Though Speyside, the valley occupied by the river Spey north of Aviemore, is pleasant enough, it is known to most people for only one thing: whisky.

So perfect are the conditions here for the drink that over forty distilleries operate, with a good number of them opening their doors to visitors. If visiting them is to be a big part of your trip, be sure to investigate The Whisky Trail, a website devoted to getting the most out of this experience.

Otherwise, unless you are here for Speyfest, a late-summer folkfest, you can be forgiven for passing through Speyside fairly quickly en-route to the more beautiful Moray Coast, or the more spectacular Cairngorms National Park – at the northern and southern end of the river respectively.