diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index 4a87854bf4..bd9edc4740 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ defaults:
     shell: bash
 
 env:
-  BITCOIN_VERSION: "23.0"
+  BITCOIN_VERSION: "26"
 
   # If you change this value, please change it in the following files as well:
   # /.travis.yml
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ jobs:
           key-prefix: unit-test
 
       - name: install bitcoind
-        run: ./scripts/install_bitcoind.sh
+        run: ./scripts/install_bitcoind.sh $BITCOIN_VERSION
 
       - name: run ${{ matrix.unit_type }}
         run: make log="stdlog debug" ${{ matrix.unit_type }}
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ jobs:
           key-prefix: integration-test
 
       - name: install bitcoind
-        run: ./scripts/install_bitcoind.sh
+        run: ./scripts/install_bitcoind.sh $BITCOIN_VERSION
 
       - name: run ${{ matrix.name }}
         run: make itest-parallel ${{ matrix.args }}
@@ -328,6 +328,44 @@ jobs:
           path: logs-itest-windows.zip
           retention-days: 5
 
+  ########################
+  # run macOS integration test
+  ########################
+  macos-integration-test:
+    name: run macOS itest
+    runs-on: macos-14
+    if: '!contains(github.event.pull_request.labels.*.name, ''no-itest'')'
+    steps:
+      - name: git checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v3
+
+      - name: setup go ${{ env.GO_VERSION }}
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-go
+        with:
+          go-version: '${{ env.GO_VERSION }}'
+          key-prefix: integration-test
+
+      - name: install bitcoind
+        run: |
+          wget https://bitcoincore.org/bin/bitcoin-core-${BITCOIN_VERSION}.0/bitcoin-${BITCOIN_VERSION}.0-arm64-apple-darwin.tar.gz
+          tar zxvf bitcoin-${BITCOIN_VERSION}.0-arm64-apple-darwin.tar.gz
+          mv bitcoin-${BITCOIN_VERSION}.0 /tmp/bitcoin
+
+      - name: run itest
+        run: PATH=$PATH:/tmp/bitcoin/bin make itest-parallel backend=bitcoind
+
+      - name: Zip log files on failure
+        if: ${{ failure() }}
+        timeout-minutes: 5 # timeout after 5 minute
+        run: 7z a logs-itest-macos.zip itest/**/*.log
+
+      - name: Upload log files on failure
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v3
+        if: ${{ failure() }}
+        with:
+          name: logs-itest-macos
+          path: logs-itest-macos.zip
+          retention-days: 5
 
   ########################
   # check pinned dependencies
diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index 1d44fe7a68..0000000000
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,46 +0,0 @@
-language: go
-cache:
-  directories:
-    - $GOCACHE
-    - $GOPATH/pkg/mod
-    - $GOPATH/src/github.com/btcsuite
-    - $GOPATH/src/github.com/golang
-    - $GOPATH/src/github.com/grpc-ecosystem
-    - $GOPATH/src/gopkg.in/alecthomas
-    - $GOPATH/src/google.golang.org
-
-# Remove Travis' default flag --depth=50 from the git clone command to make sure
-# we have the whole git history, including the commit we lint against.
-git:
-  depth: false
-
-go:
-  # If you change this value, please change it in the following files as well:
-  # /Dockerfile
-  # /dev.Dockerfile
-  # /make/builder.Dockerfile
-  # /.github/workflows/main.yml
-  # /.github/workflows/release.yml
-  - "1.21.0"
-
-env:
-  global:
-    - GOCACHE=$HOME/.go-build
-    - BITCOIN_VERSION="22.0"
-
-sudo: required
-
-jobs:
-  include:
-    - stage: Integration Test
-      name: Bitcoind Integration ARM
-      script:
-        - bash ./scripts/install_bitcoind.sh
-        - GOMEMLIMIT=1024MiB GOARM=7 GOARCH=arm GOOS=linux travis_wait 120 make itest-parallel backend=bitcoind tranches=8
-      arch: arm64
-
-after_failure:
-  - |-
-    LOG_FILES=$(find ./itest -name '*.log')
-    echo "Uploading to termbin.com..." && for f in $LOG_FILES; do echo -n $f; cat $f | nc termbin.com 9999 | xargs -r0 printf ' uploaded to %s'; done
-    echo "Uploading to file.io..." && tar -zcvO $LOG_FILES | curl -s -F 'file=@-;filename=logs.tar.gz' https://file.io | xargs -r0 printf 'logs.tar.gz uploaded to %s\n'
diff --git a/chainntnfs/bitcoindnotify/bitcoind_test.go b/chainntnfs/bitcoindnotify/bitcoind_test.go
index 3eefe8e328..8d54439a6c 100644
--- a/chainntnfs/bitcoindnotify/bitcoind_test.go
+++ b/chainntnfs/bitcoindnotify/bitcoind_test.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/blockcache"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/chainntnfs"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/channeldb"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/unittest"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/wait"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ func setUpNotifier(t *testing.T, bitcoindConn *chain.BitcoindConn,
 	t.Helper()
 
 	notifier := New(
-		bitcoindConn, chainntnfs.NetParams, spendHintCache,
+		bitcoindConn, unittest.NetParams, spendHintCache,
 		confirmHintCache, blockCache,
 	)
 	if err := notifier.Start(); err != nil {
@@ -119,12 +120,12 @@ func TestHistoricalConfDetailsTxIndex(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func testHistoricalConfDetailsTxIndex(t *testing.T, rpcPolling bool) {
-	miner := chainntnfs.NewMiner(
-		t, []string{"--txindex"}, true, 25,
+	miner := unittest.NewMiner(
+		t, unittest.NetParams, []string{"--txindex"}, true, 25,
 	)
 
-	bitcoindConn := chainntnfs.NewBitcoindBackend(
-		t, miner.P2PAddress(), true, rpcPolling,
+	bitcoindConn := unittest.NewBitcoindBackend(
+		t, unittest.NetParams, miner.P2PAddress(), true, rpcPolling,
 	)
 
 	hintCache := initHintCache(t)
@@ -217,10 +218,10 @@ func TestHistoricalConfDetailsNoTxIndex(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func testHistoricalConfDetailsNoTxIndex(t *testing.T, rpcpolling bool) {
-	miner := chainntnfs.NewMiner(t, nil, true, 25)
+	miner := unittest.NewMiner(t, unittest.NetParams, nil, true, 25)
 
-	bitcoindConn := chainntnfs.NewBitcoindBackend(
-		t, miner.P2PAddress(), false, rpcpolling,
+	bitcoindConn := unittest.NewBitcoindBackend(
+		t, unittest.NetParams, miner.P2PAddress(), false, rpcpolling,
 	)
 
 	hintCache := initHintCache(t)
diff --git a/chainntnfs/btcdnotify/btcd_test.go b/chainntnfs/btcdnotify/btcd_test.go
index 517710be56..1cfbff731f 100644
--- a/chainntnfs/btcdnotify/btcd_test.go
+++ b/chainntnfs/btcdnotify/btcd_test.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/blockcache"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/chainntnfs"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/channeldb"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/unittest"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ func setUpNotifier(t *testing.T, h *rpctest.Harness) *BtcdNotifier {
 
 	rpcCfg := h.RPCConfig()
 	notifier, err := New(
-		&rpcCfg, chainntnfs.NetParams, hintCache, hintCache, blockCache,
+		&rpcCfg, unittest.NetParams, hintCache, hintCache, blockCache,
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create notifier")
 	if err := notifier.Start(); err != nil {
@@ -73,8 +74,8 @@ func setUpNotifier(t *testing.T, h *rpctest.Harness) *BtcdNotifier {
 func TestHistoricalConfDetailsTxIndex(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
-	harness := chainntnfs.NewMiner(
-		t, []string{"--txindex"}, true, 25,
+	harness := unittest.NewMiner(
+		t, unittest.NetParams, []string{"--txindex"}, true, 25,
 	)
 
 	notifier := setUpNotifier(t, harness)
@@ -145,7 +146,7 @@ func TestHistoricalConfDetailsTxIndex(t *testing.T) {
 func TestHistoricalConfDetailsNoTxIndex(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
-	harness := chainntnfs.NewMiner(t, nil, true, 25)
+	harness := unittest.NewMiner(t, unittest.NetParams, nil, true, 25)
 
 	notifier := setUpNotifier(t, harness)
 
diff --git a/chainntnfs/test/test_interface.go b/chainntnfs/test/test_interface.go
index de01cc149a..429b083a05 100644
--- a/chainntnfs/test/test_interface.go
+++ b/chainntnfs/test/test_interface.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/chainntnfs/btcdnotify"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/chainntnfs/neutrinonotify"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/channeldb"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/unittest"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lnutils"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
@@ -1043,14 +1044,9 @@ func testReorgConf(miner *rpctest.Harness,
 	notifier chainntnfs.TestChainNotifier, scriptDispatch bool, t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Set up a new miner that we can use to cause a reorg.
-	miner2, err := rpctest.New(
-		chainntnfs.NetParams, nil, []string{"--txindex"}, "",
+	miner2 := unittest.NewMiner(
+		t, unittest.NetParams, []string{"--txindex"}, false, 0,
 	)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create mining node")
-	if err := miner2.SetUp(false, 0); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("unable to set up mining node: %v", err)
-	}
-	defer miner2.TearDown()
 
