For travellers seeking relaxation, spectacular scenery and historic whisky or castle trails – Only the best make the list!
All popular country pursuits that can be enjoyed during your stay, season permitting of course.
Salmon fishing runs February until end of September.
Stalking and driven shooting is only when part of an official party and planned activities.
A host of watersports can be found at the Moray Firth. Findhorn Bay marina offers options for sailing, boating, kayaking and wind-surfing.
The area is well known for wildlife spotting, and is a haven for hundreds of bird species. And if you’re lucky enough, you can spot dolphins too – But, whether you see them or not, you’ll be awestruck by the incredible seascapes the Moray has to offer.
Dufftown Golf Club : www.dufftowngolfclub.com
Only a mile from our Dufftown homes.
Dufftown’s course has two holes (7th & 10th) featured in “Britain’s 100 Extraordinary Golf Holes” and the highest tee is 1,294ft!
If you fancy a dram with your swing or a tutored day out contact Speyside Tours or we’re happy to arrange on your behalf.
Strathlene Golf Club : www.strathlenegolfclub.co.uk
Couthy Harbour House is only a mile to this incredible course.
Strathlene at Findochty, near Buckie, is one of the oldest golf courses in Scotland. It was established in 1877 and is home to Strathlene Buckie Golf Club. The views and potential of dolphin spotting only add to this great course experience.
Driving range available here too.
Elgin golf course: www.elgingolfclub.com is less than 2 miles from Glen Moray distillery
Moray’s old course, Lossiemouth
Ballindalloch Golf Club: http://www.ballindallochcastlegolf.co.uk/
Keith Golf Course is closest to Strathisla Distillery
The renowned Dufftown Distilleries Walk is a relaxed walking tour around the past and present distillery sites of Dufftown. This tour allows access to otherwise closed distilleries as well as the opportunity to taste some sought after drams!
We highly recommend this tour, having enjoyed it ourselves and with all guests that do throughly appreciating this addition to their stay. Whisky novices and connoisseurs alike will enjoy the drams, knowledge and laughs with a local aficionado as you walk around the stunning local scenery and sites.
No designated drivers required either when staying at any of Speyside Cottages Dufftown homes, the walk starts a moment from your front door Booking is essential!
Contact info@speysidetours.co.uk for tour details.
The Whisky Trail
More than half of Scotland’s operational malt whisky distilleries can be found in Speyside, with 6 in the small town of Dufftown alone!
By and large, Scotch malt whiskies are grouped into five categories:
Highland, Campbeltown, Islay, Islands, Lowland and of course our home in Speyside.
Speyside malts are diverse in style and vary from the light, soft, floral Knockando and Cardhu to weighty, more complex and heavily sherried malts such as Mortlach and The Macallan. Here you’ll find many of the most well known names in Scotch whisky, such as the world famous Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas, Glen Grant, The Glenlivet and The Macallan – to name but a few!
Learn everything you need to know about Scotland’s Liquid Gold on our famous Whisky Trails, don’t worry we can always help to plan your designated driver or local tour guide.
Whisky Nosing and Tasting
Typically from mid June to mid Sept. Every Wednesday at 20:00 there is a central town whisky nosing. We can arrange to pre-book tickets, you can contact below directly or we can always arrange a private nosing to suit your parties needs and preferences.
Gillian McGartland on +44 (0)1340 821513 or email: nosings@dufftown.co.uk
The Whisky Shop, Dufftown has a wealth of knowledge to share, and an extensive range of single malts to choose from, along with a growing gin collection. See their website to find out about other events they may be hosting during your stay, or let us know of anything we can help arrange. When in store you may even meet our very own Keeper of the Quaich, Mike Lord, owner of The Whisky Shop www.whiskyshopdufftown.com
Our very own Ice Cream Parlour can be found on in Dufftown, on Balvenie Street. You can sample the award-winning Luxury Single Malt whisky ice cream, discover if you are a Sweet & Sexy, Rich & Fruity or Smoky & Peaty fan. As well as many other flavours to choose from.
Our love of Scotland’s finest export and James’ chef expertise has driven our passion to promote whisky and make this great flavour accessible as a perfect combination of creamy vanilla ice cream and single malt whisky, yum! These are delicious on its own, and the smoky & peaty we highly recommend with sticky toffee pudding, a great taste sensation.
Royal British Legion, on Balvenie Street is only a short walk from The Milking Shed cottages or Ben Shea Smart Home. You can find the usual pub activities here, such as pool, snooker and darts, and every Monday night, throughout the year the venue hosts ‘Stramash’ – an evening of Scottish music.
On Thursdays, during summer months, you can whirl the night away at the local Ceilidh – the venue alternates between The RBL and The Commercial Hotel, and an advert outside the Whisky Shop will always confirm the location.
We also have a Cinema Night on the 3rd Saturday of every month.
During the summer months, there is always something happening in one of our town pubs or venues, be it live music and dancing or walking whisky tours. These events are always advertised locally – check out The Whisky Shop window for details of upcoming nights.
You can also see our town magazine online for more detailed information about traditional Scottish dancing and other events in Dufftown.
Isla Way & Speyside Way
The Isla Way connects Dufftown to the Speyside way. It gives lovely shorter walks and can be joined next to the Dufftown Station. The Sidings Café provides a handy refreshment point as you join or leave the pathway.
The Speyside Way is one of the few official long-distance walking routes in Scotland.
See www.morayways.org.uk for details for all walking routes including The Isla Way, The Speyside Way and the Moray Coastal Route.
Local Ambles & Walks
A nice loop heading up the hill from the Clock tower on Conval Street out of town. Staying on this road you pass the option to access Megs Wid, this is just before you go on the pathway just above road level. If you continue walking out of town there are glorious open views of the countryside, stay on this road pathway until you pass Dufftown Golf Club, you want to take the next road on the left after this, you won’t miss the T-junction. Once on this single track road it will wind you back into town, it is quiet road but be mindful there will still be occasional traffic. As you follow the winding road you will come back into town at the Dufftown Distillery & Mortlach Church, either:
– Turn left and continue uphill on Church Street, taking you the most direct route back to the Clock Tower.
– Alternatively, turn left but stay on the level road, this takes you past Mortlach Distillery, continue walking to the t-junction & turn left uphill on Fife Street, again returning you to the Clock Tower starting point.
I would recommend, if time allows to take some time at Morlach Church, this dates to 556AD and interesting Battle stone to be found. If you wind through the Church yard you can cross The Dullan Waters, and this loops you back to the road at Mortlach Distiller.
For those that have more time, or want to come back to The Dullan Waters then as you cross the river this is the starting point of the Giant’s Chair walk. To access this cross the river from the Church yard and turn right, staying on the path. Sturdy shoes are required. When it is open this is where you will find the Dufftown Fairy Village too. The Giant’s Chair loops you back around past Dufftown Distillery (when you come to a road again after doing the woodland section just make sure you turn right)
Hope this helps illustrate the multiple local routes making for a great nature detox and a relaxed or speedy walk. The countryside and wide-open
space to explore is literally on your doorstep.
More routes and directions can be found in attached link, or we can provide clarification and more info as you need.
Can we answer any questions? Can we help with your plans to create your ideal Speycation?
Phone: 07801 350 723 / 01340 820 541
Email: stay@speysidecottages.com