Tourist Information

Scottish Tourist Board

Tourist Information Centres

The Moray Visitor

Wildlife

RSPB

Scottish Wildlife Trust

Scottish Natural Heritage

Speyside is a natural haven for lovers of wildlife and the great outdoors. You do not necessarily have to brave the elements to see rare species. We often spot Ospreys over the fish farm at Rothiemurchus from the bar of The Old Bridge Inn at Aviemore!

A sighting is more likely at the Abernethy Forest Nature Reserve Osprey nesting site from a specially equipped and unobtrusive visitor centre. Ospreys have nested here every year since the early 1960's and are resident between April and September with offspring from late May onward. You may also see other rarities like the Capercaillie, Crossbill or Crested tit from the lookout posts if you are patient.

You will often see Red deer on the hills or Roe deer moving quietly through the scrub. Watch out for the latter on minor roads at dusk - they have a nasty habit of leaping out from woodland fringes. You never quite know what you might see next. Just this year, travelling to the river, I have seen a Goshawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon and Hen Harrier.

When on the river Avon look out for the turquoise flash of a Kingfisher, an Otter boiling in the tail of a pool at dusk and the rustling of a Red squirrel in the bankside trees. If you are very fortunate you might see a Pine Marten.

In the upper reaches of the Avon, Spey and Findhorn look out for Mountain Hare, Red deer, Sika deer, Ptarmigan, Peregrine and even the Golden Eagle. A day on the river is never just about fishing.

Down at Spey bay there is always movement of Salmon in the lower river. Keep a lookout for Ospreys overhead and Bottle nose Dolphins out in the Moray Firth.

The Moray Firth Wildlife Centre on the estuary's east bank is an excellent Visitor Centre and vantage point and is well worth a visit.

Expeditions and holidays watching the fantastic birdlife and wildlife of Scotland can be arranged at Speyside Wildlife holidays. Click on their logo (left) for access to their website.

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Whisky

Scotch Whisky

Whisky world

Speyside is universally acknowledged as the heartland of Malt Whisky production. The pure waters flowing off the high hills and into the Spey river system are ideal for whisky making. It rises from granite, generating a clean softness: it then flows over peat a picks up it's character. Speyside malts are noted for their elegance and complexity with a refined smokiness. It comes as no surprise that Speyside has no fewer than half of Scotland's malt distilleries.

Speyside is the home of the Malt Whisky Trail which takes the visitor around six working distilleries (Strathisla , Glen Grant, Cardhu, Glenfiddich , The Glenlivet and Glenfarclas ), one preserved distillery (Dallas Dhu) and the Speyside cooperage where traditional barrel making skills are demonstrated.

There are many other notable malt whisky distilleries in the area - each has it's own distinctive character. Everyone has their own favourite. Try the big sherryish Macallan, the honeyish Balvenie, the silky Cragganmore or the peaty Dalwhinnie from high up in the mountains.

Walking

There are many magnificent routes around Speyside from the demanding mountain routes for the specialist to the gentler lowland plains of the floodplain below. There are a plethora of guidebooks detailing the walking available in this area. The tourist information centre is always the first port of call. Below we have noted two particular walks through some of the best Speyside scenery.

Speyside way

Originally opened in 1981 as Scotland's second long distance footpath, this trail has a great contrast in scenery on it's way from Spey bay up river through mixed woodland and farmland to Ballindalloch then up the Avon valley to the higher hills at Tomintoul. The route uses a blend of fishermen's paths, tracks, short sections of roadway and old railway track beds over it's length of some 48 miles.

Wildcat trail

This 7½ mile signposted trail circumnavigates the village of Newtonmore, the Shinty capital of the highlands. This is an excellent circuit which can be done in a single walk or split into sections. Again, the walk includes a variety of low hill terrain and riverside scenery. A brochure, obtainable in the village, has full details.

A number of other excellent walks are available courtesy of a number of highland estates;
Glenlivet Crown Estate, Glenlivet, Tomintoul. Telephone 01807-580283.
Moray Estates, Darnaway Farm Visitor Centre, Tearie, Forres. Telephone 01309-641469.

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Shopping

There is much quality produce to be purchased in Scotland. The following reflect the very essence of the best of what Speyside has to offer:

Johnstons of Elgin Tel 01343 554099
The very best of Highland woollens and tweed.

House of Bruar Tel 01796 483236
This is Scotland's most prestigious country store. Situated just off the A9 on the route north to Speyside.

Baxters of Speyside Tel 01343 820393
Everything from game soup to specialist sauces.

Walker's Shortbread Ltd Tel 01340 871355
Makers of traditional Scottish shortbread.

Gordon and MacPhail's Tel 01343 545110
A wide selection of whisky, fine wine and specialist products.

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Skiing

Go Ski Britain

Scotland can offer good skiing from December to April if circumstances allow. Ok, it does not have the consistent soft white fluffy stuff of Meribel, but in a good year the skiing can be surprisingly good. And of course, if the heavens provide, one can head to the pistes at short notice and make the best of the fresh snow.

Cairngorm Ski Area, Aviemore Tel 01479 861261
Cairngorm has a wide range of runs for skiers of all levels of ability, though the lower slopes can be icy.

The Lecht Ski Company, Strathdon Tel 01975651426
The Lecht provides a variety of skiing for all levels of ability but the lower slopes are particularly kind to beginners.

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Historic Places

National Trust for Scotland

The Chatelaine's Scottish Castles

Ballindalloch Castle
Magnificent 16^th century castle by the River Avon.

Cawdor Castle, nr Nairn
The most romantic castle in the Highlands.

Brodie castle, Brodie, Forres, Tel 01309 641371.
A notable collection of fine paintings, porcelain and furniture.

Pluscarden Abbey, Elgin, Tel 01343 890257.
A thirteenth century monastery restored by Benedictine monks. This is a very special place. The monks have a very dry sense of humour.

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Golf

UK Golf

Scottish Golf

Scotland is the home of golf. You are never far from a course whether it be a sandy windswept links or a lush inland course with tree-lined fairways. The climate of Scotland is perfect for the creation of beautiful courses, which blend into the landscape. There are plenty of interesting and challenging courses on Speyside, just perfect for a Sunday afternoon between fishing weeks! Virtually all courses are open to visitors.