The Glenlivet Smugglers’ Trails

In August 2007 The Crown Estate and the Glenlivet Distillery in Speyside launched three historic walks in the beautiful surroundings of the Glenlivet valley to give visitors a flavour of its illicit whisky smuggling past.

The Trails

George Smith Smugglers Trail

Following the River Livet to Drumin Castle

Distance: 6km

Route: Easy walking

George Smith battled against formidable odds to produce his whisky. In addition to the hostile climate and terrain, he had to fight off the unreformed whisky smugglers whose illegal livelihood his new distillery undermined. There were numerous threats against his life and he was forced to carry pistols for protection.

Starting at The Glenlivet Distillery, the trail follows the River Livet (“Smooth-flowing One”) to the remains of Drumin Castle, built in the 14th century by the Earl of Buchan, the notorious 'Wolf of Badenoch'. The route also passes the former home of George Smith, whose knowledge of the glen and its natural whisky-making resources was unrivalled.

Robbie MacPherson Smugglers Trail

Leading to Carn Daimh via the old Glenlivet distillery

Distance: 11km

Route: Challenging in places

The trail from The Glenlivet Distillery leads past the natural underground spring of Josie’s Well, out of which bubbles hourly 16,000 litres (3,500 gallons) of priceless, pure, ice-cold water for making the whisky. The route continues to the site of George Smith’s original distillery in Upper Drumin, before taking in Carn Daimh (summit 570m) and the 16th-century Blairfindy Castle.

This was all familiar territory to one of Glenlivet’s most renowned whisky smugglers, Robbie MacPherson. During the longer winter months, MacPherson would store his illicit whisky in camouflaged pits dug in the hillside. When the snows thawed the more mature, smoother spirit would be ready for transportation out of the glen.

Malcolm Gillespie Smugglers Trail

Starting at East Auchavaich car park and circuiting the Braes of Glenlivet

Distance: 10.5km

Route: For serious walkers only

As enforcers of a despised law excisemen (or gaugers, as they were called) had few friends among the outlaw community. One officer who commanded respect, however, was Malcolm Gillespie. Fearless and relentless in his pursuit of smugglers, he bore the scars of no less than 42 wounds sustained in the course of duty.

The Braes of Glenlivet embrace the wildest and most isolated parts of the glen. For many smugglers it was a safe haven, since it was the least accessible to excisemen. The trail from East Auchavaich passes through a ruggedly beautiful landscape, habitat to red and roe deer, the mountain hare, curlew, snipe, red and black grouse, among others.

Contact

For further information about the trails, please contact:

The Crown Estate
Main Street
Tomintoul
Banffshire
AB37 9EX

telephone 01479 870 070