The Dell at Glenlivet

If you’ve come across the name Glenlivet before, it’s probably because of the whisky – and that comes from the distillery about five minutes’ drive away. There are various tours and tastings on offer here, or you can just stop in for a dram or cocktail in the cosy bar. If you’re really into your whisky, you can also drop in on several other Speyside distilleries around the area. Want to work up a thirst for your tipple? Take your mountain bike to the downhill trails at Bike Glenlivet (10 minutes’ drive), play a round at Ballindalloch Castle Golf Course (15 minutes) or sign up for watersports and other adventures at Cairngorms Activities (half an hour). There are plenty of walking trails around too, and in winter it’s a 25-minute drive to Lecht Ski Centre. Looking a little further afield, you could visit the estate the late Queen Elizabeth II was so fond of at Balmoral Castle (an hour), go birdwatching at RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre (40 minutes) or head north to hit the coast at Lossiemouth (an hour).