 	// We start by connecting the new miner to our original miner,
 	// such that it will sync to our original chain.
@@ -1204,14 +1200,9 @@ func testReorgSpend(miner *rpctest.Harness,
 	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to register for spend")
 
 	// Set up a new miner that we can use to cause a reorg.
-	miner2, err := rpctest.New(
-		chainntnfs.NetParams, nil, []string{"--txindex"}, "",
+	miner2 := unittest.NewMiner(
+		t, unittest.NetParams, []string{"--txindex"}, false, 0,
 	)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create mining node")
-	if err := miner2.SetUp(false, 0); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("unable to set up mining node: %v", err)
-	}
-	defer miner2.TearDown()
 
 	// We start by connecting the new miner to our original miner, in order
 	// to have a consistent view of the chain from both miners. They should
@@ -1527,14 +1518,9 @@ func testCatchUpOnMissedBlocksWithReorg(miner1 *rpctest.Harness,
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
 
 	// Set up a new miner that we can use to cause a reorg.
-	miner2, err := rpctest.New(
-		chainntnfs.NetParams, nil, []string{"--txindex"}, "",
+	miner2 := unittest.NewMiner(
+		t, unittest.NetParams, []string{"--txindex"}, false, 0,
 	)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create mining node")
-	if err := miner2.SetUp(false, 0); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("unable to set up mining node: %v", err)
-	}
-	defer miner2.TearDown()
 
 	// We start by connecting the new miner to our original miner,
 	// such that it will sync to our original chain.
@@ -1905,7 +1891,7 @@ func TestInterfaces(t *testing.T, targetBackEnd string) {
 	// dedicated miner to generate blocks, cause re-orgs, etc. We'll set up
 	// this node with a chain length of 125, so we have plenty of BTC to
 	// play around with.
-	miner := chainntnfs.NewMiner(t, nil, true, 25)
+	miner := unittest.NewMiner(t, unittest.NetParams, nil, true, 25)
 
 	rpcConfig := miner.RPCConfig()
 	p2pAddr := miner.P2PAddress()
@@ -1944,39 +1930,42 @@ func TestInterfaces(t *testing.T, targetBackEnd string) {
 		switch notifierType {
 		case "bitcoind":
 			var bitcoindConn *chain.BitcoindConn
-			bitcoindConn = chainntnfs.NewBitcoindBackend(
-				t, p2pAddr, true, false,
+			bitcoindConn = unittest.NewBitcoindBackend(
+				t, unittest.NetParams, p2pAddr, true, false,
 			)
 			newNotifier = func() (chainntnfs.TestChainNotifier, error) {
 				return bitcoindnotify.New(
-					bitcoindConn, chainntnfs.NetParams,
+					bitcoindConn, unittest.NetParams,
 					hintCache, hintCache, blockCache,
 				), nil
 			}
 
 		case "bitcoind-rpc-polling":
 			var bitcoindConn *chain.BitcoindConn
-			bitcoindConn = chainntnfs.NewBitcoindBackend(
-				t, p2pAddr, true, true,
+			bitcoindConn = unittest.NewBitcoindBackend(
+				t, unittest.NetParams, p2pAddr, true, true,
 			)
 			newNotifier = func() (chainntnfs.TestChainNotifier, error) {
 				return bitcoindnotify.New(
-					bitcoindConn, chainntnfs.NetParams,
+					bitcoindConn, unittest.NetParams,
 					hintCache, hintCache, blockCache,
 				), nil
 			}
 
 		case "btcd":
+			configCopy := rpcConfig
 			newNotifier = func() (chainntnfs.TestChainNotifier, error) {
 				return btcdnotify.New(
-					&rpcConfig, chainntnfs.NetParams,
+					&configCopy, unittest.NetParams,
 					hintCache, hintCache, blockCache,
 				)
 			}
 
 		case "neutrino":
 			var spvNode *neutrino.ChainService
-			spvNode = chainntnfs.NewNeutrinoBackend(t, p2pAddr)
+			spvNode = unittest.NewNeutrinoBackend(
+				t, unittest.NetParams, p2pAddr,
+			)
 			newNotifier = func() (chainntnfs.TestChainNotifier, error) {
 				return neutrinonotify.New(
 					spvNode, hintCache, hintCache,
diff --git a/chainntnfs/test_utils.go b/chainntnfs/test_utils.go
index 8bd994f07d..b14218dd7a 100644
--- a/chainntnfs/test_utils.go
+++ b/chainntnfs/test_utils.go
@@ -6,26 +6,17 @@ package chainntnfs
 import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"io/ioutil"
-	"math/rand"
-	"os/exec"
-	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/btcec/v2"
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/btcjson"
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/btcutil"
-	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/chaincfg"
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/chaincfg/chainhash"
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/integration/rpctest"
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/txscript"
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/wire"
-	"github.com/btcsuite/btcwallet/chain"
-	"github.com/btcsuite/btcwallet/walletdb"
-	"github.com/lightninglabs/neutrino"
-	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/kvdb"
-	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/wait"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/unittest"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
@@ -36,10 +27,6 @@ var (
 	TrickleInterval = 10 * time.Millisecond
 )
 
-var (
-	NetParams = &chaincfg.RegressionNetParams
-)
-
 // randPubKeyHashScript generates a P2PKH script that pays to the public key of
 // a randomly-generated private key.
 func randPubKeyHashScript() ([]byte, *btcec.PrivateKey, error) {
@@ -49,7 +36,9 @@ func randPubKeyHashScript() ([]byte, *btcec.PrivateKey, error) {
 	}
 
 	pubKeyHash := btcutil.Hash160(privKey.PubKey().SerializeCompressed())
-	addrScript, err := btcutil.NewAddressPubKeyHash(pubKeyHash, NetParams)
+	addrScript, err := btcutil.NewAddressPubKeyHash(
+		pubKeyHash, unittest.NetParams,
+	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
@@ -163,160 +152,3 @@ func CreateSpendTx(t *testing.T, prevOutPoint *wire.OutPoint,
 
