No visit to Speyside is complete without sampling one of its eponymous whiskies. Our lodges are all close to the River Spey, whose fast-flowing waters and tumbling tributaries play a vital role in producing some of Scotland’s finest single malts. We’ve pulled together a list of the best distillery tours within an hour’s drive of our lodges, plus three well-stocked pubs within walking distance. And if you happen to be visiting at the end of April, it’s a brilliant opportunity to join in one of the Spirit of Speyside whisky festival events.
The Macallan has been producing exceptional single malts since 1824, but their recently built distillery takes visitors through their rich history in an entirely contemporary building. Ideal for fans of both architecture and whisky, visits to the Macallan Estate need to be pre-booked. Choose your approach from the various options, which include distillery tours and bar and restaurant experiences.
The Cairn Distillery is owned by Gordon & MacPhail, a fourth-generation family business. The stunning building overlooking the River Spey was completed in 2023, making it one of the latest additions to the Speyside whisky scene. Too new to have a single malt, The Cairn’s master blenders have created a range of Scotch whiskies which allow visitors to discover notes, flavours and aromas that will appear in the first expression.
Pull an armchair up to the roaring fire, meet the locals behind one of the original Speyside scotches and soak up stories about visionary founder George Smith (and his shotguns) at Glenlivet Distillery. There are tours and tastings on offer, starting from one hour long. You can refill bottles and buy special personalised gifts in the onsite shop.
Home to the Beinn Dubh and SPEY single malts, Speyside Distillery is the antithesis of big corporate whisky brands. The whisky is produced in an old stone-built barley mill in a rural location south of Aviemore. While the distillery is closed to the general public, private tours can be arranged in advance from the distillery’s Aviemore outlet, The Snug, which offers its own whisky experience in cosy surroundings.
A true local’s pub with a colourful owner, the Craig Bar is the place to go if you want a side order of entertainment with your single malts. Proprietor Robbie has around 30 single malts on offer, but don’t let the lack of choice put you off. The craic, friendly atmosphere and possibility of scoffing a gourmet pie and chips after a few scotches will leave you with no regrets.
The Boat Hotel offers a cosy and comfortable lounge bar experience and has hundreds of whiskies behind the bar just waiting to be sampled. For something extra special, invite a fellow whisky lover to join you for the hotel’s whisky flight experience, which will see you enjoy four carefully selected whiskies paired with handmade Scottish chocolates.
Picture a traditional Scottish pub and you won’t be far off The Cairn in Carrbridge. It has an open fire and a pool table, is dog friendly, and welcomes visitors and locals alike with its warm atmosphere. There are around 70 single malts on offer, and the food is great, too.
If you’re a whisky fan staying in one of our lodges around the end of April, be sure to check out the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. There are exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, whisky canoe safaris, and much more. With a programme of over 700 whisky-inspired events over six days, the festival has something to offer the curious beginner and the whisky connoisseur alike.