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Undiscovered Scotland Wikipedia Moray Holidays Tour of Keith InKeith Keith is the amalgamation of two towns - Keith and Fife Keith, the latter established by the Earl of Fife to rival "Old" Keith. Newmill is just outside Keith across the Railway and River Isla. Keith is at the junction of 2 of the main roads of Moray - the A95 Banff to Aviemore and the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness. Keith & WhiskyKeith has 3 active distilleries, including the recently re-opened Glen Keith. Of these only Strathisla (home of Chivas Regal) is open to the public - and unless you do more than scratch the surface, the focus is very much on the distillery being the home of Chivas Regal. Strathmill is the other in town distillery. The double pagodas and water wheel make Strathisla one of the most photographed of Scotland's distilleries.
To the west of Keith railway station there is an extensive Chivas warehouse complex Keith Bond 1; to the east Keith Bond 2 which is more to do with filling casks. Glentauchers and Aultmore are within 3 miles, but again are not open to the public. |
Keith's ancient history was recorded in the 19th century by Rev James Gordon in "The Book of the Chronicles of Keith, Grange, Ruthven, Cairney, and Botriphnie: Events, Places, and Persons". {It's hard work"}.
The Auld Brig was built in 1609 by Thomas Murray and Janet Lindsay, believed to be in memory of their son who was drowned crossing the ford that was there before. Next to the bridge is Campbells Hole - a large stone beneath which Campbells trying to escape from Jacobites in 1746 are said to have hidden. The Auld Brig was replaced with the Union Bridge in 1770, and widened in 1816 and 1912. James Gordon Bennett, New York press baron and father of "the" Gordon Bennett was born in Newmill and has a Paris Avenue named after him! Arriving & DepartingOpen Cycle Map Bing Map
Keith is not a great centre for cycle routes! None come near, the best you can do is look to keep to the minor roads - or use the railway: Nearest rail station is Keith (KEH) (half mile from town centre), a single platform station (trains on the single line have to pass in a loop just to the east of the station). Live train times. Keith Town station is as the name suggests nearer the town centre, but it now just serves the preserved Keith and Dufftown railway (which labels itself the Whisky Line). The current Keith station was originally known as Keith Junction. Though the track continues past Keith Town station to behind Strathisla DIstillery, there is still a gap of about quarter of a mile. SleepingAppin House B&B 15 Regent Street 01542 886508 Barlane B&B 66 Fife Street 01542 882651/07753 420050 @ Stayed in 2013, friendly, great accommodation, whisky glasses provided in room! Extractor fan for shower room can be turned off, complimentary comb, ground floor rooms, covered cycle storage. On the road to Dufftown. Fife Arms Hotel Regent Square 01542 882351 Grampian Hotel 5 Regent Square 01542 887342 @ Royal Hotel Church Road 01542 886978 @ Ugie House Hotel Church Road 01542 997671 @ Chapelhill Croft Farmhouse B&B Off B9018 01542 870302 @ I stayed there in 2011, and used it as a base for trips to Glenglassaugh and Knochdhu, as well as Strathisla. Friendly, great accommodation, excellent value for money - the only drawback is it is 5 miles from Keith, and the final part is up an unmade track - mountain bike recommended. See also InKeith Accomodation and Trip Advisor EatingUgie House Hotel Church Road 01542 997671
My first Haggis Pakora, I'll stick to Neeps 'n' Tatties in future, but the Salmon with Honey, Lime and Chilli glaze was excellent. See also InKeith and Trip Advisor DrinkingNone of the hotels/bars outwardly advertise real ale or malt whisky.
Ugie House Hotel Church Road 01542 997671 Smal range of malts (about 12), but was only £2.50 a shot (2013) including a 15yo Cask Strength (58.8%) Glenburgie (2007 bottling in Chivas CS range). CyclingNearest Bike shops - Elgin: (16 miles)
Bikes and Bowls 7 High Street, Elgin 01343 549656 Halfords Lossie Wynd N, Elgin 01343 552030 Charlie Millett Dufftown 01340 820991 Not a shop - has a page on the Dufftown.net website - provides repairs and spares - assisted Whisky Cyclist in 2014 when stranded in Craigellachie with a damaged tyre and a broken pedal in 2017. ShoppingTesco
Banking - RBS, BOS and Clydesdale all have branches in Mid Street Raining?? |
Photos on this page were taken by me. Click on photo to enlarge. Full size versions available at:
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