Trip to Speyside

[Drew]

I will be going up to Elgin soon for a few days and I would like some advice on what’ best to see while I’m there. Obviously, I’d like some advice on what are the best distilleries to go and see but I’d also like some advice on other things to do when I’m up there. Travelling isn’t a problem so anywhere between Aberdeen and Inverness should be OK. Cheers!

[MacDeffe]

Aberlour and Balvenie is usually regarded as the most interesting tours for whiskyentusiasts. Glen Grant is also great as it has a nice garden to stroll around, not sure if the weather agrees with that right now

A drive along the coast and a visit to Glenglassaugh. It's a nice tour, with this coastal distillery. The 25£ tour included the 21yo, the 30yo and the pink one when I was there. A bit pricy, but I really liked the distillery

There are whiskyshops in Elgin, Dufftown, Huntly and Tomintoul. Huntly also got a nice castle and a very good indian. Tomintoul got excellent food at the clockhouse

Recently I had good tours at Glenfarclas, Glen Moray and Glen Garioch as well. Glen Moray also got bottles straight from the cask


To be honest I haven't done much "not whisky" in Speyside. I once walked up Benrinnes (in January!) and thought that was very good, on a clear day there's basis for a bit of distillery spotting. Glenlivet is around the corner

Steffen

[DavidUK]

Glendronach is also well worth visiting. It's not far from Huntly. They do a 'fill your own' and also a bottling that can only be purchased in person by visitors.

[Mr Tattie Heid]

Neolithic sites: Clava Cairns, Easter Aquhorthies and Loanhead of Daviot recumbent stone circles

Pictish stones: Sueno's Stone, Rodney Stone, Picardy Stone, Maiden Stone, Dyce Stone

Medieval ruins: Urquhart Castle, Spynie Palace, Duffus Castle, Elgin Cathedral, Balvenie Castle, Huntley Castle, Tolquhon Castle, Kildrummy Castle, Glenbuchat Castle, Dunnottar Castle

Intact castles: Crathes Castle, Drum Castle, Fyvie Castle, Corgarff Castle, Cawdor Castle

Jacobite-related sites: Culloden Battlefield, Fort George

Picturesque Moray coast villages: Pennan, Gardenstown, Crovie, Portsoy

Best (and most expensive) distillery tours: Glenglassaugh, Balvenie, Aberlour

Best cheap distillery tour: Glenfiddich (free!)

Best food and drink: Highlander Inn, Craigellachie; Mash Tun, Aberlour; The Anderson, Fortrose

Just scratching the surface. See Undiscovered Scotland for details on these, and many, many more ideas.

[Nick Brown]

David Newland does excellent wildlife safaris in a Land Rover than goes off road: http://www.glenlivet-wildlife.co.uk

[Drew]

Thanks guys! Some great info!

[Jolly Toper]

Craigellachie cooperage too. Loads od woodland walks especially Culbin and Roseisle by Findhorn/Burghead bay.