 	return spendingTx
 }
-
-// NewMiner spawns testing harness backed by a btcd node that can serve as a
-// miner.
-func NewMiner(t *testing.T, extraArgs []string, createChain bool,
-	spendableOutputs uint32) *rpctest.Harness {
-
-	t.Helper()
-
-	// Add the trickle interval argument to the extra args.
-	trickle := fmt.Sprintf("--trickleinterval=%v", TrickleInterval)
-	extraArgs = append(extraArgs, trickle)
-
-	node, err := rpctest.New(NetParams, nil, extraArgs, "")
-	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create backend node")
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		require.NoError(t, node.TearDown())
-	})
-
-	if err := node.SetUp(createChain, spendableOutputs); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("unable to set up backend node: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	return node
-}
-
-// NewBitcoindBackend spawns a new bitcoind node that connects to a miner at the
-// specified address. The txindex boolean can be set to determine whether the
-// backend node should maintain a transaction index. The rpcpolling boolean
-// can be set to determine whether bitcoind's RPC polling interface should be
-// used for block and tx notifications or if its ZMQ interface should be used.
-// A connection to the newly spawned bitcoind node is returned.
-func NewBitcoindBackend(t *testing.T, minerAddr string, txindex,
-	rpcpolling bool) *chain.BitcoindConn {
-
-	t.Helper()
-
-	// We use ioutil.TempDir here instead of t.TempDir because some versions
-	// of bitcoind complain about the zmq connection string formats when the
-	// t.TempDir directory string is used.
-	tempBitcoindDir, err := ioutil.TempDir("", "bitcoind")
-	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create temp dir")
-
-	rpcPort := rand.Intn(65536-1024) + 1024
-	zmqBlockHost := "ipc:///" + tempBitcoindDir + "/blocks.socket"
-	zmqTxHost := "ipc:///" + tempBitcoindDir + "/tx.socket"
-
-	args := []string{
-		"-connect=" + minerAddr,
-		"-datadir=" + tempBitcoindDir,
-		"-regtest",
-		"-rpcauth=weks:469e9bb14ab2360f8e226efed5ca6fd$507c670e800a952" +
-			"84294edb5773b05544b220110063096c221be9933c82d38e1",
-		fmt.Sprintf("-rpcport=%d", rpcPort),
-		"-disablewallet",
-		"-zmqpubrawblock=" + zmqBlockHost,
-		"-zmqpubrawtx=" + zmqTxHost,
-	}
-	if txindex {
-		args = append(args, "-txindex")
-	}
-
-	bitcoind := exec.Command("bitcoind", args...)
-	if err := bitcoind.Start(); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("unable to start bitcoind: %v", err)
-	}
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		_ = bitcoind.Process.Kill()
-		_ = bitcoind.Wait()
-	})
-
-	// Wait for the bitcoind instance to start up.
-	host := fmt.Sprintf("127.0.0.1:%d", rpcPort)
-	cfg := &chain.BitcoindConfig{
-		ChainParams: NetParams,
-		Host:        host,
-		User:        "weks",
-		Pass:        "weks",
-		// Fields only required for pruned nodes, not needed for these
-		// tests.
-		Dialer:             nil,
-		PrunedModeMaxPeers: 0,
-	}
-
-	if rpcpolling {
-		cfg.PollingConfig = &chain.PollingConfig{
-			BlockPollingInterval: time.Millisecond * 20,
-			TxPollingInterval:    time.Millisecond * 20,
-		}
-	} else {
-		cfg.ZMQConfig = &chain.ZMQConfig{
-			ZMQBlockHost:    zmqBlockHost,
-			ZMQTxHost:       zmqTxHost,
-			ZMQReadDeadline: 5 * time.Second,
-		}
-	}
-
-	var conn *chain.BitcoindConn
-	err = wait.NoError(func() error {
-		var err error
-		conn, err = chain.NewBitcoindConn(cfg)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
-		return conn.Start()
-	}, 10*time.Second)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("unable to establish connection to bitcoind: %v", err)
-	}
-	t.Cleanup(conn.Stop)
-
-	return conn
-}
-
-// NewNeutrinoBackend spawns a new neutrino node that connects to a miner at
-// the specified address.
-func NewNeutrinoBackend(t *testing.T, minerAddr string) *neutrino.ChainService {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	spvDir := t.TempDir()
-
-	dbName := filepath.Join(spvDir, "neutrino.db")
-	spvDatabase, err := walletdb.Create(
-		"bdb", dbName, true, kvdb.DefaultDBTimeout,
-	)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("unable to create walletdb: %v", err)
-	}
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		spvDatabase.Close()
-	})
-
-	// Create an instance of neutrino connected to the running btcd
-	// instance.
-	spvConfig := neutrino.Config{
-		DataDir:      spvDir,
-		Database:     spvDatabase,
-		ChainParams:  *NetParams,
-		ConnectPeers: []string{minerAddr},
-	}
-	spvNode, err := neutrino.NewChainService(spvConfig)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("unable to create neutrino: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	// We'll also wait for the instance to sync up fully to the chain
-	// generated by the btcd instance.
-	spvNode.Start()
-	for !spvNode.IsCurrent() {
-		time.Sleep(time.Millisecond * 100)
-	}
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		spvNode.Stop()
-	})
-
-	return spvNode
-}
diff --git a/docs/release-notes/release-notes-0.18.0.md b/docs/release-notes/release-notes-0.18.0.md
index d7a4728139..46ef1e3cf2 100644
--- a/docs/release-notes/release-notes-0.18.0.md
+++ b/docs/release-notes/release-notes-0.18.0.md
@@ -340,6 +340,9 @@
 * Added fuzz tests for [onion
   errors](https://github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/pull/7669).
 
+* Fixed stability and [compatibility of unit tests with `bitcoind
+  v26.0`](https://github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/pull/8273).
+
 ## Database
 
 * [Add context to InvoiceDB
diff --git a/itest/lnd_etcd_failover_test.go b/itest/lnd_etcd_failover_test.go
index 9ec6bd8a81..c2a345889c 100644
--- a/itest/lnd_etcd_failover_test.go
+++ b/itest/lnd_etcd_failover_test.go
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lncfg"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lnrpc"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest"
-	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/node"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/port"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@ func testEtcdFailover(ht *lntest.HarnessTest) {
 
 func testEtcdFailoverCase(ht *lntest.HarnessTest, kill bool) {
 	etcdCfg, cleanup, err := kvdb.StartEtcdTestBackend(
-		ht.T.TempDir(), uint16(node.NextAvailablePort()),
-		uint16(node.NextAvailablePort()), "",
+		ht.T.TempDir(), uint16(port.NextAvailablePort()),
+		uint16(port.NextAvailablePort()), "",
 	)
 	require.NoError(ht, err, "Failed to start etcd instance")
 	defer cleanup()
diff --git a/itest/lnd_network_test.go b/itest/lnd_network_test.go
index b4c73af60a..fd17d04657 100644
--- a/itest/lnd_network_test.go
+++ b/itest/lnd_network_test.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lnrpc"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/node"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/port"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/wait"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
@@ -111,7 +112,7 @@ func testReconnectAfterIPChange(ht *lntest.HarnessTest) {
 
 	// We derive an extra port for Dave, and we initialise his node with
 	// the port advertised as `--externalip` arguments.
-	ip2 := node.NextAvailablePort()
+	ip2 := port.NextAvailablePort()
 
 	// Create a new node, Dave, which will initialize a P2P port for him.
 	daveArgs := []string{fmt.Sprintf("--externalip=127.0.0.1:%d", ip2)}
@@ -190,7 +191,7 @@ func testReconnectAfterIPChange(ht *lntest.HarnessTest) {
 	// address.
 
 	// Change Dave's listening port and restart.
-	dave.Cfg.P2PPort = node.NextAvailablePort()
+	dave.Cfg.P2PPort = port.NextAvailablePort()
 	dave.Cfg.ExtraArgs = []string{
 		fmt.Sprintf(
 			"--externalip=127.0.0.1:%d", dave.Cfg.P2PPort,
diff --git a/itest/lnd_test.go b/itest/lnd_test.go
index 9c823b5a84..b5886bc299 100644
--- a/itest/lnd_test.go
+++ b/itest/lnd_test.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lnrpc"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/node"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/port"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/wait"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/grpclog"
@@ -90,7 +91,6 @@ func TestLightningNetworkDaemon(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Get the test cases to be run in this tranche.
 	testCases, trancheIndex, trancheOffset := getTestCaseSplitTranche()
-	node.ApplyPortOffset(uint32(trancheIndex) * 1000)
 
 	// Create a simple fee service.
 	feeService := lntest.NewFeeService(t)
@@ -216,9 +216,10 @@ func init() {
 	// Before we start any node, we need to make sure that any btcd node
 	// that is started through the RPC harness uses a unique port as well
 	// to avoid any port collisions.
-	rpctest.ListenAddressGenerator = node.GenerateBtcdListenerAddresses
+	rpctest.ListenAddressGenerator =
+		port.GenerateSystemUniqueListenerAddresses
 
-	// Swap out grpc's default logger with out fake logger which drops the
+	// Swap out grpc's default logger with our fake logger which drops the
 	// statements on the floor.
 	fakeLogger := grpclog.NewLoggerV2(io.Discard, io.Discard, io.Discard)
 	grpclog.SetLoggerV2(fakeLogger)
diff --git a/itest/lnd_watchtower_test.go b/itest/lnd_watchtower_test.go
index bfd1425a59..ad724e45ad 100644
--- a/itest/lnd_watchtower_test.go
+++ b/itest/lnd_watchtower_test.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lnrpc/wtclientrpc"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/node"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/port"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/rpc"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/wait"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
@@ -595,7 +596,7 @@ func testRevokedCloseRetributionAltruistWatchtowerCase(ht *lntest.HarnessTest,
 func setUpNewTower(ht *lntest.HarnessTest, name, externalIP string) ([]byte,
 	string, *rpc.HarnessRPC) {
 
-	port := node.NextAvailablePort()
+	port := port.NextAvailablePort()
 
 	listenAddr := fmt.Sprintf("0.0.0.0:%d", port)
 
diff --git a/lntest/bitcoind_common.go b/lntest/bitcoind_common.go
index 9ce962dc26..b5c43c4481 100644
--- a/lntest/bitcoind_common.go
+++ b/lntest/bitcoind_common.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/chaincfg"
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/rpcclient"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/node"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/port"
 )
 
