| Distance (km) | Ascent (metres) | Number of days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 137 | 1485 | 6 - 9 | |
| Start: Buckie | Finish: Newtonmore | ||
|
Linked to other Scotland’s Great Trail(s): Moray Coast Trail Dava Way |
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Books & maps
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Route type/direction
Linear, from Buckie to Newtonmore; extension from Kincraig to Newtonmore open and due for official launch in 2021; optional spur to Tomintoul (adds 15.6 miles/25 km and 865 m of ascent to data in route statistics)
Traditionally walked from Buckie to Newtonmore because the daily distances are shorter and flatter near the coast. However, the prevailing winds are from the south-west, so some prefer to walk downstream from Newtonmore to Buckie.
Overview
The Way starts near the mouth of the dynamic River Spey and generally follows its valley upstream via Aviemore to Newtonmore. The Tomintoul spur offers very fine scenery and a distillery experience, but transport is needed to return to the spine of the Way. The route features great scenery in the Spey valley, in places following the river banks closely, elsewhere crossing open moorland or following disused railway trackbed. You progress from the Moray Firth to the Cairngorms in a valley that saw the birth of legal whisky distilling.
Highlights
- WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre at Spey Bay
- distillery visits, especially Aberlour and Glenlivet
- great range of habitats including coastal, Caledonian pine forest, open moorland and river valley
- Highland wildlife, including deer (red, roe and reindeer), red squirrels, capercaillie and the endangered Scottish wildcat
- Loch Garten Osprey Centre at Abernethy
- viaducts, bridges and the Strathspey Steam Railway
- great scenery, especially on the Tomintoul spur (Cairn Daimh)
Be aware
- in wet conditions, some sections between Ballindalloch and Cromdale are challenging
- for updates on the Newtonmore extension, check with the Cairngorms National Park
The challenge
The Speyside Way is generally suitable for beginners because waymarking is good, facilities are plentiful and the overall ascent (main spine) is relatively modest (1245 m/4085 ft). Note that Grantown to Aviemore is a long section (16.5 miles/26 km) which can be broken at Nethy Bridge or Boat of Garten, and Aviemore to Newtonmore even longer (19.5 miles/31.4 km) with Kincraig a possible break point. The terrain is challenging between Ballindalloch and Grantown, where recent reports suggest slow going in places. The Tomintoul spur is challenging and requires map-and-compass competence if visibility is poor e.g. in low cloud: it is waymarked, but it crosses wild, exposed moorland to the highest village in the Highlands. There is the option to break this journey at Glenlivet Distillery.
Accommodation
The route is long-established and passes through attractive villages with welcoming B&Bs, many with a range of accommodation choices. However, some are closed out of season, most are busy in season and advance booking is essential.
Be aware that Ballindalloch is the name of a former railway station, rather than a village, and in 2021 the only accommodation was at Cragganmore House. Hostels at or near Nethy Bridge, Grantown, Tomintoul and Aviemore may be open in season.
There are many camping options, both at commercial and at free campsites (basic facilities or none). Wild camping is legally allowed in Scotland if practised responsibly under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Support services
Companies offering accommodation booking and baggage transfer:
Public transport
Reaching Buckie is simplest by taxi from Keith station, which lies on the railway between Inverness and Aberdeen. The alternative is to take a train to Elgin, then direct Stagecoach bus number 35 to Buckie. Access to Aviemore and Newtonmore is easy by train (they are on Scotrail’s main line between Edinburgh and Inverness) or express bus. For those arriving by air, there is an airport at Inverness; depending on your starting-point, Edinburgh or Aberdeen airports may be relevant.
Local transport between sections of the Way is more difficult, with buses less frequent and some on certain days only, or linked to school term-time. Bus timetables are given on the official website. Taxis are expensive (the Moray Council rate is £3 per mile) and may charge mileage from their base, so check fares before booking. Ace Taxis are mainly based at Buckie (tel 01343 820 820) and Craigellachie Cars at Craigellachie (tel 07960 567 118). The Strathspey Steam Railway plies between Broomhill (near Nethy Bridge) and Aviemore, but as a heritage railway its service is irregular and seasonal.
For details, visit Traveline Scotland, or, for the entire UK, Traveline. For travel from anywhere to anywhere, try Rome2Rio.