The Speyside Way - When does it become a family tradition?

[J4MRU]

For the last three years we have visited Cragganmore to do this section of The Speyside Way and stayed in a lovely B&B for the weekend. When is this considered a family tradition??

On the Friday we tend to get together and just relax with a few drinks and a nice three course meal at the B&B. The chef (and owner) has awards for his food and I can see why....cracking! This time we went for a distillery tour next door at the Cragganmore Distillery.

Smoked Haddock, King Scallops and Leaf Spinach

Cragganmore Distillery

Saturday Morning we fuel up for the walk and jump in the cars and drive to Craigellachie where we start the trek back to Cragganmore (Ballindalloch station).

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The start of the walk is always quite fast paced and I tend to motor on until the arrival at Aberlour. I love this wee town, and have no idea why but I do! Not long after Aberlour we stop off JUST before Daluaine Halt and sit on the bridge for a cuppa coffee or a wee snack.

One of 3 or 4 churches in Aberlour.

The next place of note is Carron. The bridge of Carron is always a good place to stop for a photo and to have look over the bridge as its fairly high and there are stunning views onto the Hill of Carron that towers over this section of the River Spey. Carron is also the location of, in my opinion, the best looking distillery on this section of the The Speyside Way... I have not done other sections yet though. The Dalmunach Distillery is not open to visitors but from the road you can see the entrance below, the Hill of Carron behind it AND you can see the copper stills through the glass front of the main building.

View from The Bridge of Carron towards Hill of Carron.

The best looking distillery round these parts.

My wife and I - She looks more presentable, as usual.

Further along from Carron is where we normally stop for a spot of lunch, but this time we stopped for a little longer because the weather was nice, so we chilled out there for a bit at a park bench with a nice view over the river. It is located between Dalmunach (the place) and Millhaugh. This place is a bit of a novelty as there is an old car located in the stream behind the bench where you can scramble down to it and also go under the bridge down to the river front. Does anyone know the story behind this car? We always try and guess what kind of car it is but no-one is ever certain!

Again, a bit further along there are more distilleries and the chance to take in a small but steep spur. The spur, we didn't do this year, but last year we had a walk up the road (I was knackered getting there however!) to a wool mill/café type place. You can get a fine piece (or a cake to most of you) and a chance to relax in the gardens.

From this point, and it may be fatigue setting in, but I tend to find it a tad boring. From Blacksboat until you reach the bridge that spans over the Spey before Ballindalloch is a little mundane. Don't get me wrong, I still think the area is exceptionally pretty and there is lots to look at, but it's just not as appealing as the front part of our walk. Maybe doing it 'backwards' one year would be a better idea. Once you reach the bridge and the Cragganmore sign - you know it's nearly time to relax with a bevarage and enjoy another terrific meal at the B&B.

Cragganmore - Old Granary Halt at Ballindalloch.

The Cragganmore Bridge

Sunday, some of our party do the Glenlivet 10k. To me, this is crazy after a massive walk like this but maybe I'm jealous that I can't do it...Next year, I will do it... Or maybe not!

Some more photo's of the weekend.

This is the control tower at Tamdu halt.

Glenlivet Distillery

Dailuaine Halt

Blacksboat Halt

Fillet Steak - yummers.

Lemon Soufflé.