 // logDirPattern is the pattern of the name of the temporary log directory.
@@ -111,11 +112,10 @@ func newBackend(miner string, netParams *chaincfg.Params, extraArgs []string,
 	}
 
 	zmqBlockAddr := fmt.Sprintf("tcp://127.0.0.1:%d",
-		node.NextAvailablePort())
-	zmqTxAddr := fmt.Sprintf("tcp://127.0.0.1:%d",
-		node.NextAvailablePort())
-	rpcPort := node.NextAvailablePort()
-	p2pPort := node.NextAvailablePort()
+		port.NextAvailablePort())
+	zmqTxAddr := fmt.Sprintf("tcp://127.0.0.1:%d", port.NextAvailablePort())
+	rpcPort := port.NextAvailablePort()
+	p2pPort := port.NextAvailablePort()
 
 	cmdArgs := []string{
 		"-datadir=" + tempBitcoindDir,
diff --git a/lntest/fee_service.go b/lntest/fee_service.go
index 592430b8e8..49bd953ac2 100644
--- a/lntest/fee_service.go
+++ b/lntest/fee_service.go
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd"
-	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/node"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/port"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lnwallet/chainfee"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
@@ -60,11 +60,11 @@ type FeeService struct {
 // Compile-time check for the WebFeeService interface.
 var _ WebFeeService = (*FeeService)(nil)
 
-// Start spins up a go-routine to serve fee estimates.
+// NewFeeService spins up a go-routine to serve fee estimates.
 func NewFeeService(t *testing.T) *FeeService {
 	t.Helper()
 
-	port := node.NextAvailablePort()
+	port := port.NextAvailablePort()
 	f := FeeService{
 		T: t,
 		url: fmt.Sprintf(
diff --git a/lntest/harness_setup.go b/lntest/harness_setup.go
index 61eac5d2fa..8aed3b880d 100644
--- a/lntest/harness_setup.go
+++ b/lntest/harness_setup.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/integration/rpctest"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/node"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/wait"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
@@ -41,8 +42,15 @@ func SetupHarness(t *testing.T, binaryPath, dbBackendName string,
 	ht.stopChainBackend = cleanUp
 
 	// Connect our chainBackend to our miner.
-	t.Log("Connecting the miner with the chain backend...")
-	require.NoError(t, chainBackend.ConnectMiner(), "connect miner")
+	t.Logf("Connecting the miner at %v with the chain backend...",
+		miner.P2PAddress())
+
+	// Give the chain backend some time to fully start up, re-trying if any
+	// errors in connecting to the miner are encountered.
+	err := wait.NoError(func() error {
+		return chainBackend.ConnectMiner()
+	}, DefaultTimeout)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "connect miner")
 
 	// Start the HarnessTest with the chainBackend and miner.
 	ht.Start(chainBackend, miner)
diff --git a/lntest/node/config.go b/lntest/node/config.go
index 1573af42e0..5a7013a215 100644
--- a/lntest/node/config.go
+++ b/lntest/node/config.go
@@ -4,16 +4,16 @@ import (
 	"flag"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
-	"net"
 	"os"
 	"path"
 	"path/filepath"
-	"sync/atomic"
 
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/chaincfg"
+	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/integration/rpctest"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/chanbackup"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/kvdb/etcd"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/port"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/wait"
 )
 
@@ -25,18 +25,9 @@ const (
 	// DefaultCSV is the CSV delay (remotedelay) we will start our test
 	// nodes with.
 	DefaultCSV = 4
-
-	// defaultNodePort is the start of the range for listening ports of
-	// harness nodes. Ports are monotonically increasing starting from this
-	// number and are determined by the results of NextAvailablePort().
-	defaultNodePort = 5555
 )
 
 var (
-	// lastPort is the last port determined to be free for use by a new
-	// node. It should be used atomically.
-	lastPort uint32 = defaultNodePort
-
 	// logOutput is a flag that can be set to append the output from the
 	// seed nodes to log files.
 	logOutput = flag.Bool("logoutput", false,
@@ -171,16 +162,16 @@ func (cfg BaseNodeConfig) ChanBackupPath() string {
 // current lightning network test.
 func (cfg *BaseNodeConfig) GenerateListeningPorts() {
 	if cfg.P2PPort == 0 {
-		cfg.P2PPort = NextAvailablePort()
+		cfg.P2PPort = port.NextAvailablePort()
 	}
 	if cfg.RPCPort == 0 {
-		cfg.RPCPort = NextAvailablePort()
+		cfg.RPCPort = port.NextAvailablePort()
 	}
 	if cfg.RESTPort == 0 {
-		cfg.RESTPort = NextAvailablePort()
+		cfg.RESTPort = port.NextAvailablePort()
 	}
 	if cfg.ProfilePort == 0 {
-		cfg.ProfilePort = NextAvailablePort()
+		cfg.ProfilePort = port.NextAvailablePort()
 	}
 }
 
@@ -259,13 +250,13 @@ func (cfg *BaseNodeConfig) GenArgs() []string {
 		args = append(
 			args, fmt.Sprintf(
 				"--db.etcd.embedded_client_port=%v",
-				NextAvailablePort(),
+				port.NextAvailablePort(),
 			),
 		)
 		args = append(
 			args, fmt.Sprintf(
 				"--db.etcd.embedded_peer_port=%v",
-				NextAvailablePort(),
+				port.NextAvailablePort(),
 			),
 		)
 		args = append(
@@ -333,34 +324,6 @@ func ExtraArgsEtcd(etcdCfg *etcd.Config, name string, cluster bool,
 	return extraArgs
 }
 
