SPEYSIDE TRAIL

WALKS WITH SPIRIT-SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY

SPEYSIDE WHISKY TRAIL - SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY Visit the world famous Speyside whisky distilleries as you walk along the fast flowing salmon filled SUMMARY passing woodlands and heather rich glens. Sample the famous malts and blends of Glenlivet and to name but a few as you walk with ’spirit’ along original smuggler’s trails in the shadow of the Cairngorm mountains. Enjoy this self guided walking holiday in a region now inhabited by ospreys, eagles and the elusive wildcat.

The regions of Speyside and Strathspey are home to almost half of the 100 or so malt whisky distilleries in . This self guided walk follows way marked trails between distilleries specifically chosen to provide the best combination of walking and whisky. Each days walking allows you to visit distilleries and experience the processes and products that have made the amber liquid of ‘Scotch’ world famous.

Starting in the small town of Craigellachie at the heart of malt whisky country this 39 mile whisky trail guides you through the naturally rich Spey valley. Walk through mixed woodland, farmland and moorland with pockets of remnant forest that support relict populations of rare and elusive animals such as the capercaillie. A history of illicit whisky production and smuggling is survived by smugglers trails that afford intriguing side walks through the woods and glens passing clear rushing burns and heather covered hills. Tour: Speyside Whisky Trail Passing through the Glenlivet estate, the Speyside Whisky Trail brings you to Tomintoul, the end of the Code: WSSSWT1 - WSSSWT2 trip. With 4 days walking and 5 nights there is the chance to visit at least 6 distilleries without ever having Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday to drive! Price: see website Single Supplement: see website The Speyside Whisky Trail offers features hand-picked overnight accommodation in high quality B&B’s, Dates: April—October country inns, and guesthouses. We also include daily door to door baggage transfers, guidebook with Days: 2-4 detailed maps and pre-departure information pack as well as emergency support, should you need it. Nights: 3-5 Grade: Easy to Moderate

HIGHLIGHTS IS IT FOR ME? Taste the complex flavours of the Speyside as you walk through the changing landscapes from riverside  Explore the elegantly rounded flavours of the 12 year old Glenfiddich malt through farm and moorland to rich  Uncover the story of whisky while walking along the salmon rich River Spey forests. The perfect trip for both walker and whisky connoisseur.  Hike through the silent, ancient, wildlife rich pine forests  Drink to the purple heather clad glens , haunt of the golden eagle WHAT’S INCLUDED?  Stock up with Speyside malt whisky, the Gaelic ‘Water of Life’ to take home Accommodation: Hand-picked B&B’s, small hotels, country inns and guesthouses. WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US? Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door baggage transfer. Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. We have Transfer: On the full Whisky Trail itinerary you hand picked the best possible accommodation in order to make sure that you experience the best the are provided with transfers as per itinerary. Islands have to offer. We are passionate about delivering outstanding walking holidays where every last Meals: A hearty breakfast included. Lunch and detail is taken care of. Each holiday we offer is unique, tailor made to meet your requirements. From your dinner not included but always available at ac- first contact with Macs Adventure you will deal with a local specialist who knows the region intimately. commodation or nearby. Information Pack: Guide Book, map and Crown Estates leaflet as well as a detailed pre- departure information pack.

SPEYSIDE WHISKY TRAIL

WALKS WITH SPIRIT-SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY

Distillery options: Macallan, Aberlour, Craigellachie to Ballindalloch - 12 ITINERARY: WSSSWT1 Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Cardhu, Cragganmore, miles Walking Days: 2 Follow the River Spey to both the Aberlour and Description: 4 walking days and 5 nights Nights: 3 Cardhu distilleries en route to the hamlet of following way marked trails on our full whisky trail Average Daily Distance: 12 miles per day. providing the best combination of walking and Ballindalloch. The walking is a through a mix of Grade: Easy to Moderate distillery visits. atmospheric woodland with hidden waterfalls Distilleries en route: Macallan, Aberlour, utilising a disused railway track bed. Day Route Miles Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Cardhu, Cragganmore, Ballindalloch to Glenlivet– 7 miles Glenlivet. Walking Days: 4 1 Arrive Craigellachie 0 Ballindalloch is the site of the beautiful and Nights: 5 renowned Ballindalloch castle and the famous 2 12 . Leaving the village the Average Daily Distance: 10 miles per day. Walk Circular trail to Glenfiddich—Overnight Speyside Whisky Trail takes you out into the wild Grade: Easy to Moderate Cragellachie scenery of upland heather clad moorland. Rising

