Introduction

This evening, my focus is on Craigellachie (pop.536). This is a fascinating village in the heart of the Speyside Scotch Whisky industry. The name Craigellachie was the battle cry of Clan Grant and translates as ‘crag of the rocky place’.

Below is an image of the famous Quaich Whisky Bar at the Craigellachie Hotel. Here can be found some 900 malt whiskies from around the world, some of which are extremely rare and expensive.

To my mind, Craigellachie is indelibly associated with the whisky industry. Nearby can be found a host of famous distilleries including Speyburn, Glen Grant, Caperdonich, Glenrothes, Glen Spey, Macallan, andCardhu. Others on the list are Knockando, Tamdhu, Aberlour, Dulluaine, Benrinnes, Glenallachie, Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Glenfarclas and Strathisla. Close by can also be found (and visited) the Speyside Cooperage which produces the oak casks in which whisky is matured for 3 years and upwards.

Other visitor attractions in the area include:

• Ballindalloch Castle
• Strathspey Steam Railway

For the fit there is the 80 mile Speyside Way hiking trail. Engineers might be interested in Thomas Telford’s iron bridge over the Spey which dates from 1812-15.

Visiting

The village is located about 58 miles N.W. of Aberdeen in the Scottish Highlands. Private motor transport is the best means of access.

More information

The publication Visitors’ Guide to Scotland has information on the Scotch whisky industry, the Scottish Highlands and a wide range of other information for the tourist. ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. Also available via Kindle.