Speyside Way & Tomintoul & Dufftown Spurs

Buckie to Fochabers

Starting at the fishing port of Buckie on the Moray firth, you will walk along an old coastal railway before emerging near Spey Bay. From here the way follows riverside tracks and paths into Fochabers.

Fochabers to Craigellachie

Today is easy walking on woodland paths, minor roads and forest tracks with gentle climbing in Ben Aigen forest. You will be rewarded by good views over the Spey valley. Craigellachie lies in the heart of the malt whisky country and is today’s destination.

Craigellachie to Dufftown to Craigellachie

Today you will head out on the beautiful circular trail of Dufftown spur. The famous Glenfiddich Distillery and the splendid countryside are worthwhile.

Craigellachie to Ballindalloch

Again easy walking on a disused railway line through mixed scenery of wooded valley, riverside and farmland. At Aberlour there is a distillery that can be visited.

Ballindalloch to Tomintoul to Ballindalloch

This spur is an extension of the Speyside Way where you experience more rugged walking with impressive Cairngorm views. You will spend a 2nd night back in Ballindalloch.

Ballindalloch to Grantown-on-Spey

The walk today is rougher and more challenging but with good views. There are lovely pinewoods between Cromdale and Grantown-on-Spey, a small town with fine stone buildings.

Grantown-on-Spey to Aviemore

Today is easy walking using a mixture of disused railway lines, forest roads and unsurfaced tracks, amongst farmland, woodland and moorland of Strathspey. If the distance proves too much you can take the train from Boat of Garten for the last 6 miles. There are good views to be enjoyed.

Moderate to Challenging

This is a mostly easy and well signposted walk. A relaxing week in beautiful surroundings.

Terrain: Woodlands, forest and meadows along the Spey valley, with the odd section of more exposed hillside moorland. Much more ruggged terrain through the hills on the Tomintouls Spur.

What’s it like underfoot? Good tracks and paths. Smaller sections can be boggy or rocky. The Tomintousl Spur is rockier, rougher, and steeper!

How Much Up & Down? Not too much, except for the Tomintoul Spur, where the route climbs to over 500m in 2 occasions.  Gentle rolling countryside for much of the route. A couple of bigger climbs of up to 200m, but nothing too strenuous.

Signposting: Good.

Navigation: The Tomintoul Spur covers higher, more remote ground, where you might encouter hill fog, so you must be able to navigate. Otherwise pretty straightforward. Keep your map and guidebook handy though!

Weather: The east coast is drier and sunnier than other parts of the country, but it can get windy. There is much more chance of rain as you get closer to the mountains. The higher, more remote ground of the Tomintoul Spur is more exposed. Good waterproofs and warm clothing essential.

Good accommodation and friendly hosts are an essential part of any holiday. We understand this and go out of our way to find the best. We put a great deal of effort into hand picking our accommodation and matching it to individual customer requirements. As well as visiting the accommodation ourselves, we ask all our customers to complete a short evaluation on each night’s accommodation, which then gives us an insight into the day-to-day operation and lets us spot any potential issues before they become a problem.

We use a variety of accommodation. Over the course of your trip you might stay in a village inn, a bed and breakfast in a converted barn, a Victorian guest house, or on a working farm. In selecting the accommodation we look for helpful, friendly hosts with good quality, characterful accommodation close to the trail. Occasionally we may use a chain hotel.

We always try to arrange en suite accommodation, i.e. rooms with their own bathrooms for each night of your stay. However, in some of the more remote locations accommodation is limited and occasionally we may have to book rooms with shared bathrooms for one or two nights of your holiday, (especially if the booking is made at short notice), but we will always let you know if this is likely to be the case.

We are happy to book single rooms on our holidays but cannot normally book more than two for any one group. Single room bookings include a supplement.

Here are some examples of the accommodation we use on the Speyside Way:

Kintrae in Buckie is a charming family-run bed and breakfast set in a period Victorian townhouse on the beautiful Moray Coast. With three en suite bedrooms, it provides a warm and homely atmosphere. Ideally located, it offers easy access to local amenities and the starting point of the scenic Speyside Way. Visit their website

Bridge View in Craigellachie offers a warm family welcome in a charming elevated setting overlooking the River Spey. Run by Debbie, continuing a family tradition since 1993, this inviting B&B is perfectly located in the heart of the Malt Whisky Trail. It’s an ideal base for exploring, outdoor activities, or simple relaxation. Visit their website

The Delnashaugh in Ballindalloch is a historic drovers’ inn nestled in the scenic woodlands of the Ballindalloch Estate, overlooking the tranquil River Avon, famed as the ‘Fisherman’s River.’ With eight comfortable en suite rooms, seasonal dining, and a cosy bar featuring a welcoming fireplace, it’s a perfect retreat for walkers and anglers. Visit their website

The Boat Hotel in Boat of Garten blends rustic charm with modern comfort, perfectly situated near Aviemore and overlooking the Cairngorm Mountains. Guests enjoy seasonal cuisine, Scottish craft beers, and a cosy ambiance with log fires. Adjacent to the Strathspey Steam Railway, it’s a warm and welcoming base for exploring the Cairngorms. Visit their website

General travel information on the Speyside Way area will be in your holiday pack including train and bus timetables where available.

Detailed instructions on getting to your first night’s accommodation by car, or on foot from the nearest train or bus station, will also be included in the holiday pack on individual accommodation maps.

To view train times please visit trainline where you can also purchase tickets in advance. For information on bus timetables please visit traveline

If you require secure car parking whilst walking this route, please contact us for information.

Getting There:
By Air: The nearest airports are Inverness (INV) or Aberdeen (ABZ). From the airport you travel by train to Keith railway station, then by bus (limited service) or taxi to Buckie – Keith to Buckie is 15 miles.
By Public Transport: Travel to Edinburgh, Aberdeen or Inverness by train for connections to Keith railway station. You can then travel by bus (limited service) or taxi to Buckie – Keith to Buckie is 15 miles.
By Road: Buckie is situated on the Moray Firth coast in Scotland. Follow the A98 towards Buckie, and then take the A942 into the town centre.

Returning from Aviemore:
By Public Transport: Aviemore is on the main Inverness, Glasgow, and Edinburgh railway line.
By Road: Aviemore is 140 miles north of Glasgow, and 126 miles north of Edinburgh. Depending on your preferred direction for onward travel, either of these two locations will connect you with motorways.

Ballindalloch

Lying between the banks of the River Spey and Ben Rinnes, Ballindalloch is a rural community, in the heart of Speyside. At its centre lies the magnificent Ballindalloch Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland and known as the 'pearl of the north'. A visit to the Castle and its gardens will be a real highlight of your walking holiday. Both the Cragganmore and Glenfarclas distilleries can be found in the small community of Ballindalloch and they do offer tours.There may also be the chance to play a round of golf at Ballindalloch Castle Golf Course.

Grantown-On-Spey

Grantown-on-Spey is an elegant Georgian town situated in the heart of the Spey Valley, surrounded by majestic scenery and supporting a wide variety of wildlife. Visitors can visit the Grantown Heritage Museum or the delightful Revack Estate with attractive gardens, an orchid house and nature trails. Grantown is famous for its superb 18-hole golf course.