Christmas in Speyside is a very beautiful time of year. It is all about good food, family, cozy fires, walks by the Spey ….and a wee dram to ring in the New Year.
Speyside has a great selection of hotels and restaurants which offer everything from formal Christmas Day Lunches to informal menus, whisky bars and pubs. Local foods such as pheasant, venison and partridge are highlighted along with the established Sticky Toffee pudding, Christmas puddings and local cheese plates.
Winter in Speyside is truly a favourite time of year. At Glenarder we enjoy holiday meals round our farmhouse kitchen table, Christmas Eve in front of the fireplace with a supply of Speyside Larder goodies and often Christmas Lunch at one of the local hotels.
There are many local events such as parties, Cèilidh’s, Holiday Markets and most small villages have an event to mark the official Lighting of the Christmas lights. Many hotels put on a special Christmas Day menu, most of all hospitality is flowing …as is the Christmas Spirit.
Find below some links which may be helpful when planning your Holidays and Festive Season. Happy Holidays from everyone at Glenarder.
Christmas Day Menus
ABERLOUR HOTEL, ABERLOUR – Christmas Menu and Christmas Lunch Menu
DOWANS HOTEL, ABERLOUR – Christmas Lunch
GORDON CASTLE, FOCHABERS – Christmas Tour of the beautiful castle and Christmas Menu, Winter Menu.
KNOCKAMIE, FORRES – Season Menu and Christmas Day Lunch
Many other hotels also offer Christmas menus and Christmas Day set menu’s however they are not well advertised so it would be best you contact the hotel directly. Here are our favourites, there are many more through Moray, please see the links at the bottom of the list for further information.
Archiestown Hotel, Archiestown. 10 mins. Phone for seasonal menus. Lunch and dinners. Excellent dining reputation. Reservations advised for dinner. Arrive early and enjoy a Christmas cocktail. Archiestown.co.uk
Rothes Station Hotel. Newly renovated, lovely and festive. Try the formal restaurant Pagodas, and also enjoy a cocktail or specialty Malt Whisky in the stunning whisky Bar, The Spirit Safe. Station Hotel, Rothes
The Mash Tun. Aberlour. Phone for seasonal menu, best make a reservation but try anyway. Excellent bistro pub food. The Mash Tun.
The Craigellachie Hotel. The Copper Dog. Lunch and dinners. Phone for seasonal menus. Highly recommended. Reservations strongly advised, particularly on the weekends. Music on Friday nights. The Cooper Dog
The Quaich Whisky Bar. Enjoy a festive dram or cocktail at the newly and beautifully renovated whisky bar. The Quaich
The Highlander Hotel. Restaurant and Whisky Bar. Lunch and dinners. Phone for seasonal and Christmas Day Menus. The Higlander Inn
HOLIDAYS AT HOME
Every one loves to spend time at home through the holidays, nothing can beat a festive family meal round the table or drinks round the fireplace. Aberlour and Rothes have a good supply of local stores catering to all your needs. Look for the butchers on the High Street, as well as bakers. There is a local cooparive grocery store for basic needs. For more information on grocers and nearby superstores see here local services.
*If you know you are going to be cooking at home be sure to place your butchers needs on order in advance. Both these butchers below are excellent!
David Brown Butcher, Aberlour. Tel0 44 (0)1340-87121
Tawse Craft Butcher, Rothes.
TOP TIP – Pick up seasonal foods and party food at Speyside Larder. Fantastic selection and you can’t beat the local atmosphere. Great for fireside suppers, party food and holiday lunches. Speyside Larder
HOGMANAY IN SPEYSIDE …or as the rest of world calls it …New Years Eve in Speyside. In days gone past Hogmanay was celebrated in Scotland before Christmas Day ever was incorporated into the Scottish Christian Calender. It remains Scotland’s favourite holiday and is celebrated with much singing, dancing and drinking. If you are lucky enough to participate in Hogmanay Cèilidh you will have a wonderful time in the truest of Scottish New Years traditions.
DOWANS HOTEL, Aberlour – Hogmanay Celebration
HOGMANAY IN DUFFTOWN – New Years Eves Events
More links you may find useful.
Visiting Local Malt Whisky distilleries through the holidays
See our Google Maps for lots more information on local services
Want to know the top ten places to eat in Moray?
Undiscovered Scotland – Restaurants in Moray
MORE MORAY FOOD
Luxury Scotland – Restaurant Guide
The Moblie Food Guide – Most popular in Scotland
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