Speyside Cooperage

This is the heart of whisky country and as you drive through you will pass distillery after distillery. Basic to the whisky process, and what gives it a large part of its flavour and colour, are the barrels in which it is matured. Each year the Speyside Cooperage repairs about 100,000 oak casks which will be used by the various distilleries as well as for making furniture around the barrel theme.

Alongside the cooperage is a small coffee shop set in an old stone-built cottage. This in turn is in a grassy picnic area with young trees and huge beer barrels, at least 7 feet in diameter, which have been imported from Germany. They have been adapted to form little houses with tables and chairs to picnic in, so you avtually sit in the barrels, a very unusual yet attractive scene.

The coffee shop is spacious, clean, fresh and bright. The barrel theme continues here with both the tables and chairs being made from them, but do not worry, the seating is well cushioned! The tables depict the names of the various distilleries that use the barrels, Macallan, Glenfiddich, Aberlour etc. On the walls are some of the tools of the coopering trade. Outside is a lovely decked area, looking out towards the heather and tree clad hills beyond. Teas, coffees, bakes and various tastings are offered. Stag’s Breath Liqueur and Autumn Oak Leaf wine were offered when we were there.

Why should I go there?  Beautiful surroundings and a novel experience.

Any negatives?  The barrel type stools are very cute but I do like to have a back to my seat!

Before or After? 
1. View the exhibition and see how barrels are made.
2. Take a picnic and enjoy the all weather picnic facilities in those barrels.

  Coffee Shops and Tearooms Scotland Scottish Tearooms and Coffee Shops