| | Print | |
|
THE LOCH ERICHT ESTATE PLACES TO VISIT AND THINGS TO DO ACTIVE DAYS OUT Wolftrax Mountain Bike Track. A great day out for all ages. Bring your own bike or hire on site. Café. 01528 544786. www.forestry.gov.uk/WolfTrax Highland Activities caters for most outdoor adventures for all ages and abilities. For those who wish to explore the wilderness of the highlands and enjoy an outdoor challenge. 0845 945513 www.highlandactivities.co.uk Nae Limits, Ballinluig. White water rafting and lots of other challenging activities. 44 (0845) 017 8177, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.naelimits.co.uk Freespirits (Marina, Loch Rannoch Hotel) Boat Hire, whiterafting, canoeing 01887 840400 07909 540232, www.freespirits.co.uk, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Newtonmore Riding Centre. Riding, trekking and instruction available. Stables: 01540 670000, Stables mob: 07920 556756, www.newtonmoreridingcentre.com Blair Trekking Centre, Blair Atholl. Set in the grounds of Atholl Castle open April to October except Saturdays. 01796 481568 www.blaircastletrekking.co.uk/trekking Newtonmore Folk Museum Just off the A9 at Newtonmore. Well worth a visit from anyone staying in the area wanting a relaxed and enjoyable day and you will learn about the history and people of the area. A fascinating day out. Play area for kids. Café. Summer opening only. Free entry. 01540 673551 www.highlandfolk.com Highland Wildlife Park Just off the A9 between Aviemore and Kingussie. Experience Scottish wildlife as well as international endangered animals of mountains and tundra in the spectacular setting of the Highland Wildlife Park. Drive around the Main Reserve in your own car and then investigate the walk-round areas by foot, looking out for the snow monkeys being fed and Amur tigers Open daily – opening times are for 10am – 4pm (last entry 3 pm) and extended in summer. 01540 651270 www.highlandwildlifepark.org Landmark Centre, Carrbridge A great range of outdoor active outdoor play activities for bigger kids. Café. Open all year but dress for the cold in winter. 0800 3313446/7313446 www.landmark-centre.co.uk/LocalInfo.htm Hilton Coylumbridge Funhouse 4 miles out of Aviemore on Glenmore Road great covered play area for small kids. Located at Hilton Hotel. There is also a swimming pool here open to non residents. 0870 5 90 90 90. www.hilton.co.uk Pitlochry Children’s Amusement Park Open daily - Easter to the end of October. Highland Perthshire’s No. 1 kids Action Zone. Have a fun day out in Pitlochry for all the family, young and old. Pirate Ship, Cups & Saucers, Magic Roundabout, Bumper Cars, Boats and Orbiter Shuttles, Water Blasters, Kiddies Track ride, Family Amusement Arcade, Carousel and Snack Bar. Armoury Road, Pitlochry. T: +44(0)1796-472876 F: +44(0)1796-473320 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Rothiemurchus Shooting School, Aviemore There is nothing quite like the sheer thrill of shooting at clay targets as they soar across the sky and the range of facilities make for the most exhilarating days shooting. They offer a wide range of sporting targets in natural surroundings with 26 automatic traps each with multiple shooting positions, including high pheasant tower, bolting rabbit, driven grouse, springing teal. They have full time and part time experienced instructors who provide expert one-to-one tuition giving you the confidence to really enjoy this exciting sport. Lighter weight guns and low recoil cartridges are available for ladies and children so that everyone can have a great time, and before you know it you’ll be hitting more clays than you thought possible 01479 811272. www.rothiemurchus.net/Pages/Activities/Clay-Shooting.html Gleneagles Shooting School Whether a novice or crack-shot you will enjoy and benefit from time spent at the Gleneagles Shooting School in Perthshire Scotland. If you would like more practice on simulated teal, high pheasant or running hare or simply enjoy the exhilaration of our clay pigeon target shooting ranges, the Shooting School offers the very best in terms of sporting clays facilities and equipment. The Gleneagles Shooting School has a reputation for providing an unrivalled sporting layout and the most expert instruction in sporting clay target shooting at all levels of skill. 