My eyes opened to the region of Speyside in Scotland once I started working in the whisky industry, almost ten years ago now. This small area, tucked in between Inverness and Aberdeen, is home to over 50 distilleries and is a historic region for malt whisky production. Due to its high density of whisky distilleries, it has become a popular spot for visitors. But it’s not just an excellent spot for distillery and malt whisky tours in Speyside, but all around a gorgeous part of Scotland where you can see everything from historic castles and hotels to stunning coastlines and sandy beaches. I have visited this lovely part of the world more times than I can count and have some top recommendations on the things to do, where to stay and some hidden gems.
This guide will be updated continuously as I discover and experience more of Speyside’s hidden gems and was last updated in April 2026.
Why trust this travel guide?
- Local knowledge: I spend time in Speyside several times each year and as a Scotland-based whisky writer I’m really lucky to be experiencing so many different locations, tours and activities around the area through my work.
- Whisky expertise: I’ve been working as a whisky writer and content creator for nearly a decade now and have visited more single malt whisky distilleries that I can count. The majority of them are located here in Speyside.
- Scotland enthusiast: being originally from Sweden, I have such a fond place in my heart for Scotland since this is where I decided to stay after years of living in various countries and Speyside is a region I just love coming back to. I have such a passion for sharing my favourite spots around the country with visitors so that you can fall in love with it, just like I have. I also particularly love sharing small and local businesses as I think they really highlight your travel experience.
How to get to Speyside in Scotland
From Edinburgh to Speyside
From Scotland’s capital city Edinburgh it is around a 3-4 hour drive to Speyside, of course depending on where in the area your destination is and the traffic. You can also take the train to Aviemore, or Huntly or Elgin via Aberdeen, but driving is the easiest to get around to various locations here.
Read my extensive guide to the top things to see and do in Edinburgh here.
From Glasgow to Speyside
Glasgow is a similar distance from Speyside to Edinburgh and also connected by train, although the trains only go to the few stations that exist in this area so I always personally prefer driving.
From Inverness or Aberdeen Airport
Both airports are about an hours drive away from the heart of Speyside. There are also train connections.
Some worthwhile stops on the way up to Speyside in Scotland
If you are driving up through Scotland to Speyside on your way to your hotel or distillery there are some lovely stops that are well worth a stop on the way. Here are some of my favourite suggestions
- Go for a walk at The Hermitage by Dunkeld
- Visit a cute coffee shop or pick up lunch in Dunkeld
- Stop by the brewery Wasted Degrees in Blair Athol and pick up some Scottish beers for later
- Do some shopping, eat a lovely steak pie or walk up the falls behind House of Bruar
- Visit Balmoral Castle (do check if it’s open ahead of time as it’s closed when the royals are in residence)
- Another fantastic castle to visit is Glamis Castle
- Explore Pitlochry and see the dam here
Where to stay in Speyside, Scotland
Throughout my many adventures in Speyside, I have had the pleasure of staying at quite a few different hotels, cottages and castles so here are my top recommendations in this beautiful area of Scotland.
The Dowans Hotel
The Dowans Hotels is located right as you enter Aberlour up on a little hill. The building almost looks like a castle and the hotel has an incredible whisky bar with lots of Speyside single malts. My favourite room here is the Aberlour Suite which has a freestanding bath in a little turret space in the corner!
♥ Read my full review of The Dowans Hotel here.
The Craigellachie
The Craigellachie is an iconic yellow building in Craigellachie (hence the name) and is right opposite the lovely Craigellachie Bridge which you should not miss if you’re staying here. Craigellachie Hotel also has a lovely whisky bar with plenty of Speyside whiskies and if you’re lucky you might even meet the resident dog who helps welcome guests into the hotel. If you are visiting with a four-legged friend, they are of course dog friendly.
Craigellachie Lodge
Just up the hill from The Craigellachie Hotel is Craigellachie Lodge. This gorgeous Victorian mansion house has a variety of rooms with fairly modern interior design. You can also choose to add extra luxuries before your stay and have a chilled bottled of champagne or a fresh bouquet of flowers waiting in the room upon arrival.
The Station Hotel
The Station Hotel is located in Rothes and is both a lovely Speyside hotel and has a great restaurant. For an extra special stay, book the Caperdonich Suite which features a four posted bed and a bathtub on the little mezzanine.
Rothes Glen
Ever wanted to stay at a castle? Rothes Glen is a beautiful spot to stay and it’s available for private hire or by the room during one of their themed weekends. I recently had the opportunity to experience their Gourmet Weekend which was nothing short of spectacular. The resident chef Alan Robertson quickly became my new favourite Scottish chef.
♥ Read my review of the Gourmet Weekend at Rothes Glen here!
