Dufftown Loop 2026

The twelve plus miles of the Dufftown Loop began through old forests along the abandoned railway line that originally served the whisky producers in Dufftown. Despite the climb, it was a cold morning walk before we reached the extensive buildings of Glenfiddich and Balvenie Distilleries. Although we wandered through the visitor centers, we were not inclined to purchase any of their products, certainly not those 60-year-old single-malts priced over 3000 English pounds.

Old Glenfiddich Distillery Buildings

Dufftown has maintained a very traditional appearance. Flowers decorate parks and houses. The town center holds an attractive clock tower and a combination bookstore and cafe where Michael fortified himself with hot chocolate and I contended with sweat from the walk and chills from the air.

Outside the town we took farm roads and tracks up and over a thousand-foot ridge through modern forestry. We experienced our first return to Scottish mountain scenery amid heather and gorse.

Then the route descended steeply to Charlestown of Arberlour and a return along the River Spey to the Craigellachie Hotel for a reviving hot shower and dry clothes.