Speyside Way
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The Speyside Way is a long-distance footpath that follows the River Spey through some of Morayshire's most beautiful scenery. It is one of 4 Long Distance Routes in Scotland. It begins in Aviemore and ends in Buckie, some 65 miles away. There are spurs leading off the main route to Tomintoul and Dufftown, bringing the total distance up to 84 miles (135 kilometres).
The Way is clearly marked with a symbol showing a thistle in a hexagon. For the most part the route follows the banks of the River Spey, passing many of the distilleries that produce Speyside single malts. The final five miles from Spey Bay to Buckie follow the coastline.
An extension of the route from Aviemore to Newtonmore is currently being discussed. This extension would lenghten the total route by 34.8km, roughly following the route of the River Spey and utilising part of the Sustrans cycle route.
Scottish Natural Heritage will take the final proposition to the Scottish Ministers, but it is looking increasingly likely that not all landowners will be in agreement with their suggestions. If instructed by the Scottish Ministers, the Cairngorms National Park Authority can implement the route against landowners' wishes under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. Negotiations are still underway to attempt to avoid this situation.