12 up to the summits of Cairncay and Deskie the 3 Walk to Ballindalloch Day Route Miles trail descends to the welcoming site of and surrounding estate. 4 Onward Travel 1 Arrive Craigellachie 0 Glenlivet to Tomintoul– 8 miles

Total Distance 24 2 Walk Circular trail to 12 Following in the footsteps of illicit whisky Glenfiddich—Overnight smugglers of the 18th century the trail ventures

Craigellachie DETAILED DESCRIPTION into the wild uplands with views of the Cairngorm 12 mountains. At Tomintoul the renowned Whisky

Walk to Ballindalloch Castle shop has been selling the finest malt 3 7 Starting Point: Craigellachie whiskies for over 100 years . Mike and Cathy will

Walk to Glenlivet— Only 2 hours from Inverness this small town lies surely provide you with a warm welcome and

4 Overnight Ballindalloch 8 in the heart of whisky country and is a fitting help you stock up on the ‘Life Blood of Scotland’! starting point to the Speyside Whisky Trail. The Walk to Tomintoul Cooperage centre in the town is the only one of HOLIDAY INFORMATION 5 it’s kind remaining and you also have great views Transfer to Craigellachie/ of the River Spey from Telford’s Iron Bridge. The Granton on Spey and Craigellachie Hotel famously boasts 550 malt Accommodation 6 onward travel whiskies behind the bar. We specifically choose your accommodation to Circular walk to Glenfiddich ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. Total Distance 39 They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, Distillery - 12 miles traditional hospitality and delicious local food. On this way marked circular section the trail ITINERARY: WSSSWT2 follows the River Fiddich to the world famous Single Rooms Glenfiddich Distillery. Following an easy ascent Single occupancy rooms are available though Description: A short break of 2 walking days you are afforded wonderful views of the Spey this will incur an additional charge. and 3 nights along specially selected sections of Valley from the summit of Gownie Path at 1100 the Speyside Whisky Trail affording excellent ft. Solo Walkers walking and the opportunity to visit the famed The Speyside Whisky trail is suitable for solo Glenfiddich distillery amongst others. walkers. SPEYSIDE WHISKY TRAIL

WALKS WITH SPIRIT-SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY

Meals Cragganmore distillery: Day 3 or 4 RECOMMENDATIONS A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Positioned on the banks of the River Spey at Lunch and dinner are not included so you are Ballindalloch you may take a tour to experience free to choose from the available options. Your Distillery visits one of the most complex and characterful whiskies of all. Uncover the story of John Smiths accommodations will more than happy to provide The Speyside Whisky Trail passes 13 distilleries whisky dream. a packed lunch on request and this can be and there is the opportunity to visit at least 6. booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at Below is a brief description to some of the most http://www.discovering-distilleries.com/ your accommodation or nearby pubs. famous: cragganmore/

