Local Area
In Dufftown
All distillery tours should be booked in advance. During the year opening times can vary for attractions so please check individual websites for up to date information.
Stramash (Traditional Music and Song) - Monday nights at the British Legion
Mortlach History and Whisky Walk - (book with Alistair)
Scottish Ceilidhs - Music and Dance (Summer Thursday evenings)
Glenfiddich Artists in Residence Exhibition
Cinema 3rd Saturday of each month (usually) in the Royal British Legion
Mortlach Kirk - Sunday Service 1030 all year
Dufftown Heritage Railway 1940's weekend - mid June 2021 - https://keith-dufftown-railway.co.uk/
Dufftown Highland Games - 31 July 2021 https://www.shga.co.uk/events/dufftown-highland-games/
Dufftown Flower Show - 11 & 12 September 2021 ( Memorial Hall) http://www.dufftownflowershow.co.uk/
North East Open Studios - Local Artists September 2021 (various locations) https://www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk/neos-2021/
Whisky Colours Festival - October 2021 - https://www.whiskyshopdufftown.com/whisky-colours-festival/
Speyside Whisky Festival - 3 - 8 November 2021 https://www.spiritofspeyside.com/
Dufftown Heritage Railway Ghost Train - October 2021 - https://keith-dufftown-railway.co.uk/
Dufftown Bonfire and Fireworks - November 2021
Remembrance Sunday - 07 November 2021
Hogmanay Festivities (Ceilidh, Disco, Fireworks, First Footing): 31 December 2021
Boys Walk: 1 January 2022 - during the afternoon
Speyside Whisky Festival - 27 April - 2 May 2022 https://www.spiritofspeyside.com/
Mortlach History and Whisky Walk
Learn all about the Celtic Monks who arrived in 566AD, Mortlach settlement, Kirk and the legendary battle of the 11th Century.
How can the 7 different drams of Mortlach you will try all taste different?
Hear about the role of the Exciseman and have a go at measuring the alcoholic strength of whisky using the Mortlach Exciseman's old equipment. See the smuggling equipment made by the local coppersmith for the distillery workers.
We will stop at the historic kiln of Mortlach Distillery for a dram and run through the odd 2.81 distillation process. What was dramming? How did the Pagoda come about? Why has Dufftown got the clock that hung McPherson? Music and whisky together and much more.
The easy and relaxing walk is led by Alistair a qualified Walking Guide Leader. It is about 1.25 miles and lasts about 2.5 hours.
7 different drams during the walk, cost per person £69. (minimum of 2 guests) Bookable by email info@highlandspiritbandb.co.uk or phone 01340 821136.
Visits to Distilleries, Castles, Battlefields, Historic Woollen Mills and Churches
You can walk to the Glenfiddich Visitor Centre, Balvenie Distillery and Castle, the old Whisky Line - Dufftown to Keith Railway, and Dramble the 7 distilleries of Dufftown. The Macallan, Glenlivet, Aberlour, Glenfarclas and Strathisla Distillery Visitor Centres are also very close by. You can walk or hire a mountain bike to go to Craigellachie or Aberlour via the old Whisky Line.
Other great nearby visits in Speyside and Moray include Ballindalloch Castle (in the MacPherson Grants family since 1546), the Speyside Cooperage, the Knockando Woollen Mill, Johnstons of Elgin, coastal fishing villages (such as Cullen and Burghead), Cawdor Castle (home of Macbeth), Fort George and the battlefield and interactive visitor centre of Culloden Moor. There are plenty of interesting short and longer walks in and around the village and to other villages.
Glenfiddich Distillery and Visitor Centre
Glenfiddich Distillery and Visitor Centre- Set in the Valley of the Deer on the edge of Dufftown the Distillery and Visitor Centre offers tours and tastings. The Distillery was built by William Grant and his seven sons in 1886-7 and produced its first dram on Christmas Day 1887.
Balvenie Distillery and Tour
Balvenie Distillery and Tour - Another famous Distillery which is situated at the bottom of the village. This is an amazing tour where you feel like a VIP guest. The distillery does a lot of things the traditional way including floor maltings, coppersmithing and has its own cooperage. Tours must be booked in advance.
Glenlivet, Macallan, Aberlour, Glendronach, Glen Moray, Glenfarclas, Cardhu, Cragganmore and many more famous Speyside Distilleries are all within a short drive of Highland Spirit B&B
Knockando Wool Mill
Knockando Wool Mill - This a fantastic restoration of an old 18th Century wool mill. The hand operated looms have been brought back into use and are making beautiful cloth and gifts. There is a small exhibition with film, coffee shop, gift shop and a number of buildings to explore.
https://www.knockandowoolmill.org.uk/
Balvenie Castle
Balvenie Castle- A spectacular castle situated on the edge of the village with close parking but can be accessed via a number of short walks with fantastic views. This is a historically very interesting castle that you can explore at your leisure. Built in the 13th century it passed through 3 family dynasties. It is 4-star Historic Scotland visitor attraction.
Keith to Dufftown Heritage Railway
Keith to Dufftown Heritage Railway - Situated at the bottom of the village but within walking distance of your accommodation at Highland Spirit, we are lucky enough to have a heritage railway run by a band of enthusiastic volunteers. Regular train rides are available throughout the summer plus special events throughout the year.
Speyside Cooperage
Speyside Cooperage - An operating cooperage with visitor centre and exhibition with multi-language film. You can watch the coopers at work, which is a real sight to behold. The physical effort, skill and speed of their craft cannot be seen elsewhere. (advanced booking advised)
http://www.speysidecooperage.co.uk/
Dufftown Golf Club
Dufftown Golf Club - Since 1896, the Club has provided an outstanding and entertaining course amongst spectacular scenery. Notable holes include the 10th - one of Sam Torrance's the 19 of his Ultimate Fantasy Course, whilst the 7th and 10th rank in 'Britain's 100 Extraordinary Golf Holes' by Geoff Harvey and Vanessa Strowger. As well as the rolling fairways lined with heather and heath there is a friendly Scottish Welcome.
Mortlach Kirk
Mortlach Kirk – There has been a site of Christian worship at the Parish of Mortlach Church since AD 566 when a monastery was established by St Moluag on his arrival from Bangor in Ireland. The churchyard is also of great historical interest with a grave robbers watch house and ‘Battle Stone’. The Church has a lepers gallery entrance and inside there is a Pictish ‘Symbol Stone’.
Dufftown Heritage Centre
Dufftown Heritage Centre – Found on Conval Street this small museum with free entry tells the story of whisky production and has a number of artefacts such as illicit whisky equipment from the past.
http://www.whisky.dufftown.co.uk/whisky_museum.php
Speyside Way
Speyside Way - A beautiful long distance path which can be accessed in Dufftown. A short section runs from Dufftown to Craigellachie and Aberlour.
Local Dufftown Walks
Local Dufftown Walks - There is a network of paths and tracks in and around Dufftown which provide interesting walks relating to culture, history, wildlife, all with scenic views.
Village Amenities
- Shops - Co-op, Costcutter, Butcher, Baker, Whisky Shop Dufftown, Collectors Cabin, Rustic Roses Flower Shop
- Glassworks Coffee Shop
- Seven Stills - Historic Scottish Pub- Restaurant and Malt Whisky Bar
- Taste of Speyside Restaurant
- Royal British Legion
- Bowling Club
- Doctors Surgery
- Mortlach Memorial Hall for all kinds of Scottish Events
- Post Office some mornings
- Community Centre
- Library with free internet access
- Primary School
- Old Temperance Hotel!
