Scotland’s a part of our wonderful island that holds a very special place in my heart, and indeed, the hearts of the rest of the GreatDrams family for that matter.

Because we’re so fortunate to do what we do, we regularly find ourselves venturing up north to visit our northern neighbours. Each time we visit, we’re more awestruck than ever. Not only are the locals beyond friendly, but the food is outstanding, the scenery is sublime, and the whisky is out of this world.

Scotland is obviously one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world for people who love a fine whisky, and if you’re ever fortunate enough to visit, there’s heaps of whisky-related treats to keep you occupied. Without question, one of the most popular things to do if you’re a fan of whisky, is the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail

Recently I’ve found myself writing about Speyside and the trail quite a bit, so rather than continue to mention it in passing, I thought I’d go into a bit more detail instead. Here is the GreatDrams guide to visiting the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail for the very first time.

Where is Speyside?

Sometimes referred to as a sub-region of the Highlands, Speyside sits between Aberdeen and Inverness. Home to dramatic moorlands, lush green fertile glens, woodland, and of course, the River Spey, it’s a whisky region that sees tourists from all over the globe, visiting all year round.

Speyside is one of Scotland’s five official whisky-producing regions (many consider The Islands as another region, though they’re not officially recognised by the Scotch Whisky Association as an official whisky region). It is often referred to as ‘malt whisky country’ due to its high concentration of whisky distilleries. In fact, more than half of Scotland’s whisky distilleries are located in Speyside.

Even though I say this regardless of which whisky region I visit, I can’t help but get nostalgic whenever I’m in the region, be it through work, or pleasure. I love the landscapes, I love the food here, the locals are so friendly, and the air just smells fresher, cleaner, and crisper than ever. Oh, and the whisky isn’t half bad either.

Speyside malts are unmistakable, as they’re a stark contrast to the smoky, peaty, intense drams you’d find from Islay. They’re generally smooth, creamy, sweet, and fruity. This typically comes from the aging process, with sherry casks often being preferred here. Most distilleries will also draw their water from the River Spey. The Spey, which is the second-longest river in Scotland, second only to the Tay, offers immaculately clean and mineral rich water which helps give the whisky its unique characteristics.

With their smooth finishes and fruity notes, Speyside whiskies are incredibly moreish, as I know all too well (thank goodness for hangover remedies) and are very highly sought after. Not only will you find a host of smaller, boutique, independent distilleries in this region, you’ll also find some juggernauts of whisky world in the region, including distilleries such as Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, and The Macallan.

What is the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail?

The only trail of its kind on the planet, the Speyside Whisky Trail is the ultimate trail for those who appreciate a wee dram or two, particularly one from Speyside.

The trail spans for a whopping 99km, with much of the route following the River Spey. Set in the heart of rural Speyside, the trail consists of seven working distilleries, the alluring Speyside cooperage (I’ll be talking about that in greater detail at a later date) and one historic distillery which is unfortunately no longer operational.

Though you could hike the trail in theory, it’s much better to either drive, have a designated driver, or take a whisky taxi which are designed to take people to each destination on the trail, so that they can enjoy the plethora of free drams from each location. Typically, you’ll need 3 days to complete the trail, so of course, accommodation will be required.

As you embark upon this epic journey, you’ll venture through the heart of whisky country and will learn more about Scotland’s national beverage and the incredibly talented men and women responsible for producing it, all while sampling more than enough amazing whisky along the way. You’ll encounter woodland trails, forests, coastal cafes, riverside paths, country roads, quaint villages, and much more besides. Also, be sure to have your camera ready because the amount of wildlife you’ll encounter is ridiculous! See, you can understand why the trail has me so excited can’t you?

The Speyside Malt Whisky Trail

I won’t tell you how to do the trail, where to visit and in what order because that’s down to you. Even though most experience it by car or bike, if you’re able to, you could hike it. You could also do it in whatever order you like. That’s the great thing about the whisky community, we just go with the flow and take things at our own pace.

While I won’t be drawing up an itinerary for you, I am going to provide an overview of each destination on the trail so you can plan your trip the way you want.