Getting Here
It’s incredibly simple to find your way to The Malt Whisky Trail, which is just a few hours north of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
With easy and direct connections by road, rail and air, Speyside offers a unique Highland escape with none of the hassle—perfect for those last minute trips.
Here are some useful tips for getting to, from and around malt whisky country.
By car
Some of the most scenic drives in Scotland are found in Speyside and our world- famous brown signs with the ‘pagoda’ symbol make it easy to find your way around The Malt Whisky Trail.
The key routes through malt whisky country are the A95 from Aviemore to Keith and the A96 from Inverness to Aberdeen; both connect to the A9 trunk road linking the Highlands with Glasgow and Edinburgh. Sites on The Trail are clearly signposted from all these routes.
To find The Malt Whisky Trail:
- from Aberdeen, head north west towards Inverness on the A96.
- from Edinburgh, take the M90 north to Perth and then the A9 towards Inverness.
- from Glasgow, follow the M80 and A9 north to Perth and on towards Inverness.
- from Inverness, drive east towards Aberdeen on the A96.
By bus
There are a variety of local bus services in Moray.
The most useful is Stagecoach’s number 10, which connects Inverness and Aberdeen via Inverness Airport and the whisky hotspots of Forres, Elgin and Keith. From Elgin, the number 36 links you to Dufftown and Craigellachie.
Express coaches provided by Citylink and Megabus connect Glasgow and Edinburgh to Inverness and Aberdeen.
By train
The best stations for joining The Malt Whisky Trail are Keith, Elgin and Forres, all served by ScotRail’s regular services between Aberdeen and Inverness.
Connections with Glasgow, Edinburgh and further afield (including direct trains to London with LNER and the renowned Caledonian Sleeper overnight service) are available from Aberdeen, Inverness and Aviemore. Car hire is available at all these locations, as well as at Elgin.
Through-tickets for travel between stations in Scotland, England and Wales can be issued by any train company but room supplements on the Sleeper must be booked direct.
By air
The closest airports to The Trail are Inverness and Aberdeen.
Both offer a range of domestic flights as well as easy worldwide connections via the major international hubs at London, Amsterdam and, from Aberdeen only, Paris.
A greater selection of nonstop destinations is available at Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports, with easy connections north by car, bus and train.
All Scottish airports are served by major car hire companies and local public transport links.
Taxis & Private Hire Cars
If you’d like someone else to take the strain, fancy a little chauffeured luxury or you’ve had a dram and need a lift home then make use of a local taxi or private hire car. Some private hire companies also offer small groups pre-designed itineraries or bespoke tours as well as airport transfers.
Executive, Group Hire and Private Tours
More in Moray Tours & Transport
Taxis in Aberlour
01340 871 217 – CU There Taxis
Taxis in Dufftown and Rothes
07383 820820 – ACE Taxis
Taxis in Elgin
01343 546 546 – C & R Taxis
01343 813 521 – Minibus Hire
01343 542 828 – Guvnors Taxis & Tours
Taxis in Forres
01309 673 168 – Mundole Taxis
Taxis in Keith
01542 880 399 – Grays Taxis
Taxis in Craigellachie
07960 567118 – Craigellachie Cars