(5) The Speyside Way

A flat section on the Speyside Line.

The outward part of this route is entirely on the Speyside Line so the gradients are very easy. This part of the route is studded with famous distilleries, all producing the smooth Speyside malt whisky. The dirt surface of the railway path is generally quite smooth, immediately south of Craigellachie there are some grassy sections.

Route Description

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Follow the Speyside Line from Craigellachie to Dufftown up the valley of the River Fiddich; turn left from the rangers office, and follow the path past the toilet block. Horse riders occasionally use this part of the Speyside Way so you need to take care if you meet one. Only the rider of the horse can know if his particular animal is used to bikes or not. The best thing to do is just wait so that the horse and rider can clearly see you. Trying to squeeze past on the narrow track is definitely the wrong thing to do. The route ends in Balvenie at a picnic area just outside the town, easy cycling and very pretty. Dufftown has the Glenfiddich distillery, visitors are welcome and there is an audio-visual display - you get a free dram afterwards. There is a resident pipe band in Dufftown which which often plays for tourists in the evening. The tourist office is in a sort of mini castle in the middle of the town (01340-820501). Balvenie Castle, the impressive 13th century lair of 'Black' Comyn, is next to the Glenfiddich distillery. This is a large castle building. The moat is now dried out. It was a noble residence for 400 years and was visited by Edward the first in 1304 and by Mary Queen of Scots in 1562. There is also a museum in Dufftown with displays of local history. Also worth visiting is Mortlach Church which has been in continual use for public worship since 566.