The Villages

There are a few towns and many villages and settlements in Speyside.  Each area has its own unique culture.  Take a look at what each village/town offers.

Aberlour Archiestown Carron Craigellachie Craigellachie Village Council Edinvillie

ABERLOUR - 14 miles from Elgin on the A941.  The attractive small town of Aberlour lies on the banks of the Spey and is noted as a salmon angling centre with several distilleries in the area and many places of interest.  Within the town's boundaries there is the Pack Horse Bridge, the Victoria Bridge, Alice Littler Park, Walker's Shortbread Factory, C A Gammack the Saddlers, quality clothes shops Country Cousins and JAJ Munro, the Old Pantry restaurant.  The pleasant surroundings hosts bowling, a modern children's play park, fishing, pony trekking, putting, riding, swimming, tennis and walks on the Speyside Way.  Or visit the The Spey Larder delicatessen which was formerly the Village Store.

ARCHIESTOWN  - West of Aberlour on the scenic Grantown Road, Archiestown village has Archiestown Hotel which dates from 1900, a well established Post Office, a caravan park and is an ideal location for people wishing to get away from the busyness of the towns.  There is an 18 foot high war memorial unveiled in 1920 by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon. BALLINDALLOCH - As well as having the Castle, Ballindalloch has a large estate for shooting and fishing as well as the Inveravon Kirk built in 1806, which is situated 6 miles south west of Aberlour and has some exquisite Pictish stones including the Peter stone with an eagle and 2 mirror symbols. CARRON/KNOCKANDO - These villages are situated west of Aberlour and the route takes in Cardhu Distillery and some wonderful scenes of the River Spey.  Self catering accommodation is available in Carron, or visit Kellas Shetland Pony Stud

CRAIGELLACHIE - 12 miles from Elgin on the A941.  Essentially Victorian in character, Craigellachie is a picturesque village build in terraces above the rivers Spey and Fiddich.  It offers cycling, fishing, tennis, walks and is a haven for country ramblers.  The "must see" attractions includes the Craigellachie Telford Bridge, Speyside Cooperage Visitors Centre, Macallan Distillery, The Craigellachie Hotel, Highlander Inn, Fiddochside Inn and the Green Hall Art Gallery.

DUFFTOWN - 16 miles from Elgin on A941.  In the heart of the Malt Whisky Trail, Dufftown is the home to the Glenfiddich Distillery, Balvenie Castle, Mortlach Old Church and Auchindoun Castle.  Close by there is The Loch Park adventure centre and The Grouse Inn on the Rhynie-Dufftown road which has a unique display of whiskies in the bar. No visit to Dufftown is complete without visiting the Clock Tower in the Square or going into The Whisky Shop.  The town offers bowling, fishing, golf, petanque, putting and walks. Have a look at the Dufftown 2000 site.

EDINVILLIE Situated South East of Aberlour, Edinvillie is at the bottom of Ben Rinnes.  It is a small but friendly village and home to less than 400 people, which again is an ideal location for fisherman and visitors requiring a peaceful time.   Milltown of Edinville, as it is correctly known is called so because the ruins of the old mill still stand by the Lour burn that runs through the village to the nearby River Spey.  ROTHES - 10 miles from Elgin on the A941.  Rothes is situated on the River Spey between Ben Aigen and Conerock Hill and was founded in 1766 as a crofting town.  Whisky took effect in the town when the Glen Grant Distillery was established in the 19th Century.  Glen Grant has a welcoming Visitor Centre and a unique Victorian Garden.  Rothes Castle is an ancient stronghold of the Leslie family who occupied the castle until 1620.  Unfortunately the castle was burned down by locals to prevent it becoming a refuge for thieves and now only one wall remains of the 11th century castle.  Rothes has the Ben Aigen Hotel, the Seafield Hotel, the Glen Rothes Hotel and Rothes Parish Church and has considerable support for its own community Newspaper, "The Rothesian" and is compiled in Rothes by the people of Rothes.  The town offers bowling indoor and outdoor, children's play area, fishing, golf, pony trekking, tennis and walks. LOCAL FACILITIES IN SPEYSIDE Fleming Cottage Hospital, Queen's Road, Aberlour 01340 871464 Health Centre, Aberlour 01340 871210 Rothes Police Station Tel 01340 831341 Dufftown Police Station Tel 01340 820222 Note that some shops have half day closing on Wednesdays.

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