Dufftown

At the heart of rural Moray, Dufftown has much to offer the visitor including a wide range of accommodation in and around the village and a number of excellent restaurants to savour quality local produce.

Known as Scotland's whisky capital, Dufftown has eight distilleries, including the world No 1 malt whisky, Glenfiddich, and its sister Balvenie, which are open to the public.

Dufftown is a vibrant centre throughout the tourist season with weekly events including Stramash (a gathering of musicians), whisky nosing and tastings, and a Ceilidh (an evening of traditional song and dance). The Highland Games on the last Saturday in July bring huge crowds to enjoy the massed pipe bands, and the town hosts two whisky festivals in the spring and autumn each year. It is also a great place to celebrate Hogmanay.

The town is steeped in history other than that associated with whisky. It was at Mortlach (now a part of Dufftown) that King Malcolm II defeated the Danes in 1010 in an epic battle. Other sites of historic interest are Mortlach Church, Balvenie and Auchindoun Castles, the Dufftown Clock Tower - once the location of the town jail - and the town's association with Lord Mountstephen, founder of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Sport and recreation are an essential part of a visit to the area and Dufftown caters for walkers, cyclists and golfers - Dufftown's 18-hole golf course features the highest hole in Scotland.