Page 252 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

250 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

6 WDCS Wildlife Centre The Honours of Scotland
Spey Bay, Moray; IV32 7PJ After Charles I was executed, the
Perched beside the unspoilt sands Scots crowned his son, Charles II,
of Spey Bay, the Whale and Dolphin at Scone Palace. Then in 1650 Oliver
Conservation Society Wildlife Centre Cromwell, (the anti-monarchist
(Apr–Oct: open daily; Mar & Nov: leader) ordered an invasion of
weekends; www.dolphincentre.whales. Scotland. To prevent him destroying
the country’s Crown Jewels –the
org) constantly monitors the water Honours of Scotland – they were
for dolphin activity. Visitors have a taken to Dunnottar Castle and later
good chance of spotting bottlenose to Kinneff Old Church, where they
dolphins here – especially with the lay under the floor for eight years.
help of the wildlife wardens. This Eventually they were taken to
area is also home to minke whales, Edinburgh Castle and hidden
again – too well, in fact, for every-
ospreys, otters and wildfowl. The staff one forgot where they were until
here offer informative talks, as well as Sir Walter Scott rediscovered them.
guided walks on the nature reserve.
ª Return to A96 and turn right, then
left on B9015 to Rothes. There, take 8 Dufftown
A941 south, passing the Glen Grant Keith, Banffshire; AB55
Distillery. Stay on A941 through Dufftown is popularly known as “the
Craigellachie and on to Speyside town that was built on seven stills”, a
Cooperage, with parking. reference to the distilleries that dot the
surrounding countryside. Founded in
Above Statue of an osprey outside the WDCS 7 Speyside Cooperage 1817, the so-called malt whisky capital
Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay Craigellachie, Banffshire; AB38 9RS of the world is a pleasant town with
Nearly all the casks in Scotland are an imposing central clock tower.
made at this family-run cooperage. Just outside Dufftown is the Keith
The Visitor Centre (open Mon–Fri; www. & Dufftown Railway (Easter–May & Sep:
speysidecooperage.co.uk) introduces this open weekends; Jun–Aug: open Fri–Sun;
VISITING DUFFTOWN
ancient industry, explaining how they www.keith-dufftown-railway.co.uk), run
Parking make the oak casks, and how sherry by volunteers, which makes a great
Park at the top of Balvenie Street and bourbon casks are repaired, and family expedition (a round trip lasts an
under the clock – although most then used to give distinctive flavours hour and a half). A restored diesel train
of Dufftown’s sights are outside
the village. to whiskies. Visitors can watch the chugs through stunning Highland
coopers and apprentices at work – it’s scenery, crossing the Fiddich Viaduct,
a four-year apprenticeship – using the passing distilleries and ruined castles,
WHERE TO STAY traditional tools of their trade. before reaching the market town of
There are also some good walks on Keith, home of the Strathisla Distillery.
AROUND SPEYSIDE COOPERAGE the Speyside Way from Craigellachie. Immediately south of the railway
Craigellachie Hotel expensive ª Turn right from the cooperage station stands the family-owned
Built in 1893, the Craigellachie Hotel onto A941. Before Dufftown, on the Glenfiddich Distillery (open daily;
offers country house accommodation left-hand side, is the Keith & Dufftown www.glenfiddich.com ), which has
on the River Spey, just north of the
Speyside Cooperage. It makes a good Railway, with parking. been producing single malt whisky
stop on the whisky trail, especially as
its Quaich Bar has over 700 whiskies to Below Looking out to sea from the WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay
choose from. It’s also handy for walks as
the Speyside Way runs beside the hotel.
The restaurant is worth visiting, too.
Craigellachie, Speyside, AB38 9SR; 01340
881 204; www.craigellachiehotel.co.uk
AROUND LEITH HALL
Castle Hotel moderate
Built in the 18th century as a home
for the Dukes of Gordon (powerful
Scottish nobles), the hotel is set in
quiet parkland and has comfortable,
traditionally furnished rooms. It’s a
delightful place for a relaxing break.
Huntly, Aberdeenshire, AB54 4SH
(follow driving instructions from
Dufftown to Leith Hall); 01466 792
696; www.castlehotel.uk.com
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150

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