The vibe:
Cosy 19th-century Speyside inn with an iconic whisky bar, five themed bedrooms above, and the complete Glenfarclas Family Cask Collection (1952-2003) on offer by the dram. The Mash Tun offers great food, a warm Moray welcome, and one of the best whisky-traveller bases in Scotland.
Welcome to The Mash Tun, Aberlour
In the heart of Speyside sits the pretty village of Aberlour and the iconic Mash Tun: a riverside inn and whisky bar.
Whether you’re visiting Speyside for distillery tours, walking the Speyside Way, practising your Spey cast in the hope of landing a salmon, or just here for the whisky bar’s extraordinary collection, the Mash Tun offers great food, a warm Moray welcome and stylish accommodation in the heart of the village.
We spent a fabulous weekend on the River Spey at The Mash Tun. Here’s our review.
Welcome to Speyside
Speyside (or Strathspey) sits at the heart of Morayshire, stretching from the Cairngorms National Park in the south to the dramatic coastline of the Moray Firth in the north.
Centred around the River Spey, this is famously whisky and fishing country. Visitors come to sample whisky from the 50+ Speyside distilleries or to fly-fish on the famous Spey beats, where anglers from all over the world come to fish for wild Atlantic salmon.
In the centre of Speyside is the pretty village of Aberlour (full name: Charlestown of Aberlour). If you’re looking for a base to discover the delights of Speyside, Aberlour is the perfect spot.
Sitting on the banks of the mighty River Spey at the junction of one of its tributaries, the Lour Burn, Aberlour is home to three of the most famous Speyside distilleries (Aberlour, Macallan and GlenAllachie) and is located on the Speyside Way, the 85-mile walking and cycling route from Buckie to Aviemore.
If you’re looking for the perfect Speyside and Aberlour accommodation, look no further than The Mash Tun.
A bit of Mash Tun history
Built in 1896 by James Campbell, a sea captain, The Mash Tun was originally designed to look like a ship. You can still see his initials above the door.
Previously the Aberlour Station Bar, the inn once served passengers travelling on the Strathspey Railway. The bar only changed its name to the Mash Tun in 1965 with the closure of the railway.
If you squint, the new name suits the place. The round frontage looks like the actual mash tuns used in the whisky-making process. A previous owner, fuelled by nostalgia, once pledged to restore the pub to its original name if trains ever pulled into Aberlour again. The trains haven’t returned, but you can now enjoy the bar’s whiskies on the old station platform overlooking the River Spey.
Stay at the Mash Tun, Aberlour
The Mash Tun has 5 en-suite luxury bedrooms with views of the Spey, plus a lodge (the Stalla Dhu) which sleeps up to eight. All rooms have been recently and stylishly refurbished.
Our room for our weekend in Speyside was The Glenlivet, a top-floor en-suite room overlooking the River Spey. Cosy and comfortable, with immaculate decor including a wrought-iron double bed, heavy quilts and muted colours.
The en-suite was more dramatic, with gorgeous peacock wallpaper and an indulgent roll-top bath with a private view of the village church tower. In the middle of a January storm we were well protected from the winds sweeping up the Spey outside.
The five rooms at the Mash Tun are all whisky-themed:
- The Macallan: twin room, looks toward Easter Elchies House (the original home of Macallan)
- The Glenlivet: top-floor en-suite with the roll-top bath and Spey views
- The Glenfiddich: romantic four-poster, en-suite shower
- The Glenfarclas: romantic four-poster, en-suite shower
- The Aberlour: family room with double bed and a lounge with double bed settee
If you’re travelling as a group, the four rooms in the Stalla Dhu lodge can be booked individually or together.
The whisky bar at The Mash Tun
Downstairs is the hotel’s iconic whisky bar and restaurant. With well over a hundred Speyside (and beyond) whiskies on offer, the bar is also home to the only complete collection of the Glenfarclas Family Casks: 52 single-cask whiskies, one for each consecutive year from 1952 to 2003. Each whisky is available to drink by the dram.
This is one of the most special whisky experiences you can have in Scotland. The Glenfarclas Family Casks are released annually by the Grant family who own Glenfarclas, and complete sets exist only in a handful of places worldwide. The Mash Tun is the place to drink them.
There’s also a well-put-together wine list, cocktail menu, and a cigar menu for those inclined towards an after-dinner constitutional. The Mash Tun has a small but well-stocked whisky shop (with a selection of rare and modern single malts) and a separate cigar shop with both Cuban and New World cigars. Outside there’s a cigar terrace and cigar pavilion for rainy Scottish days.
Food at The Mash Tun
The Mash Tun offers proper Scottish pub food with quick, friendly service and big portions. The menu spans the traditional (local Lossiemouth haddock and chips, Highland rib-eye steaks, burgers) and the more modern (crab and king prawn linguine, duck cassoulet with chicken, bacon and white bean). They also put on a simply stupendous Sunday roast.
The Mash Tun offers up gloriously tasty and good value food (huge portions!) with quick and really friendly service. Booking ahead is essential, especially during the Spirit of Speyside Festival (May).