Navigation Macallan distillery: Day 1,2 or 3 Glenlivet distillery: Day 4 or 5 The walks on the Speyside Whisky Trail are way At the start of the walk and a great introduction to This distillery is steeped in history. Due to whisky marked on all sections. We provide a guidebook the Speyside whiskies. The visitor centre taxes imposed in the 18th Century, the remote and general map though should you wish to back overlooks the River Spey with magnificent views area around Glenlivet was a centre for illicit stills. this up then we would recommend purchasing across to Ben Rinnes. Explore the ‘Story of Oak’ As Glenlivet is the site of the original single malt OS Landranger maps 28 and 36. and how the special casks develop the distinctive you will want to experience the taste on a tour. character of the Macallan. Grade There is also much scope to walk way marked smugglers trails on the estate. http://www.themacallan.com This route is graded easy to moderate as it http://www.theglenlivet.com passes through some remote country and the : Day 2 or 3 terrain varies from paths and tracks to a little minor road walking and upland moorland trails. At the junction of the River Spey and the River TRAVEL INFORMATION Lour the distillery get’s it’s name from the Gaelic Baggage Transfer for ’mouth of the chattering burn’. Taste the wort and wash and nose the different fractions of the Your bags will be transferred from your Getting to and from Craigellachie spirit run. accommodation as per your itinerary and moved Air onto your next overnight accommodation. We http://aberlour.com/en Aberdeen (3hrs) and Inverness (2 hrs) both have ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to airports which are convenient for the Speyside Glenfiddich distillery: Day 2 15kg per person. Whisky Trail. Use one of the following modes of This world famous distillery was set up in 1886 transport listed below to get you to the start and Equipment with the goal of creating the ‘best dram in the finish of the walk. Your information pack has a detailed equipment valley’. You can make your own decision with a list which includes standard walking gear such as tour ranging from the general distillery Road good walking boots or shoes, warm and experience to a ‘connoisseur tour’. Craigellachie is approximately 60 miles and a 1.5 waterproof clothes and a day pack. hours drive from both Inverness and Aberdeen. http://www.glenfiddich.co.uk From Glasgow and Edinburgh the distance is Dogs : Day 3 approximately 170 miles from each with a Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate travelling time of up to 4 hours. The only whisky distillery started by a woman. walkers with dogs as many of the Experience the distinctive warm and clean ‘silky’ accommodation providers do not accept pets. Rail/Bus taste with a tour. If travelling by bus from Inverness airport you Recommended Reading http://www.discovering-distilleries.com/cardhu/ may change buses at Elgin. The overall journey time is approximately 2 hours. If travelling by The Whisky River: Distilleries of Speyside -Robin bus from Aberdeen airport a combination of a Laing - ISBN: 978-1905222971 bus to Dyce followed by a train to Elgin and a

SPEYSIDE WHISKY TRAIL

WALKS WITH SPIRIT-SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY

final bus will take approximately 3 hours in total. in the event of a problem. trips, and none is provided. This insurance is You may also travel out from Aberdeen town  Transfers as per itinerary from Glenlivet to only valid for packages booked that DO NOT centre by train to Elgin and a bus onto Ballindalloch and back (on full itinerary only) include flights. Craigellachie. This journey will take up to 2.5  Final day transfer from Tomintoul to Book with Confidence. We are a member of hours. Craigellachie/Granton on Spey for those on ABTA which means you have the benefit of Travelling from Glasgow by a combination of the full itinerary only. ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. We train and bus will take up to 5.5 hours again via provide full financial protection for your money. Aberdeen. The same is true from Edinburgh. In Excluded order to plan your journey correctly via public transport we suggest that you utilise the  Travel to the start or from the finish of the ABTA Member Statement walk. Traveline website: www.travelinescotland.com Macs Adventure Holidays is a Member of ABTA.  Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks. ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers  Travel Insurance. to get the most from their travel and assist when things don’t go according Travel Insurance  Personal Equipment. to plan. We are obliged to Travel insurance is a requirement on all our trips  Taxi transfers (other than final day transfer) or maintain a high standard to cover cancellation or curtailment of your public transport should you need to skip a of service to you by holiday. stage. ABTA’s Code of Conduct.  Distillery tours and entrance fees. For more information on ABTA, the Code of PRICE & AVAILABILITY Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to HOW TO BOOK you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 30 Availability Park Street, London SE1 9EQ, tel 020 3117 Once you have read all the information in this 0581 www.abta.com This walking holiday is available between April factsheet or on our website and decided on your preferred itinerary, visit our website or give us a and October. You can start on any date that suits call to confirm availability. You can then book your travel plans though it is important to note securely online at www.macsadventure.com, by that many of the distilleries may be closed at the phone on +44 (0) 141 530 8886 or download a weekends. You will find up to date availability on booking form and post it to Macs Adventure, 44 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, UK or fax it to our website. The Speyside Whisky Trail is very +44 (0) 845 527 5688 popular so it is best to book as far in advance as you are able to. BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE Price Financial Security Detailed up to date prices for all our Speyside Whisky Trail Holidays are available on our In accordance with "The Package Travel, website here... Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations1992" all passengers booking with Included Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all  Hand picked bed and breakfast accommodation in ensuite rooms wherever monies paid to us, including repatriation if possible. required (this insurance will not cover repatriation the country of origin for the passengers outside  Door to door baggage transfer. of the EU), arising from cancellation or  A detailed info pack and guidebook with map curtailment of your travel arrangements due to for the group leader. the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd. There is  Emergency telephone support from our office no requirement for Financial Protection of day