Against the North Sea of the Moray Firth, with the magnificent river Spey running through its heart and reaching the northern border of the Uk’s largest National Park, Cairngorms National Park. Moray Speyside is a naturally stunning destination.
With a malt whisky distillery seemingly on every corner, experience the exceptional scenery, miles of rugged coastline, sensational sandy beaches, lochs, rivers and verdant forests.
Moray Speyside’s friendly communities are proud of their heritage and traditions, happy to share these with visitors so the warmest of Scottish welcomes await.
Moray Speyside provides something of a spiritual experience. Going back centuries, expertise in distilling quality spirits is in the region’s DNA. You can get a real local flavour with abundant malt whisky and Scottish Gin producers on the doorstep.
Take a tour into the heart of Speyside; a paradise for whisky lovers. Speyside is home to more than half of Scotland’s whisky distilleries, it even has it own Malt Whisky Trail.
You can easily indulge in a day of distillery tours or squeeze one in between other activities. Visit StrathIsla for world class whisky tasting and tours.
Travel back through centuries of fascinating history, Moray Speyside keeps its ancient traditions and stories alive through a large number of historic sites, heritage centres and authentic visitor experiences with local tour guides such as More in Moray Tours.
Burghead’s New Year
The Burning of the Clavie is an annual fire festival unique to Burghead that dates back farther than the 1750’s. An exciting spectacle that flies in the face of modern health and safety rules and welcomes in the new year in Burghead on 11th January in true style!
Ballindalloch Castle
Family home of the Macpherson-Grant’s since 1546, Ballindalloch Castle is one of the finest surviving examples of a Scottish Baronial Castle. Explore five hundred years of Highland history, acres of formal gardens, woodlands and riverside walks.
Knockando Woolmill
Nestled in the heart of Speyside, Knockando Woolmill has ensured the craft of carding, spinning and weaving with local wool has been passed down through generations since 1784. An authentic insight into an industry that is still thriving today. More Moray history through “Stories from the Shadows”
There are plenty of castles to discover in Moray Speyside, too many to mention but some favourites include Brodie Castle, Balvenie Castle and Findlater Castle. Moray Speyside also includes Scotland’s first ever distillery centre and is also home to brands such as Walkers Shortbread, Baxters and Johnstons of Elgin.
If you love the outdoors, Moray Speyside literally has it all. There are picturesque long and short distance walks, superb wildlife watching opportunities and designated dark sky discovery sites for star-gazing. Experiences for adrenaline junkies and outdoor activities are endless.
Take to the water with Cullen Sea School for coastal rowing, sea kayaking, and paddle boarding. You can even try your hand at building your own boat!
For guided outdoor adventures Craggan Outdoors are a good place to start for all ages and abilities.The House of Mulben provides enormous amounts of great fun with action-packed activities such as off-road driving, clay pigeon shooting, quad biking, archery and trout fishing.
The Glenlivet Bike Trails on the Glenlivet Estate and the Monster Trails at Fochabers are firm favourites with mountain bikers. Whether you’re new to off-road mountain biking or an expert rider looking for big thrills, there’s a trail that’s just right for you.
For one of the best places in the UK to see bottlenose dolphins from the shore, head to the WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre at Spey Bay. A wildlife haven it also forms part of the Speyside Way. You can tour the Tugnet Icehouse, see and touch a fantastic collection of huge whale bones from the local area and discover the history of salmon fishing.
Long distance Moray Speyside walks include the Moray Coastal Trail, the Speyside Way and the Dava Way. Which section to do will be the hardest decision to make!
Ben Rinnes and Ben Aigan are the local hills, both accessible and do-able in a few hours. The views are sensational from the top. Or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll on one of the empty beaches or around a beautiful loch or forest.
Gordon Castle Walled Garden, Fochabers
In the grounds of Gordon Castle, the peaceful and beautiful Gordon Castle Walled Garden is one of Scotland’s best kept secrets. At almost eight acres in size, it is one of the oldest and largest kitchen gardens in Britain and has been lovingly restored to its former glory. Try delicious freshly picked produce in the award-winning café and don’t forget to taste their very own award-winning Scottish Gin, it’s absolutely delicious.
Dark Sky Park, Glenlivet and Tomintoul
Glenlivet and Tomintoul is home to the most northerly Dark Sky Park in the world and it is the best place in the UK to see a night sky brimming with stars during winter. With three specific discovery sites to view the night sky from, you can join a guided tour or enjoy by yourself. Simply remember to turn off all your lights and wait approx 10 mins for your eyes to adjust to the night skies wonders.
The Northern HighLights Pass helps you to create a bespoke itinerary for your short break or longer Scottish holiday in the North East of Scotland. Purchasing a Northern HighLights Pass enables you to plan ahead, know before you go, plus, there are big savings to be had on entrance fees to the many excellent visitor attractions across the region. Visit the best for less!
Your Northern Highlights Pass is available as a digital pass and can be easily downloaded straight onto your smart phone. Alternatively, you can purchase a hard copy pass and this will be mailed out to you
So if you are interested to know more, remember to follow us on the Northern Highlights Pass social channels and also sign up to the “North East Blether” if you have not already done so.
Ready to start exploring? Northern Highlights visitors pass enables you to visit the best – for less. Buy your pass and start your adventure!
So whatever you choose to do in the next few weeks and months please do remember to stay safe and continue to follow the Guidance To Protect The Environment, yourself and all our local communities.
#RespectProtectEnjoy #CairngormsTogether #VisitMoraySpeyside
Registered Office:
Scotland
SC407856
DeeTour Ltd
Battock Terrace
Torphins
Aberdeenshire
Have a tourism business in NE Scotland and would like to be a part of this new and exciting product? Please contact us and we will be back in touch.
Registered Office:
Scotland
SC407856
DeeTour Ltd
Battock Terrace
Torphins
Aberdeenshire
Have a tourism business in NE Scotland and would like to be a part of this new and exciting product? Please contact us and we will be back in touch.
Some businesses are seasonal and will close for the season at 31.10.24, details can be found HERE. Last updated 16th October 2024.
Please note that the Northern Highlights Pass is under going review for 2025. New Northern Highlights Pass purchases will be valid until 31.12.24.
Scotland SC407856 Registered Office : DeeTour Ltd, Battock Terrace, Torphins, Aberdeenshire
Have a tourism business in NE Scotland and would like to be a part of this new and exciting product?
Please contact us and we will be back in touch.
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