Mayen Estate
Mayen Estate is located near Huntly and has cottages and cabins for 2 up to 6 people on the grounds which is a great alternative if you want to stay in self-catered accommodation in Speyside instead of hotels. There is also a stunning walled garden and the opportunity to book a private picnic or fishing experience during your stay.
I’m staying here soon so review is coming up! 👩🏼💻
Things to do in Speyside, Scotland
Castles: learn more about Scotland’s history in the Speyside region
Although some of these castles aren’t located within the Speyside area, they are located nearby. Some of these castles are still standing intact, whilst some are remnants and ruins. Do keep in mind that it’s a good idea to check opening hours and potential admission prices before going.
- Ballindalloch Castle & Gardens
- Findlater Castle
- Corgarff Castle
- Craigievar Castle
- Fyvie Castle & Gardens
- Cawdor Castle & Gardens
- Drum Castle & Gardens
- Brodie Castle
Go to the beach
Speyside is located near the coast and features some incredible long sandy beaches. Grab an ice cream and walk along the blue water as you keep an eye out for wild sea life like dolphins.
- Lossiemouth Beach
- Cullen (don’t miss the Bow Fiddle Rock)
Pick up a picnic from Spey Larder in Aberlour
The Spey Larder in Aberlour is one of my favourite shops in Speyside, perhaps even in all of Scotland. It’s a cute delicatessen shop where you’ll find fantastic quiches and sausage rolls as well as pastas, wine and home baked goodies. Why not pair a little Speyside single malt whisky with some treats from the Spey Larder?
Johnstones of Elgin Mill
Book on to the guided mill experience and learn more about the processes behind the merino and cashmere or just visit the shop to admire all the beautiful products. If you want a luxurious souvenir, this is a good place to find one.
Ghillie Basan Whisky Food Safari
Ghillie Basan is a chef who is living by the Cairngorms in Speyside. She offers a fantastic Whisky Food Safari where guests help prepare spices and pastes before enjoying a meal alongside a malt whisky tasting. During the experience you visit Ghillie’s remote house which has an incredible view over the wild landscape around it. Definitely an experience to remember!
Cairngorm Reindeers in Speyside, Scotland
The Cairngorm Reindeer Her is the only free-ranging her of reindeer in Britain and they are offering the opportunity to visit them. Book a hill trip visit where you walk up to the herd – a walk of around 20-40 minutes – where you get to help feed the reindeer and get up close to them. Do be aware that they do not enjoy being petted so besides the hand feeding, make sure to respect their space.
Speyside Cooperage
If you’ve ever wondered how whisky casks get made, then you must visit the Speyside Cooperage. This cooperage supplies many different distilleries with casks that are built and conditioned by the resident coopers. You also learn more about the coopering profession and there are some great fact that I learned here that I share on almost every single whisky tasting I do. It’s just such a fascinating tour and watching the coopers at work will never stop impressing me.
Spirit of Speyside Festival
In May every year there is the popular Spirit of Speyside Festival where hundreds of events are organised by the distilleries and malt whisky brands in the area. There is everything from afternoon tea paired with whisky to helicopter tours and luxury warehouse tastings, so there is bound to be something for everyone. Due to its popularity it is highly recommended to book transport, accommodation and tastings in advance to avoid missing out. Many of the local Speyside hotels will book up fairly quickly once the Spirit of Speyside dates have been confirmed.
One of my favourite recurring events is the Tomintoul Fireside Sessions. Imagine sitting by a fire with a dram and experiencing a tasting by the people behind the whisky in your glass. Whisky always tastes better outside and every time I’ve done this event it’s been so enjoyable. But perhaps I’m a little biased as my husband works for the distillery.
Climb Ben Rinnes: the highest peak in Speyside, Scotland
Ben Rinnes is one of the highest peak in the Speyside region and measures 2733 feet or approximately 833 metres in height. The ascent is about 548 metres. There is a small car park at the foot, but there are only a few parking spaces so it is recommended to arrive early. The hike does that around 3 hours and it is about 7.5km as a round trip. It is suitable for beginners as there is a clear path all the way up to the top, but I would recommend appropriate footwear and be aware of the weather as it can change quickly. At the top you are rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding area. Although the first time I hiked Ben Rinnes we got to the top and saw nothing as we were inside a cloud.
Where to eat and drink in Speyside?
Speyside is a lovely region for food and drink. Of course it’s highly popular because of Scotland’s national drink whisky, with distilleries located around every corner, but it’s also a lovely place to enjoy seafood, venison and shortbread. If you’ve ever heard of Cullen Skink, it’s from very near Speyside in Cullen and it’s an incredibly tasty seafood soup worth tasting if you’re in the area. I’ve listed some great spots for food here below. There are quite a few hotels in Speyside who also have lovely restaurants worth visiting.
