6 to 7 nights
65 mls (km)
North East Scotland
Easy to Moderate
Mar to Oct
£755

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 - designated 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 home a sample from the heart of Malt Whisky Country
📷Forest Tracks between Fochabers and Craigellachie, sent in by one of our walkers - Andrew Fochabers and Craigellachie

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 sea eagles and ospreys of the inland mountains and lochs.

The last of Britain's native cats and the UK’s rarest mammal has been a Scottish resident for over two million years. Classified as Critically Endangered, fewer than 200 remain but efforts are underway to retain this small but infamously feisty feline www.savingwildcats.org.uk.

📷Glen Dronach Distillery Glen Dronach Distillery

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!

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

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, 6 Days
    from £910 pp
    SPW1 ~ Buckie to Aviemore ~ 7 / 6 classic
    DayWalkDistance
    Day 1Arrive Buckie 1n
    Day 2Buckie to Fochabers10 mls /16.1 km1n
    Day 3Fochabers to Craigellachie13 mls /20.9 km1n
    Day 4Craigellachie to Ballindalloch12 mls /19.3 km1n
    Day 5Ballindalloch to Grantown-on-Spey13 mls /20.9 km1n
    Day 6Grantown-on-Spey to Boat of Garten (t)11 mls /17.7 km2n
    Day 7(t) Boat of Garten to Aviemore6 mls /9.7 km
    Day 8Depart Aviemore 
    (t) = transfer required to / from the path as standard.
    (n) = no. of night's stay as standard.
    Transfers and stays may change based on availability during busy periods.

    or ask us a question
    What's Included:
    6 walking days
    7 nights
    7 breakfasts
    2024 Prices
    Extras
    SPW2
    6 Nights, 5 Days
    from £755 pp
    SPW2 ~ Buckie to Aviemore ~ 6 / 5 classic
    DayWalkDistance
    Day 1Arrive Buckie 1n
    Day 2Buckie to Fochabers10 mls /16.1 km1n
    Day 3Fochabers to Craigellachie13 mls /20.9 km1n
    Day 4Craigellachie to Ballindalloch12 mls /19.3 km1n
    Day 5Ballindalloch to Grantown-on-Spey13 mls /20.9 km1n
    Day 6Grantown-on-Spey to Aviemore17 mls /27.4 km1n
    Day 7Depart Aviemore 
    (t) = transfer required to / from the path as standard.
    (n) = no. of night's stay as standard.
    Transfers and stays may change based on availability during busy periods.

    or ask us a question
    What's Included:
    5 walking days
    6 nights
    6 breakfasts
    2024 Prices
    Extras
    • Good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&Bs 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.

    Summer tends to book quite quickly and 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.

    www.nationalrail.co.uk

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

    www.travelinescotland.com

    Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs. Call one of our helpful team on +44 (0)1291 689774 or e-mail us here.

    Speyside Way Client Reviews

    4.7/5 based on 12 reviews
    Speyside Way was a lovely walk, not too difficult, variety of scenery & lots of history. No hitches with accomodation or transport.
    - October 2023
    Not my first walk with Celtic Trails and I doubt there are any better
    - September 2023
    Celtic Trails are much better than other companies - an excellent company to use. This experience with them was as good as ever
    - 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
    - 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.
    - 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.
    - 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.
    - April 2019
    Great accommodations. Thank you.
    - August 2018
    "Outstanding vacation. All locations very friendly."
    - June 2018
    Have walked with you four times before and you met our expectations again.
    - May 2018
    B&Bs were (as usual) very good... beautiful walk.
    - 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'.
    - July 2010
    Leave your own review of your Speyside Way Walking Holiday with us - add review.
    Booking Request - Speyside Way
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    What Happens Next?

    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
    +44 (0)1291 689 774
    Our lines are open: 9am to 5pm (GMT), Monday to Friday
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    Sample Accommodations

    Please note: exact accommodation booked will depend on availability.