Day Out

With so much to see and do in the area we thought we’d share one of our favourite days out.

Please download from the Day Out button.

Cardhu Distillery

Founded by Helen Cumming in 1811 as an illicit distillery and licensed in 1824, Cardhu is the first distillery to be officially pioneered by a woman. Two women, in fact: in 1872, Elizabeth Cummings, daughter-in-law of the founders, took over the running of the distillery and set about refining the flavour and character of the whisky we know today – the effortless, elegant, generous spirit, born of hard work and determination. For details of the tours please visit their website via the explore link.

Cragganmore Distillery

Cragganmore Distillery, on the banks of the river Spey, is home to one of the most complex and characterful malt whiskies of the Speyside region. Founded by Speyside legend Big John Smith, Cragganmore is created using a pioneering flat-top pot still design giving it the famed complex character. Visit Cragganmore Distillery to uncover the history behind the liquid. For details of the tours please visit their website via the explore link.

Speyside Cooperage

In the heart of Speyside Malt Whisky Trail lies the Speyside Cooperage, the only working cooperage in the UK where you can experience the ancient art of coopering.

Since 1947, Speyside Cooperage has produced the finest casks from the best American Oak.Today the cooperage continues to work and produce the age-old product, still using traditional methods and tools. Each year, it produces and repairs nearly 150,000 oak casks used by the surrounding Speyside Whisky distilleries, as well as distilleries throughout Scotland and the rest of the world.

The Cooperage is the only cooperage in Britain with a visitor centre.

Ballindalloch Castle

Ballindalloch Castle has been the home of the Macpherson-Grants since the Sixteenth Century and today is one of the finest surviving examples of a classic Scottish baronial castle. It is also home for me and my young family, and so regularly rings to sounds somewhat less usual in heritage properties!

We hope that many people will be tempted to visit the Castle so do please explore the website which will give you some idea of the history of the place and of the Macpherson-Grant family.

Speyside Wildlife

Join one of Speyside Wildlife's friendly, expert guides for an amazing evening's wildlife watching experience in the Cairngorms. You'll have the chance of viewing Pine Marten, Badger, deer and more from the comfort of our large, warm and modern hide in the forest on Rothiemurchus Estate, Aviemore. As seen on BBC Springwatch, these wonderful animals come within a few feet of the large picture windows, providing great photo opportunities and views at close quarters. This fully guided dusk-time watch is terrifically exciting and can be booked online.

If you'd like a full day or more of wildlife watching in the Highlands, Speyside Wildlife can help. In such a vast area, where the special wildlife is thinly spread and elusive, you'll benefit from our unbeatable local knowledge to find the species you most want to see. We'll judge the weather, know the terrain and all transport is provided. Whether you want to see Golden Eagle, Harbour Seal, Red Squirrel, Ptarmigan, Bottlenose Dolphins, Crested Tit, Minke Whales, Otters or our more elusive species of Capercaillie, we can tailor-make an itinerary to suit your wishes. Full itineraries can be viewed on our website.

Kincraig Wildlife Park

Discover Scottish wildlife and endangered animals of the world's mountains and tundra in our spectacular setting. Drive around the Main Reserve in your own car and then investigate the walk-round area on foot.

The Wildlife Park has a wide and diverse range of animals. From native species such as the Capercaillie and Scottish Wildcat to those from further afield such as the Amur Tiger and Polar Bear.

The Snow Roads

Explorers of this 90-mile journey, through the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, will discover dramatic landscapes carved by granite and ice as it winds from the picturesque market town of Blairgowrie through to the highland village of Grantown-on-Spey.

Enjoy breath-taking scenery at every turn, the legacy of the ice age, as you traverse the highest public roads in Britain and spot a curious glimpse of snow on the hill tops almost all year round.

Live like locals in the communities of Braemar, Ballater and Tomintoul and experience a range of natural and cultural attractions, all peppered with native flora and fauna and wildlife spotting. Look out for three scenic route installations enticing you to discover new perspectives.

Download their mobile app from their website and enhance your SnowRoads adventure!

Simply Speyside Whisky Tours

Simply Speyside Whisky Tours are fanatical about whisky, especially the whiskies of Speyside, which is widely considered one of the best whisky producing regions in the world. They love introducing visitors to the local single malts and are experts on where to go to have the best whisky tour experiences. They're very happy to advise on which distilleries can fit into a day or half day visit and to recommend and even book lunches for you.