An eight centre inn-to-inn, self-guided walking tour along the Whisky Trail and Speyside Coastal Trail from Aviemore to Banff in Scotland. 10 nights bed and breakfast accommodation, 9 days walking, luggage transfer, walking notes and maps.
This tour sometimes known as The Whisky Trail or the Speyside Way and featured in the "Monarch of the Glen", starts at Aviemore below the Cairn Gorm (click on the word pronunciation), where the Wolf of Badenoch's castle stands amidst the lake. You follow the Speyside Way across the open heather before tracing the sweeps of the River Spey past the haunts of salmon fishermen and the whisky valley of Glenfiddich. You then turn eastwards along the coast to the fishing community of Buckie. You climb the little mountain of "The Bin of Cullen" to gaze across the Firth at the distant peaks of Caithness; walk to the ruins of Findlater Castle perched on the cliff and relax in the douce little town of Banff. Picturesque old `seatouns' like Cullen and Portsoy alternate with beaches where smugglers flourished while catholics and non-conformists held clandestine services in sea caves. Here on Cullen Beach in 961 three Norse kings died; nearby Macbeth slew Duncan and Mary Queen of Scots pursued the Gordons. This is good time to try the traditional Cullen Skink dish associated with east Scotland coast.
You stop in country hotels, inns and guesthouses along the way, where accommodation is available in twin, double or single rooms, most but not all with private facilities. B&B and luggage transfer between the overnight stays is inclusive.

This tour is operated by Explore Britain Walking based in County Durham in England.

START: Aviemore is 35 miles south-east of Inverness. Relax and spend a few days prior to your walk at a hotel in a nearby city.
FINISH: Banff is about 48 miles north of Aberdeen.

DAY ONE: Arrival at Loch Alvie. You may arrive anytime after 3pm. If requiring dinner this is usually between 7pm - 9pm both in hotels (booked in advance) and pubs. Overnight near Aviemore, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

DAY TWO: Circular walk around Aviemore. 11 miles (18km) and 400 feet of ascent. This is a circular walk from the guesthouse at Loch Alvie. This walk is from the busy town of Aviemore on through ancient woodland of mature Scots Pine to Loch an Eilean with its ruined castle with grand views out to the Cairngorm mountains. You return to the guesthouse. Dinner can be taken at the hotel or in the town of Aviemore (not included in tour price). Overnight near Aviemore, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

DAY THREE: Walking from Glenlivet to Tomintoul. 9 miles (14km) and 1,200 feet of ascent. The taxi will take you to Glenlivet distillery (after dropping your luggage off at Tomintoul). A nip of whisky along the route? From here you walk back to the hotel at Tomintoul via The Speyside Way. You reach the highest point of the trip at 1,600 feet. Dinner can be taken at the hotel or nearby pubs in the village (not included in tour price). Overnight at Tomintoul, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

DAY FOUR: Walking from Cragganmore to Craigellachie. 12 miles (19km) and 50 feet of ascent. The taxi will drop you to Cragganmore (and continue on with your luggage to Craigellachie). You follow an old railway track all the day on the Speyside Way keeping company with the curves of the River Spey, to Charlestown and on to the inn at Craigellachie. Dinner can be taken at the village pub (not included in tour price). Overnight at Craigellachie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

DAY FIVE: Walking from Craigellachie to Fochabers. 12 miles (19km) and 900 feet of ascent. You will again follow the Speyside Way through Ben Aigan Forest to Boat o' Brig. Then you follow a minor road high above the River Spey to arrive at the guesthouse in Fochabers. Dinner can be taken at the hotel or nearby pubs in the village (not included in tour price). Overnight at Fochabers, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

DAY SIX: Walking from Fochabers to Buckie. 10 miles (16km) and 50 feet of ascent. This walk follows good tracks alongside the River Spey to the sea at Spey Bay, then a clear and level coastal path to the hotel at Buckie. Dinner can be taken at any of the pubs in the village (not included in tour price). Overnight at Buckie, Morayshire, Scotland.

DAY SEVEN: Walking from Buckie to Cullen. 9 miles (14km) and 400 feet of ascent. Today is a more rugged coastal path running along the cliff top, linking the little fishing villages of Findochty (pronounced Finnechty) and Portknockie. You finish across the lovely sandy sweep of Cullen Bay to the hotel in Cullen. Dinner can be taken at the hotel or any of the pubs in the village (not included in tour price). Overnight at Cullen, Morayshire, Scotland.

DAY EIGHT: Rest day or circular walk around Cullen. 11 miles (18km) and 1,300 feet of ascent. This is a circular walk from the hotel in Cullen. You walk up the Glen Burn to the isolated summit of Bin of Cullen, a superb viewpoint. Returning by the coast to the hotel in Cullen. Dinner can be taken at the hotel or nearby pubs in the village (not included in tour price). Overnight at Cullen, Morayshire, Scotland.

DAY NINE: Walking from Cullen to Fordyce. 11 miles (18km) and 600 feet of ascent. This walk is again a coastal path, sometimes on the cliff top, sometimes close to the waves, passing the jagged cliffs of Logie Head and Redhythe Point, with the spectacular ruins of Findlater Castle and the lovely beach at Sandend as highlights. From the 17th century harbour at Portsoy you take a short inland walk to the guesthouse at the conservation village of Fordyce. Dinner can be ordered at the guesthouse (not included in tour price). Overnight at Fordyce, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

DAY TEN: Walking from Fordyce to Banff. 11 miles (18km) and 600 feet of ascent. The taxi will take you to Scotsmill and the romantic ruins of Boyne Castle, nestled in a crook of the stream, you follow a minor road and farm tracks to the fishing village of Whitehills, then cross the sands of Inverboyndie Bay with its healing well to arrive at the guesthouse near the town of Banff, where the outlaw Macpherson was hanged in 1700. Dinner can be taken at one the pubs in the town (not included in tour price). Overnight at Banff, Banffshire, Scotland.

DAY ELEVEN: Departure. The tour finishes from Banff after breakfast.
Book a hotel near your departure airport.

GRADE C: Between 9 - 12 miles (14 - 20 kms) a day. Strong waterproof walking boots are desirable. You will start walking about 9:30am and finish at approx. 5pm. These grades are for guidance only. For any grade, depending on weather conditions, it may at times be damp underfoot, so waterproof boots are preferable.