08003893737 www.gleneagles.com/activities/shooting.aspx Swimming Pool at Aviemore Highland Resort - 0844 879 9152 Cairngorm Mountain and Glenmore Forest Park. Funicular railway and ski tows in winter. Cafe at the top. Funicular is available in the summer but not allowed to walk from the top. Great location for biking, walks, picnic and hill treks in summer. Take the Glenmore road out of Aviemore. (Cairngorm Mountain Railway 01479 861261). Ski hire, mountain bike all available. Loch Morlich Water Sports Situated at the foot of the Cairngorm, Loch Morlich is situated right at the heart of the National Park. This beautiful location provides an ideal site for you to enjoy a wide range of activities. From water sports to walking, mountain biking to fishing, you’ll find activities to give many fun filled days Loch Morlich Watersports, Glenmore Forest Park by Aviemore, Inverness-shire, PH22 1QU. Tel/Fax 01479 861221, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.lochmorlich.com Loch Insh Water Sports Home of the Cairngorm Canoe and Sailing School of try some snowboarding or ski instruction on their 60 m dry slope. Loch Insh Watersports, Kincraig, Kingussie, Inverness-shire. PH21 1NU T:+44 (0) 1540 651272 www.lochinsh.com PLACES TO VISIT Cawdor Castle Historic Castle and Gardens. 01667 404401 May to October only. Blair Castle Historic Castle and Gardens. 01796 481207 Culloden Battlefield near Inverness. In 1746 Bonny Prince Charlie was defeated by the Duke of Cumberland and the Red coats bringing to an end the rising and the hopes of the Stewarts for the throne of Scotland. An excellent half day visit to the battlefield and new visitor centre. Ruthven Barracks is another worthwhile attraction, standing on a hillock across the river. This ruined barracks was built by the English Redcoats as part of their campaign to tame the highlands after the first Jacobite rising in 1715. It was destroyed by the Jacobites in the wake of defeat at Culloden to prevent it from falling into enemy hands, and it was from here that Bonnie Charlie sent his final order which signalled the end of his doomed cause. Access is free and the ruins are particularly attractive at night when floodlit. Leave the A9 at Kingussie and take the Ruthven Road out of the town for 2 miles. Car Park. Dalwhinnie Distillery - Tours available all year. 01540 672219. www.discovering-distilleries.com/dalwhinnie Tomatin Distillery Visitor Centre 01808 51444, Tours available. Speyside Distillery tour, starting at Dalwhinnie drive yourself on a wonderful scenic route down historic Speyside visiting some of the world famous Scottish distilleries. Bells Distillery, Pitlochry. 01796 482003. Tours available. Pitlochry Fish Ladder. Set in the Hydro dam at Pitlochry enjoy a pleasant walk around Loch Faskally and admire the mighty hydro engineering. See if you can spot any fish swimming through the fish ladder bypass with viewing platform. Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Port-Na-Craig, Pitlochry, PH16 5DR Box Office:01796 484626, Reception:10796 484600 Fax: 01796 484616, www.pitlochry.org.uk Scottish Crannog Centre. See how the ancient Scots lived – all the comforts of home over water. On the banks of Loch Tay near Aberfeldy, enjoy some superb highland scenery on the drive there and back. March to October – 01887 830583 Heather Centre, Dulnain Bridge. Garden and visitor centre with antique shop. On the way to Grantown-on-Spey. 01479 851359 www.heathercentre.com Inshriach Nursery, on the back road south of Aviemore. Selection of highland plants and a good stop to see Scottish Woodlands birds at the bird table also for tea and cakes, 01540 651287. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Treats, The Square, Kinloch Rannoch - Cafe, gifts and Local arts. Open 7 days a week - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Telephone 01882 632333 Strathspey Steam Railway. Cover the short journey from Aviemore to Broomhill and back. A memorable day for all ages. 01479 810725 www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk Fort William to Mallaig Steam railway. Travel over the historic Glenfinnan Viaduct (shown in Harry Potter film) and enjoy some fantastic scenery. Fort William can be reached by train from Rannoch Station which is also a very scenic journey crossing Rannoch moor. Study your time table to ensure you can get a return journey in a day, Tickets 01524 737751. Cairngorm Reindeer Centre The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd is Britain’s only herd of reindeer, found free ranging in the Cairngorm mountains in Scotland because reindeer are not just for Christmas. These extremely tame and friendly animals are a joy to all who come and see them. There are currently around 150 reindeer, approximately 50 of them ranging the Cairngorm Mountains and the remainder on the Glenlivet Estate; the locations being some 30 miles apart. There is a daily visit to the reindeer, weather permitting, departing from the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre at 11.00 am. There is an additional visit at 2.30 pm during the summer months. During the winter months, the visit may be dependent on whether we can find them. Under the supervision of our trained guides, visitors can feed and stroke the reindeer. www.reindeer-company.demon.co.uk/01479 861228 Clan Macpherson Museum, Newtonmore, Local Clan Centre. Open April to October 10.00 to 5.00, 12.00 to 5.00 on Sundays. No admission charge. 