2 days
Deeside, and the linn
Ballater or Braemar for the bed, the Linn of Dee, and Royal Lochnagar at Crathie.
Sleep in Ballater or Braemar. Crathie and the linn share a valley, and very little else.
Day one. Linn of Dee, west of Braemar. A short circuit where the river runs through a rock slot. The car park is the National Trust’s, not the distillery’s. Come back down the valley for the night. No tasting on the way home.
Day two. Royal Lochnagar at Crathie, beside Balmoral. Book it, especially when the castle is busy. Then the valley can have you back.
The linn is the Braemar end. The distillery is down at Crathie. Lovely neighbours. Terrible housemates for a single afternoon.