The Speyside Way
Alert
The Speyside Way is one of Scotland’s great trails, following the River Spey choose to head upstream or downstream to either start or finish at Spey Bay on the Moray coast or Newtonmore in the Cairngorms National Park.
The route links communities throughout Badenoch and Strathspey and criss-crosses the river and its tributaries, waters famous for salmon-fishing and malt whisky production. Keep a watch for incredible wildlife such as osprey, otter, kingfisher and beaver, that were reintroduced to the Cairngorms National Park in 2023.
Don’t forget the spur from Ballindalloch to Tomintoul in the heart of whisky country, which is slightly more challenging terrain but worth the effort for the spectacular views over Glenlivet.
The Speyside Way passes through a series of picturesque villages and past whisky distilleries. The route is a wonderful adventure as a whole or to enjoy shorter day trips, with plenty of places to stop for refreshments and discover local heritage.
Whether you travel on foot or by bike the route offers plenty of diversity with it’s connecting links to the Moray Coast Trail at Buckie and with the Dava Way at Grantown on Spey.
The Speyside Way is one of Scotland’s great trails, following the River Spey choose to head upstream or downstream to either start or finish at Spey Bay on the Moray coast or Newtonmore in the Cairngorms National Park.
The route links communities throughout Badenoch and Strathspey and criss-crosses the river and its tributaries, waters famous for salmon-fishing and malt whisky production. Keep a watch for incredible wildlife such as osprey, otter, kingfisher and beaver, that were reintroduced to the Cairngorms National Park in 2023.
Don’t forget the spur from Ballindalloch to Tomintoul in the heart of whisky country, which is slightly more challenging terrain but worth the effort for the spectacular views over Glenlivet.
The Speyside Way passes through a series of picturesque villages and past whisky distilleries. The route is a wonderful adventure as a whole or to enjoy shorter day trips, with plenty of places to stop for refreshments and discover local heritage.
Whether you travel on foot or by bike the route offers plenty of diversity with it’s connecting links to the Moray Coast Trail at Buckie and with the Dava Way at Grantown on Spey.
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More information on the Speyside Way including route news and help to plan your trip
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There are only 532 capercaillie left in the UK. Over 85% of those birds live in a handful of forests in the Cairngorms National Park.
The species is protected under UK law, which makes it a criminal offence to disturb them whilst they are breeding. Breeding season lasts from 1 April to 31 August. Capercaillie need all our help to survive so please #LekItBe and don't go looking for capercaillie.
Latest update: Some male birds are displaying in prominent places near to other breeding capercaillie to attract the attention of females. Visitors are advised to take particular care as birds may also attack you as their testosterone levels are high. There have already been incidents of people being injured by the birds so please follow the signs in place for your own safety too.
In particular, members of the public are being advised not to use the following paths into Abernethy Forest from Glenmore and Nethy Bridge during early mornings (before 8.30am) over the next few weeks to avoid disturbing breeding capercaillie:
- Ryvoan Bothy to Forest Lodge path
- Vehicle access track to Forest Lodge
- Dell Road to Forest Lodge track
- Forest Lodge to Rynettin path
Additional information:
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Please use caution when following the Speyside Way through Tom an Uird wood, near Cromdale.
Tree felling works will be ongoing adjacent to the Speyside Way route until October 2025. The Speyside Way will remain OPEN throughout the works, but please use extra caution.
There will be timber stacks alongside the track, and you may encounter forestry tractors loading timber lorries, for your own safety please follow any site controls and directions.
