Walk TheSpeyside Way
Guided Inn To Inn Walking Holiday
Buckie to Aviemore: 7 nights accom. and 6 days guided walking
Our guided inn to inn Hadrian's Wall walking holidays include expertly chosen quality accommodation, baggage transfer and an experienced walk leader with local knowledge of the route.
Guided Walk: The Speyside Way - Detailed Itinerary
Overnight accommodation in Buckie
Day 1: Buckie to Fochabers – 10miles/16km
The Speyside Way begins in the pretty fishing port of Buckie in this beautiful and unspoilt corner of Scotland. From Buckpool Harbour, the trail follows the magnificent shoreline of the Moray Firth, an early chance to spot the wonderful wildlife in the area such as osprey and dolphins. The track reaches Spey Bay, and picks up the River Spey where the path meanders along a beautiful riverside walk to Fochabers, our night's accommodation.
Day 2: Fochabers to Craigellachie – 13miles/21km
From Fochabers, the trail follows the river before commencing a steady climb up on to quiet country roads high above The Spey. The Speyside Way strides along fragrant forest tracks through ancient Caledonian pines alongside Ben Aigan, which affords magnificent views across the mountains and valleys of this stunning corner of Scotland. The trail gradually descends into attractive, riverside Craigellachie, which boasts Thomas Telford's attractive footbridge over The Spey, and the Speyside Cooperage, which allows visitors to watch whisky barrel production. The town is only 4 miles from Dufftown, known as the ‘whisky capital of the world', and home to the famous Glenfiddich Distillery, Balvenie Castle and Auchindoun Castle. Craigellachie is also our night's accommodation on this Scottish walking adventure.
Day 3: Craigellachie to Ballindalloch – 12miles/19km
The Speyside Way trail heads away from the town, through a gentle wooded valley, rich farmland, and back along a serene riverside path. The scenic track passes through the charming village of Aberlour, home to the famous annual Aberlour Highland Games, before encountering the quaint homesteads of Carron and Knockando. Following the beautiful River Spey, the trail arrives in Ballindalloch, a small village of pretty whitewashed cottages surrounded by majestic hills and valleys, and our night's accommodation. Ballindalloch is the proud home to one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland. Ballindalloch Castle has sumptuous gardens and grounds to enjoy and is understandably known as ‘the pearl of the north'.
Day 4: Ballindalloch to Tomintoul – 15miles/24km
Leaving the imposing castle town of Ballindalloch, The Speyside Way climbs up Ben Rinnes which rewards with a hill top panorama of views of the surrounding countryside with the river far below, wooded valleys, distant castles and towards the shores of the Moray Firth. After taking in the wonderful highland views, the trail descends past the famous single malt Glenlivet whisky distillery. From the valley the trail ascends to Carn Diamh, the highest point of The Speyside Way at 1870ft, before entering the ancient village of Tomintoul, which is also the highest village in the Highlands.
Transfer to accommodation in Ballindalloch
Day 5: Ballindaloch to Grantown-on-Spey - 13 miles/21km
The Speyside Way continues past Cragganmore distillery, emphasising the abundant whisky making heritage of the area before striding out along fertile farmland. The trail emerges in a Caledonian forest, where it meanders through fragrant, pine needle strewn paths on its way to the village of Cromdale, a good place to break for lunch. The Speyside Way continues its forest theme by striding along more attractive forest tracks arriving in the village of Grantown-on-Spey, founded in 1766 by the Grant family, and our night's accommodation.
Day 6: Grantown-on-Spey to Aviemore - 17 miles/27.5km
The Speyside Way meanders from the village on this beautiful and historic walk with the promise of a great last days walk in this magnificent walking region. The trail leads through rolling farmland, the heather-clad hills and moorland of Strathspey, with the massive, breathtaking Cairngorms Mountains rising into view in the distance. The path heads through the attractive village of Nethybridge, before traversing the ecologically important Abernethy Nature Reserve, an opportunity to look out for osprey circling overhead. From the reserve, The Speyside Way reaches the charming hamlet of Boat of Garten, where the path strides over the heather and bracken along a disused railway track bed and into Aviemore, poised in the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains, an exciting finale to this wonderful walking adventure.
Please be aware that slight variations to these itineraries may have to be made due to availability of accommodation.
Dates Of Departure For Guided Walking Holidays
Please contact us for group guided bookings for 2011 by filling out the booking form quoting the date required.
Please enquire for the price of single occupancy rooms
