A "Dramble" Through the Woods

The River Spey

Picturesque villages with equally charming names like Craigellachie and Knockando dot the Speyside Whisky Trail and each comes up with events to contribute to the annual whisky festival. We stayed in Grantown-on-Spey and joined several dozen locals and tourists for a Friday night dramble: a two-mile walk through the woods bordering the iconic River Spey with multiple stops to hear “kilted heroes” spin tales of witches, harlots, and murders and to quaff drams of aged whisky paired with artisanal chocolates. Everyone was in good spirits (and well-oiled by spirits) and it was a perfect opportunity to chat with local folk about the landscape and living in this quiet northeastern corner of Scotland. Watching the sun go down over the river with a shot of fine whisky and in lively company was an incomparable experience….something that should be replicated back home.