- Restaurant 57 at The Dowans Hotel in Aberlour – read my review of the hotel and restaurant here!
- Drouthy Cobbler in Elgin
- Copper Dog at The Craigellachie Hotel in Craigellachie
- Croft Inn at Glenlivet
- The Mash Tun in Aberlour
- Restaurant 88 at Hotel 1881 in Archiestown
- The Station Hotel in Rothes
- TimeSpirit at The Macallan – read my review of this distillery dining experience here!
- Spey Larder in Aberlour
Whisky distilleries: tours and tastings in the Speyside region in Scotland
I can’t write about Speyside and not have a section of the distilleries, tours and tastings available in this historic malt whisky region. There is so much to explore, from dining experiences and distillery tours to luxury warehouse tastings and festivals that I have written a separate, more extensive guide to the malt whisky distilleries around Speyside as there is to much to share as just a little section in this guide. But I have shared some of the most worthwhile distillery experiences in the Speyside whisky region here below.
Glenfiddich Distillery
Glenfiddich feels quite traditional and has beautiful big still rooms that are really impressive. The grounds are beautiful and it is a Speyside single malt whisky which is very approachable and easy to like by many.
The Macallan Distillery
The Macallan is the most futuristic of the distilleries in the Speyside whisky region and the new distillery which opened in 2018 can only be visited by appointment. So even if you only wish to visit the shop, make sure you book an appointments beforehand as you are not allowed to enter at the gates without one. You can also book tours and tastings or a reservation in the restaurant for the Time Spirit Dining Experience. An incredibly well known Speyside malt whisky world wide.
The Glenlivet Distillery
The Glenlivet had its tour redesigned in 2021 and now feels a bit more modern and interactive. As part of the tour you walk through an old wash back and also through an indoor barley field. There is also a lovely bar which does some fantastic whisky cocktails.
Glenfarclas Distillery
If you want traditional, then Glenfarclas is perfect. Everything in this distillery still feels old-fashioned and it’s a great experience to compare with some of the more modern ones if you want to see the contrast available in the Speyside region. Glenfarclas makes sherry cask matured malt whisky and is one of the most popular brands in Speyside.
Strathisla
One of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the Speyside region and it is a very charming and traditional site. One of the most photo-friendly distilleries with its two pagoda rooftops, which often act as a symbol of distilleries since it used to be a great feature for ventilation over malting barley, also known by its technical name: Doig ventilator.
Cardhu
Another fairly modern distillery experience with a lovely bar and if you’re lucky the resident highland coos come up to the fence to say hello. Cardhu has a fascinating history as it’s one of the older distilleries that has written records of a woman running the distillery, which you learn more about during the tour.
Speyburn
Speyburn only opened for tours in 2023 and it’s a lovely tour. Around he distillery you will see little features and details that were actually build by the production team who work in the distillery. It’s also one of the only distilleries where you can learn more about drum maltings and see this old equipment which has been well preserved. For history and whisky enthusiasts like myself, it’s just fascinating to see.
Private tours and experiences
If you are looking for private tours or something more bespoke to suit you and your travel companions whilst exploring the Speyside region, do get in touch with CopperCairn where Mitch and Jo can share all their secrets and recommendations to make your experience the best it can possibly be.
FAQ Visiting Speyside in Scotland
You can get around cetain areas in Speyside with public transport, but it’s a lot easier to drive.
In the Speyside region there are many distilleries to visit and the best one depends on what you are looking for. Personally I really like Glenfiddich, Speyburn and Strathisla.
There are many hotels in Speyside which great whisky bars, such as The Dowans Hotel, The Craigellachie and The Station Hotel.
The best Speyside single malt whisky in my opinion is Tomintoul 15 year old Tawny Port, Tamdu 15 Year Old or Craigellachie 13 Year Old.
Need more inspiration for your trip?
- The Best Whisky Distilleries in Scotland: From Historic Icons to Hidden Gems
- The best time to visit Edinburgh: A seasonal travel guide
- Edinburgh: A local’s guide and recommendations to things to do and see
- The best hotels in Edinburgh: 19 luxurious recommendations from a local
- Lannan Bakery: a local’s recommendations and review of the most popular bakery in Edinburgh
- Where to go for a whisky tasting in Edinburgh: Scotch whisky tours & distilleries
- The Dalmore Distillery Tour: a luxurious scotch whisky experience by the Cromarty Firth
- The best hotels in Inverness: a guide to the best hotels and castles to stay at in and near the city
- Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery: one of the best whisky tours in Scotland
- The Macallan Distillery Restaurant Review: Time Spirit Dining Experience
Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