-// NextAvailablePort returns the first port that is available for listening by
-// a new node. It panics if no port is found and the maximum available TCP port
-// is reached.
-func NextAvailablePort() int {
-	port := atomic.AddUint32(&lastPort, 1)
-	for port < 65535 {
-		// If there are no errors while attempting to listen on this
-		// port, close the socket and return it as available. While it
-		// could be the case that some other process picks up this port
-		// between the time the socket is closed and it's reopened in
-		// the harness node, in practice in CI servers this seems much
-		// less likely than simply some other process already being
-		// bound at the start of the tests.
-		addr := fmt.Sprintf(ListenerFormat, port)
-		l, err := net.Listen("tcp4", addr)
-		if err == nil {
-			err := l.Close()
-			if err == nil {
-				return int(port)
-			}
-		}
-		port = atomic.AddUint32(&lastPort, 1)
-	}
-
-	// No ports available? Must be a mistake.
-	panic("no ports available for listening")
-}
-
 // GetLogDir returns the passed --logdir flag or the default value if it wasn't
 // set.
 func GetLogDir() string {
@@ -402,16 +365,10 @@ func GetBtcdBinary() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-// GenerateBtcdListenerAddresses is a function that returns two listener
-// addresses with unique ports and should be used to overwrite rpctest's
-// default generator which is prone to use colliding ports.
-func GenerateBtcdListenerAddresses() (string, string) {
-	return fmt.Sprintf(ListenerFormat, NextAvailablePort()),
-		fmt.Sprintf(ListenerFormat, NextAvailablePort())
-}
-
-// ApplyPortOffset adds the given offset to the lastPort variable, making it
-// possible to run the tests in parallel without colliding on the same ports.
-func ApplyPortOffset(offset uint32) {
-	_ = atomic.AddUint32(&lastPort, offset)
+func init() {
+	// Before we start any node, we need to make sure that any btcd or
+	// bitcoind node that is started through the RPC harness uses a unique
+	// port as well to avoid any port collisions.
+	rpctest.ListenAddressGenerator =
+		port.GenerateSystemUniqueListenerAddresses
 }
diff --git a/lntest/port/port.go b/lntest/port/port.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..28db1918dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lntest/port/port.go
@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+package port
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strconv"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+)
+
+const (
+	// ListenerFormat is the format string that is used to generate local
+	// listener addresses.
+	ListenerFormat = "127.0.0.1:%d"
+
+	// defaultNodePort is the start of the range for listening ports of
+	// harness nodes. Ports are monotonically increasing starting from this
+	// number and are determined by the results of NextAvailablePort().
+	defaultNodePort int = 10000
+
+	// uniquePortFile is the name of the file that is used to store the
+	// last port that was used by a node. This is used to make sure that
+	// the same port is not used by multiple nodes at the same time. The
+	// file is located in the temp directory of a system.
+	uniquePortFile = "rpctest-port"
+)
+
+var (
+	// portFileMutex is a mutex that is used to make sure that the port file
+	// is not accessed by multiple goroutines of the same process at the
+	// same time. This is used in conjunction with the lock file to make
+	// sure that the port file is not accessed by multiple processes at the
+	// same time either. So the lock file is to guard between processes and
+	// the mutex is to guard between goroutines of the same process.
+	portFileMutex sync.Mutex
+)
+
+// NextAvailablePort returns the first port that is available for listening by a
+// new node, using a lock file to make sure concurrent access for parallel tasks
+// on the same system don't re-use the same port.
+func NextAvailablePort() int {
+	portFileMutex.Lock()
+	defer portFileMutex.Unlock()
+
+	lockFile := filepath.Join(os.TempDir(), uniquePortFile+".lock")
+	timeout := time.After(time.Second)
+
+	var (
+		lockFileHandle *os.File
+		err            error
+	)
+	for {
+		// Attempt to acquire the lock file. If it already exists, wait
+		// for a bit and retry.
+		lockFileHandle, err = os.OpenFile(
+			lockFile, os.O_CREATE|os.O_EXCL, 0600,
+		)
+		if err == nil {
+			// Lock acquired.
+			break
+		}
+
+		// Wait for a bit and retry.
+		select {
+		case <-timeout:
+			panic("timeout waiting for lock file")
+		case <-time.After(10 * time.Millisecond):
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Release the lock file when we're done.
+	defer func() {
+		// Always close file first, Windows won't allow us to remove it
+		// otherwise.
+		_ = lockFileHandle.Close()
+		err := os.Remove(lockFile)
+		if err != nil {
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("couldn't remove lock file: %w", err))
+		}
+	}()
+
+	portFile := filepath.Join(os.TempDir(), uniquePortFile)
+	port, err := os.ReadFile(portFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		if !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("error reading port file: %w", err))
+		}
+		port = []byte(strconv.Itoa(defaultNodePort))
+	}
+
+	lastPort, err := strconv.Atoi(string(port))
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("error parsing port: %w", err))
+	}
+
+	// We take the next one.
+	lastPort++
+	for lastPort < 65535 {
+		// If there are no errors while attempting to listen on this
+		// port, close the socket and return it as available. While it
+		// could be the case that some other process picks up this port
+		// between the time the socket is closed, and it's reopened in
+		// the harness node, in practice in CI servers this seems much
+		// less likely than simply some other process already being
+		// bound at the start of the tests.
+		addr := fmt.Sprintf(ListenerFormat, lastPort)
+		l, err := net.Listen("tcp4", addr)
+		if err == nil {
+			err := l.Close()
+			if err == nil {
+				err := os.WriteFile(
+					portFile,
+					[]byte(strconv.Itoa(lastPort)), 0600,
+				)
+				if err != nil {
+					panic(fmt.Errorf("error updating "+
+						"port file: %w", err))
+				}
+
+				return lastPort
+			}
+		}
+		lastPort++
+
+		// Start from the beginning if we reached the end of the port
+		// range. We need to do this because the lock file now is
+		// persistent across runs on the same machine during the same
+		// boot/uptime cycle. So in order to make this work on
+		// developer's machines, we need to reset the port to the
+		// default value when we reach the end of the range.
+		if lastPort == 65535 {
+			lastPort = defaultNodePort
+		}
+	}
+
+	// No ports available? Must be a mistake.
+	panic("no ports available for listening")
+}
+
+// GenerateSystemUniqueListenerAddresses is a function that returns two
+// listener addresses with unique ports per system and should be used to
+// overwrite rpctest's default generator which is prone to use colliding ports.
+func GenerateSystemUniqueListenerAddresses() (string, string) {
+	port1 := NextAvailablePort()
+	port2 := NextAvailablePort()
+	return fmt.Sprintf(ListenerFormat, port1),
+		fmt.Sprintf(ListenerFormat, port2)
+}
diff --git a/lntest/unittest/backend.go b/lntest/unittest/backend.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2f9c123636
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lntest/unittest/backend.go
@@ -0,0 +1,207 @@
+package unittest
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/chaincfg"
+	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/integration/rpctest"
+	"github.com/btcsuite/btcwallet/chain"
+	"github.com/btcsuite/btcwallet/walletdb"
+	"github.com/lightninglabs/neutrino"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/kvdb"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/port"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/wait"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+var (
+	// TrickleInterval is the interval at which the miner should trickle
+	// transactions to its peers. We'll set it small to ensure the miner
+	// propagates transactions quickly in the tests.
+	TrickleInterval = 10 * time.Millisecond
+)
+
+var (
+	// NetParams are the default network parameters for the tests.
+	NetParams = &chaincfg.RegressionNetParams
+)
+
+// NewMiner spawns testing harness backed by a btcd node that can serve as a
+// miner.
+func NewMiner(t *testing.T, netParams *chaincfg.Params, extraArgs []string,
+	createChain bool, spendableOutputs uint32) *rpctest.Harness {
+
+	t.Helper()
+
+	// Add the trickle interval argument to the extra args.
+	trickle := fmt.Sprintf("--trickleinterval=%v", TrickleInterval)
+	extraArgs = append(extraArgs, trickle)
+
+	node, err := rpctest.New(netParams, nil, extraArgs, "")
+	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create backend node")
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		require.NoError(t, node.TearDown())
+	})
+
+	// We want to overwrite some of the connection settings to make the
+	// tests more robust. We might need to restart the backend while there
+	// are already blocks present, which will take a bit longer than the
+	// 1 second the default settings amount to. Doubling both values will
+	// give us retries up to 4 seconds.
+	node.MaxConnRetries = rpctest.DefaultMaxConnectionRetries * 2
+	node.ConnectionRetryTimeout = rpctest.DefaultConnectionRetryTimeout * 2
+
+	if err := node.SetUp(createChain, spendableOutputs); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unable to set up backend node: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	return node
+}
+
+// NewBitcoindBackend spawns a new bitcoind node that connects to a miner at the
+// specified address. The txindex boolean can be set to determine whether the
+// backend node should maintain a transaction index. The rpcpolling boolean
+// can be set to determine whether bitcoind's RPC polling interface should be
+// used for block and tx notifications or if its ZMQ interface should be used.
+// A connection to the newly spawned bitcoind node is returned.
+func NewBitcoindBackend(t *testing.T, netParams *chaincfg.Params,
+	minerAddr string, txindex, rpcpolling bool) *chain.BitcoindConn {
+
+	t.Helper()
+
+	tempBitcoindDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	rpcPort := port.NextAvailablePort()
+	zmqBlockPort := port.NextAvailablePort()
+	zmqTxPort := port.NextAvailablePort()
+	zmqBlockHost := fmt.Sprintf("tcp://127.0.0.1:%d", zmqBlockPort)
+	zmqTxHost := fmt.Sprintf("tcp://127.0.0.1:%d", zmqTxPort)
+
+	args := []string{
+		"-connect=" + minerAddr,
+		"-datadir=" + tempBitcoindDir,
+		"-regtest",
+		"-rpcauth=weks:469e9bb14ab2360f8e226efed5ca6fd$507c670e800a95" +
+			"284294edb5773b05544b220110063096c221be9933c82d38e1",
+		fmt.Sprintf("-rpcport=%d", rpcPort),
+		"-disablewallet",
+		"-zmqpubrawblock=" + zmqBlockHost,
+		"-zmqpubrawtx=" + zmqTxHost,
+	}
+	if txindex {
+		args = append(args, "-txindex")
+	}
+
+	bitcoind := exec.Command("bitcoind", args...)
+	if err := bitcoind.Start(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unable to start bitcoind: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		_ = bitcoind.Process.Kill()
+		_ = bitcoind.Wait()
+	})
+
+	// Wait for the bitcoind instance to start up.
+	time.Sleep(time.Second)
+
+	host := fmt.Sprintf("127.0.0.1:%d", rpcPort)
+	cfg := &chain.BitcoindConfig{
+		ChainParams: netParams,
+		Host:        host,
+		User:        "weks",
+		Pass:        "weks",
+		// Fields only required for pruned nodes, not needed for these
+		// tests.
+		Dialer:             nil,
+		PrunedModeMaxPeers: 0,
+	}
+
+	if rpcpolling {
+		cfg.PollingConfig = &chain.PollingConfig{
+			BlockPollingInterval: time.Millisecond * 20,
+			TxPollingInterval:    time.Millisecond * 20,
+		}
+	} else {
+		cfg.ZMQConfig = &chain.ZMQConfig{
+			ZMQBlockHost:    zmqBlockHost,
+			ZMQTxHost:       zmqTxHost,
+			ZMQReadDeadline: 5 * time.Second,
+		}
+	}
+
+	var conn *chain.BitcoindConn
+	err := wait.NoError(func() error {
+		var err error
+		conn, err = chain.NewBitcoindConn(cfg)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		return conn.Start()
+	}, 10*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unable to establish connection to bitcoind at %v: "+
+			"%v", tempBitcoindDir, err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(conn.Stop)
+
+	return conn
+}
+
+// NewNeutrinoBackend spawns a new neutrino node that connects to a miner at
+// the specified address.
+func NewNeutrinoBackend(t *testing.T, netParams *chaincfg.Params,
+	minerAddr string) *neutrino.ChainService {
+
+	t.Helper()
+
+	spvDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	dbName := filepath.Join(spvDir, "neutrino.db")
+	spvDatabase, err := walletdb.Create(
+		"bdb", dbName, true, kvdb.DefaultDBTimeout,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unable to create walletdb: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		spvDatabase.Close()
+	})
+
+	// Create an instance of neutrino connected to the running btcd
+	// instance.
+	spvConfig := neutrino.Config{
+		DataDir:      spvDir,
+		Database:     spvDatabase,
+		ChainParams:  *netParams,
+		ConnectPeers: []string{minerAddr},
+	}
+	spvNode, err := neutrino.NewChainService(spvConfig)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unable to create neutrino: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// We'll also wait for the instance to sync up fully to the chain
+	// generated by the btcd instance.
+	_ = spvNode.Start()
+	for !spvNode.IsCurrent() {
+		time.Sleep(time.Millisecond * 100)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		_ = spvNode.Stop()
+	})
+
+	return spvNode
+}
+
+func init() {
+	// Before we start any node, we need to make sure that any btcd or
+	// bitcoind node that is started through the RPC harness uses a unique
+	// port as well to avoid any port collisions.
+	rpctest.ListenAddressGenerator =
+		port.GenerateSystemUniqueListenerAddresses
+}
diff --git a/lnwallet/btcwallet/signer_test.go b/lnwallet/btcwallet/signer_test.go
index d51714ad01..a0e4bba6de 100644
--- a/lnwallet/btcwallet/signer_test.go
+++ b/lnwallet/btcwallet/signer_test.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcwallet/waddrmgr"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/blockcache"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/input"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/unittest"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lnwallet"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
@@ -294,8 +295,7 @@ func TestScriptImport(t *testing.T) {
 func newTestWallet(t *testing.T, netParams *chaincfg.Params,
 	seedBytes []byte) (*BtcWallet, *rpctest.Harness) {
 
