Doing the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail This Summer? – 4 Fabulous Places to Stay

Thinking of enjoying a break away this year? Go on, you deserve it! If so, then rather than heading abroad during the summer, why not go a little closer to home and enjoy plenty of delicious drams in the process?

Scotland is one of the most stunning countries in the world. It’s a country that has stolen my heart and is home to some of the most majestic, picturesque surroundings anywhere on the planet. If you’re looking to enjoy a “staycation” this year, with plenty of whisky included, why not choose Scotland?

Without question, one of the most popular whisky regions in Scotland is Speyside. Speyside drams are renowned for their fruity, creamy, sweeter finishes, while the region itself features rolling hills, flowing water, rugged hills, pine forests, quaint country villages, and some of the most famous distilleries in the world. It also features the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail.

Speaking from experience, if you’re thinking of experiencing the trail in all its glory, you’re going to need somewhere to stay. Luckily for you, I’ve compiled a list of 4 stunning locations for you to consider.

What is the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail?

If you’re a whisky lover, the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail is almost certainly going to be on your bucket list. If so, stop putting it off, and make this summer the summer that you finally experience it in all its glory.

Located in the Moray Speyside region of Scotland, the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail spans roughly 60km and features 9 iconic stops including a cooperage, a historic distillery, and 7 working distilleries. It stretches through the Spey Valley, along the shores of the River Spey, and whilst it can be done on foot or by cycle, most people choose to do it via car. You can select a designated driver of course, or alternatively you could take a taxi, or even book a designated ‘whisky taxi’ or private tour.

A fully immersive experience, the trail features distilleries, amazing towns and villages, breathtaking vistas, and of course, plenty of whisky.

4 Ideal Places to Stay in Speyside

If you’ve decided to do the trail in full (which I strongly recommend you do) you’ll likely need to spilt your visit into several days.

To help make your visit that little bit more special, here are a few recommendations on places to stay.

The Station Hotel

Located in the gorgeous wee village of Rothes, a stone’s throw from the Glen Grant Distillery, you’ll find the iconic Station Hotel.

The Glen Grant Distillery is one of the most remarkable distilleries in all of Scotland. It features an immersive visitor centre, along with gorgeous Victorian-styled woodland gardens, all nestled snugly in the heart of Speyside. A visit to this distillery is strongly recommended, especially as it is such a prominent feature on the trail.

Because it’s so close by, The Station Hotel is in the perfect spot. It features a vast selection of drams from Speyside (as well as other regions, and other countries) along with 15 en-suite rooms, which includes 6 gorgeous suites. They even have their own whisky, which I can highly recommend.

Photo Credit: The Station Hotel

The Garden Cottage Apartment

If you’d rather maintain a little independence and do your own thing during your break, The Garden Cottage Apartment in Elgin is for you.

This self-catering cosy 2-bedroom cottage/apartment is in close proximity to a number of bars, cafes, pubs, and restaurants, including the Drouthy Cobbler Whisky Bar and restaurant.

This apartment is the perfect base for your break, and while not the largest, or the most luxurious, it offers fantastic value-for-money and has a real homely vibe about it.

Photo Credit: Grampian Hotels

The Dell at Glenlivet

Whilst this next recommendation is situated a little more out of the way, if you want a quieter, more isolated location in the majestic Scottish Highlands, The Dell at Glenlivet is perfect.

The Dell at Glenlivet is a luxury, secluded, log cabin and glamping retreat surrounded by more than 50 acres of Scottish woodland, in the heart of the Glenlivet Estate. Here, the glamping pods and luxury cabins are fully equipped with everything you need for a relaxing, luxury, upmarket, quintessentially Scottish break.

While it may be a little more out of the way than my other recommendations, if you’re a big fan of Glenlivet whisky, The Dell is a no-brainer. Imagine settling down in the forest, log burner blazing, with a dram of whisky freshly picked up after a distillery tour earlier in the day. Surely you don’t get much closer to perfection than that?

Photo Credit: The Dell at Glenlivet

The Grant Arms Hotel

The Grant Arms hotel is a historic 4-star hotel located in Grantown-on-Spey. Like the other recommendations on my list today, it too is the perfect base for exploring the world-renowned Speyside Whisky Trail.

Catering for casual whisky drinkers and whisky enthusiasts alike, the hotel, which dates back to 1765, consists of more than 50 en-suite rooms, including a number of suites and two four-poster bedrooms. One of which even hosted none other than Queen Victoria herself. Talk about special!

Situated in close proximity to a number of distilleries and whisky bars, the hotel can even help arrange a number of guided whisky tours and experiences for you. The friendly staff are not only professional and welcoming, they’re also incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to whisky.

Add to this, the fact that it’s pet-friendly, and you can see why it’s a personal fav of mine, and countless others. Speaking from experience, the food is also exceptional, and I can highly recommend the twice-cooked pork belly.

For me however, it’s Janet Mckenzie’s Dunnage that really seals the deal. This whisky snug and tasting room at the hotel is steeped in history and has an extraordinary backstory to it.

Photo Credit: Grant Arms Hotel

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the diverse selection of unique whiskies we currently have in stock.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for all you whisky lovers out there.

Tags: Fabulous PlacesSpeyside Malt Whisky Trail

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.