Kunkel - Self Guided Speyside Way
George and Scott
Thursday 22nd May – Thursday 29th May 2025
Thursday 22nd May – Thursday 29th May 2025
The Speyside Way covers just over 100 kilometres (65 miles) from the fishing village of Buckie on the Moray coast to the village of Aviemore, in the foothills of the great Cairngorm Mountains.
The Speyside Way trail follows the banks of the River Spey, often along disused railway lines as it makes its way from the sea to the Cairngorms National Park.
Following the banks of the River Spey, this is the easiest of our long-distance hiking routes. However, it still presents a good challenge and offers enjoyable walking and hiking through a changing landscape. Hiking through villages, woods and rural riverlands, the path is fairly quiet so you won’t be sharing it with many other hikers and will often find that you have it to yourself.
Please note: Total daily distances are given for each stage but will vary slightly as you also need to walk to your accommodation each day which will usually add a short distance.
Welcome to Scotland! Take some time to settle in, adjust to the time zone, and soak in your new surroundings before your adventure begins. Tomorrow you head to Buckie to start the hike.
Overnight: Inverness | Eskdale Guest House
Eskdale is well situated for all amenities in Inverness City Centre and your host Kathy will offer a warm and friendly welcome. Eskdale has a four star grading with VisitScotland and is a non-smoking establishment. Drying facilities are available and a laundry service for small items is on offer (costs £8.00 per load but note that there is a laundrette locally). Guests will be welcomed any time after 1600 hrs. There is a wide choice of establishments in Inverness for an evening meal all within easy walking distance (advance booking essential). Packed lunches are available, please order upon arrival. Wifi available.
From Inverness, you take the train (journey of less than an hour) to Elgin. Here a pre-arranged taxi will meet you and transfer you to Buckie for the start of the walk. Your luggage is transferred ahead to your accommodation from this point. Please note the train is not included in the cost of your trip and will need to be arranged in advance. Setting out on the walk now, you follow the coastline westwards enjoying sea views from Buckie to reach the River Spey at Spey Bay. Then turning south you begin your trek along the river banks, with your first night’s stop in Fochabers. Today is an easy day with little ascent – perfect for a warm-up for what lies ahead!
Overnight: Fochabers | Grant Arms Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 18 km / 11 miles | 65 m / 213 ft elevation gain
As the Speyside Way approaches Fochabers it passes under the A96 road. From this bridge, follow the main road into the village. The Grant Arms Hotel is clearly signposted situated directly on the High Street.
The Grant Arms Hotel is ideally situated on the High Street in the middle of the picturesque village of Fochabers. The hotel provides comfortable accommodation and is a non-smoking establishment. Drying and laundry facilities are available (the cost for drying depends on the load but a wash costs £5.00 per load). Guests will be welcomed any time after 1400 hrs or earlier by prior arrangement. There is a choice of establishments in Fochabers for an evening meal (advance booking essential). Packed lunches can be provided but advance notification is required (a few days notice would be appreciated but note that there are ample supplies locally). Wifi available.
Please note that there is a train that departs Inverness at 08:56 hrs and arrives into Elgin at 09:45 hrs (the next service departs at 09:46 hrs reaching Elgin at 10:38 hrs).
Ace Taxis of have been booked to uplift you from Elgin Train Station at 0945 hrs and transfer you to the start of the Speyside Way in Buckie. Ace Taxis will then transfer your luggage to your accommodation in Fochabers.
Therefore, please take your bags with you from Inverness on the train to Elgin.
Ace Taxis will be waiting for you in the Taxi Rank outside Elgin Station. If you would prefer to take the later train service please advise and we will re-arrange the taxi transfer.
Everything has been pre-arranged for you, however, if you do need to contact them, they can be reached on 01343 820820.
Fochabers is a charming village close to the River Spey in the county of Moray. It is a pleasant and friendly place with a population of around 1800. The current town of Fochabers dates from 1776, prior to the founding of the present village. The old town of Fochabers stood a short distance to the north and nearer Gordon Castle. The fourth Duke of Gordon had been for some time desirous to remove the present Town or Village of Fochabers upon account of its inconvenient nearness to Gordon Castle and at the beginning of 1776, he took steps to shift its inhabitants to a new site. The architect John Baxter of Edinburgh, already commissioned by the Duke in the renovation of Gordon Castle, drew up the plans for the layout of the new town. The first feu was taken up in mid-1776 and over the next twenty years or so the planned town took shape with some of the early tenementers being paid to flit from the old town. Later residents had to pay entry money. The village is also home to a family-run company, Baxters the well- known maker of Scottish produce.
