Aberlour on the River Spey

Aberlour lies on the banks of the River Spey, and the A95 runs through the town, connecting Keith with Aviemore. When looking for a hotel in Aberlour, your interests can shape how you explore the town: the riverside landscape, walks, local history and a summer event offer different starting points for planning your trip.

By the River Spey and at the visitor centre

The Speyside Visitor Centre is located in part of Aberlour’s old railway station building. It overlooks Alice Littler Park and the River Spey and features visual and interactive exhibits. The centre combines views of the surrounding area with an exhibition inside the building. Together with Aberlour’s location by the river, it offers a concrete impression of how the landscape and visitor centre feature in the town.

Walks and trails

Woodland walks from Aberlour lead to Linn Falls; a short walk takes you to the Linn of Ruthrie, also known as Linn Falls, on the Aberlour Burn. The Speyside Way has a different defining feature: a significant section runs along a disused railway line. This distinguishes a named destination on the Aberlour Burn from a route that includes a section on a former railway track. If you are weighing up different types of walks for your trip, the waterfall and the route of the Speyside Way are the highlights here.

Local history and names

James Fleming began producing whisky at Aberlour Distillery in December 1880. The clock tower at Aberlour Parish Church was completed in 1840; scorch marks are still visible on the tower’s stones. A local name is also part of the town’s history: residents still refer to a bridge as “The Penny Brig”. These examples highlight different aspects—a whisky-making tradition, a visible detail on the tower and a name that has remained in local use.

Highland Games and local produce

The Aberlour Strathspey Highland Games take place every summer on the River Spey. The programme includes Highland dancing and massed pipe bands—that is, pipe band formations performing together. If the Games are important to your travel plans, check the date for the relevant year before booking. The summer event is a time-specific occasion; Walker’s Shortbread represents a different, longer-standing local tradition. It has been made in Aberlour since 1898 using an unchanged recipe.

Fishing on the River Spey

Fishing is another way to include the River Spey in your travel plans: the Aberlour Angling Association offers fishing opportunities on the river’s prime middle reaches. This adds another Spey-related activity to walks to Linn Falls and a visit to the Speyside Visitor Centre.

Discover more destinations: Knock, Keith, Dandalieth, Drumin, Lossiemouth, Findhorn, Dufftown, Portknockie

For the broader travel overview: Moray.