Need to carry food?
Before you set off on any long distance walk, it's better to do your homework and find out places where you can eat or buy supplies. If you are using a baggage company to carry your bag every day, then you can put food in your bag but this takes up space and also weight and most baggage companies have a weight limit per bag so avoid heavy and bulky items like tins and instead take things like packets of pasta or rice that are quick and easy to make. If you are carrying your own gear on this walk, you will want to know where there are shops along the way, or places to eat. I have listed a few that I used or passed when I walked the Speyside Way in October 2015.
Newtonmore
In Newtonmore there is a Spar shop in the garage and also a Co-op, these both open early and close late, there were also a few other smaller shops and cafe's on the main road that you will walk past as you start the Speyside Way.
Kingussie
The Speyside Way only passes through the start of Kingussie but if you head into the town a little further, there are a few shops including a Co-op and a Costcutter that are open until late plus a few little cafe's and a chip shop.
Kincraig
Kincraig is about 6 miles before Aviemore and a good place for a break. There is a shop in the Post Office that is open until 6PM Mon-Sat and until 1pm on a sunday, where you can get hot and cold drink or a snack and a bench outside to sit on.
Aviemore
Aviemore is a small town full of Outdoor equipment shops and many other shops, including a Co-op, a Spar and a small Tesco, so no shortage of places to stock up on food. There are also many takeaways in the town as well as cafe's and pubs.
Boat Of Garten
In Boat of Garten, you walk past a Post Office that is also a shop, serving hot and cold drinks and hot snacks etc. There are also benches outside to sit and have a break while eating them.
Nethy Bridge
There is a Spar shop in Nethy Bridge, just before the bridge which is open until 6PM every night. Nethy Bridge is a good place to have lunch, there are seats and benches by the river side with a toilet nearby.
Grantown On Spey
Grantown On Spey is a small town just off the Speyside Way path which might be where you choose to stop for a night and there are many different kinds of shops here, including a Co-op that's open until late as well as cafe's and many takeaways. Stock up here before leaving in the morning as there is no shop directly on the Speyside Way until Aberlour which is about 24 miles away.
Cromdale
There is a campsite at Cromdale House just before the old railway station and they have signs up to say they serve refreshments. This is only about 3 miles from Grantown On Spey however so you might just pass this by.
Ballindalloch
There is a small shop and Post Office at the petrol station in Ballindalloch but this is slightly off the main Speyside Way route. You do however pass it if you are doing the Tomintoul Spur option and it is open until about 4:30pm
Aberlour
In Aberlour, just a few yards from the Speyside Way, you will find a Co-op shope that opens later every night plus a couple of cafe's and a chip shop.
Craigellachie
There are a couple of pubs just yards from the Speyside Way but the main shop is in the Garage on the A941. To get to the shop, locate the Highlander Inn and you'll see a footpath beside the bus stop heading uphill, take that and this will bring you onto the road to the garage, and just keep walking uphill past the Distillery.
Fochabers
Fochabers is a small town that has a few cafe's and takeaway's and also a Co-op that closes late, slightly off the Speyside Way, plus a couple of pubs and Hotels if you are staying here the night.
Buckie
Buckie is a town that has many shops, cafe's and takeaway where you can grab something to eat after you complete the Speyside Way before heading home, or stocking up if you are starting the walk at Buckie.