Today is more challenging with undulating countryside meaning more ascent and descent. You start by following quiet country roads through forested lands overlooking the river. After passing a bridge at Boat o’ Brig you then get off the road and enter attractive woodland as you walk across the lower flanks of Ben Aigan. This is the more challenging section with more ascent, but then it’s all downhill to your accommodation at Craigellachie.
Overnight: Craigellachie | Bridge View B&B
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 21 km / 13 miles
As you approach the village of Craigellachie the Way will take you onto the A95 and Victoria Street, the main road through the village. Do not follow the Way into Fiddich Park but instead stay on Victoria Street and after a short distance, you will reach Spey Road on your left (signposted Village Hall). Turn sharp left onto Spey Road and after approximately 110 yards/100 metres turn right onto Leslie Terrace. Bridge View is 175 yards/160 metres along the terrace on the left hand side.
Bridge View is a lovely traditional Scottish family home set in an elevated position, overlooking the River Spey and surrounding countryside. The accommodation is non-smoking throughout. Drying facilities are available at no extra cost but laundry facilities are not on offer. Guest rooms are available from 1500 hrs. For your evening meal you can choose between the Craigellachie Hotel (Tel: 01340 881204) and the Highlander Inn (Tel: 01340 881446) both famous for their vast range of Malt Whisky and advance booking is essential – both a short walk from Bridge View. If packed lunches are required, there is a petrol/fuel station in the village which offers a range of groceries or there are more options in Aberlour on the way to Ballindalloch. Wifi available.
Craigellachie lies at the very heart of Speyside situated on the Eastern bank of the River Spey near where the river merges with the Fiddich. The name means ‘rocky hill’ and the village dates back to circa 1750. Craigellachie is dependent on the whisky industry and is home to the Speyside Cooperage where local professional Coopers make whisky casks. The Cooperage has an excellent visitor centre and is on Dufftown Road. Craigellachie Bridge was built by Thomas Telford in 1814. A plaque on one of the towers guarding the entrance to the bridge records that the metalwork was cast in Wales, another plaque shows that the bridge was restored in 1964.
Today’s section of the trail is a lovely hike on easy terrain, following the banks of the river with sections along the old former railway line, which is now a flat and grassy track – meaning there is very little ascent today! You’re also in prime whisky country now, so you may even like to consider stopping off to visit a distillery today. Aberlour is a good choice! At the very least, you can look forward to a local dram with dinner tonight, wherever you eat.
Overnight: Ballindalloch | The Delnashaugh
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 19 km / 12 miles | 48 m / 157 ft elevation gain
The Delnashaugh Hotel is about one mile/1.6 km from the Speyside Way and directly on the well marked Tomintoul Spur. At Ballindalloch Station, leave the Speyside Way and walk to the left onto Cragganmore Road, following the signs for the Tomintoul Spur. Follow this road onto the main road (A95). Turn left and walk past a small shop. The hotel is on the right, just past the shop and up a short hill.
The Delnashaugh is situated on the Ballindalloch Estate overlooking the River Avon (pronounced A’an) amidst the delightful countryside of the Spey Valley. The comfortable Delnashaugh has a quiet residents lounge and the hotel is non-smoking throughout. Drying facilities and laundry service are not on offer. Rooms are available from 1600 hrs. An evening meal is available at the hotel and advance booking is essential. Packed lunches are on offer, please order upon arrival. Wifi available in most parts of the hotel.
Ballindalloch is a small village on the River Spey. The Spey and the Fiddich are rivers famous for the Malt Whisky Distilleries using their waters to distil uisge beatha (the water of life), ie whisky as we call it today. Speyside boasts over 50 distilleries, more than half the total in Scotland. Ballindalloch Castle is one of the most beautiful and renowned castles in Scotland. Known as the Pearl of the North, it is located in the heart of Speyside near to the famed local whisky distilleries of Cragganmore, Glenlivet, Glenfarclas and Glenfiddich. Surrounded by majestic hills, and with the tumbling waters of the Rivers Spey and Avon flowing through the grounds, Ballindalloch is one of the few privately owned castles to have been lived in continuously by its original family. The Macpherson-Grants have resided here since 1546.
