ~ 7 / 6
classic
| Day | Location | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1: | Arrive Buckie | |
| Day 2: | Buckie to Fochabers | 10 miles/16km |
| Day 3: | Fochabers to Craigellachie | 13 miles/21km |
| Day 4: | Craigellachie to Ballindalloch | 12 miles/19km |
| Day 5: | Ballindalloch to Grantown-on-Spey | 13 miles/21km |
| Day 6: | Grantown-on-Spey to Boat of Garten | 11 miles/18km |
| Day 7: | Boat of Garten to Aviemore | 6 miles/10km |
| Day 8: | Depart Aviemore |
What's Included:
2024 Prices
Extras
SPW2
6 Nights
from £725
SPW2 ~ Buckie to Aviemore ~ 6 / 5
classic
| Day | Locations | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1: | Arrive Buckie | |
| Day 2: | Buckie to Fochabers | 10 miles/16km |
| Day 3: | Fochabers to Craigellachie | 13 miles/21km |
| Day 4: | Craigellachie to Ballindalloch | 12 miles/19km |
| Day 5: | Ballindalloch to Grantown-on-Spey | 13 miles/21km |
| Day 6: | Grantown-on-Spey to Aviemore | 17 miles/27km |
| Day 7: | Depart Aviemore |
What's Included:
2023 Prices
Extras
- Good 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
- Personal transfer between accommodation and path that form a part of our standard package
- Route planning
- Walk pack including Trail Guide and mapping, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch and dinner information, restaurant recommendations and holiday planning details
You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.
Our Speyside Way holidays are available to walk March to October.
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&Bs close their doors. We would recommend spring/autumn as the optimal time to visit - this way you are also less likely to have to fend off midges on your journey.
Railway stations are located in Aviemore and Elgin or Keith for Buckie.
Bus stations are located at Buckie, Fochabers, Aberlour, Craigellachie, and Aviemore (infrequent service to Speybridge near Grantown-on-Spey)
📷Telford bridge
📷Ballindalloch Castle
📷Sent in by Andrew, one of our walkers from 2017
📷River Spey
📷Sent in by Andrew, one of our walkers from 2017
📷Taken by Andrew, on a Celtic Trails holiday 2017
📷Taken by one of our walkers, Andrew
📷Taken by Andrew, on a Celtic Trails holiday 2017
📷Sent in by Andrew, one of our walkers from 2017 📷Glen Dronach Distillery 📷Forest Tracks between Fochabers and Craigellachie, sent in by one of our walkers - Andrew
📷Sent in by Andrew, one of our walkers from 2017
📷Craigellachie Bridge over the Spey
📷Taken by Andrew, on a Celtic Trails holiday 2017
📷Taken by Andrew, on a Celtic Trails holiday 2017
📷Photo taken by one of our walkers, Andrew
📷AviemoreSpeyside Way Client Reviews
4.7/5 based on 10 reviews
Celtic Trails are much better than other companies - an excellent company to use. This experience with them was as good as ever
Rachel and Michael - September 2022
Celtic Trails did an excellent job of turning my vague idea of a walking tour in Scotland into a concrete experience. They deal with details, shared advice and took excellent care of us. This walk was a feast of the senses - distilleries, short bread fac
Susan, Austin, TX - September 2022
Celtic Tails are a company who can be trusted to have their client best at the forefront of their minds. Speyside Way next year.
Ken, Leyland - August 2022
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.
D. Ketcham - 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.
T. Golinski - April 2019
Great accommodations. Thank you.
B - August 2018
"Outstanding vacation. All locations very friendly."
Churchouse - June 2018
Have walked with you four times before and you met our expectations again.
C&A - May 2018
B&Bs were (as usual) very good... beautiful walk.
Spence - 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'.
Van Horn - July 2010
📷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.
Booking Request - Speyside Way
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 £150 per person (£100 per person for a single centre break) and book all your arrangements - find out about our full booking process here.
Please note this does not constitute a booking confirmation, we kindly ask you to refrain from booking any travel until we have confirmed all your arrangements.
Still Have Questions?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.
Enquire About Speyside Way
Our lines are open: 9am to 5pm (GMT), Monday to Friday
Sample Accommodations
Please note: exact accommodation booked will depend on availability.