Charlestown of Aberlour is a village in Moray, Scotland, situated at the confluence of the Lour burn and the River Spey. It is also known as Aberlour, which is derived from the Gaelic word for ‘mouth of the noisy burn’. The village was founded by Charles Grant of Elchies in 1812, and named after his son Charles.
The village is famous for its whisky production, as it is home to the Aberlour Distillery, which was established in 1879 by James Fleming, a local banker and philanthropist. The distillery produces a range of single malt whiskies, using water from the nearby natural springs. Visitors can take a tour of the distillery and sample six of its whiskies, including the exclusive cask strength Aberlour whisky.
The village also hosts the annual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which celebrates the whisky culture and heritage of the region. The festival features over 500 events, including tastings, tours, music, art, and food. The festival attracts thousands of whisky enthusiasts from around the world, who come to enjoy the variety and quality of Speyside whiskies.
Besides whisky, the village also offers other attractions, such as the Speyside Cooperage, where visitors can learn about the craft of making whisky barrels, the River Spey, which is popular for fishing and kayaking, the Cairngorms National Park, which is a haven for wildlife and nature lovers, and Ben Rinnes, which is a prominent mountain that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Charlestown of Aberlour is a charming and historic village that has a lot to offer for visitors who are interested in whisky, nature, or culture. It is a great place to explore the beauty and diversity of Speyside, and to experience the spirit of Scotland. 🏴