grantown on spey

Grantown-on-Spey is another Victorian resort, evident as soon as you enter the wide, well designed main street. For a more peaceful Highland holiday this is the place to come, away from the flurry of Aviemore.

Fishing and golf are the main activities here with investigation of the nearby Speyside whisky distilleries an enjoyable diversion. To get onto the Malt Whisky Trail from Speyside, follow the A95 east and enter an area rich in distilleries, once the stronghold of the illegal distilling trade. The Glenlivet, one of the most popular Scotch whiskies, dates back to the early 1800s founded by an illicit distiller and smuggler, George Smith. The distillery and centre make visitors most welcome, the displays are educational and samples, on a cold day, most appreciated.

For eating, try Smiffy's licensed restaurant in Grantown's town square for its fish and chips or the Tiree Hotel, opposite, for a more sedate meal.Boat of Garten might seem an odd name for a Highland village, but a small ferry once operated here, crossing the River Spey until a bridge was built in the late nineteenth century. The 'Boat', as it is more affectionately known, is still the northern terminus for the Strathspey Steam Railway leaving from Aviemore and taking around half an hour.

There is a nostalgic old station at Boat of Garten and various carriages in disparate states of repair. Loch Garten nearby, is the spot where Scotland's once rare Ospreys return year after year to raise clutches of clicks, gradually, along with other pairs, repopulating the Highlands with this beautiful bird of prey.