Whisky and a Wander: Aberlour

Charlestown of Aberlour (or more simply Aberlour) is a thriving village resting at the feet of the Cairngorms and a fantastic place to spend a day. 

Setting off from Mayen after a hearty breakfast, take the scenic drive through the Banffshire countryside, passing by Dufftown and enjoying the lush green countryside and growingly dramatic hills, before you arrive in the Whisky town of Aberlour.   A favourite beauty spot along the way is the stunning Craigellachie Foot Bridge, the oldest Cast Iron Bridge in Scotland!

Park up on the edge of town near the distillery, and find the footpath along the banks of the mighty River Spey, before cutting across on to the immaculately preserved high street.  There are many proudly independent shops, grocers, boutiques and butcheries to enjoy, including the Spey Larder which is the ideal place to stop in by for some culinary inspiration, and not forgetting that Aberlour is home to another famous export – Walker’s Shortbread.  

Continuing on the theme of food, Aberlour is home to several cafes, pubs and the famous Dowan’s Hotel, and we certainly recommend making a reservation for a spot of locally sourced lunch.  The menu changes seasonally as all of the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced, however the excellent staff are always on hand to recommend favourites (they pride themselves on serving the freshest seasonal game and seafood). 

Heading back to base point, we highly recommend booking a guided tour of the Aberlour Distillery along the way.  Dating back to 1879, Aberlour’s whisky house has recently enjoyed an extensive renovation to turn it into a world leading facility where guests can enjoy a fantastic selection of Whisky Samples and browse the onsite whisky and gift shop. 

To end your day in Aberlour, cross the footbridge across the Distillery stream and head into the woods behind (you’ll pass by a cute flock of sheep on the way). Following the crescendo of water through sunlit woodland, you will eventually happen upon the Linn falls.  Although not the largest falls in the world, the route itself if exceptionally picturesque and the splash pool is ideal for a spot of wild swimming in the summer months!