This time, we’ve got swimming, golf and lots of art!

1 Brunch or board games

One of our favourite guesthouses, Ravenscourt House, has new owners and they have launched two exciting features this year.

Corinne and Rob Bresnen now run the establishment with their son and daughter, providing the excellent customer service we’ve come to expect at this accommodation.

They are welcoming guests for brunch every day, from 8.30am to 11.30am. Recent specials have included blueberry and peanut pancake with malt whisky fudge, and Eggs Royal with smoked salmon.

Or perhaps you’re at a loose end in the evenings? The Ravenscourt team is hosting board game café from on Monday nights from 7pm – complete with drinks and sweet treats.

There is a huge selection of games to try – some you know and definitely some you don’t.

Their cupboard includes Cluedo, Bananagrams, Monopoly, as well as Sheriff of Nottingham, Catan, Jaipur and Kluster. We’re had a go at Do You Look Like Your Cat? and had a great time.

2 Follow the old railway to Nethy

The Speyside Way is one of Scotland’s best long distance walks, following the route of the River Spey between Newtonmore and Buckie. If you did the whole length, it’s 84miles – you can see the different sections and estimated time to complete on the Walk Highlands website (which, by coincidence, is based near Grantown!)

But we’re recommending the stretch from Nethy Bridge to Grantown, taking you through beautiful Strathspey farmland.

You could fuel up for the six miles by enjoying cake or lunch at Nethy House. This popular café sits on the main road, near the Nethy Bridge Hotel. There’s always a fantastic selection of treats and sandwiches, as well as drinks.

The route follows part of the old railway line so it’s a wide, mostly level track all the way, passing under a few access bridges along the way.

There are also several sets of farm gates to negotiate – please respect our farmers and keep the gates closed.

As you approach Grantown, you’ll see The Cairn Distillery over the river and know that you’re nearly there. The final section takes you past the old Speyside Smokehouse on the A95. You could take a detour to KJ’s Bothy Bakery here or continue to follow the signposts to the Old Spey Bridge and through Anagach Woods to the town centre.

Maybe the Grantown the Ballindalloch section next time?

3 Bobby Cruickshank golf experience

Grantown is a great base to explore the north-east best golf courses. We are spoilt for choice in Strathspey but think how many are within an hour’s drive of the town – Inverness, Castle Stuart, Nairn, Forres, Elgin and more.

Our own course sits on the edges of Anagach Woods. It’s a well-loved course with great views to the Cairngorms. It dates from 1890 and now there’s a chance to experience some historic golf, courtesy of one of the town’s forgotten sporting heroes.

Bobby Cruickshank was born in Grantown in 1894 and went on to enjoy a fantastic golf career – including finishing runner-up in the US Open three times.

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 he would have used.

Twelve sets of refurbished hickories are available for you to try our nine holes (with a dram at the end) have been refurbished for the experience, which has received funding from the Berry Burn Fund. 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.

4 Wild swimming

The Cairngorms has a great selection of places to take a dip, and in Grantown, you are close to a few great choices.

The River Spey itself is a convenient option. You can paddle at the bathing pool – a wee sandy beach just off the A95 between the two roundabouts. Or you can jump in under the Old Spey Bridge.

Outside the town, Lochindorb is a beautiful location – a huge loch with a castle in the centre, and a terrifying history to boot.

Check out our Wild Swimming Blog for more ideas and some tips on keeping safe in the water.

5 Creative Arts

In recent years, Grantown has become a thriving centre for the creative arts, with art galleries and artists studios providing a great boost to our local economy.

You can find some fantastic talent along the High Street, where our artists have brought new life to our closed bank buildings.

The Spey Bank Studio opened in the former Bank of Scotland offices in 2022, headed up by well-known artist Angus Grant and his partner, Jane Candlish.

The gallery is always full of colourful works by artists in the Cairngorms, as well as some from further afield. Angus also makes his own ceramics and teaches regular classes for residents and visitors.

Down the street, the former RBS building now houses the exhibition space, Open Space | The Vault.

Run by artist Joanna Wilson, this offers the unique chance to hang your work in a bank vault, complete with a huge door!

Also, the building houses Highland Artisans, a gift shop selling work by dozens of local crafters.

6 High Fashion

And now you’ve got your fantastic new piece of art, how about a new handbag?

You might not know this, but C.Nicol is a high end handbag designer, based right here in Grantown.

Run by entrepreneur and designer Cathleen Nicol, the company focusses on high-grade leather and luxury textiles from Scotland. Bags are  made in small batches, so you know you’re getting something exclusive.

And you can even visit the company to select your perfect bag when you visit Grantown. Contact C.Nicol to make your appointment.

Don’t forget to follow Discover Grantown on Facebook and Instagram to share your adventures around town and get more tips!