Scotland Trekking Inn-to-Inn & Whisky Adventure

This trip is doubly fulfilling as you get to both hike a ‘long trail’ and discover the ‘water of life’ (whisky) of the region. We follow the full trail with the exception of two 'spurs' we'll explore; one that is considered the most spectacular day of the trip and a second to visit the quaint and historic whisky capital of the world. Each day we’ll walk inn to inn, with the long route mileage averaging 10-12 miles. For the short route option we’ll start out together, and you can expect to hike 5-7 miles before getting picked up at a designated location. Most days we’ll have a plan for a scheduled and informative whisky tour and tasting (optional) or we’ll provide the group with details about the opportunities where you can stop, explore, and taste on your own. Whether you are a whisky drinker or not, the history and culture of the traditions here are interesting enough to simply enjoy the learning along the way.

DAY 1: Aviemore to Boat of Garten
We’ll meet after lunch at ‘The Snug’, aka the Speyside Distillery visitor center, in the quaint and touristy town of Aviemore for a welcome dram of whisky to send us off on our adventure properly. After introductions we’ll head out of the village on the Speyside Way Trail — surrounded by Cairngorms National Park — through the woodlands and across the moorland of the Strathspey. While the trail does not parallel the River Spey this day, it is a great introduction to the trail and the landscape. Our destination is the village of Boat of Garten, where the trail follows the tracks of the Strathspey Steam Railway offering the chance to see passing steam trains. We’ll arrive to our hotel, nestled in a picturesque setting, with time for a welcome drink and hearty dinner to prepare for the adventure ahead. Distance: 6 miles

DAY 2: Boat of Garten to Grantown-on-Spey
Today is an easy-going section of the Speyside Way surrounded by gorgeous scenery as we head toward Cairngorms National Park — the UK’s largest — awash with mountains, glens, lochs, culture, heritage, and the darkest skies. Leaving Boat of Garten we’ll head into the northern part of Abernethy National Nature Reserve and the largest remaining area of ancient Caledonian pine forest in Scotland and then follow the old railway line to the charming village of Nethy Bridge with its four Telford bridges and historic drinking fountain. We’ll continue on along forest paths of the Anagach Woods toward Grantown-on-Spey, founded in 1765 by Sir James Grant as an industrial town of mills and factories. Today there remain several streets lined with grand stone buildings, offering quaint shops and pubs to explore. Distances: 11 or 5 miles

DAY 3: Tomintoul to the Glenlivet Distillery to Ballindalloch
This morning we'll take 25-minute shuttle to a 'spur' of the Speyside Trail to start in Tomintoul, a classic Highland town, (and the highest village in the Scottish Highlands) The route today is the most challenging of the trip, along a ‘spur’ of the Speyside Trail that is said to also be the most spectacular section. The Glenlivet & Tomintoul Spur of the Speyside Way takes walkers off the main long distance route to discover the higher and more rugged parts of Speyside. It runs from Tomintoul, through Glenlivet, joining the main path again at Ballindalloch. Leaving Tomintoul, the path climbs over the moors up to the panoramic viewpoint of Carn Daimh looking out at the surrounding Cairngorm Mountains, before descending to the famous Glenlivet Distillery. Founded in 1824 as the first licensed distillery in the area, it sits in a wild and remote glen with a history laced with drama and intrigue. This is a great place to wander and learn about their history, as well as enjoy the whiskies by the dram or as a cocktail in the Drawing Room Bar. You’ll have the choice to linger at the Distillery and take a shuttle to the end of today’s route or continue on the route, crossing the River Livet and over the Hill of Deskie descending to Ballindalloch where we’ll join the main route again. For those who prefer whisky over more hiking, this afternoon we’ll plan to visit the Cragganmore Distillery in Ballindalloch for a tour and tutored tasting of three of their finest single malt whiskies. Tonight we stay at the Delnashaugh, a historic inn nestled within the wooded glens of Ballindalloch Estate. We'll celebrate our day with a locally sourced dinner in house. Distances: 15, 9 or 6 miles

