Below is a selection of places to visit when you come to Macduff – If you have any questions, please drop us an email
The Whisky Trail/Distilleries
The Knowes Hotel is ideally situated to set off on the only malt whisky trail in the world which winds it’s way through the Spey Valley . The full tour can be found at www.maltwhiskytrail.com and this offers an excellent day out whether you choose to do the whole tour or just pick a couple of distilleries to visit.
If you are heading out on the whisky trail you could always take a detour to Elgin which has a wide variety of specialist shops as well as many of the major retailers. Elgin is home to Gordon & MacPhail, the World’s Leading Malt Whisky Specialist, offering more than 450 presentations of own-bottled single malts, aged from five to 60 years old, and a stock holding of more than 700 whiskies.
The company has been in business for over 110 years and has remained independent and family-owned throughout its history and is well worth a visit.
As an alternative , The Glen Garioch Distillery and visitor centre near Oldmeldrum does tours and includes a “wee dram” in the price of entry and is located approximately 40 minutes away on the main route to Aberdeen. www.glengarioch.com
Duff House
Duff House is a treasure house and cultural arts centre operated by a unique partnership of Historic Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council. Storytellers, musicians and artists are at home here and Duff House organises a regular artistic programme of exhibitions, music and lectures. www.duffhouse.org.uk
Macduff Aquarium
You can watch the divers feeding the fish in the deep, central kelp tank which is the only one of its kind in Britain. You can also enjoy hands on fun with Interactive exhibits and touch pools and there is the added bonus that your ticket is valid for the whole day.
Dolphin Watching
The Moray Firth is world renowned for its dolphins and porpoises and should you not be lucky enough to spot the dolphins from the comfort of the hotel you could always book a boat trip with a local company who will take you out into Banff Bay and beyond to search for dolphins and the vast array of other wildlife that can be found in the area.
Alternatively only a short drive away (approx 40 minutes) you could visit the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society visitor centre which is housed at an old salmon bothy and Ice House in Spey Bay at the mouth of the River Spey.( www.wdcs.org/wildlifecentre )
Golf in the North East
The north east of Scotland is a golfers paradise and there are over 60 courses within a 1 hour radius of Macduff, from Aberdeen in the south to Lossiemouth and Elgin in the west. Links courses or parkland courses, whatever your preference there is a huge choice of either and full listings can be found at www.golfscotland.info.
On our doorstep we have Royal Tarlair, situated just 1 mile from the hotel which is a par 71 cliff top course which boasts the dramatic “clivet” a par 3 which plays from the top of the cliffs to a green which is situated some 150 yards below and can play either a short iron or a long iron depending on the direction (and strength!!) of the wind. www.royaltarlair.co.uk
Just 1 mile from the hotel in the opposite direction is the Duff House Royal Golf Club, a parkland course which runs along the edge of the River Deveron and was famously redesigned by the world renowned course architect Dr Alistair Mackenzie (designer of Augusta, home of the “Masters”). The course not only has a well stocked golf shop and resident professional but offers all day catering during the summer months. www.theduffhouseroyalgolfclub.co.uk
We have discounted rates available at both courses, please contact us for further details.
WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER HALF PRICE GOLF AT A NUMBER OF COURSES FOR GROUPS OF 2 OR 4 PERSONS. Please contact us for further information
Myrus Driving Range
For those that like to practice before they venture out there is an excellent driving range at the top of the town which has 12 driving bays, a teaching area and a cafe. The centre also has an extensive range of Nike, Titleist and Taylormade golf equipment. www.myrusgolf.co.uk
Fishing
The River Deveron is only 1 mile from the hotel and offers daily and weekly fishing for the keen angler. Further information can be found at www.deveron.org