Craigellachie is a small village in the centre of Moray Speyside that sits on confluence of the River Spey and River Fiddich. Despite its size, the village is well worth visiting and is especially important as part of the Whisky Trail.
There is two single malt whisky distilleries here and it is also home of the Speyside Cooperage. The village is an essential stop for whisky connoisseurs.
As well as whisky, the village offers a number of different experiences and a great history – Craigellachie Bridge is particularly steeped in history.
Exploring Craigellachie
Craigellachie can be found between Rothes, Dufftown and Aberlour and offers some great walks and beautiful vistas.
The village sits at the foot of Ben Aigan which offers a 5 mile hike and a rewarding view of the Moray Coast line when you reach the summit. It is a moderately difficult walk and will take around 2-3 hours from the carpark at the bottom of the hill.
The well maintained, Speyside Way, one of Scotland’s Long Distance Routes, skirts the town and is ideal for walkers and cyclists.
Accommodation in Craigellachie
There are many delightful places to stay in and around Craigellachie. The 4-Star Craigellachie Hotel has an idyllic setting that has been enjoyed by the visitors since 1893. The Copper Dog pub nestles in basement of the hotel. It offers incredible, locally-sourced food, great cocktails and has a chilled vibe.
Come and stay in one of the most beautiful areas in the northeast of Scotland. The Speyside region has options that suit all. The Highlander Inn is another hotel in Craigellachie and their bar offers a great range of whiskies.
There are also options for those of you who would like to stay in a self-catering property or a B&B such as the Craigellachie Lodge.
Things to do in and around Craigellachie
As Craigellachie is surrounded by a number of larger towns you are never far away from something fun to do or see. There are golf courses aplenty in the area – Rothes Golf Course and Dufftown Golf Course are short drives away from the town.
Nearby is Auchindoun Castle which was built in 1480 by Thomas Cochrane. The ruins of the castle offer a number of great picture opportunities. It is free entry but only accessible on foot.
A Scotch Whisky Immersion
Whisky is big part of visiting Craigellachie and The Macallan is an unmissable experience. The Macallan offers whisky experts a guide to their proud heritage. A tour there is not complete without visiting The Elchies Brasserie and The Macallan Bar. There is also the Craigellachie Distillery but unfortunately it does not allow visitors.
The Speyside Cooperage Visitor Centre is open to all members of the public. It is the only cooperage with a dedicated visitor centre in the UK. The Cooperage has its own cafe and gift shop which is well worth visiting.
Useful Links
Craigellachie Village Council – Town council website with a list of nearby attractions and places of interest.