DAY 4: Ballindalloch to Charlestown of Aberlour
Today’s section of the trail is a lovely hike on easy terrain, following the banks of the river with sections along the old former railway line — now a flat and grassy track — through mixed scenery of wooded valley, riverside, and farmland. We also begin the official descent into the true heart of the whisky country as the names of settlements you pass like Knockando and Aberlour reveal. Today also offers a choice of less hiking and a bit of history and culture instead. Start the day with a visit to the Ballindalloch Castle & Gardens in the morning to explore 500 years of Highland history, acres of formal gardens, and peaceful woodlands — one of the finest surviving examples of a Scottish Baronial Castle that has been the home of the Macpherson-Grant family since 1546. If you choose the Castle visit, you can also enjoy lunch at the Castle Tearoom before taking a shuttle to meet the group for the second half of the day’s route. If you prefer to hike the full route, we’ll head all the way to the village of Charlestown of Aberlour and be sure to arrive in time for our daily distillery visit there at either the GlenAllachie Distillery or Aberlour Distillery. Or you can treat yourself to a traditional afternoon tea in town. Dinner tonight will be at the historic Mash Tun Pub & Whisky Bar. Distances: 12 or 6.5 miles

DAY 5: Charlestown of Aberlour to Dufftown to Craigellachie
Ready for trekking in the heart of whisky country? Detouring off the Speyside Way one more time, we’ll head to Dufftown, where once there were at least nine thriving distilleries, including one of Scotland’s best-known: Glenfiddich. Leaving Aberlour we’ll take on a gradual climb with a nice highland view at the top, then a downhill, with Dufftown in the distance. Today you’ll have plenty of time to wander on your own to explore the town, enjoy lunch, and visit the Whisky Museum or the Balvenie Castle. Our hiking route takes us around town and through the Glenfiddich warehouses so we’ll meet up again for a tour of the family-owned distillery to learn about the whisky makers, the history of Glenfiddich, and the whisky-making process, and of get the chance to taste the Glenfiddich 12, 15, 18, and maybe even the Gran Reserva —a 21-year-old spirit finished in rum casks. Filled up with ‘Fiddich, we’ll take a magical downhill walk along the River Fiddich to make our way back to the Speyside Way and to the town of Craigellachie. This afternoon you can choose to relax at the lovely riverside Fiddichside Pub, or go more sophisticated at the iconic 120 year old Quaich Bar located at our hotel — said to be the world’s leading whisky bar, boasting around 1,000 single-malt whiskies from around the globe. Dinner tonight will be at The Spey Inn, the former old drovers inn dating back to 1703, now a hub of the local community that sources ingredients from the local region. Distances: 7 or 4 miles

DAY 6: Craigellachie to Fochabers
We’ll start the day with a special visit to the Speyside Cooperage, home to the ancient art of coopering since 1947. Each year, the Cooperage produces and repairs nearly 150,000 oak casks used by the surrounding Speyside distilleries. After the tour and back on the trail, the route from Craigellachie sets off on quiet country roads for a climb over the shoulder of Ben Aigen via the Craigellachie Forest, and provides our first glimpse of the North Sea. A steep downhill takes you back along woodland paths overlooking the river once again. We’ll make a stop where you’ll have to choose between walking or whisky. We’ll meet up with our shuttle for a five minute drive to the small town of Rothes and a visit to tour The Glen Grant Distillery & Garden of Splendours. Or continue on the trail for the final stretch to Fochabers, a lovely wee town with independent shops to wander around and scenic spots with views of the River Spey. We’ll stay the night at a former coaching inn (from back in the horse and wagon days) that has been serving guests for over 200 years and enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant where you can relish local favorites such as Cullen Skink or their famous steak and ale pie. Distances: 13 or 7.5 miles

DAY 7: Fochabers to Buckie
Today we head to the sea! With a coastal vibe, our day of walking takes on a whole new scenery and history, passing old fishing villages and watching out for sea life. Leaving Fochabers, we spend the first miles through woods and fields mainly along the river. Right before we reach the coast, we’ll enter the Spey Bay Wildlife Reserve, home to the Moray Firth dolphins — the largest bottlenose dolphins in the world — as well as a haven for ospreys, seals, otters, and many coastal birds. This is also where we say goodbye to the River Spey as it flows toward the Moray Firth, the largest firth (inlet or estuary) in Scotland with about 500 miles of coastline. We turn east on the Speyside Way to hike the coast along an old railway until we reach the end of the trail in Buckie. We’ll meet up with our shuttle for a 10 minute drive to the quaint fishing village of Cullen, famous for their namesake fish soup and homemade ice cream. The hotel for our last night boasts the best ocean views, and we’ll take one more short walk into town for a lovely farewell dinner. Distances: 10 or 5 miles

DAY 8: Final walk of the coastline
For those who have time this morning we’ll take a five mile round trip walk from the hotel to the Portknockie Cliffs with time to return and clean up before checking out and saying our goodbyes to send you on your way home or elsewhere in Scotland. Distance: 5 miles