Aberlour

Aberlour is a Town in the Speyside area of the Highlands in Scotland, 36 miles northeast of Aviemore, 57 miles northwest of Aberdeen.

Aberlour is popular for the Aberlour Distillery visits, Walkers Shortbread Factory with a Shop, the Speyside Cooperage with a Visitor Centre 2 miles northeast, and a number of Walks in the Area, including the Speyside Way.

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Camping & Touring Parks in area

The image top is of the Aberlour Single Malt Whisky Distillery at the southwest entrance to Aberlour. This Distillery was built in 1879 for James Fleming, now with a Shop and Tours can be taken.

The second image is of the Old Parish Church, across the road from the Distillery. The date when this Church was built is unknown, 1700s or before.

A few hundred yards north of the Distillery is Aberlour centre with a Square.

Aberlour Parish Church is at the the Square, built in 1812 to replace the Old Parish Church.

In front of the Parish Church is the Aberlour War Memorial, erected in 1921, designed to look like an ancient Market Cross.

The Mash Tun is a popular Bar Diner down past the Church.

The Kids Play and large Park are next to the Mash Tun. There is also a Suspension Bridge across the River Spey for Walks.

Overlooking the Park is the Old Railway Station, now used as the Speyside Way Visitor Centre and Cafe. This Station opened in 1863, closing after the last Train on this line ran in 1971.

Walkers Shortbread is at the north end of Aberlour, with a Shop selling all their produce.

The Speyside Cooperage is 2 miles northeast, a Top Attraction in the area showing how Barrels are built for the many Whisky Distilleries in the area.

There are also 3 other Distilleries close by that can be visited, Macallan, Glenfiddich, and Glen Grant, with many more in the area. Distillery List.

Aberlour History

900s - a settlement evolved in the area of the Old Parish Church, on the southwest end of Aberlour today, across the road from the Aberlour Distillery, with the first place of worship dedicated to St Drostan.

1600s - an old Packhorse Bridge was built over the Lour Burn at the Old Church.

1745 - the Jacobite's crossed the River Spey at Aberlour on their way to Culloden.

1812 - the earliest parts of the Town seen today, were built for Charles Grant of Wester Elchies Estate, as Charlestown of Aberlour. The Town is now known as just Aberlour.

1814 - the Town was granted its Feu Charter, allowing Markets to be held. Illegal Whisky Distilling was prominent in the area at that time.

1814 - the Craigellachie Bridge was completed over the River Spey 2 miles north of Aberlour, a Cast Iron Bridge designed by Thomas Telford.

1823 - the Excise Act was passed, allowing many of the Distilleries to begin legal production, as long as they paid Taxes. The ones that refused to pay Taxes, were hunted down by Excise Men.

The Aberlour Distillery began operating in 1879, Macallan 3 miles north in 1824, Glen Grant 5 miles north in 1840, and Glenfiddich 4 miles northeast in 1886.

Other Distilleries in the area without Visitor Centre's are: Balvenie, Dalmunach, Dewars, Dufftown, Glenrothes, Glendullan, Glen Spey, Kininvie, and Mortlach.

1858 - Aberlour House was built for Alexander Grant, who made his fortune through Slaves and Plantations.

1863 - the Railway reached Aberlour, running between Boat of Garten and Dufftown, calling at Nethy Bridge, Broomhill, Grantown on Spey, Ballindalloch, Aberlour, and Craigellachie.

1875 - Aberlour Orphanage was founded by Margaret Macpherson Grant, and the Minister Charles Jupp. Margaret had inherited Aberlour House.

The Orphanage Tower can be viewed at Tower Place by the High School, with Information and a Statue of a girl.

1898 - Walkers Shortbread began being made here by the 21 year old Joseph Walker, soon becoming popular around the world.

1905 - Aberlour Golf Club opened, closing in the late 1930s.

1940s - Aberlour House was used by the Military during World War Two.

1947 - Aberlour House was converted to serve as the Aberlour House School, a preparatory School for Gordonstoun, 20 miles north, where Prince Charles was educated, claimed to be like a Punnishment Camp for Rich Kids, founded by the German named Kurt Hahn.

1971 - the last Train ran on the 30 mile long Line between Boat of Garten and Craigellachie. Some of the Stations are now used for Tourist related Attractions.

1972 - the Craigellachie Bridge was closed to Traffic after a new Bridge was completed 100 yards east. The Old Bridge is now used for Walking and Biking.

2004 - Walkers Shortbread took over Aberlour House to serve as their Offices.