In 1888 the blended Scotch whisky industry began a 10 year increase in popularity.
The resultant effect was the expansion of the Malt Whisky industry, and an unprecedented period of productivity and wealth in the Speyside area.

At this time the nearby Cardhu distillery (a well respected maker of malt whisky) was bought over by Johnnie Walker's, the famous maker of Red and Black Label blended whiskys.

The owners of the Cardhu distillery were the Cumming family. John Cumming (right) left the family home on his marriage to Beatrice Kynoch in 1891. At the time of his mother's death in 1894 he was living near Craigellachie.

A few years later he built himself a massive house in the Scots baronial style, The Dowans, on the wooded hillside of that name, overlooking the Spey at Aberlour.
Here he was within half an hour's drive by horse and trap from his place of work, and a mile away from Aberlour station.

The hotel also spent some time as thePrincess Margaret Nursery School.