Things to do in Aberlour and Speyside
If you can drag yourself away from the Glenfarclas Family Casks, the whole of Speyside and Morayshire is on your doorstep. Here are my favourite things to do nearby:
Hike the River Spey along the Speyside Way
Aberlour is on the Craigellachie to Ballindalloch section of the Speyside Way. The stroll along the river between Aberlour and the neighbouring village of Craigellachie takes around 30 minutes. You can also walk further to Dufftown for the Glenfiddich Distillery. Walk the Speyside Way.
Visit an Aberlour whisky distillery
Over half of Scotland’s whisky distilleries can be found in Speyside, and whisky from the River Spey is renowned for its sweet, accessible style, perfect for beginners.
Within a 10-20 minute drive from The Mash Tun, you can visit:
- Aberlour Distillery, in the village, with a new visitor centre opened 2024
- The Macallan, the spectacular £140m visitor experience at Easter Elchies
- Glenfiddich and Balvenie, in Dufftown
- Glenallachie, a 15-minute stroll from The Mash Tun
- Glenfarclas, my favourite, just down the road
- The Glenlivet, a short drive south
Visit the Speyside Cooperage
Watch traditional whisky barrel-making at the Speyside Cooperage, where the tour is one of the highlights of any Speyside trip.
Explore the Glenlivet Estate
Walk the Glenlivet Circular Trail through the Glenlivet Estate, a moderate walk past historic sites, heather-clad hills and the tranquil waters of Lochan Mor. For something different, explore the estate by argocat with Glenlivet Hill Trek.
Visit the home of Shortbread
Aberlour is home to Walker’s Shortbread. You can visit the original Walker’s bakery shop in the village and the factory. Try the salted caramel: my favourite.
Photograph Craigellachie Bridge
Take a stroll across the historic Craigellachie Bridge, an iconic landmark spanning the River Spey, designed by Thomas Telford in the 19th century.
Walk to Linn Falls
The stroll up the Aberlour Burn to the pretty Linn Falls (Linn of Ruthrie) is a 1-hour walk from the village, past the Aberlour Distillery.
Head further afield
Visit the Moray Firth villages of Cullen, Gardenstown and Crovie, some of the prettiest coastal villages in Scotland.
For more ideas, see my things to do in Speyside that aren’t just whisky and my complete guide to Speyside whisky.
The Mash Tun, Aberlour: frequently asked questions
Where is The Mash Tun, Aberlour?
The Mash Tun is in the centre of Aberlour, a village in Moray on the banks of the River Spey. It sits at the heart of Speyside whisky country, with three major distilleries (Aberlour, The Macallan, GlenAllachie) within a 5-minute drive and another 8-10 within a 20-minute drive.
How many rooms does The Mash Tun have?
The Mash Tun has 5 themed en-suite bedrooms above the bar, each named after a Speyside distillery: The Macallan, The Glenlivet, The Glenfiddich, The Glenfarclas and The Aberlour. There’s also the Stalla Dhu lodge nearby, which sleeps up to 8 and can be booked individually or as a group.
What is the Glenfarclas Family Cask Collection?
The Glenfarclas Family Casks is a series of 52 single-cask whiskies bottled by the Grant family who own Glenfarclas, one for each consecutive year from 1952 to 2003. The complete set exists in only a handful of places worldwide, and The Mash Tun is the only place where you can taste them by the dram. It’s a serious whisky pilgrimage destination.
Does The Mash Tun do food?
Yes. The downstairs bar and restaurant serves Scottish pub food, from local Lossiemouth haddock and chips and Highland rib-eye steaks to more modern dishes like crab and king prawn linguine and duck cassoulet. The Sunday roast is particularly excellent. Book ahead, especially during the Spirit of Speyside Festival.
Is The Mash Tun good for whisky lovers?
Yes. It’s one of the best whisky-traveller bases in Scotland. Over 100 single malts on the bar, the complete Glenfarclas Family Cask Collection by the dram, an on-site whisky shop with rare bottlings, and walking distance to Aberlour Distillery. Plus 10+ major Speyside distilleries within a 20-minute drive.
When is the best time to stay at The Mash Tun?
Late April/early May for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (book a year ahead). May-September for the longest days and best Speyside walking weather. November-February for cosy whisky-and-fire stays at lower rates. The Mash Tun stays busy year-round with the whisky crowd.
Where else can I stay in Speyside?
Within Aberlour: The Dowans Hotel (boutique Victorian mansion with “The Still” whisky room), The Aberlour Hotel. Nearby in Craigellachie: The Craigellachie Hotel (the iconic whisky hotel with the Quaich Bar’s 700+ malts). In Rothes: The Station Hotel (refurbished 2016, 500+ whiskies in the Spirit Safe bar). For a full breakdown, see my Speyside whisky guide.
Slàinte mhath!
Ready to book your trip to The Mash Tun, Aberlour?
Love from Scotland x
We were invited to stay at The Mash Tun.
