The perfect 48-hour Speyside itinerary: Whisky, walks, fine food and hidden gems

That heritage is just one of the reasons people choose to avoid the more obvious holiday hotspots like Edinburgh in the festival or the North Coast 500, and opt for an exploration of one of Scotland’s hidden gems.

Yet despite the rich and colourful history of the region, Lauren Murray, (Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Ambassador) and hotelier, says for many it flies under the radar.

“When I tell people I live in Speyside people often don’t know where it is on a map. When I say between Inverness, Aberdeen and Aviemore they get it, but a surprising number know next to nothing about it. But it’s a marvellous spot, a real hidden gem.”

Take a walk on the wild side

Where ancient pinewoods meet tumbling rivers, and where glorious hills gently spread out before walkers, this is a ramblers’ paradise.

Best for views: With routes offering up to 12km of walking, Ben Rinnes is a satisfying half day walk with stunning panoramic views. On a clear day you will see the Cairngorms, Moray Firth, Ben Wyvis and dozens of distilleries.

Best for beginners: The Aberlour to Craigellachie route is an easy riverside route, weather permitting, without too much incline. It follows a trail along an old railway line and through some of the area’s picturesque whisky villages.

Best for dramatic effect: The Linn Falls in full spate after a heavy rain is a sight to behold. Arguably one of the prettiest walks in the area, you could probably loop round it in two hours.

Hidden gem: The Craigellachie Nature Trail is popular with locals and with some lovely viewpoints. Pack your boots and a camera and work up an appetite as you spot red squirrels and birds through a pine forest looking over the River Spey.

And don’t miss out on the region’s dozen or so golf courses … a refreshing alternative to a countryside walk.

Food glorious food

With a rich natural larder on its doorstep, the Speyside region has been producing hearty food and tasty treats for generations. Walkers shortbread, cranachan and Cullen Skink are regional specialities, with many hotels and restaurants embracing the local game, beef and salmon and introducing it to their menus.

Restaurant 88, within the Murray family’s Hotel 1881 in Archiestown, brought in a new head chef early in 2026, and is offering something very different, with nods to the Mediterranean and a hefty dose of Scottish flair.

Lauren said: “I was born in Spain and our new head chef Kris McKie spent a lot of time there. We decided we wanted to go down the Scottish Tapas route and offer a small plate selection, and it’s incredibly popular. The kitchen draws inspiration from a variety of cuisines while celebrating the incredible Scottish larder on our doorstep. The feedback so far has been outstanding.”

Dishes like crispy fried oyster mushrooms and wild garlic dressing, whipped blue cheese crostini, shorthorn beef, prime steak burger, venison with a black pudding crumble, delicious seafood like monkfish and grilled broccoli with feta give just a hint of the 88 experience.

Raise a glass

A visit to the area just wouldn’t be the same without sampling the uisce beatha (Scottish Gaelic for ‘water of life’), and with more than 50 working distilleries Speyside is a whisky aficionado’s paradise. Winston Churchill said he liked to add a little whisky to his water to make it palatable – a sentiment many Speyside tourists will agree with entirely!

Unlike the peatier Islay whiskies, many describe Speyside malts as fruity, and more sweet than smoky, with natural flavours like heather and honey coming through. Others have floral aromas, evocatively hinting at heather and honeysuckle, hillsides and valleys.

There are visitor centres at the likes of The Balvenie, Benriach, Aberlour, Cardhu, Dallas Dhu, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, The Macallan and Tomintoul, but other, smaller choices like Speyburn or Glenallachie might lead you to a new favourite.

As a Speyside ambassador, Lauren Murray says “Speyside is the heart of Scotch whisky, but it's the people who make it unforgettable. Every distillery has its own story, every dram its own character, and wherever you go you'll receive a warm welcome. Pair that with spectacular scenery, fantastic local food and a pace of life that encourages you to slow down and savour the experience, and it's easy to understand why so many people fall in love with Speyside and keep coming back.”

Where to stay

If you are looking for a vibrant, quirky and relaxed base within a few miles of some of the biggest distilleries in the region, the Murray family’s Hotel 1881 is a superb choice. Bought in 2018 and rebranded after the year of its birth, it’s an 11-bedroom boutique hotel stylishly designed by Chelsea Mclaine Interiors, and s the sister hotel to The Dowans in Charlestown of Aberlour.

Situated in pretty Archiestown, just a few minutes from The Macallan, it’s a popular base for whisky lovers looking to explore the region.

Dining at the 88 – so named because the Murray family spent many years living in China and 8 is the luckiest number in Chinese numerology – offers top quality food and drink with a laid back style. The hotels elegant, modern interior has taken a fresh look at the history of the region with a modern twist, offering a stylish place to call home.

A nip at the bar, names Archie’s as a nod to the old brand of the hotel, is the perfect way to round off a day spent in glorious Speyside. Whisky connoisseur and brand ambassador says of region’s countryside – “it’s what whisky was made for”.

Try it for yourself with a 48 hour stay. Click here for more details.