Today will be the most strenuous day of the trip with a longer distance and undulating terrain. The path today is a mixture of paths and some more disused railway, but it can be boggy for short sections. Today you will enter the Cairngorms National Park, with the mountains growing clearer and closer in the distance. Enjoy good views of the heathery hills and old woodlands as you hike today, including the beautiful community owned Anagach Pinewoods as you arrive for tonight’s halt at Grantown-on-Spey.
Overnight: Grantown-on-Spey | Dunallan House
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 24 km / 15 miles | 500 m / 1,640 ft elevation gain
As you approach Grantown-on-Spey you will reach a tarmac road, ie Forest Road. Turn right onto Forest Road and then left onto Woodside Avenue. Dunallan House is situated a short distance thereafter on the right hand side, clearly signposted.
Situated in a quiet location, yet only a short stroll to all amenities, Dunallan House is a lovingly restored Victorian Villa. Dunallan has been awarded a four-star grading by VisitScotland and is a non-smoking establishment. Drying facilities are available (wet gear can be hung up in their boiler room) but laundry facilities are not on offer (there is a laundrette locally although Ginny would help out in the event of an emergency). Guests will be welcomed any time after 1600 hrs or earlier by prior arrangement. There is a wide choice of establishments for an evening meal all within easy walking distance (advance booking essential). Packed lunches can be provided but at least a few days notice is requested, thank you (although note that there are ample supplies locally). Wifi available.
Grantown-on-Spey, the Capital of Strathspey, is in the centre of the Scottish Highlands. A traditional Highland town on the River Spey on the northern edge of the Cairngorms National Park, it is a fine example of a Georgian planned town – one of the first to be set out in this fashion in the 1760’s. It has many historic buildings, a tree lined Square and striking Georgian and Victorian architecture. The town is surrounded by ancient woodlands much of which is community owned and which offer a unique habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. The town has an award-winning Museum which tells the story of Grantown’s beginnings brought to life by an extensive photographic collection and audio visual display. Here you can find out about Queen Victoria’s Royal Visit of 1860, the coming of the railways and Grantown’s development as a popular holiday destination.
You’re now into the national park and today should be a very enjoyable hike, surrounded by gorgeous scenery. You start off following more old railway to the charming village of Nethybridge. After Nethybridge you enter the northern part of Abernethy Forest – a huge nature reserve owned by the RSPB. It’s a great section to look out for wildlife including red squirrels, and with good forest trails until a short section of road takes you over the river Spey once more and the lovely village of Boat of Garten.
Overnight: Boat of Garten | The Boat Country Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 18 km / 11 miles | 90 m / 295 ft elevation gain
From the Speyside Way, you arrive in Boat of Garten at the north end of the village. Turn left onto Spey Avenue and follow this road for a short distance until it bends to the right onto Deshar Road. Follow this road which takes you directly to the hotel.
You will be extended a warm welcome at the Boat Country Inn & Restaurant which is situated right in the middle of the picturesque village of Boat of Garten. Please note that this is a non-smoking establishment. Laundry and dying facilities are off offer. Guests will be welcomed anytime after 1500 hrs. There is a choice of dining establishments for an evening meal (advance booking essential for all). Packed lunches can be provided, please order with a minimum of 24hrs notice. Wifi available.
Boat of Garten is a small village in the Highland area of Badenoch and Strathspey. The settlement took its name from the nearby ferry over the River Spey and the village grew with the arrival of the Highland Railway when the first bridge was built. The railway through the village was built by the Inverness & Perth Junction and Strathspey Railway Companies in the 19th Century and is now preserved as part of Strathspey Steam Railway. Known as The Boat to locals the village is famous for the nearby Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Reserve at Loch Garten. When the first ospreys returned to breed in Scotland, this was the location they chose to nest. Now you can watch them close-up thanks to non-invasive CCTV. The reserve also has some excellent walks with the chance to see red squirrels & dragonflies.