-	chainBackend, miner, backendCleanup := getChainBackend(t, netParams)
-	t.Cleanup(backendCleanup)
+	chainBackend, miner := getChainBackend(t, netParams)
 
 	loaderOpt := LoaderWithLocalWalletDB(t.TempDir(), false, time.Minute)
 	config := Config{
@@ -324,16 +324,16 @@ func newTestWallet(t *testing.T, netParams *chaincfg.Params,
 
 // getChainBackend returns a simple btcd based chain backend to back the wallet.
 func getChainBackend(t *testing.T, netParams *chaincfg.Params) (chain.Interface,
-	*rpctest.Harness, func()) {
+	*rpctest.Harness) {
 
-	miningNode, err := rpctest.New(netParams, nil, nil, "")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.NoError(t, miningNode.SetUp(true, 25))
+	miningNode := unittest.NewMiner(
+		t, netParams, []string{"--txindex"}, true, 25,
+	)
 
 	// Next, mine enough blocks in order for SegWit and the CSV package
 	// soft-fork to activate on RegNet.
 	numBlocks := netParams.MinerConfirmationWindow * 2
-	_, err = miningNode.Client.Generate(numBlocks)
+	_, err := miningNode.Client.Generate(numBlocks)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	rpcConfig := miningNode.RPCConfig()
@@ -343,9 +343,7 @@ func getChainBackend(t *testing.T, netParams *chaincfg.Params) (chain.Interface,
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	return chainClient, miningNode, func() {
-		_ = miningNode.TearDown()
-	}
+	return chainClient, miningNode
 }
 
 // hardenedKey returns a key of a hardened derivation key path.
diff --git a/lnwallet/test/test_interface.go b/lnwallet/test/test_interface.go
index caa222cf47..17cfa53f51 100644
--- a/lnwallet/test/test_interface.go
+++ b/lnwallet/test/test_interface.go
@@ -6,12 +6,10 @@ import (
 	"encoding/hex"
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
-	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"reflect"
 	"runtime"
 	"strings"
-	"sync/atomic"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -40,7 +38,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/keychain"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/kvdb"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/labels"
-	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/wait"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/unittest"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lnwallet"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lnwallet/btcwallet"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lnwallet/chainfee"
@@ -96,35 +94,6 @@ var (
 	defaultMaxLocalCsvDelay uint16 = 10000
 )
 
-var (
-	// lastPort is the last port determined to be free for use by a new
-	// bitcoind server. It should be used atomically.
-	lastPort uint32 = 1024
-)
-
-// getFreePort returns the first port that is available for listening by a new
-// embedded etcd server. It panics if no port is found and the maximum available
-// TCP port is reached.
-func getFreePort() int {
-	port := atomic.AddUint32(&lastPort, 1)
-	for port < 65535 {
-		// If there are no errors while attempting to listen on this
-		// port, close the socket and return it as available.
-		addr := fmt.Sprintf("127.0.0.1:%d", port)
-		l, err := net.Listen("tcp4", addr)
-		if err == nil {
-			err := l.Close()
-			if err == nil {
-				return int(port)
-			}
-		}
-		port = atomic.AddUint32(&lastPort, 1)
-	}
-
-	// No ports available? Must be a mistake.
-	panic("no ports available for listening")
-}
-
 // assertProperBalance asserts than the total value of the unspent outputs
 // within the wallet are *exactly* amount. If unable to retrieve the current
 // balance, or the assertion fails, the test will halt with a fatal error.
@@ -2120,11 +2089,9 @@ func testReorgWalletBalance(r *rpctest.Harness, w *lnwallet.LightningWallet,
 
 	// Now we cause a reorganization as follows.
 	// Step 1: create a new miner and start it.
-	r2, err := rpctest.New(r.ActiveNet, nil, []string{"--txindex"}, "")
-	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create mining node")
-	err = r2.SetUp(false, 0)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to set up mining node")
-	defer r2.TearDown()
+	r2 := unittest.NewMiner(
+		t, r.ActiveNet, []string{"--txindex"}, false, 0,
+	)
 	newBalance, err := w.ConfirmedBalance(1, lnwallet.DefaultAccountName)
 	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to query for balance")
 	if origBalance != newBalance {
@@ -3103,14 +3070,9 @@ func TestLightningWallet(t *testing.T, targetBackEnd string) {
 	// dedicated miner to generate blocks, cause re-orgs, etc. We'll set
 	// up this node with a chain length of 125, so we have plenty of BTC
 	// to play around with.
-	miningNode, err := rpctest.New(
-		netParams, nil, []string{"--txindex"}, "",
+	miningNode := unittest.NewMiner(
+		t, netParams, []string{"--txindex"}, true, 25,
 	)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create mining node")
-	defer miningNode.TearDown()
-	if err := miningNode.SetUp(true, 25); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("unable to set up mining node: %v", err)
-	}
 
 	// Next mine enough blocks in order for segwit and the CSV package
 	// soft-fork to activate on RegNet.
@@ -3188,15 +3150,19 @@ func runTests(t *testing.T, walletDriver *lnwallet.WalletDriver,
 		var aliceClient, bobClient chain.Interface
 		switch backEnd {
 		case "btcd":
-			aliceClient, err = chain.NewRPCClient(netParams,
-				rpcConfig.Host, rpcConfig.User, rpcConfig.Pass,
-				rpcConfig.Certificates, false, 20)
+			aliceClient, err = chain.NewRPCClient(
+				netParams, rpcConfig.Host, rpcConfig.User,
+				rpcConfig.Pass, rpcConfig.Certificates, false,
+				20,
+			)
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("unable to make chain rpc: %v", err)
 			}
-			bobClient, err = chain.NewRPCClient(netParams,
-				rpcConfig.Host, rpcConfig.User, rpcConfig.Pass,
-				rpcConfig.Certificates, false, 20)
+			bobClient, err = chain.NewRPCClient(
+				netParams, rpcConfig.Host, rpcConfig.User,
+				rpcConfig.Pass, rpcConfig.Certificates, false,
+				20,
+			)
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("unable to make chain rpc: %v", err)
 			}
@@ -3268,78 +3234,10 @@ func runTests(t *testing.T, walletDriver *lnwallet.WalletDriver,
 
