Eat, Explore and Experience
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Whisky Trails And Whisky Tails
The Whisky Trail
By and large, Scotch malt whiskies are grouped into five categories, Highland, Campbeltown, Islay, Islands, Lowland and of course our home in Speyside. As residence of Speyside, we hold the region close to our heart, and more than half of Scotland’s operational malt whisky distilleries can be found here, with 6 in the small town of Dufftown alone! Speyside malts are diverse in style and vary from the light, soft, floral Knockando and Cardhu to weighty, more complex and heavily sherried malts such as Mortlach and The Macallan. Here you’ll find many of the most well known names in Scotch whisky, such as Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas, Glen Grant, The Glenlivet and The Macallan – to name but a few!
Learn everything you need to know about Scotland’s Liquid Gold on our famous Whisky Trails.
Whisky Nosing and Tasting
Mid June ~ mid Sept. Every Wednesday at 20:00 in the Commercial Hotel Hall, Church Street. For further information contact Gillian McGartland on +44 (0)1340 821513 or for further information or to pre-book your ticket email: nosings@dufftown.co.uk
The Whisky Shop, Dufftown has a wealth of knowledge to share, and extensive range of single malts to choose from, along with a growing gin collection. See their website to find out about other events they may be hosting during your stay www.whiskyshopdufftown.com
Beyond Whisky
Music and Entertainment
Royal British Legion, on Balvenie Street is only a short walk from The Milking Shed cottages. You can find the usual pub activities here, such as pool, snooker and darts, and every Monday night, throughout the year the venue hosts ‘Stramash’ – an evening of Scottish music.
On Thursdays, during summer months, you can whirl the night away at the Celidh – the venue alternates between The RBL and The Commercial Hotel, and an advert outside the Whisky Shop will always confirm the location.
We also have a Cinema Night on the 3rd Saturday of every month. During the summer months, there is always something happening in one of our town pubs or venues, be it live music and dancing or walking whisky tours. These events are always advertised locally – check out The Whisky Shop window for details of upcoming nights. You can also see our town magazine online for more detailed information about traditional Scottish dancing and other events in Dufftown.
Golf
There are some fantastic golf courses in and around Dufftown, from 18-hole through to shorter 9-hole courses throughout Speyside. Some of our favourites are listed below:
Dufftown Golf Club : www.dufftowngolfclub.com
Dufftown’s course has two holes (7th & 10th) featured in “Britain’s 100 Extraordinary Golf Holes” and the highest tee is 1,294ft!
Elgin golf course: www.elgingolfclub.com is less than 2 miles from Glen Moray distillery
Moray’s old course, Lossiemouth
Ballindalloch Golf Club: http://www.ballindallochcastlegolf.co.uk/
Keith Golf Course is closest to Strathisla.
Watersports and Coastal Wildlife
A host of watersports can be found at the Moray Firth. Findhorn Bay marina offers options for sailing, boating, kayaking and wind-surfing.
The area is well known for wildlife spotting, and is a haven for hundreds of bird species. And if you’re lucky enough, you can spot dolphins too – But, whether you see them or not, you’ll be awestruck by the incredible seascapes the Moray has to offer.
Fishing, Stalking and Shooting
All popular country pursuits that can be enjoyed during your stay, season permitting of course.
Salmon fishing runs February until end of September.
Roe deer and grouse can be found for stalking and driven shooting when part of an official party and planned activities.
Walking Whisky Tours
The renowned Dufftown Distilleries Walk is a relaxed walking tour around the past and present distillery sites of Dufftown. This tour allows access to otherwise closed distilleries as well as the opportunity to taste some rather rare drams!
Booking is essential! Contact info@speysidetours.co.uk for tour details.
Stunning Walks and Cycle Routes
The Isla Way connects Dufftown to the Speyside way. It gives lovely shorter walks and can be joined next to the Dufftown Station. The Sidings Café provides a handy refreshment point as you join or leave the pathway.
The Speyside Way is one of the few official long distance walking routes in Scotland.
See www.morayways.org.uk for details for all walking routes including The Isla Way, The Speyside Way and the Moray Coastal Route.