Visit Grantown on Spey

Posts Tagged ‘Highlands’

Are you tired of spending New Year’s Eve packed in an expensive bar, waiting to get served, not heard in a position to think for themselves, let alone for chat with friends? Well, maybe it’s time to take matters into their own hands, so your friends gather together and go to the highlands for their Hogmanay celebrations this New Year!

Renting a home for a few days over New Year’s Eve is an increasingly popular way of farewell to 12 months and is especially popular with those who have reached their late twenties and feel that they are done with the celebration of the hedonistic New Year’s Day, their youth.

And there is no reason why rent a house with a group of friends or family is so popular, but as blowing all your money on a great night, you will enjoy a long weekend of celebrations, other activities will include outdoor such as hiking, fishing and cycling in the nearby countryside. It is also a good opportunity to another part of the country that it might otherwise be unlikely to see visit.

The Scottish Highlands and Islands are particularly popular with New Year revelers in search of holiday cottages. There are hundreds of properties across the lakes and valleys to choose from, depending on how far you can be your new year.

The west coast of Scotland offers many secluded, rustic cabins and farms, with a crackling wood fire and views over the beautiful lakes. If you are looking to get a New Year’s in the game of golf, Fife is the place to go, head for a fisherman’s cottage overlooking a harbor for a traditional Scottish experience.

Winter sports enthusiasts may even be able to get a few days skiing in, despite the unpredictable nature of Scottish weather means that you are probably not your heart on the slopes of the firing or Cairngorm Glencoe, but you never know you were on the lucky winners! For those who are south of the border who do not want to travel too far to the north, the Scottish Borders is an ideal place for a taste of Scotland, without getting so long journey.

Whatever part of Scotland for your Hogmanay celebration, you should be able to find a rental house to adapt your needs. Be of great houses, which accommodate up to 20 people, the perfect pair of cozy cottages for a romantic New Year’s Day, forget drums in a crowded disco – this year, why not spend Hogmanay in the Highlands?

The particular area of Britain happens to be one of its wildest. There is a very diverse range of species including animals, plants and birds; some of them actually being some of the rarest in Britain. The area itself includes many parks and centres that have rangers and guided walks so you can fully appreciate the diversity of the wildlife the area has to offer.

The Scottish Highlands is home to many land animals, aquatic creatures and birds. Too many to describe in full here. We shall however describe some of the more elusive and interesting animals from each group so you can have an idea of what is on offer.

First, the land animals:

Adder
The adder is a poisonous snake found in Scotland. It happens to be the only poisonous snake found here and it isn’t very dangerous unless provoked. They are somewhat difficult to find and tend to avoid humans. The snake is typically identified by a dark zigzag on their backs. The females can be identified as they are generally longer in length, have a duller colour and intimidating orange eyes. The snake can be seen on and around large bricks, stones and boulders. They are also known to be seen in moor land during the summer months.

Red Deer
The Red Deer is maybe the most famous Scottish land animal. It is the largest animal and the most common too. It is estimated that there are around 300 thousand Red Deer in Scotland to date, the majority of which can be found in the Scottish Highlands. The male and females of the animal spend the majority of their time in separate herds, but they do come together during the breeding season with the calves being born in June.

Red Squirrel
This is Scotland’s most recognised and most popular animals. Unfortunately, they are becoming overrun by the grey squirrel and this has resulted in fewer numbers of red squirrels. Regardless of this, the Scottish Highlands are still thriving with red squirrels but they can be quite difficult to spot. The best way to arrange a Red Squirrel encounter is of course trying to tempt them with food such as nuts and berries.

Secondly, we shall now cover the aquatic animals of the Scottish Highlands.

Bottlenose Dolphins
Although you can find bottlenose dolphins around the whole of Scotland, the colony at Moray Firth happens to be the most famous. This beautiful animal can be spotting swimming and jumping around in the sea throughout the summer months. A beautiful and amazing site for anyone to see!

Killer Whales / Orcas
Killer Whales or Orcas are they are known are one of the fastest and best predators in the ocean. They also happen to be one of the most common mammals on Earth. Male Orcas can grow to about 7 to 8metres in length and weigh over 5 thousand kg. The distinct colouration of the Orcas (the contrast of the black versus the white) and the sheer size of the animal is an amazing site to see.