The final section of the route to Aviemore is a short and easy hike to finish your Speyside Way adventure – easily done in a morning or afternoon. If you would like to extend the walk to make a full day of it you could first hike back into Abernethy Forest to see Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie – a great place to spot Osprey – before heading back to Boat of Garten. Or, get to Aviemore a bit earlier and maybe take a ride on the steam railway! Setting out for Aviemore you’ll hike along a good track with glorious views of the mountains. The path goes through lovely birchwoods and open moorland, and you can keep an eye out for the Strathspey Railway steam locomotive going by. Arriving in Aviemore at your final guesthouse you can look forward to a celebration dinner tonight – you’ve done it!
Overnight: Aviemore | Eriskay B&B
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 10 km / 6 miles | 49 m / 161 ft elevation gain
As you approach Aviemore from the North you will pass under two railway lines and join the village’s ‘orbital’ footpath system. As you walk into Aviemore you will join the main road through the village, ie the B9152 on Grampian Road. After having visited the end of the Speyside Way, go back onto Grampian Road, turn right and continue northwards along the main road (away from the village centre) until you reach Craig-na-Gower Avenue on the left hand side. Turn left into Craig-na-Gower Avenue and continue along the road until you reach a T-junction at the end of the road. Turn right here and you will come to a dead end where Eriskay is clearly signposted.
Offering a warm welcome with Highland & South African hospitality, Eriskay Guesthouse & Aviemore Glamping is ideally situated in Aviemore, in a secluded setting but well placed for all amenities. Eriskay is a member of VisitScotland with a 4 Star Grading and has been graded four stars by the AA in the past. Please note that there is a non smoking policy in the Guesthouse & Pods, but smoking is allowed outside on the property. Drying facilities are available at no extra charge but a laundry service is not on offer. Guests will be welcomed anytime after 1500 hrs or earlier by prior arrangement. Check-in closes at 1900 or later by prior arrangement. There is a wide choice of establishments in Aviemore for an evening meal (advance booking essential). Packed lunches are available on special request, but note that there are many options available locally. Wifi available & access to the guest lounge to relax. Homemade Breakfast is offered between 0800 & 0900 in the Guest Lounge.
Aviemore (gaelic: An Aghaidh Mhòr) is situated in the Cairngorms National Park within the Parish of Duthil and Rothiemurchus. Aviemore railway station is on the Highland Main Line and is also the southern terminus of the Strathspey Railway, a heritage railway. The village grew as a result of the railway junction built in 1898 following which the Highland Railway became a major employer, constructing housing for its staff and the Aviemore Hotel. As well as transporting passengers, the railway was the lifeline of the distilleries in the Spey Valley. Aviemore was one of the first skiing resorts to be established in Scotland with the opening of the chairlift in 1960 and is also notable for being near the freely grazing reindeer herd at Glen More, the only one in the United Kingdom.
After breakfast this morning you can start your journey homeward. If going south to Edinburgh or Glasgow you can head directly from Aviemore on the train or bus. Alternatively if heading for London or elsewhere you can head north to Inverness to catch a connecting flight from Inverness Airport.
Meals Included: Breakfast
LUGGAGE TRANSFER DETAILS
The door to door luggage transfer service for your walk has been organised with Ace Taxis. There is no need to contact the company as everything will be arranged for you. However, if you do need to contact them, they can be reached on 01343 820820.
Your luggage should be clearly labelled with your name and lead booker name for the luggage transfer company to identify your bags.
With the exception of your first walking day where you should take your bags with you on the train from Inverness to Elgin, your bags will be transported from and to the individual establishments where you are staying. Your bags should be available for collection each morning at around 0930 hrs. Please clearly label your bags with your name.
One bag per person is included in the trip, with a maximum weight limit of strictly 18 kg per bag.
Any laptops, tablets or similar items should be carried in your day rucksack. If these items are placed in your main luggage which is transferred by Ace Taxis each day, these items are carried at your own risk and you accept all responsibility for any damage, theft or loss.
We recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking. Your travel insurance should cover the activities undertaken, medical and personal accident risks, repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services and cancellation and curtailment from the date you confirm your booking with us. We also recommend that you take out insurance which includes baggage cover.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Bed and Breakfast
Breakfast is included at all stages of your trip.
