Charlestown of Aberlour, Dufftown and Craigellachie

Leaving Aberlour, views to the north widen to include Macallan and Craigellachie distilleries and Thomas Telford's bridge over the River Spey, while to the south rises the distinctive mass of Ben Rinnes at 2,755 feet (826 metres), providing the source for most distillery water.

After crossing moor and forest from west to east, the walk reaches Dufftown (founded in 1817 by James Duff, 4th Earl Fife). An old rhyme says 'Rome was built on seven hills, Dufftown stands on seven stills'; you pass two distilleries and a redundant site on this walk. The first is Glenfiddich, founded in 1886 and owned by William Grant and Sons. Behind it stands Balvenie Castle (13th century with 16th-century additions), where Mary Queen of Scots and the Marquis of Montrose stayed.

Next is Balvenie Distillery (built in 1892 using stones from New Balvenie Castle). Nearby lies the former Convalmore Distillery, once associated with James Buchanan (producer of Black and White whisky) and now absorbed into Glenfiddich.

The route continues beside the River Fiddich (home to elusive otters, dippers, herons, finches, and raptors) before joining the Speyside Way at Craigellachie. The River Spey is one of Scotland's most famous salmon rivers. Across the river from Craigellachie, the white building on the bluff is part of Macallan Distillery, while the historic Craigellachie Bridge built by Thomas Telford stands alongside a newer 1975 span.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.