01540 673332, www.clan-macpherson.org Fort George lying to the east of Inverness it is an unaltered artillery fortress built between 1748 and 1769. It is still used as a military barracks. Interesting military museum. Open all year. 01667 460232 Castle Urquhart, the ruins of one of Scotland’s largest castles set on the mysterious banks of Loch Ness. Boat trips on Loch Ness Contact Jacobite, Jacobite’s main office is at: Tomnahurich Bridge, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5TD Telephone:+44 (0)1463 233999, Fax:+44(0)1463 710188, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Or from the Fort Augustus end try: The Royal Scot is moored on the canal below the locks, in the centre of Fort Augustus. Tickets can be purchased from the booking office adjacent to the jetty. Alternatively contact us by telephone or email to make a booking. Out of season bookings can be made by either telephone or email. To make a booking or for further information please call 01320 366277 Tel/fax:+44 (0)1320 366221 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it An alternative operating from Drumnadrochit which is on the north shore of Loch Ness near Castle Urquhart: Loch Ness Cruises The Original Loch Ness Visitor Centre, Drumnadrochit Inverness IV63 6TU, Tel:+44(0)1456 450395 Mobile 07768 652810, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Dolphin watching trips on Moray Firth Eco Ventures To get in contact with either Sarah or Robyn at Eco ventures please use one of the contact options below: EcoVentures, Harbour Workshop Victoria Place Cromarty IV11 8YE, 00 44 (0)1381 600 323 email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Dolphin Trips, Avoch, near Inverness 01381 622383, 07779833951, www.dolphintripsavoch.co.uk WALKING You are welcome to walk in any direction from any of our Lodges. For advice on long distance and short walks please ask at the Estate Office or the keeper. He will also be able to advise if there is stalking taking place in the area during the stalking season. Other good areas for walking are Loch an Eilein at Aviemore, Newtonmore wildcat trails, Killiekrankie. Please follow the access code –www.outdooraccess-scotland.com Everyone has the right to be on most land and inland water providing they act responsibly. Your access rights and responsibilities are explained fully in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. The key things to remember are to:
GOLF Golf can be played by everyone – men and women, young and old, professionals and amateurs and is one of the few sports which can be enjoyed for an entire lifetime. Golf can be enjoyed on a social basis, among friends or colleagues or highly competitively at club, area or national level. There are many courses throughout Scotland and indeed many communities having their own course. Novices welcome, instruction and equipment hire available in most courses. The best local courses listed below Newtonmore Kingussie Blair Atholl 9 hole Aberfeldy Pitlochry Taymouth Castle Boat of Garten Grantown on Spey Castle Stuart And good but not so local: Gleneagles St. Andrews Nairn Royal Dornoch Check out the sites below for details and any special offers for playing Location Tel: Description Length(yds) Holes Par Kingussie 01 540 661 600 Hillside plus woodland with testing Start & finish 5555 18 66 Newtonmore 01 540 673 878 Reputed to be one of the finest holiday courses in area 6029 18 70 Abernethy 01 479 821 305 Stunning course with views across Strathspey 4986(for 18) 9 66 Boat of Garten 01 479 831 282 Demanding fairways, with Cairngorm backdrop 5866 18 69 Carrbridge 01 479 841 623 Mixture of moorland and parkland 2623 9 71 Grantown-on- Spey 01 479 872 079 Typical Scottish Woodland & open parkland 18 70 Inverness 01 463 239 882 Championship course with many interesting features 6226 18 69 FISHING Guests staying in our lodges are welcome to fish on Loch Ericht and Loch Rannoch from the bank or you are welcome to bring your own boat to launch. Please ask for rules before booking. Both lochs have a good wild stock of Brown trout. Good trout fishing in both lochs and further hill lochs are available but please ask about access. For instruction Alistair Gowans 01796 473718 www.anglingtayside.co.uk Angling Fishing for Brown Trout, Charr and coarse fish such as Pike is popular in the area. Anyone fishing must, by law, carry a permit to do so. There are a few salmon but these are not available for fishing as they are few and far between and