The Central Highlands - The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands and Islands - page 171

Tourist information For information, including maps of
walking trails that pass local waterfalls and forests, try the
volunteer-run Wildcat Centre on Main St (June-Aug Mon &

Thurs 9.30am-12.30pm, Tues & Sat 9.30am-12.30pm &
2-5pm; Sept-May Mon, Thurs & Sat 9.30am-12.30pm;
T 01540 673131).

ACCOMMODATION
Coig Na Shee Laggan Rd, a 10min walk west of Main St
T 01540 670109, W coignashee.co.uk. A soothingly deco-
rated B&B in an old Edwardian hunting lo dge. Bright rooms
with free wi-fi and good en-suite facilities. £75
The Pottery Bunkhouse 8 miles south of Newtonmore

at Laggan Bridge T 01528 544231, W potterybunkhouse
.co.uk. The most convenient accommodation for Laggan
Wolftrax, with an excellent coffee shop, good-value rooms
and even an out door hot tub (extra charge); bedding £4
extra. Dorms £12

2

Speyside
Strictly speaking, the term Speyside refers to the entire region surrounding the
River Spey, but to most people the name is synonymous with the “whisky triangle” ,
stretching from just north of Craigellachie, down towards Tomintoul in the south and
east to Huntly. Indeed, there are more whisky distilleries and famous brands (including
Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and Macallan) concentrated in this small area than in any other
part of the country. Running through the heart of the region is the River Spey, whose
clean, clear, fast-running waters play a vital part in the whisky industry and are also
home to thousands of salmon, making it one of Scotland's finest angling locations.
Obviously fertile, the tranquil glens of the area have none of the ruggedness of other
parts of the Highlands; tourism blends into a local economy kept healthy by whisky
and farming, rather than dominating it.
At the centre of Speyside is the quiet market town of Dufftown , full of solid,
stone-built workers' houses and dotted with no fewer than nine whisky distilleries.
Along with the well-kept nearby villages of Craigellachie and Aberlour , it makes the
best base for a tour of whisky country, whether on the official Malt Whisky Trail or
more independent explorations. Fewer visitors take the chance to discover the more
remote glens, such as Glenlivet , which push higher up towards the Cairngorm massif,
nestled into which is Britain's highest village, Tomintoul , situated on the edge of both
whisky country and a large expanse of wild uplands. The Speyside Way , one of
Scotland's long-distance footpaths, offers the chance to enjoy the scenery of the region,
as well as its whiskies, on foot.

Dufftown
The cheery community of DUFFTOWN , founded in 1817 by James Duff, fourth Earl of
Fife, proudly proclaims itself “Malt Whisky Capital of the World” for the reason that it
produces more of the stuff than any other town in Britain. A more telling statistic,
perhaps, is that as a result Dufftown also reportedly raises more capital for the
exchequer per head of population than anywhere else in the country. There are seven
active distilleries around Dufftown, as well as a cooperage, and an extended stroll
around the outskirts of the town gives a good idea of the density of whisky distilling
going on, with glimpses of giant warehouses and whiffs of fermenting barley or peat
smoke lingering on the breeze. On the edge of town along the A941 is the town's
largest working distillery, Glenfiddich (see box, p.177).
There isn't a great deal to do in the town itself, but it's a useful starting point for orienting
yourself towards the whisky trail. Dufftown's four main streets converge on its main
square, scene of a lively annual party on Hogmanay when free drams are handed out to
revellers. Another major event is the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival ( W spiritofspeyside
.com), which draws whisky experts and enthusiasts to the area in early May. A separate
festival, marked by special “nosing” events, takes place at the end of September.