What to do in Malt Whisky Country

A flying visit to the Malt Whisky Trail doesn’t mean you have to miss out on anything the Speyside region has to offer. Moray is home to beautiful beaches, world renowned produce and of course, whisky. So whether you’re visiting for two, four or seven days we have you covered with our handy guides on how to make the most of your trip.

2 Days:

With such a short stay, it’s important to make the most of your time. The Glenlivet distillery, situated in Ballindalloch, is the perfect place to capture the essence of Speyside. The more active people can head up to the Glenlivet mountain biking trails which work their way through the stunning Glenlivet estate.

If you prefer something a little bit slower, head north to Craigellachie and walk part of the Speyside Way. Perhaps walk up to Aberlour for some lunch at the Mash Tun whisky bar or sample some of the wares in the original Walker’s Shortbread shop. Heading even further north would allow you to visit the Cardhu distillery and you can also swing by the Knockando Woolmill to catch a glimpse of the historic textiles industry that Moray also boasts. You don’t even have to travel too far for dinner, with the fantastic Dowan’s Hotel serving refined meals in their recently renovated hotel.

4 Days:

A slightly extended stay is perfect for branching out and seeing more of Moray. A trip to the Speyside Cooperage is the perfect opportunity to broaden your knowledge around whisky and is only a stone’s throw from the Glenfiddich distillery and a just a short drive from the Glen Grant distillery. If you’re in need of a little fresh air to clear away the head after a couple of drams then head to one of the many beaches in the area. Try to spot whales and dolphins at Spey Bay beach, or see if you can hear the devil laughing at Findhorn beach (as the story goes that he covered the original village with a beach when he lost a poker game with a local and it is rumoured that he can still be heard laughing). Be sure to take a rest at The Bakehouse in Findhorn for your lunch. Near Findhorn is Logie Steading – a collection of art galleries, antique shops, bookshops, craft studios, cafes, bottle shops, and more. Make sure you check out the Benromach and Dallas Dhu distilleries whilst you’re in that neck of the woods.

7 Days:

Although you’ll be visiting a rural part of Scotland, there is still a lot to fill your week in Speyside. Whilst you’ll be dashing around to try visit as many distilleries on the Malt Whisky Trail as possible, be sure to visit other sites. Johnston’s of Elgin is perfect for anyone with an interest in fashion and textiles, and it houses not only designer garments, but also a wonderful cafe, perfect for a little lunch spot. Be sure to head to the Drouthy Cobbler in Elgin for dinner. Just a short train journey from Elgin is Keith, home to the recently renovated Strathisla distillery, and an impressive new cocktail bar in the Strathisla distillery. In between the two towns lies the quaint village of Fochabers. Grab an ice cream in the ice cream parlour or take a wander up to the Walled Garden for delicious food – a lot of it grown on site. For the sport fans, there’s plenty of golf spots available to choose from. Not too far away from Glen Moray distillery is Moray’s Old Course – a beach-side course in Lossiemouth, and regarded as one of the finest links in Scotland.

No matter how long you visit the Malt Whisky Trail for, you’ll be spoiled for choice at how best to fill your time. Make sure to use the itinerary tool to plan your visit and capture as much of Moray as possible.