Dufftown in Scotland is considered the malt whisky capital of the world and a nature lovers’ dream holiday destination. They say that Rome was built on seven hills, but Dufftown has been built on seven stills, welcoming whisky connoisseurs from all over the world to sample their fine blends and see the things to do in Dufftown.
Located in the heart of Moray on the banks of Dullan Water and at the foot of Conval Hills, Dufftown is an excellent place to stop off for a few days before checking out the Scottish Highlands. The town is relatively small, having a population of about 1600 people, so it’s practically made for exploring on foot!
Things to do in Dufftown
Dufftown is no stranger to whisky, and neither are those who come to visit the many distilleries hidden in the town centre.
Distillery tours aside, there are many more incredible attractions for you to see while exploring Dufftown and the surrounding area. The region has beautiful castles, quirky attractions, and cultural highlights!
Don’t fret about what you should or should not be putting on your to-do list, and read our guide for the top things to do in Dufftown!
Tour Dufftown’s Distilleries
You can’t speak about the whisky capital of the world without mentioning the excellent selection of distilleries that are on offer in Dufftown!
It’s best to set aside a day or two and make a proper tour of all of Dufftown’s distilleries and make it an experience that you won’t soon forget. Here are some of our favourites for you to visit!
Glenfiddich Distillery
In the heart of the Valley of the Deer sits one of the last independent whisky distilleries in Scotland – Glenfiddich Distillery!
Expert guides take you through this spectacular distillery with its copper tuns and stone-walled warehouse. A taste of the excellent Glenfiddich whisky will undoubtedly have you coming back for more.
Balvenie Distillery
If you want a single malt filled with character, then visitors to Balvenie will be delighted!
The intimate whisky tasting experience at Balvenie Distillery is one of the finest activities you can enjoy in Dufftown. It comes at the end of an in-depth 2.5-hour distillery tour covering the complete whisky creation process!
Dufftown Railway
Hop aboard this heritage railway and see the countryside of Moray, Scotland, in a way you never have before!
The Dufftown Railway takes you from Dufftown to Keith and is filled with spectacular scenery; pass through gorgeous fields of barley and dense pinewoods along the nearby River Fiddich.
Catch an early afternoon train, and you’ll be treated to a lovely selection of tasty biscuits and liquor too!
Dufftown Whisky Museum & Heritage Centre
If you want a deeper look into the history of whisky, from the days of whisky smugglers and the local distillers, then come to the Dufftown Whisky Museum.
While tasting some fine examples of Dufftown whisky, learn from expert guides about the region’s history and how malt whisky grew so prevalent in this beautiful location.
The Giant’s Chair
The magical Giant’s Chair is one of the fascinating natural trails you can experience while in Dufftown.
You can make a whole day out of seeing natural attractions like Giant’s Cradle, Dufftown Fairy Village, and the gorge known as Giant’s Chair. It’s an excellent loop trail that lets you see the stunning Scotland countryside.
Dufftown Clock Tower
The Dufftown Clock Tower is in the heart of the town and is a great attraction to spot while you search the town.
The building has an informative series of plagues and texts that give you an in-depth history of the Clock Tower and Dufftown. There used to be a tourist information centre, but it’s since moved.
This Clock tower is well worth the visit, so come along and grab some pictures next time you’re in town.
Dufftown Golf Club
Make sure to take some time to enjoy the lovely Dufftown Golf Club, with exemplary views of Speyside.
In the heart of single malt whisky country, taking on the fantastic 18-hole golf course situated in Dufftown is a great way to practise your game on holiday while soaking in unparalleled views of Scotland.
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
Dufftown hosts one of the most fantastic whisky festivals in the country, usually occurring at the end of April each year.
Here, visitors can spend a few days meeting the makers of the region’s best drafts and brews, emphasising tastings and learning about the shops and services that make up the art of distilling.
This is all accompanied by the sounds of live music, trained dancers from the Dufftown public school, talks at the leisure centre, and great food!
Mortlach Parish Church
This ancient historic site is just south of Dufftown and makes for an excellent way to peer into the religious stories of Dufftown.
The Parish Church, which also served as a parish school, is usually locked, but its graveyard and ancient structure are yours to explore!
It has a beautiful set of stained glass windows and exemplary architecture that genuinely makes it a joy to see, so take some time to visit this attraction.
Other Things To Do in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire & Moray
- Things to do in Aberdeen
- Things to do in Aberlour
- Things to do in Ballater
- Things to do in Banchory
- Things to do in Braemar
- Things to do in Elgin
- Things to do in Inverurie
- Things to do in Keith
- Things to do in Peterhead
- Things to do in Royal Deeside
- Things to do in Stonehaven
