Whisky Guide > Distillery Profiles > Dailuaine Distillery

The Speyside Line

At the turn of the 19th century, most towns and villages in Speyside were connected by rail. In 1863 the line known as the Speyside Line started its journey north from Boat of Garten to Craigellachie. The line was operated by Great North of Scotland Railways and passenger services started in 1866.

As well as transporting passengers, the railway was the lifeline of the distilleries in the Spey Valley. Steam engines brought in the supplies vital to the distillery - fuel, barley, etc before taking away the full casks.

There were halts at Cardow (Cardhu), Tamdhu, Imperial and Knockando. In 1934 a halt was opened at Dailuaine linking it to Carron Station. A steam "puggie" which served the distillery has been restored and is preserved at Aberfeldy Distillery.

The Speyside Line was closed in 1967 as part of the infamous Dr Beeching review of the rail system. However the railway track now forms part of the Speyside Way, a walk that starts at Spey Bay on the Moray Coast and ends at the edge of the Cairngorm Mountains at Aviemore.

The walk also diverts to Dufftown and Tomintoul to take in more of the famous Speyside distilleries.