Speyside Whisky Trail Itinerary: A 3-5 Day Guide to Scotland’s Whisky Heartland

Speyside is home to over half of Scotland’s distilleries, making it the ultimate destination for whisky lovers. Whether you have three, four, or five days, this itinerary will guide you through the best Speyside distilleries, whisky experiences, and must-visit attractions along the trail.

Day 1: Arrival & Introduction to Speyside Whisky

Morning: Arrive in Speyside

• Fly into Inverness Airport or take a train to Elgin or Dufftown.
• Rent a car for the most flexible travel experience.
• Check in at The Craigellachie Hotel or The Dowans Hotel.

Afternoon: Visit The Macallan Distillery

• Tour the state-of-the-art Macallan Experience.
• Sample exclusive sherry-cask matured whiskies.
• Enjoy lunch at The Macallan Bar & Restaurant.

Evening: Glenfiddich Distillery & Whisky Dinner

• Explore Glenfiddich, one of Speyside’s most famous distilleries.
• Book the Solera Warehouse Tasting.
• Dinner at Copper Dog Pub, known for its whisky selection.

Day 2: Classic Speyside Distilleries & Tasting Experiences

Morning: The Glenlivet Distillery

• Visit the historic Glenlivet Visitor Centre.
• Take part in a cask strength tasting experience.
• Stroll through the scenic Glenlivet Estate trails.

Afternoon: Aberlour & Balvenie Distilleries

• Aberlour Distillery: Try sherried drams in their warehouse tasting.
• Balvenie Distillery: One of the last distilleries to do floor malting.
• Lunch at The Mash Tun, a whisky bar with over 200 drams.

Evening: Whisky & Food Pairing Experience

• Book a whisky dinner at The Dowans Hotel or Rothes Glen.
• Experience chocolate & whisky pairing with local artisan producers.

Day 3: Hidden Gems & Scenic Whisky Spots

Morning: BenRiach & GlenAllachie Distilleries

• BenRiach Distillery: A lesser-known gem with experimental whisky styles.
• GlenAllachie Distillery: Known for richly sherried expressions.

Afternoon: Speyside Cooperage & Whisky Walk

• Visit the Speyside Cooperage to see how whisky casks are made.
• Take a scenic Craigellachie Bridge whisky walk.
• Stop at The Highlander Inn for a dram.

Evening: Relax with a Dram at Quaich Bar

• Visit Quaich Bar in The Craigellachie Hotel, offering over 1000 whiskies.

Optional Days 4 & 5: Expanding the Whisky Journey

Day 4: Distillery Hopping & Scenic Drives

• Glenfarclas Distillery: Family-owned, specializing in sherried whisky.
• Tomintoul Distillery: Highland-style whisky in Speyside.
• Explore the stunning Cairngorms National Park.

Day 5: Whisky Festivals & Exclusive Tastings

• If visiting in May, attend the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.
• Book a private cask tasting at a distillery of your choice.
• Stock up on distillery-only releases before heading home.

Travel Tips for the Speyside Whisky Trail

✔ Book distillery tours in advance – Many require reservations.
✔ Plan for responsible drinking – Consider a whisky tour driver.
✔ Dress for the weather – Speyside can be chilly, even in summer.
✔ Try different whisky styles – From peated to sherried expressions.