Packed Lunches
These are not included but can be ordered from most establishments, provided that you order upon arrival. Alternatively, on most days there are cafes, shops or restaurants where you can buy lunch on route. Your accommodation host will be able to advise you on this.
Evening Meals
These are not included but are available locally at all stages. We recommend booking your dinner reservations in advance to ensure you get a table.
Dietary/Medical Requirements
Please advise the accommodation owners on arrival if you are vegetarian, vegan or have any other special dietary requirements.
Accommodation Bookings
Since your accommodation has been booked on your behalf by Wilderness Scotland, it may be necessary to quote our name as a reference on arrival at your accommodation.
Important – Late Arrivals
Accommodation providers ask walkers to telephone them to advise if they intend to arrive any later than 1800 hrs. Walkers who do not arrive at their intended overnight stop will cause grave concern in respect of safety, so co‐ operation in this matter is greatly appreciated. Contact phone numbers for all of your accommodations are provided in this pack.
Cancellation
If you decide that you cannot continue your walk, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can contact the establishments concerned.
Credit Cards
The majority of establishments will accept credit cards (Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted but not Diners or American Express).
Insurance
Our aim is for you to have the best experience possible whilst in Scotland. We are aware that unforeseen circumstances can be quite challenging so our advice to all of our guests is to take out relevant insurance to help make things less of a challenge if the unforeseen happens.
If travelling from a European country outside the UK your insurance policy should include medical cover, curtailment, sickness & injury cancellation prior to the trip and personal accident cover. We also strongly recommend you have cover for other travel and personal effects.
If travelling from within the UK, we recommend you are insured for personal sickness & injury cancellation prior to the trip and any travel insurance you feel appropriate to your needs.
If travelling from further afield, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc it is best to research insurance locally to cover all your travel and medical needs.
WALKING ROUTE NOTES
All routes are undertaken entirely at your own risk. Ensure you are properly equipped with sufficient food, suitable footwear and wind and waterproof outdoor clothing. Take the relevant Map with you and familiarise yourself with the use of a compass and bring this with you at all times. Please leave brief details of your intended route and anticipated return time with your accommodation hosts. Please confirm with them that you have returned safely at the end of your day.
All route timings are calculated on the time we would expect a reasonably fit person to complete the route with minimal stops. Please allow longer if you intend to relax and enjoy the views to the full, or if you feel your fitness levels are lower.
These route notes are intended as helpful guidance only. You should be experienced in reading maps and using a compass prior to undertaking any walks in upland areas or remote coastal locations. You must use your judgment in order to decide whether the suggested daily route is within your capabilities, giving careful consideration to the wind and weather conditions on the day. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well‐being in wilderness areas and you must undertake all walks at your own risk.
While we will do everything we possibly can to assist you in the unfortunate event of any accident or mishap, Wilderness Scotland Ltd will accept no responsibility for any accident or injury sustained during the course of your self‐guided walking holiday.
UK: +44 (0)1479 420 020
US: 866 740 3890
+44 (0)7766 794 640
Please only use this number for matters that cannot wait until the office is open again.
Please see our booking terms here.
41 Greig Street |
Inverness |
IV3 5PX |
Phone: +44 (0) 1463 240 933
Web: eskdale-guesthouse.co.uk
42 High Street |
Fochabers |
Moray |
IV32 7DX |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1343 820 202
Web: thegrantarms.co.uk
Leslie Terrace |
Craigellachie |
Aberlour |
AB38 9SY |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1340 881 376
Web: visitcraigellachie.com
Ballindalloch |
AB37 9AX |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1807 500 379
Web: delnashaugh.co.uk
25 – 27 The Square |
Grantown on Spey |
PH26 3HF |
Phone: +44 (0) 1479 872 526
Web: grantarmshotel.com
Deshar Road |
Boat of Garten |
PH24 3BH |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1479 831258
Web: boathotel.co.uk
Eriskay, Craig-Na-Gower Avenue, |
Aviemore |
Inverness-shire |
PH22 1RW |
Phone: 01479 810717
Web: eriskay-aviemore.co.uk
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