Experience one of Scotland’s Great Trails on an adventure of a lifetime as you explore the Speyside Way.
Moray Speyside is co-host to one of Scotland’s great Trails, The Speyside Way. The world-famous trail begins in Buckie and concludes in Newtonmore but you can walk the route either way. The Speyside Way follows the valley of the River Spey – the second-longest river in Scotland. From the foot of the Cairngorm, through Malt Whisky Country, past castles filled with history and small towns and villages that are proud to showcase their heritage…The Speyside Way has so much to see.
The route takes you across the River Spey numerous times but it isn’t just the famous river that will you’ll be able to feast your eyes on when walking the epic long-distance route. Journey through Malt Whisky Country, the hills of the Cairngorms and discover the true peace and serenity of our countryside.
The Speyside Way links with the Dava Way at Grantown and with the Moray Coast Trail at Garmouth to form the Moray Way.
The Route
Moray Speyside Route Sections
The Speyside Way spans 137 kilometers, but it has been broken up into nine different sections. The sections offer different lengths, characteristics, path difficulties and all start and finish in a different town or village.
See information on each section below which can be enjoyed either at your own leisure or as the long-distance route.
Buckie to Fochabers
Distance – 10.7 miles / 17.2km
Average Time to Walk – 4 Hours – 4.5 Hours
Terrain – Coastal Footpath along the Moray Firth which then moves onto a former railroad, woodland and fields.
Must See Sites – Moray Coast, Buckie Fishing Heritage Centre & WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre.
Fochabers to Craigellachie
Distance – 12.7 miles / 20.4km
Average Time to Walk – 4 Hours – 4.5 Hours
Terrain – Woodland Path with road crossings but mainly flat.
Must See Sites – Gordon Castle & Craigellachie Bridge
Craigellachie to Ballindalloch
Distance – 12.2 miles / 19.6km
Average Time to Walk – 4 Hours – 5 Hours
Terrain – Former railway track a good to firm path.
Must See Sites – Speyside Cooperage, Aberlour Distillery, The Macallan & Ben Rinnes
Ballindalloch to Tomintoul
Distance – 15.6 miles / 25.2km
Average Time to Walk – 5 Hours – 6 Hours
Terrain – Unsurfaced tracks and paths, can become wet underfoot as is a more exposed track. This part of the route can be challenging in mist or snow.
Must See Sites – Ballindalloch Castle, Snow Roads in Tomintoul, Glenlivet Distillery & The Lecht
The Cairngorm National Park Route Sections
Upon leaving Moray you will find yourself in the Cairngorm National Park. This is arguably the more grueling part of The Speyside Way. These sections take you over an ever-changing landscape with vast open land and beautiful highland landscapes.
The Cairngorms is the UK’s largest National Park, in the Scottish Highlands and offers masses of things to do including watersports, snowsports and wildlife watching when you are not exploring the Speyside Way. The size, scale and remoteness of this region make them one of the most dramatic and harsh mountain environments in Scotland, a challenge to even the most skilled hillwalkers.
The Cairngorms National Park has one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. Awash with mountains, glens, lochs, culture, heritage, special habitats, the darkest skies, wonderful people (and red squirrels!).
Ballindalloch to Grantown-On-Spey
Distance – 13.7 miles / 22.1km
Average Time to Walk – 5 Hours – 6 Hours
Terrain – Mainly forest roads and unsurfaced.
Must See Sites – Grantown Museum & Grantown East Highland Heritage & Cultural Centre
Grantown-On-Spey to Aviemore
Distance – 16.2 miles / 26.1km
Average Time to Walk – 6 Hours – 6.5 Hours
Terrain – Former Railway mixed with forest paths and roads.
Must See Sites – Strathspey Steam Railway
Aviemore to Newtonmore
Distance – 19.5 miles / 31.4km
Average Time to Walk – 6 Hours – 7 Hours
Terrain – A mix of roadside paths and forest tracks.
Must See Sites – Highland Folk Museum and Wildcat Centre
Accommodation in Moray
Buckie
Golfview
Buckie
Cullen Harbour Hostel
Buckie
The Mill House Hotel & Restaurant
Buckie
68 Yardie Holiday Home
Buckie
The Granary
Buckie
Strathlene Caravan Park
Buckie
Sandy Brae Cottage Findochty
Buckie
Firthview
Buckie
Mill Brae Fishery
Buckie
View of Moray, Enzie Station House
Buckie
Kintrae Bed and Breakfast
Buckie
Greencraig Pods, Caravan & Camping
Buckie
Acarsaid Cottage
Buckie
The Old Coach House Hotel
Buckie
5 Golf View Drive
Buckie
5 Jubilee Terrace
Buckie
Struan House, Buckie
Buckie
Marine Hotel
Buckie
Fochabers
Collie Farmhouse
Fochabers
The Grant Arms Hotel, Fochabers
Fochabers
Trochelhill Country House B&B
Fochabers
Gordon Castle Estate
Fochabers
Thistledown
Fochabers
Strathspey Apartment
Fochabers
The Old Manse Self Catering Accommodation
Fochabers
Braehead Glamping
Fochabers
Stable Cottage
Fochabers
Dipple House
Fochabers
The Red Lion Tavern
Fochabers
The Gordon Arms Hotel
Fochabers
Orton Estate
Fochabers
Lakeside Cottage
Fochabers
Celeste Cottage Fochabers
Fochabers
Mouries Self Catering Spey Bay
Fochabers
Burnside Caravan Park
Fochabers
Craigellachie
Ballindalloch
Cragganmore Lodge
Ballindalloch
Cragganmore House
Ballindalloch
Drumin Farm Cottage
Ballindalloch
The Delnashaugh
Ballindalloch
Wester Fodderletter Farmhouse
Ballindalloch
Auchnascraw Mill
Ballindalloch
Marionburgh House
Ballindalloch
Bluefolds Highland Holiday Cottages
Ballindalloch
Weiroch Lodge
Ballindalloch
Mountain View
Ballindalloch
Ballin Dhu
Ballindalloch
Balneden Steading
Ballindalloch
Tomintoul
Ailnack Cottage
Tomintoul
Argyle Guest House
Tomintoul
Tombeck
Tomintoul
Mountain View
Ballindalloch
Wester Fodderletter Farmhouse
Ballindalloch
Glenavon Hotel
Tomintoul
The Richmond Arms Hotel
Tomintoul
Gordon House
Tomintoul
Glamping In The Gorms
Tomintoul
The Smugglers Hostel
Tomintoul
Hotel Square
Tomintoul
Millbank
Tomintoul
