EXPLORE THE LOCAL AREA AROUND STRATHALLAN
Grantown On Spey & Surrounds
Here at Strathallan we are perfectly placed as a base to explore so much of the Scottish Highlands!
The Cairngorms National Park sits in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands. Our guests at Strathallan come from around the world to experience all the wonders on offer here. With breath-taking mountain ranges, historic sights, wildlife to discover and a variety of whisky distilleries to visit too.
The area offers something to delight the senses of any traveller looking for adventure. With over 1,700 square miles of wild land to explore, we have put together a small selection of activities in the area and sights you can visit too. We hope you find this helpful.
Whisky, Gin, History, Outdoor Adventure
So much to see and do you’ll want to do it all and more!
The Cairngorms
National Geographic has voted the Cairngorms Park one of the top 20 Places to Visit in the World and there are many reasons to visit.
We highly recommend Walk Highlands as a source for walking routes and maps. A visit to Loch an Eilein a lovely walk around the beautiful loch shores in the stunning Rothiemurchus Estate. Loch Morlich is a beautiful loch, just outside Aviemore and offers another lovely circular walk, taking in the beauty of the forests and mountain views.
Cairngorm Mountain Ranger led walks around the top of the Mountain are a great day out. Closer to home is Anagach Woods where the endangered Capercaillie breed in the local area of Grantown on Spey and the woods offer some lovely walks and cycle routes. The Dava Way is a route that links the historic towns of Forres and Grantown on Spey and covers 24 miles through some lovely landscapes. There is also the Speyside Way, a route that runs from Spey Bay all the way through Grantown on Spey and onto Aviemore.
The Cairngorm National Park is home to a vast array of flora and fauna. Whether you are into birds, reindeer, wildcats or dolphins, there is always something new for you to discover in this wonderfully diverse environment.
Loch Garten is an RSPB nature reserve with nesting Ospreys that return to nest here every year. A9 Bird Tours offers tailor made birding and wildlife tours. Cairngorm Reindeer Herd is the only free ranging herd of Reindeer in the UK. Highland Wildlife Park offers a slice of the exotic in the Highlands. Rothiemurchus Estate offers a variety of experiences, including falconry, pony trekking for all abilities, Highland Cow safaris and much more.
Whisky, Beer & Gin
Today’s rain is tomorrow’s whisky, beer or gin! Strathallan is a great base to explore the fine Speyside distilleries along the whisky trail, we recommend you book a guide.
The Cairn, opened in Grantown in 2022 and offers a brand new visitor experience. Glenfarclas is one of the few remaining family-owned distilleries and is one of the more unusual ones to visit. Benromach is a distillery with a unique back story. Strathisla is a very pretty distillery in the small highland town of Keith. The well known Macallan, founded in 1824, definitely requires advance booking. Cardhu is almost museum like, with lots of antiquities and information regarding other local distilleries too. Glenlivet is set within their own stunning estate. And lastly a visit to Speyside Cooperage to watch how whisky barrels are made.
If you are looking for a guide, then we can recommend the following, starting off with Simply Speyside Tours, Calum is a brilliant guide with a true love of malts. Then there is John from Strathspey Tours, offering an informative, professional and friendly environment. Your knowledgeable host will ensure you have a wonderful experience. Moray Firth Tours are a friendly and professional company offering private transport and bespoke tours. And Scottish Routes, offer a variety of different tour options.
Cairngorm Brewery is only 20 minutes away in Aviemore. Enjoy a tour, have a taste and buy some bottles. If your tipple is gin, then book ahead at Caorunn for an amazing tour. Guests will gain an insight into their artisanal production process through a privileged behind-the-scenes tour. Kinrara is just 20 minutes from Grantown on Spey. This small batch distiller offers tastings and tours in what was once the estates milking shed.
Castles & Culture
Explore some of the historic sites of the Scottish Highlands whilst you stay at Strathallan in Grantown on Spey. Some local, some a bit further afield.
Our local Grantown Museum lets you discover more about the town and its history. There are some wonderful pictures and historic pieces on display. Or a visit to Ruthven Barracks, a well preserved ruin dating from 1719. There are some beautiful photo opportunities. Go a bit further afield to the Highland Folk Museum, this open air museum showcases a variety of dwellings that would have been lived in by Highlanders over the years. Take a trip on the Strathspey Steam Railway that offer special cream tea and evening meal packages which should be booked in advance during the summer. Ballindalloch Castle, home of the Macpherson-Grants since 1546, where you can visit some of the rooms in the house, enjoy a walk around their gardens and also have some tea and cake in their café. Only an hour away, Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle is the perfect day trip while staying at Strathallan. The castle is managed by Historic Scotland and has a lot of information on its rather difficult past. For another castle, visit Brodie Castle which is maintained by the National trust for Scotland and is a beautiful example of a 16th Century castle, filled with some amazing antiquities. Also worth a visit is Knockando Woolmill, believed to be opened in 1784. This beautiful place has been lovingly restored and you can walk around and rediscover the history and art-form of weaving in the Highlands.
Outdoor Activities
There are a variety of activities on offer in and around Grantown on Spey, from a leisurely game of golf to going mad on a zip wire, there is something for everyone.
Fancy a game of golf? Grantown on Spey Golf Club established in 1890, is an 18-hole course offers varying difficulties which will suit all types of players. Cairngorm Activities Golf Course offering a 9-hole course with competitive green fees and is suitable for all levels of golfer. The Spey Valley Championship Golf Course is an 18-hole course again offers all-ability play.
Get on your cycle and head to Anagach Woods, with trails to suit all levels though lovely pine forests. The Dava and Speyside Ways are also suitable for riders who want to go long distance. Or Glenlivet Estate with graded routes to suit all abilities.
Ride a horse at Rothiemurchus Estate where they offer guided riding routes in Aviemore. Cairngorm Activities offer 1 or 2 hour treks through lovely woodland and are very close to Grantown. Or for a more petrol fuelled ride, Quad Bike Treks in Aviemore, offer one hour tours through some lovely scenery. Or take a slower pace of life and go fishing. With the Spey River on our doorstep it would be a shame not to go fishing. You can purchase fishing permits and supplies on Grantown High Street or online from Mortimers.
More… There isn’t enough space for us to discuss all the other activities including clay pigeon shooting, archery, bush craft, climbing, white water rafting and lots more. Cairngorm Activities and Rothiemurchus Estate have all of these and more to offer.
