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

Speyside Executive Hire

ACD Executive

Moray Firth 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