Basking Shark
The Basking Shark is an amazingly huge animal, one of the largest in the world. It happens to be the second largest fish known to man, weighing up to 7 tonnes and reaching up to an incredible 11 metres in length. The animal is usually seen swimming close to surface with just its fin breaking the water, as the animal glides around catching plankton in its huge mouth.
Lastly, we shall now describe a few of the many varieties of bird to be found in the Scottish Highlands.

Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is an impressive bird of prey that can be found in the Scottish Highlands. This bird of prey tends to inhabit mountains and high moor land associated with the Scottish Highlands. The beautiful bird with its broad wings and long time is a beautiful and elegant animal that can be seen soaring and gliding around on air currents in the sky.

Puffin
The Puffin is another beautiful bird that happens to be very unique. It has a black back, white underside, orange legs and very distinct and unusual brightly-colour break. The Puffin can be seen in the spring when the bird comes ashore to breed. Unfortunately the animal spends the winter far out in see. Grab the opportunity to see this bird when you can!

Kingfisher
The Kingfisher is another beautiful yet strangely coloured bird that can be found in-land as opposed to the coastal area of the Scottish Highlands. Its unmistakeable bright blue and orange feathers make this bird very original and a beautiful site to see. They fly very fast over water as low as possible in the hope of catching jumping fish. They can also be seen hovering above the water.

There really is a huge and diverse variety of species to be found in Scotland, although unfortunately this isn’t always recognised by some. Forget the kilts, the haggis and the bagpipes… just look at the wildlife!

Scotland has an ancient and fascinating history with its own distinctive culture, factors that make it an exhilarating holiday destination. With so much to discover, this small country attracts tourists in their droves keen to explore its dramatic landscape, snow covered mountains, beautiful lochs and intriguing cities. Whenever you choose to visit Scotland there are a wide range of entertainment and activities available and the choice of places to stay, including self catering accommodation, means you can bring the family.

Situated between Perth and Inverness are the charming areas of Grantown on Spey and Cairngorm, their location in the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland provide them with spectacular views. With the extensive variety of activities and attractions offered in the area, they have become a trendy destination for tourists and residents to spend some time.

Reasonably simple to get to by road and coach, the rail network extends to Grantown, via Aviemore from Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh and there is a direct link from London. If you don’t have a lot of time to spend then the local airport is Inverness.

Grantown on Spey and the surrounding area have a lot to offer and winter sports are one of the main attractions for many visitors. The Cairngorm Mountains offer a range of snowboarding, sledging and skiing opportunities. The ski-lift will take you to the top of the mountain and slopes have been designed for beginners or skilled skiers. The restaurant at the top of the mountain is a great place to stay awhile and admire the scenery. The mountain is mainly covered in snow from December until April or May.

Aviemore offers the ideal destination for a weekend away with a loved one, to spend some time with friends, or as a treat for the family as there are lots of activities and attractions to keep everyone happy.

If visiting CairnGorm Mountain, there is a small train that runs you up to the top, an impressive 1097m above sea level it is a safe manner tin which to reach the summit and an ideal way to experience the effects of altitude. Ensure you visit the mountain exhibition and wild garden and the self guided trails are fascinating places for exploring. For younger children the substitute is to take a ride on the Strathspey Steam Railway. It makes a round trip from Aviemore, passing through Boat of Garten to Broomhill and takes just over an hour. Sit back and see the stunning Cairngorm Mountains pass by whilst experiencing the pleasure of riding a steam engine.

Not far from Grantown is Rothiemurchus, a Highland estate and fascinating place for all ages, there are various wildlife to see such as Pine Martens, Badgers and Red and Roe Deer as well as many species of birds, amongst them Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Tawny Owls and Woodcocks. There are heaps of activities on offer in the estate many of them geared towards families and children. The Rothiemurchus Ranger will show you around the trail and teach you about the local wildlife and countryside. Rafting is specially arranged so families can join in too, with calm waters and expert guides on the rafts, and you can even visit the farm and meet the Highland Cows and Red Deer Stags.

There is a broad variety of accommodation on offer in Grantown and the nearby area, whatever your taste, bed and breakfast, guest houses, hotels and resorts are all an option or experience a log cabin or holiday cottage Aviemore. Self catering is a good option for those with families as it provides a lot more space. A 2 or 3 bedroom lodge or cottage can effortlessly contain a family and with all the mod cons and comforts of home can keep everyone happy.

Whatever type of holiday you are preparing for, a quiet weekend break, a week full of activities and entertainment, or a family holiday, you are sure to find it in Grantown and the Scottish Highlands. Check online for a choice of lodgings, including self catering accommodation in Grantown.