Elgin

BIBLICAL GARDEN

Outside the Cathedral look out for the Biblical Garden. This quiet spot has examples of every plant mentioned in the Bible.

SPYNIE PALACE

The Palace was the official residence of the Cathedral Bishops. For five centuries the Palace was the residence of the Bishops of Moray. 

The last Bishop left in 1689 and the Palace fell into disrepair. However, it is still an impressive building today, and half a day can be spent exploring its ruins. 

Set in attractive Morayshire countryside there are excellent views from the top of the Palace’s tower. However, the scene was quite different in the past as it was then located next to a medieval town and a sea loch. Nothing remains of either and today it is birdsong that the visitor enjoys. 

The most intact part of the complex is David’s Tower, one of the largest such structures to have been built.

As in the days of its use, it is quite possible to walk to the Palace and there is now a joint walking and cycle path from central Elgin. The walk takes about 50 minutes. Frustratingly although the bus to Lossiemouth does pass, the nearest bus stop is around 30 minutes' walk away. 

SAVING! Joint ticket with Elgin Cathedral is available. 

GLEN MORAY DISTILLERY

Founded in 1897, this distillery produces single malt whisky and uses water from the River Lossie. A wide variety of casks are used.

Various tours and tastings are available including Chocolate and Whisky Tasting. There is also a Visitor Centre with coffee shop and gift shop.

ELGIN MUSEUM

Elgin Museum was opened in 1842 and was privately built by the people of Elgin for the display of ‘objects of science and virtue’. It remains an independent museum and opens each year to members of the public. 

The main collections are the fossil collection, archaeology, local history and art, in addition to special exhibitions. 

MORAY LEISURE CENTRE

This facility has a main swimming pool, learner pool (temporarily closed) and flume. There is also a relaxation suite with spa pool, sauna and steam room.

WALKS

The Elgin Explorer is a circular walk of around 3 miles through the town, past the cathedral and along the River Lossie. 

On the outskirts of Elgin, around 30 minutes' walk from the centre, is Quarry Wood. This ancient oakwood is on a hilltop overlooking the Moray Firth.

Fossils have been found in the sandstone quarries here, some of which are on display in Elgin Museum. Look out for red squirrels and roe deer.

SPEYSIDE WHISKY TRAIL

Whisky lovers will be interested in the Stagecoach bus service 36 which runs to Dufftown, a journey of 55 minutes. On the way it stops at Rothes and Aberlour which are also distillery locations. 

In total 5 distilleries are accessible by this route! Dufftown is an attractive small town surrounded by hills.

Rothes

There are two distilleries in Rothes. Alight at bus stop 'Rothes, at Glen Grant Distillery' for both.

Glen Grant Distillery and Gardens

Currently undergoing renovations, so limited tours are available and the gardens are closed. 

Founded in 1840, this distillery produces single malt whisky using water from the Caperdonich Spring. Various tours and tastings are available.

The distillery sits in the Victorian 'Garden of Splendours' established in 1886 by James ‘The Major’ Grant and containing flowers and plants gathered from his travels around the world. It covers 22 acres of orchards, meadows, and gorges. 

Speyburn Distillery

Founded in 1897, they produce single malt whisky including 10 year old, 15 year old and 18 year old using water from the Granty Burn.

Tours and tastings are available. Look out for the pagoda ventilator which allowed a constant current of air to flow over the grains.

Aberlour

Aberlour Distillery

Founded in 1879, they make single malt whisky using double cask maturation. Water is from the nearby Birkenbush springs and barley comes from local farms.

Shop and whisky tasting experiences are open. Due to resume tours in 2027 as currently working on construction and expansion of the distillery.

While you are in Aberlour you may wish to visit the Walkers Shortbread Factory Shop. Also available is a 2 mile circular walk to Linn of Ruthrie (Linn Falls) on the Aberlour Burn.

Dufftown

Dufftown is known as the malt whisky capital of the world – being the largest exporter of whisky from Britain. The town not only has two excellent distilleries to explore but also has its own castle.

The town is a small market town in the heart of Speyside which takes its name from its founder James Duff, the fourth Earl of Fife.  

Look out for the Clock Tower standing in the centre of Dufftown which was completed in 1839. It was originally built as the town jail and later used as the burgh chambers.

Glenfiddich Distillery

Founded in 1886, this family owned distillery makes single malt whisky including 12 year old, 14 year old, 15 year old and 18 year old. It is the world's most awarded single malt scotch whisky. 

Water is from the Robbie Dhu Spring and there is an onsite cooperage. They also run an artists in residence scheme.

Various tours and tastings are available. Alight at the bus stop 'Dufftown, Glenfiddich Distillery'.

Balvenie Distillery

Founded in 1893, they produce single malt whisky including 12 year old, 14 year old, 16 year old and 21 year old.

They still keep every craft in-house including malting their own barley and hand-coopering casks. The Dunnage warehouse is built from the stones of Balvenie Castle.

Tours and tastings are available. Alight at the bus stop 'Dufftown, at Station' (this is now a station of the heritage Keith and Dufftown Railway and no longer a mainline station. See our Guide to the Keith and Dufftown Railway).

While in Dufftown you may wish to visit Balvenie Castle, now cared for by Historic Environment Scotland and is set in the attractive hills surrounding Dufftown.  

King Edward I of England was an early visitor to the Castle. Of particular interest today is the curtain wall – a rare example of 13th century military architecture in Scotland. 

Also of note is the Atholl Lodging – a fine example of Renaissance architecture, showing the layout of a noble residence and containing an iron yett – the two-part iron cross-barred gate behind the main entrance which is unique in Scotland.