Shop Local this Christmas on The Malt Whisky Trail
Are you looking for the perfect present for a loved one this Christmas? The Malt Whisky Trail is home to a number of retailers and traditional crafts to help you shop local and support independent Speyside businesses this festive season. If you don’t live locally, don’t worry, you can still support many of these businesses through their online shops.
For whisky enthusiasts
If there’s one thing we know and love here, it’s whisky. And there’s no better place to shop for it than in Moray Speyside.Â
In Elgin, Gordon & Macphail is a connoisseur’s dream. The shop – which is run by the family-owned independent bottler – has been selling the fine stuff in Elgin since 1895, and now houses an array of Scotch malt whisky, including some very rare and even exclusive bottles.
In the historic whisky town of Dufftown, the Whisky Shop offers a selection of over 600 whiskies with their friendly staff happy to advise on the right bottle to take home. If you’re not able to visit in person, then you’ll be pleased to know that their online shop ships all over the world.
The Speyside Whisky Shop, in Aberlour, specialists in fine and rare single malts, including bottles for really serious collectors, as well as whiskies from across the region, merchandise and gin.
And don’t forget that most of The Malt Whisky Trail sites have got their own gifts shops on site and online so you can take your favourite whisky from The Trail home to enjoy. Or even buy someone a tour for Christmas?
For cashmere lovers
At the top of The Malt Whisky Trail near Glen Moray distillery, Johnstons of Elgin is a historic mill which has been producing the finest cashmere, tweeds and woollens for generations. Fashion houses all around the world call upon Johnstons’ expert craftspeople to bring their designs to life, so it’s the perfect place to buy something special for the fashionista in your life. When you have shopped till you dropped you can recharge at the newly refurbished Five Star VisitScotland rated Weavers Restaurant nestled inside one of Johnstons of Elgin’s oldest buildings offering premium Scottish food and drinks.
Closer to Cardhu distillery, you’ll find Knockando Wool Mill, a unique part of Scotland’s manufacturing heritage established in 1784 and refurbished in 2000. Their online shop sells a variety of woollen goods, from jumpers to teddies, and throws to fabric-covered notebooks.
For artisanal gifts
If antiques and curious trinkets are your thing, make sure to drop in at Collector’s Cabin, located near Glenfiddich and a treasure trove of the area’s history via lots of fascinating objects.. In Keith, near the Strathisla Distillery, ‘Mither Tongue’ sells gifts and cards inspired by the local Scots dialect, Doric.
Heading into Elgin you’ll find the cult status Pencil Me In selling contemporary stationery which people travel far and wide to visit, and nearby Alluring Boutique and Sirology are worth a visit for your style conscious friends and family.
Brodie Countyfayre, near Forres, is a must for Christmas shoppers selling everything from womens and menswear, to home and interiors, and traditional and contemporary Scottish gifts for the whole family. Their foodhall stocks an array of delicious hampers which would make the perfect gift for the foodie in your life.
And if you’re looking for somewhere with a bit of everything, then you can’t miss Logie Steading. It’s the ideal location just a scenic 10 minute drive from Forres for an interesting day out with some shopping thrown in: Contemporary art and gifts in the galleries, secondhand books, antique furniture, whisky and wine shop, and crafting courses run throughout the year,a farm and garden shop for the green-fingered amongst you and great walks in the surrounding area.Â
There’s plenty of shopping to be had and local businesses to support along The Malt Whisky Trail. And if you’re still searching for the gift for the person who has everything, why not write them an IOU for a visit to The Trail to experience everything Moray Speyside has to offer.