STAY
Grantown-on-Spey is the perfect base to explore the Cairngorms and beyond for a few days. And our town – the capital of Strathspey – is full of activities for your break. If you’re all booked in, let us suggest some of brilliant ways to spend your time and see the best Grantown has to offer.
Day 1 – Whisky and walks
Grantown is on the edge of the Malt Whisky Trail, which winds its way through Speyside, following the river that provides the water to make your dram. Now Grantown boasts its own distillery, The Cairn.
This modern building at Craggan was open by Gordon & MacPhail in 2022 and is becoming a landmark for the town. You can take a tour of the distillery alongside expert guides, who will teach you about the firm’s vision and techniques. And you’ll be able to sample a little of the national drink too!
Afterwards, you can take lunch at the distillery, in their beautiful bistro, The Gathering Place. Here, chefs pair tapas-style dishes with the whisky.
A wander through the woods
You can wander back to town along the Speyside Way, enjoying the beautiful views across the River Spey and looking out for ducks and dippers. You’ll pass a wee sandy beach – known locally as the Bathing Pool – along the way, perfect for a paddle on a sunny day.
The path continues along the river towards the Spey Bridge. Then you can turn into our wonderful Anagach Woods.
This forest has been owned by the community since 2001 and tracks and paths criss-cross the area. Stay alert for wildlife too – these woods are home to red squirrels, deer, dragonflies and more.
We’d also ask you to be extra-vigilant during the capercaillie breeding season. You’ll see signs in certain parts of the woods asking you to keep your dog on a lead at this time. And don’t light fires in the woods at times of extreme fire risk.
Anagach Woods Trust does a fantastic job of caring for the area. Check out whether there’s volunteering session on during your trip or maybe just give a few pounds to help the efforts.
Finish your day with a relaxing meal. The Square is a great place to start, with the Grant Arms Hotel and The Garth Hotel available for booking, as well as Po Pia, our resident Thai restaurant run by husband and wife team Bot and Callie.
Day 2 – History and High Street
Grantown Museum is one of our gems – a wee museum telling the big story of how Grantown was founded and developed. Located in the Burnfield area of the town, this is a great place to start your foray into local history.
The museum also hosts the Adventures in Costumes experience, where you can try on replica dresses from hit television shows such as Outlander and Bridgerton. One of the highlights is a beautiful handmade scarlet dress worn by Claire in a pivotal scene from Outlander series 2.
The men can get involved as well, with a kilt outfit similar to that worn by Jamie, complete with cravat, coat, baldric and sword belt. Or you could choose a cutaway coat with waistcoat and breeches.
The museum closes during the winter so check ahead on their website before making your trip.
High Street style
The museum is also a stop on the town’s historical walking trail, which takes in some of the oldest and most interesting buildings in Grantown. You can combine this with a stroll down the High Street to see our rich and varied line-up of shops and cafes.
We’ve got a great guide to eating out in Grantown, but if you’re wandering down the street, you might want to stop off at Luna Verde, where Italian cuisine and coffee is on offer. Or maybe get a sandwich to go from Maclean’s or Ashers and enjoy a picnic on a bench in the square.
Our High Street is full of independent shops, meaning you’ll be served with a smile by some of our business owners. They are delighted to give travel tips while you shop their carefully selected stock. From hardware to candles, from flowers to curios, from clothing to paintings, we think we’ve got a great choice of goods.
Day 3 – Forgotten heroes and tasty grub
It’s your final day so let’s make the most of it.
Start with brunch at Ravenscourt House Hotel. Under new management for 2025, this family team are serving up delicious mid-morning meals in their conservatory restaurant. The menu regularly includes Eggs Benedict, pancakes and more.
Now, it’s time for a walk…
Grantown-born golfer Bobby Cruickshank enjoyed a fantastic sporting career – including finishing runner-up in the US Open three times – but you’ve probably never heard of him.
Cruickshank was born in Grantown in 1894, playing golf here in the early 1900s. He fought in World War I – where his brother was killed – and was taken prisoner. Following his escape from the camp, he went to America and built an impressive golfing career. He won 25 US tournaments and was the lead money winner on the US PGA Tour in 1927.
Now you can play with the same clubs as Cruickshank would have used.
Twelve sets of hickories have been refurbished so you can try out nine holes – and enjoy a dram at the end to celebrate.
Contact 01479 872079 to book your experience or find out more at the Bobby Cruickshank Experience website.
Beyond Grantown
For lunch, KJ’s Bothy Bakery is a must-visit. Chef Kirsten Gilmour formerly ran the acclaimed Mountain Café in Aviemore but was forced to close when Covid hit. She rallied and opened premises in the Achnagonalin Industrial Estate. Now the place is thriving, baking bread, cakes and sandwiches using the best local produce.
To round off your break, how about exploring a little further afield. Nethy Bridge is just a few miles away. This beautiful village has links with renowned engineer Thomas Telford, as well as a 12th fortress set on a glacial mound – Castle Roy. The fort is open to the public and offers fantastic views of the Cairngorms to the south-east.
Or you could extend the tour to Loch Garten, where you can spot ospreys in the summer. Nearby, Boat of Garten boasts a stop-off on the Strathspey Railway, a popular attraction for young and old. You could even catch the train to Aviemore!
Thanks for visiting Grantown – we hope that our suggestions have given you a flavour of what’s on in the town. Follow and tag @discovergrantown to show us your own adventures and recommendations.