Have a romantic weekend away on The Malt Whisky Trail
If you’re planning a romantic getaway with a special someone, we’ve got you covered on The Malt Whisky Trail. With beautiful gardens, walks on the beach, boutique hotels and intimate dining there’s no better place for a Valentine’s weekend away.
Start your day with a visit to Speyside’s prettiest distillery, Strathisla, and a walk around its picturesque grounds. The distillery offers three exclusive tastings where you can blend your own whisky or taste some very special single malts from the Strathisla vault, perfect for a date activity.
For other very special tours and tastings, visit The Glenlivet’s recently refurbished visitor centre where you and your loved one can delve into their archives and discover why oak and whisky make the perfect pairing.
From there, drive up to Burghead and visit The Bothy for locally caught seafood and organic wine. Or choose something from their takeaway menu to eat as you walk along the Moray Coast. There are so many beautiful, windswept beaches to choose from in Moray Speyside including Lossiemouth, Findhorn and Cullen so let yourself be immersed in the sea air and sand and go for a romantic stroll. You might even spot some dolphins.
If you fancy something sweet, treat yourself to afternoon tea at Gordon Castle’s Walled Garden cafe, before taking a leisurely wander around the castle grounds. Or if the weather isn’t so good, take tea at The Laichmoray Hotel in Elgin, followed by a visit to Glen Moray distillery.
In the evening, retire to one of the region’s boutique hotels, or luxury B ‘n’ Bs. The Craigellachie Lodge offers five sumptuous suites, and can even be booked on an exclusive use basis, and is ideally located for visiting both Speyside Cooperage and Glenfiddich distillery. Cardhu Country Lodge offers a rural retreat and cosy rooms, and as the name suggests is a stone’s throw away from Cardhu distillery. The Station Hotel in Rothes has six luxury suites, with freestanding baths and emperor Hypno beds, as well as an extensive whisky bar, and can be found minutes from Glen Grant distillery. Or book yourself into the Tower Suite at Isla Bank House which is located on its own mezzanine, boasts a turret and even a private dining hall.
For more ideas on how to spend your perfect trip to The Malt Whisky Trail, check out our suggested itineraries.