THINGS TO DO
Grantown on Spey is centrally located in the East of the Scottish Highlands. There is plenty to do in Grantown itself, and it is also a great base from which to explore the Cairngorms National Park, Speyside Malt Whisky Trail, Loch Ness, the Moray Coast and Findhorn Valley.
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GRANTOWN ON SPEY
Grantown is a historic town with plenty to do. There are community woodlands and the River Spey to explore as well as a wonderful High Street of independent retailers and a lovely town square. Leave your car here for a day and explore Grantown.
Distillery, gin and beer tours
As well as the official Malt Whisky Trail, we have many distilleries with visitor centres within a 40 minute drive. The Speyside Cooperage is where the barrels are made. Gin distilleries and breweries can also be visited. See our Distillery page for more information.
Hiking, Walking or a Gentle Stroll
Miles of woodland, river and mountain routes are on our doorstep. Climb a munro in the Cairngorms, hike for a few hours around lochs and woodlands or stroll along the River Spey. Check out the Walk Highlands site for lots of ideas.
Lochs & Glens
Loch Morlich, Loch An Eilein, Loch Garten and Lochindorb are all local to Rossmor. Glen Affric is rated as one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland and can be combined with visiting Loch Ness. The Findhorn Valley is famous for spotting eagles and other birds of prey.
Loch Ness
Search for Nessie on Loch Ness, Scotland’s most famous loch. Visit the Nessie Exhibition Centre, cruise the loch to Urquhart Castle, or drive to Fort Augustus, at the end of the loch, to watch boats travelling through the locks on the Caledonian Canal.
Wildlife
This area is abundant in wildlife. Look for it yourself, take a tour, or visit a hide with Speyside Wildlife. Spot eagles and other birds of prey in the Findhorn Valley, also known as Valley of the Raptors! See many other other birds, squirrel, winter hare and the elusive capercaillie in the Cairngorms. Spot dolphins and seals from Moray Coast beaches.
Cairngorm Reindeer
Visit the UK’s only free-ranging herd of 150 reindeer at Cairngorm Reindeer. Every day at 11am there is a hill trek walk into the Cairngorms to meet the reindeer. Many guests think this is the highlight of their holiday and use up all their camera space too!
Cairngorm Mountain
Visit Cairngorm Mountain and bag a munro! It’s 1.5 hours to walk up Cairngorm. For an easier route, ride the Funicular Mountain Railway up to the Ptarmigan Restaurant. Stop at Loch Morlich for a photo spot, a walk or watersports. Hike in Glenmore to the Green Lochan on the Ryvoan Trail.
Castles
Ballindalloch is a lived in castle with a homely feel. Cawdor Castle is linked to Shakespeare’s MacBeth. Brodie Castle is owned by the National Trust. Balmoral is the Queen’s summer holiday home. Urquhart Castle (ruin) is on Loch Ness. Balvenie Castle (ruin) is beside Glenfiddich Distillery.
Culloden Battlefield
Culloden Battlefield is close to Inverness. It is a powerfully moving site where the 1745 Jacobite rising came to a tragic end. Visit the Visitor Centre and exhibition, then venture out onto the atmospheric moor where around 1,500 men died.
Strathspey Steam Railway
Take a journey back in time on the Strathspey Steam Railyway. It’s a 1.5 hour journey from Aviemore, visiting Boat of Garten and Broomhill, where Monarch of the Glen was filmed (Glenbogle Station). You can also dine on the train, booking is advised for dining.
The Moray Coast
The best weather in Scotland is usually on the Moray Coast. Findhorn is a popular fishing village where you can sit in a cafe and watch seals catching salmon in the bay. Visit harbours at Burghead and Lossiemouth or spot dolphins at Spey Bay or Chanonry Point on the Black Isle.
Woollen Mills
The Knockando Woolmill is a traditional district mill still using machinery from the 1870s. There is a lovely cafe and shop as well. Johnstons of Elgin produce high end cashmere and wool products. You can visit the shop, mill and cafe.
Fishing
Fish for salmon and sea trout in the River Spey, or go to one of the many lochs and fish for rainbow and brown trout. Fishing permits, equipment and a ghillie can be arranged in our High Street from Mortimers.
Golf
Golf is popular in Scotland. In the Cairngorms National Park you can purchase a Cairngorms Golf Pass to play up to 12 different courses within the park at a reduced rate. Courses include Grantown on Spey, Boat of Garten and Spey Valley. We have a driying room and lockable storage for convenience.
Shopping
As well as Grantown’s historic High Street, there are some lovely places to shop for Scottish produce. Logie Steading is a privately owned estate with walks, a cafe and shops. Brodie Countryfare and Johnstons of Elgin stock Scottish clothing and homewares.
Highland Games
From May to September, there are over 80 Highland Games held in most towns across the Scottich Highlands. Grantown’s is held in August each year. The Grant Clan gathering is at the Abernethy Games and the Royal Family attend the Braemar Gathering. Visit SHGA for more information.
Outdoor Activities
Craggan Outdoors in Grantown offers archery, canoeing on the River Spey, golf, kayaking and more. The Rothiemurchus Estate in Aviemore has quad biking, segways, pony trekking, fishing, treezone aerial activities and more.
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