 		case "bitcoind":
 			// Start a bitcoind instance.
-			tempBitcoindDir := t.TempDir()
-
-			rpcPort := getFreePort()
-			zmqBlockPort := getFreePort()
-			zmqTxPort := getFreePort()
-			zmqBlockHost := fmt.Sprintf("tcp://127.0.0.1:%d",
-				zmqBlockPort)
-			zmqTxHost := fmt.Sprintf("tcp://127.0.0.1:%d",
-				zmqTxPort)
-
-			bitcoind := exec.Command(
-				"bitcoind",
-				"-datadir="+tempBitcoindDir,
-				"-regtest",
-				"-connect="+miningNode.P2PAddress(),
-				"-txindex",
-				"-rpcauth=weks:469e9bb14ab2360f8e226efed5ca6f"+
-					"d$507c670e800a95284294edb5773b05544b"+
-					"220110063096c221be9933c82d38e1",
-				fmt.Sprintf("-rpcport=%d", rpcPort),
-				"-disablewallet",
-				"-zmqpubrawblock="+zmqBlockHost,
-				"-zmqpubrawtx="+zmqTxHost,
+			chainConn := unittest.NewBitcoindBackend(
+				t, unittest.NetParams, miningNode.P2PAddress(),
+				true, false,
 			)
-			err = bitcoind.Start()
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("couldn't start bitcoind: %v", err)
-			}
-
-			// Sanity check to ensure that the process did in fact
-			// start.
-			if bitcoind.Process == nil {
-				t.Fatalf("bitcoind cmd Process is not set " +
-					"after Start")
-			}
-
-			defer func() {
-				_ = bitcoind.Process.Kill()
-				_ = bitcoind.Wait()
-			}()
-
-			// Wait for the bitcoind instance to start up.
-
-			host := fmt.Sprintf("127.0.0.1:%d", rpcPort)
-			var chainConn *chain.BitcoindConn
-			err = wait.NoError(func() error {
-				chainConn, err = chain.NewBitcoindConn(&chain.BitcoindConfig{
-					ChainParams: netParams,
-					Host:        host,
-					User:        "weks",
-					Pass:        "weks",
-					ZMQConfig: &chain.ZMQConfig{
-						ZMQBlockHost:    zmqBlockHost,
-						ZMQTxHost:       zmqTxHost,
-						ZMQReadDeadline: 5 * time.Second,
-					},
-					// Fields only required for pruned nodes, not
-					// needed for these tests.
-					Dialer:             nil,
-					PrunedModeMaxPeers: 0,
-				})
-				if err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
-
-				return chainConn.Start()
-			}, 10*time.Second)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("unable to establish connection to "+
-					"bitcoind: %v", err)
-			}
-			defer chainConn.Stop()
 
 			// Create a btcwallet bitcoind client for both Alice and
 			// Bob.
@@ -3348,65 +3246,10 @@ func runTests(t *testing.T, walletDriver *lnwallet.WalletDriver,
 
 		case "bitcoind-rpc-polling":
 			// Start a bitcoind instance.
-			tempBitcoindDir := t.TempDir()
-			rpcPort := getFreePort()
-			bitcoind := exec.Command(
-				"bitcoind",
-				"-datadir="+tempBitcoindDir,
-				"-regtest",
-				"-connect="+miningNode.P2PAddress(),
-				"-txindex",
-				"-rpcauth=weks:469e9bb14ab2360f8e226efed5ca6f"+
-					"d$507c670e800a95284294edb5773b05544b"+
-					"220110063096c221be9933c82d38e1",
-				fmt.Sprintf("-rpcport=%d", rpcPort),
-				"-disablewallet",
+			chainConn := unittest.NewBitcoindBackend(
+				t, unittest.NetParams, miningNode.P2PAddress(),
+				true, true,
 			)
-			err = bitcoind.Start()
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("couldn't start bitcoind: %v", err)
-			}
-			defer func() {
-				_ = bitcoind.Process.Kill()
-				_ = bitcoind.Wait()
-			}()
-
-			// Sanity check to ensure that the process did in fact
-			// start.
-			if bitcoind.Process == nil {
-				t.Fatalf("bitcoind cmd Process is not set " +
-					"after Start")
-			}
-
-			// Wait for the bitcoind instance to start up.
-			host := fmt.Sprintf("127.0.0.1:%d", rpcPort)
-			var chainConn *chain.BitcoindConn
-			err = wait.NoError(func() error {
-				chainConn, err = chain.NewBitcoindConn(&chain.BitcoindConfig{
-					ChainParams: netParams,
-					Host:        host,
-					User:        "weks",
-					Pass:        "weks",
-					PollingConfig: &chain.PollingConfig{
-						BlockPollingInterval: time.Millisecond * 20,
-						TxPollingInterval:    time.Millisecond * 20,
-					},
-					// Fields only required for pruned nodes, not
-					// needed for these tests.
-					Dialer:             nil,
-					PrunedModeMaxPeers: 0,
-				})
-				if err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
-
-				return chainConn.Start()
-			}, 10*time.Second)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("unable to establish connection to "+
-					"bitcoind: %v", err)
-			}
-			defer chainConn.Stop()
 
 			// Create a btcwallet bitcoind client for both Alice and
 			// Bob.
diff --git a/make/testing_flags.mk b/make/testing_flags.mk
index df20cdb7ee..3fecb073a3 100644
--- a/make/testing_flags.mk
+++ b/make/testing_flags.mk
@@ -93,6 +93,14 @@ else
 TEST_FLAGS += -test.timeout=180m
 endif
 
+ifneq ($(verbose),)
+TEST_FLAGS += -test.v
+endif
+
+ifneq ($(nocache),)
+TEST_FLAGS += -test.count=1
+endif
+
 GOLIST := go list -tags="$(DEV_TAGS)" -deps $(PKG)/... | grep '$(PKG)'| grep -v '/vendor/'
 GOLISTCOVER := $(shell go list -tags="$(DEV_TAGS)" -deps -f '{{.ImportPath}}' ./... | grep '$(PKG)' | sed -e 's/^$(ESCPKG)/./')
 
diff --git a/routing/chainview/interface_test.go b/routing/chainview/interface_test.go
index 010f33807c..3d97ff2c35 100644
--- a/routing/chainview/interface_test.go
+++ b/routing/chainview/interface_test.go
@@ -3,11 +3,8 @@ package chainview
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
-	"net"
-	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"runtime"
-	"sync/atomic"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -20,13 +17,13 @@ import (
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/rpcclient"
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/txscript"
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/wire"
-	"github.com/btcsuite/btcwallet/chain"
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcwallet/walletdb"
 	_ "github.com/btcsuite/btcwallet/walletdb/bdb" // Required to register the boltdb walletdb implementation.
 	"github.com/lightninglabs/neutrino"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/blockcache"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/channeldb"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/kvdb"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/unittest"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/wait"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
@@ -49,35 +46,6 @@ var (
 	testScript, _ = txscript.PayToAddrScript(testAddr)
 )
 
-var (
-	// lastPort is the last port determined to be free for use by a new
-	// bitcoind server. It should be used atomically.
-	lastPort uint32 = 1024
-)
-
-// getFreePort returns the first port that is available for listening by a new
-// embedded etcd server. It panics if no port is found and the maximum available
-// TCP port is reached.
-func getFreePort() int {
-	port := atomic.AddUint32(&lastPort, 1)
-	for port < 65535 {
-		// If there are no errors while attempting to listen on this
-		// port, close the socket and return it as available.
-		addr := fmt.Sprintf("127.0.0.1:%d", port)
-		l, err := net.Listen("tcp4", addr)
-		if err == nil {
-			err := l.Close()
-			if err == nil {
-				return int(port)
-			}
-		}
-		port = atomic.AddUint32(&lastPort, 1)
-	}
-
-	// No ports available? Must be a mistake.
-	panic("no ports available for listening")
-}
-
 func waitForMempoolTx(r *rpctest.Harness, txid *chainhash.Hash) error {
 	var found bool
 	var tx *btcutil.Tx
@@ -220,8 +188,10 @@ func testFilterBlockNotifications(node *rpctest.Harness,
 	// filtered transaction as the filter hasn't been update.
 	select {
 	case filteredBlock := <-blockChan:
-		assertFilteredBlock(t, filteredBlock, currentHeight,
-			newBlockHashes[0], []*chainhash.Hash{})
+		assertFilteredBlock(
+			t, filteredBlock, currentHeight,
+			newBlockHashes[0], []*chainhash.Hash{},
+		)
 	case <-time.After(time.Second * 20):
 		t.Fatalf("filtered block notification didn't arrive")
 	}
@@ -481,22 +451,9 @@ func testFilterBlockDisconnected(node *rpctest.Harness,
 
 	// Create a node that has a shorter chain than the main chain, so we
 	// can trigger a reorg.
-	reorgNode, err := rpctest.New(netParams, nil, []string{"--txindex"}, "")
-	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create mining node")
-	defer reorgNode.TearDown()
-
-	// We want to overwrite some of the connection settings to make the
-	// tests more robust. We might need to restart the backend while there
-	// are already blocks present, which will take a bit longer than the
-	// 1 second the default settings amount to. Doubling both values will
-	// give us retries up to 4 seconds.
-	reorgNode.MaxConnRetries = rpctest.DefaultMaxConnectionRetries * 2
-	reorgNode.ConnectionRetryTimeout = rpctest.DefaultConnectionRetryTimeout * 2
-
-	// This node's chain will be 105 blocks.
-	if err := reorgNode.SetUp(true, 5); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("unable to set up mining node: %v", err)
-	}
+	reorgNode := unittest.NewMiner(
+		t, netParams, []string{"--txindex"}, true, 5,
+	)
 
 	_, bestHeight, err := reorgNode.Client.GetBestBlock()
 	require.NoError(t, err, "error getting best block")
@@ -709,95 +666,14 @@ var interfaceImpls = []struct {
 	{
 		name: "bitcoind_zmq",
 		chainViewInit: func(t *testing.T, _ rpcclient.ConnConfig,
-			p2pAddr string, bestHeight int32) (FilteredChainView, error) {
+			p2pAddr string, bestHeight int32) (FilteredChainView,
+			error) {
 
