Walk Scotland's Whisky Trail

September 18-25, 2022

This is a “gentle” hike designed with the part-time hiker in mind.

Stop and take photos, meet the locals and enjoy a long lunch, things as important as the hike itself.

Average Hiking Distance: 16-17km (10-10.5 miles) per day

Average Hiking Time: 4-6 hours per day

Register Here

Duration: 8 days, 7 nights

Investment: Pricing starts at $1975 per person based on double occupancy

What better way to enjoy Scotland’s magnificent countryside and delicious Scotch whiskey all in one tour! Come walk with us, there is something for everyone! Walk along old railway lines, along the riverside, and through woodlands and heather moors teeming with wildlife. Walk right by the doorways of famous distilleries like Macallan, Glenfidditch, Glenlivet and step in for a sample. Get in touch with Scottish history visiting castles and heritage railway towns. Stay overnight in local bed and breakfasts.

This tour has a strong focus on whisky and spends a large portion of the itinerary in the heart of the Speyside Whisky Region with some of its most famous distilleries (Macallan, Aberlour, Glenfiddich, Cragganmore, Glenlivet). There will also be quaint villages, castles, and a cooperage to explore.

Itinerary

Saturday, September 17, 2022 Departure

Depart US for Inverness, Scotland on an overnight flight.

Sunday, September 18 Arrive Inverness

We will stay in Inverness for 2 nights. Enjoy your first day in Scotland exploring the city, perhaps visiting Loch Ness or one of the other historical sights. Optional tours will be available. More to come.

Overnight Inverness

Monday, September 19 Inverness

Enjoy a day in Inverness. Tour options to Cairngorms National Park, Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, local battlefields and stone circles will be offered.

Overnight Inverness

Tuesday, September 20, Train and transfer to Aberlour

Our starting place for our walk will be in Aberlour, Scotland. We will travel to Aberlour by public train and then either a bus or driver.

Overnight Aberlour

Wednesday, September 21 Dufftown Loop

We will walk the Dufftown Loop taking us through quaint towns, gardens, and countryside. Opt to visit Balvenie Castle or the Speyside Cooperage. Tour and sample whiskey in many of Scotland’s most famous distilleries (Glenfiddich, Macallan, Balvenie and more).

Our hike today is 12 miles, 5-7 hours (our longest hiking day)

Overnight Aberlour

Thursday, September 22 Aberlour to Ballindalloch

Following the path of an old railway line that once ran as far west as Grantown-on-Spey, it’s no surprise that you pass several remnants of the railway’s illustrious past; from old bridges to disused signals to abandoned platforms. An interesting and varied hike.

Overnight in Ballindalloch

10 miles, 4-5 hours

Friday, September 23 Tonimtoul to Ballindalloch

Transfer to Tomintoul in the morning. Pay a visit to the Whisky Castle shop in Tomintoul where you will find the largest bottle of whisky in the world and also some of the rarest malts. Don’t drink too much though as next up is the toughest climb on the trail (to Carn Daimh – 570m) where the views are spectacular. Pop into the world-famous Glenlivet distillery as the day ends.

Overnight in Ballindalloch.

8.5 Miles, 4-5 hours

Saturday, September 24 Train back to Inverness or opt to head to Edinburgh

Depart from Ballindalloch to catch the train. From there the tour is complete. We have included your final night at an airport hotel in the pricing. I will help you plan either your trip back home or additional time in Scotland or the British Isles.

About the Hike

This is a gentle hike designed with the part-time hiker in mind.

We will meander and explore, taking photos, meeting the locals and enjoying a long lunch which are as important as the hike itself! If you wish, there will be plenty of time for you to explore things that interest you as you go along. We will start off together, but may finish at different times each day depending on stops you choose. Each hiker will have map details to ensure you never get lost!

About the Trail

The Speyside Way is one of Scotland’s Great Trails and it runs for 116km from Buckie on the shore of the Moray Firth coast in a south-westwards direction to Aviemore and Kincraig on the edge of the Cairngorm Mountains.

For much of its route the trail follows the valley of the River Spey and passes through the heart of the Speyside Whisky region. This area has the largest concentration of whisky distilleries in Scotland and the whiskies produced in the more than 30 distilleries there include some of the most famous in the world, such as Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet and The Macallan.

The first section of the route, from Spey Bay to Ballindalloch, was opened in 1981. This has been extended over the years with a number of additional route options such as a loop walk to Dufftown, the home of Glenfiddich, and a spur from Ballindaloch to Tomintoul which passes by The Glenlivet distillery. The route is currently being extended past Aviemore and Kincraig to Ruthven Barracks near Kingussie.

The well marked trail offers, for the most part, easy and level walking, often on former railway tracks, a military road and on forest tracks. As well as the many distilleries along the route there is also plenty of nature and wildlife and the route passes through pine and birch woodland, over heather moor and along riverside tracks.

Accommodation

Staying at the very best B&B’s during your time in Scotland can transform a “good” hiking tour into a “great” hiking tour.

That’s why we have selected a tour company who has personally checked each B&B you will stay at. They are keen hikers themselves, and know you’ll want somewhere relaxing to put your feet up in the evening. A place where a warm smile from your hosts makes you feel welcome as soon as you step through the door.

If your hiking gear gets wet, it’s nice to know that it will be taken from you and returned nice and dry the next morning.

Comfy beds, en-suite bathrooms, an interesting breakfast menu – these are all things that we like so you can rest assured that we’ll do our best to find them for you as well.

Please note, due to the size of the B&Bs we may not all be at the some place but will be in the same town, easy to get together and to meet to start hiking in the morning.

Included:

- Two nights hotel in Inverness and at an airport hotel at the end of the tour
- Stay in friendly, family-run guesthouses
- Relax in comfortable en-suite bedrooms*
- Big breakfasts will keep you going all day long
- Luggage? Don’t worry, we’ll move it for you!
- Detailed maps/notes mean you’ll never get lost
- Tour company available 24/7
- Waterproof map-case keeps your maps dry
- Insider tips on the best places to eat and drink**
- Guidebook to discover the most exciting attractions on the trail
* Unless already booked out in which case we’ll try to secure a private bathroom

** You will have the opportunity to purchase picnic lunches and evening meals each day.

Please Note: Visits to distilleries and other attractions along the way are not included in your tour price.

Not Included:

International flight to Inverness
Travel Insurance (required)
Transfer to hike starting point
Meals besides breakfast
Gratuities to the drivers
Transportation to your chosen tour ending (Inverness or Edinburgh or elsewhere)
Optional tours, whiskey tastings, admissions to attractions, etc. along the trail.