Saddleback Cottage

We had a fantastic day trip to Cromarty, a lovely village about 40 minutes from Inverness. we booked a nature trip with Ecoventures which I'd highly reccomend. The kids loved the 12 seater RIB (rigid inflateable boat), we were lucky enough to see Seals, Seabirds, some extemely cute Harbour Porpoise, followed by several Bottle-nosed Dolphins. The commentry and trip was well organised and lots of fun. Telephone to book on: 01381 600 323

RSPB have a great centre between Nethy Bridge and Boat of Garten. You can usually see the local osprey family on a daily basis here. The reserve is situated at grid reference NH978183 (View on MultiMap)

Osprey's are great birds to see and they hunt actively in this area. If you want to check the birds are around you can look at the live webcams here

Just outside Grantown on Spey is the Revack Estate. Free entry to this estate and some great walks makes it a must visit.
There is an adventure playground with a flying fox, swing, slides and very accessible family walks around the estate (all waymarked) and you can get a great cup of tea when you come back. There is also a garden centre and gift shop.

Quad bike treks are a great way to see the scenery around the Rothiemurchus estate (if you are over 12 years old!)

All treks start from the Rothiemurchus Visitor Centre at Inverdruie. The trek lasts around one hour, including safety instruction and training. The bikes we use are Yamaha 125cc automatic. Our treks continue in all weathers, so please come dressed appropriately, with strong, sensible footwear, and gloves in cold weather. You need to be 12 years old and be able to control the quad bike. £32.00 per person for 2007

Smarty Art just opened in Grantown on Spey. over the last few weeks. A great selection of ceramic pottery to paint that is fired twice or so a week but can also be posted to you if required. Gill Sunde runs the shop and as an art teacher she has some great advice of how to build up the colours and different techniques to use. It's a new business so please support them.

Smarty Art
6 High Street
Grantown on Spey
T: 01479 873552

Although the Loch isn't really open during the winter, after April there is a great deal of activity at Loch Inch and the dedicated facilities of Loch Inch Watersports. Canadian Canoes, Windsurfing, Boat trips, adventure playgrounds and ice cream. What more could you want.

Check out Loch Inch Watersport website for opening details. In the winter there is a good dry ski slope and hire here (open all year).

There is a steam train that runs from Boat of Garten to Aviemore and has now extended to Broomhill Station (close to Nethy Bridge). It is run by the Strathspey Railway a timetable is on their website.

The complete timetable to 2008 is here

A number of special events are run and supported by the railway including Steam Fairs. The next one is:

Boat of Garten Station
Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd July 2007
Entry to Fair £5.00 – (no train travel included)
Combined Entry and Train Travel - £10.00

Steam Traction Engines, Road Wagons, Road Rollers, Miniature Engines, Fairground Organ and Stalls.
Its also a “Two Train” Day. Parade of Road Vehicles on the Saturday Afternoon.
Park & Ride from Aviemore or *Broomhill Stations

*Broomhill is the location for station scenes in “Monarch of the Glen” (BBC)
3½ miles south of Grantown on Spey.

Not usually on until the summer but a good way to experience the foothills of the Cairngorms - grass sledging can be arranged. It is usually on at the right hand field just after Loch Morlich (after the Glenmore centre). It's great fun for all ages, contact them on Grass Sledging
Aviemore: tel (01479) 812 296.

Not far south of Aviemore is the Highland Wildlife Park, run by Edinburgh Zoo. http://www.highlandwildlifepark.org it has lots of animals you wouldn't expect to see within a zoo. A nice open environment with many of the animals roaming freely (within the park so dont worry!) Probably the most popular animals are the Wolves, it is certainly fascinating to watch them. Unfortunately in 2006 the entire pack was culled as they were exhibiting abnormal behaviour. They have been replaced but it's an important reminder that these animals are still wild.

The Landmark Forest Theme park in Carrbridge is a great day out for the whole family.

It has a great range of attractions (most of the fun ones are closed in the Winter!) including a water slide, Ropeworks (a high wire rope walk that is quite high up - but safe!) and woodland walks.

It is about 15 minutes from the cottage by following the signposts to Carrbridge. A family ticket is good value but if you plan to come back a few times to Nethy Bridge get an annual ticket - its great value and its a great wet day venue so is a good investment if the weather forecast isn't looking great (see here for the local weather forecast).

Costs for 2007 are:

2007 Price List - Landmark Centre
but we would highly recommend that you go for the season ticket:
2007 Price List - Landmark Centre - MultiVisit

Not far from Inverness is the iydyllic location and home of the Grant family - Urquhart Castle. This Historic Scotland building is a great day out for the family. Start with a coffee in the excellent coffee shop and they take the informative 10 minute presentation before strolling down to the castle itself and exploring.



2007 Prices are:

Adult £6.50
Child £3.25

Buy online for simplicity of become a Friend of Historic Scotland for free entry and a discount in the shop.