 			// Start a bitcoind instance.
-			tempBitcoindDir := t.TempDir()
-			zmqBlockHost := "ipc:///" + tempBitcoindDir + "/blocks.socket"
-			zmqTxHost := "ipc:///" + tempBitcoindDir + "/tx.socket"
-
-			rpcPort := getFreePort()
-			bitcoind := exec.Command(
-				"bitcoind",
-				"-datadir="+tempBitcoindDir,
-				"-regtest",
-				"-connect="+p2pAddr,
-				"-txindex",
-				"-rpcauth=weks:469e9bb14ab2360f8e226efed5ca6f"+
-					"d$507c670e800a95284294edb5773b05544b"+
-					"220110063096c221be9933c82d38e1",
-				fmt.Sprintf("-rpcport=%d", rpcPort),
-				"-disablewallet",
-				"-zmqpubrawblock="+zmqBlockHost,
-				"-zmqpubrawtx="+zmqTxHost,
+			chainConn := unittest.NewBitcoindBackend(
+				t, unittest.NetParams, p2pAddr, true,
+				false,
 			)
-			err := bitcoind.Start()
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
-
-			// Sanity check to ensure that the process did in fact
-			// start.
-			if bitcoind.Process == nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("bitcoind cmd " +
-					"Process is not set after Start")
-			}
-
-			t.Cleanup(func() {
-				_ = bitcoind.Process.Kill()
-				_ = bitcoind.Wait()
-			})
-
-			host := fmt.Sprintf("127.0.0.1:%d", rpcPort)
-			cfg := &chain.BitcoindConfig{
-				ChainParams: &chaincfg.RegressionNetParams,
-				Host:        host,
-				User:        "weks",
-				Pass:        "weks",
-				ZMQConfig: &chain.ZMQConfig{
-					ZMQBlockHost:    zmqBlockHost,
-					ZMQTxHost:       zmqTxHost,
-					ZMQReadDeadline: 5 * time.Second,
-				},
-				// Fields only required for pruned nodes, not
-				// needed for these tests.
-				Dialer:             nil,
-				PrunedModeMaxPeers: 0,
-			}
-
-			var chainConn *chain.BitcoindConn
-			err = wait.NoError(func() error {
-				chainConn, err = chain.NewBitcoindConn(cfg)
-				if err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
-
-				err = chainConn.Start()
-				if err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
-
-				client := chainConn.NewBitcoindClient()
-				_, currentHeight, err := client.GetBestBlock()
-				if err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
-
-				if currentHeight < bestHeight {
-					return fmt.Errorf("not synced yet")
-				}
-
-				return nil
-			}, 10*time.Second)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to "+
-					"establish connection to bitcoind: %v",
-					err)
-			}
-			t.Cleanup(func() {
-				chainConn.Stop()
-			})
-
 			blockCache := blockcache.NewBlockCache(10000)
 
 			chainView := NewBitcoindFilteredChainView(
@@ -810,91 +686,14 @@ var interfaceImpls = []struct {
 	{
 		name: "bitcoind_polling",
 		chainViewInit: func(t *testing.T, _ rpcclient.ConnConfig,
-			p2pAddr string, bestHeight int32) (FilteredChainView, error) {
-
-			// Start a bitcoind instance.
-			tempBitcoindDir := t.TempDir()
-
-			rpcPort := getFreePort()
-			bitcoind := exec.Command(
-				"bitcoind",
-				"-datadir="+tempBitcoindDir,
-				"-regtest",
-				"-connect="+p2pAddr,
-				"-txindex",
-				"-rpcauth=weks:469e9bb14ab2360f8e226efed5ca6f"+
-					"d$507c670e800a95284294edb5773b05544b"+
-					"220110063096c221be9933c82d38e1",
-				fmt.Sprintf("-rpcport=%d", rpcPort),
-				"-disablewallet",
-			)
-			err := bitcoind.Start()
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
-
-			// Sanity check to ensure that the process did in fact
-			// start.
-			if bitcoind.Process == nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("bitcoind cmd " +
-					"Process is not set after Start")
-			}
-
-			t.Cleanup(func() {
-				_ = bitcoind.Process.Kill()
-				_ = bitcoind.Wait()
-			})
-
-			host := fmt.Sprintf("127.0.0.1:%d", rpcPort)
-			cfg := &chain.BitcoindConfig{
-				ChainParams: &chaincfg.RegressionNetParams,
-				Host:        host,
-				User:        "weks",
-				Pass:        "weks",
-				PollingConfig: &chain.PollingConfig{
-					BlockPollingInterval: time.Millisecond * 100,
-					TxPollingInterval:    time.Millisecond * 100,
-				},
-				// Fields only required for pruned nodes, not
-				// needed for these tests.
-				Dialer:             nil,
-				PrunedModeMaxPeers: 0,
-			}
+			p2pAddr string, bestHeight int32) (FilteredChainView,
+			error) {
 
 			// Wait for the bitcoind instance to start up.
-			var chainConn *chain.BitcoindConn
-			err = wait.NoError(func() error {
-				chainConn, err = chain.NewBitcoindConn(cfg)
-				if err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
-
-				err = chainConn.Start()
-				if err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
-
-				client := chainConn.NewBitcoindClient()
-				_, currentHeight, err := client.GetBestBlock()
-				if err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
-
-				if currentHeight < bestHeight {
-					return fmt.Errorf("not synced yet")
-				}
-
-				return nil
-			}, 10*time.Second)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to "+
-					"establish connection to bitcoind: %v",
-					err)
-			}
-			t.Cleanup(func() {
-				chainConn.Stop()
-			})
-
+			chainConn := unittest.NewBitcoindBackend(
+				t, unittest.NetParams, p2pAddr, true,
+				true,
+			)
 			blockCache := blockcache.NewBlockCache(10000)
 
 			chainView := NewBitcoindFilteredChainView(
@@ -907,7 +706,8 @@ var interfaceImpls = []struct {
 	{
 		name: "p2p_neutrino",
 		chainViewInit: func(t *testing.T, _ rpcclient.ConnConfig,
-			p2pAddr string, bestHeight int32) (FilteredChainView, error) {
+			p2pAddr string, bestHeight int32) (FilteredChainView,
+			error) {
 
 			spvDir := t.TempDir()
 
@@ -976,7 +776,8 @@ var interfaceImpls = []struct {
 	{
 		name: "btcd_websockets",
 		chainViewInit: func(_ *testing.T, config rpcclient.ConnConfig,
-			p2pAddr string, bestHeight int32) (FilteredChainView, error) {
+			p2pAddr string, bestHeight int32) (FilteredChainView,
+			error) {
 
 			blockCache := blockcache.NewBlockCache(10000)
 			chainView, err := NewBtcdFilteredChainView(
@@ -996,12 +797,9 @@ func TestFilteredChainView(t *testing.T) {
 	// dedicated miner to generate blocks, cause re-orgs, etc. We'll set up
 	// this node with a chain length of 125, so we have plenty of BTC to
 	// play around with.
-	miner, err := rpctest.New(netParams, nil, []string{"--txindex"}, "")
-	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create mining node")
-	defer miner.TearDown()
-	if err := miner.SetUp(true, 25); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("unable to set up mining node: %v", err)
-	}
+	miner := unittest.NewMiner(
+		t, netParams, []string{"--txindex"}, true, 25,
+	)
 
 	rpcConfig := miner.RPCConfig()
 	p2pAddr := miner.P2PAddress()
diff --git a/scripts/install_bitcoind.sh b/scripts/install_bitcoind.sh
index 7e70e4605f..5c655a63d4 100755
--- a/scripts/install_bitcoind.sh
+++ b/scripts/install_bitcoind.sh
@@ -2,9 +2,15 @@
 
 set -ev
 
-BITCOIND_VERSION=${BITCOIN_VERSION:-25.0}
+BITCOIND_VERSION=$1
+
+if [ -z "$BITCOIND_VERSION" ]; then
+  echo "Must specify a version of bitcoind to install."
+  echo "Usage: install_bitcoind.sh <version>"
+  exit 1
+fi
 
 docker pull lightninglabs/bitcoin-core:$BITCOIND_VERSION
 CONTAINER_ID=$(docker create lightninglabs/bitcoin-core:$BITCOIND_VERSION)
-sudo docker cp $CONTAINER_ID:/opt/bitcoin-$BITCOIND_VERSION/bin/bitcoind /usr/local/bin/bitcoind
+sudo docker cp $CONTAINER_ID:/opt/bitcoin-$BITCOIND_VERSION.0/bin/bitcoind /usr/local/bin/bitcoind
 docker rm $CONTAINER_ID