should be left to repopulate the river and lochs. The building of the dams on the River Tummel in the early part of the 20th century prevented the salmon from coming up to their old spawning grounds and they are only just beginning to return after fish-ladders were improved. Therefore there is no salmon fishing in this area. Those wishing to fish for salmon should go to the Tay or lower reaches of the Tummel. Quayles in Pitlochry, opposite the Tourist Information, would be able to advise on this. When fishing The Oudoor Access Code should always be adhered to. No litter should be left, no trees cut down for firewood, no fishing without a permit. (Irresponsible Camping - As there have been problems with irresponsible camping in the last year or two, the police have agreed to patrol the area of Loch Rannoch with the water wardens to ensure that campers behave responsibly.) F I S H I N G I N R A N N O C H
Trout Fishing Season: 15th March to 6th October Secretary and Senior Warden: Mr R. Legate 01882 632 775 Permits for fishing & boat launching from shops & hotels in Kinloch Rannoch & Bridge of Gaur. L.R.C.A. boat launching site at Killichonan. No outboards or motorised craft except members' registered boats. Boat and rod hire from Free Spirits, Loch Rannoch Marina at Macdonald Loch Rannoch Hotel. Tel: 07770 822 849 Permit Prices: Day Week Season Adults £6.00 £20.00 £35.00 EACH ANGLER MUST HOLD A PERMIT TO COMPLY WITH THE PROTECTION ORDER Own boat launching:- RIVER TUMMEL - brown trout, coarse fish - bank fishing only - Permit prices as for Loch Rannoch DUNALASTAIR RESERVOIR - brown trout. LOCHS EIGHEACH, KINARDOCHY, BHAC - brown trout LOCH LAIDON - brown trout Details TBA In addition there is plenty of other rivers and lochs you may wish to fish for salmon and trout. Season for trout fishing on the lochs is 15 March to 6 October. SPORTING Stalking red or roe deer is a fascinating way to discover Scotland’s landscape and culture. You will spend time walking through beautiful landscapes – mountains, glens and forests – as you go in search of the deer. The red deer on the estate are carefully managed on a sustainable basis producing a healthy quality food in balance with the local environment. Deer welfare, conservation and environmental enhancement are important initiatives for the estate. You will spend time with one of the estate stalkers on the hill. The tradition of deer stalking will offer you an insight of Scottish culture which many other visitors will never experience. Deer stalking is the term we use in Scotland for hunting and shooting deer. It is an important part of modern day land management. It also contributes to the local economy; helps protect many native plants and species and maintain a healthy and strong population of red deer. Deer stalking is also a traditional activity in Scotland, a link to the traditional culture of the Highlands Please also discuss stalking the deer with your binoculars or camera. Red Stag season 1st July to 20th October Roe bucks 1st April to 20th October and does 21st October to 31st March During the season Stalking red deer is available by arrangement with the Estate Manager. Please contact Patrick Thompson 01540 672002 for availability and rates. LOCAL FUEL AND GARAGES Dalwhinnie – fuel, papers and basic groceries only. 01528 522311 McCormacks, Kingussie. Recovery and repairs (AA recovery) 01540 661381 J & P Brown, Kinloch Rannoch – Fuel only. 01882 632331 Blair Atholl Garage – Fuel, recovery and repairs. 01796 481221 Other fuel stops at: Perth A9 South, Ballinluig A9 South, Pitlochry A9 South Newtonmore A9 North, Aviemore A9 North PLACES TO EAT These are a selection below which are local. I do not recommend anyone especially as guests have different expectations and restaurants change over time. I have marked some of the family friendly (F) and some that should be better quality*. In addition you will find a wide range of hotels in Aviemore, Grantown and Pitlochry. Letterbox, Newtonmore * 01540 673231 Columba House Hotel, Kingussie 01540 661402 The Cross, Kingussie * 01540 661166 La Taverna Ristorante, Aviemore (F) 01479 810683 Lisa’s, between Aviemore and Grantown (F) 01479 831339 The Loft, Blair Atholl* 01796 481377 Atholl Arms Hotel, Blair Atholl. 01796 481205 Bunrannoch House Hotel, Kinloch Rannoch. 01882 632 407 Dunalistair Hotel, Kinloch Rannoch. 01882 632323 Port na Craig, Pitlochry* 01796 472777 Killicrankie House Hotel 01796 473220 WEBSITES TO CHECK SCOTLAND’S TOURISM GATEWAY SITE TOURIST INFORMATION www.travelinesscotland.com – Public Transport information Travel Guide UK, Exploring Scotland, Cairngorms Walks
Although I make every effort to update this information if you find any of the above wrong or out of date please let me know.
|
