Hotels near the Speyside Way

One of four official long-distance walks in Scotland (the others are the West Highland Way, the Great Glen Way and the Southern Upland Way), the Speyside Way was originally opened in 1981. Over two decades it has grown in stages to now generally follow the Spey Valley, from the Moray coast in the north to the edge of the Grampians.

The first section to open was from Spey Bay to Ballinadalloch, with the spur to Tomintoul added in 1990. Expanding north from Spey Bay in 1999 to Buckie, the final leg followed in April 2000 when the route from Ballindalloch to Aviemore was completed.

The Speyside Way now runs for 84 miles (135km) in a southwest direction, with its two spurs to Dufftown (find the Glenfiddich distillery there) and Tomintoul, down to Aviemore. Many visitors take time to do the whole route. Five to seven days are recommended, although detours to the many distilleries in the area may require the addition of a few more!

The official Speyside Way website, courtesy of Moray Council, gives full details and hints for intrepid hikers.