What to do and see in Grantown-on-Spey, United Kingdom (UK): The Best Places and Tips

September 18, 2017 Nobuko Falco

Grantown-on-Spey (Scottish Gaelic: Baile nan Granndach) is a town in the Highland Council Area, historically within the county of Moray. It was founded in 1765 as a planned settlement on a low plateau at Freuchie beside the river Spey at the northern edge of the Cairngorm mountains, about 20 miles south east of Inverness (35 miles by road).
Restaurants in Grantown-on-Spey

1. Anagach Woods

Forest Road, Grantown-on-Spey, Scotland +44 1479 872273
Excellent
69%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 266 reviews

Anagach Woods

Reviewed By thesetter - Warwickshire

It’s not a big place but this community wood offers peace and quiet. Beautiful pine wood with red squirrels (we saw 6) and birds. Worth taking a small detour to the banks of the Spey. Beautiful.

2. Caorunn Gin Tour

Balmenach Distillery, Cromdale PH26 3PF, Scotland +44 1479 874933
Excellent
90%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 35 reviews

Caorunn Gin Tour

A dry and crisp, aromatic taste adventure. Intimate and personal tours. Insight into Caorunn’s artisanal production process, botanical garden and foraged local ingredients. Behind-the-scenes tour of the production area. Tutored deconstructed nosing and tasting session. Neat tasting and refreshing Caorunn&T with red apple wedges.

Reviewed By Andrew S - Pitlochry, United Kingdom

We thoroughly enjoyed the Caorunn experience this afternoon. 1.5 hours of informative discussion and engagement led by Emma our guide. The visit included seeing the local botanical being grown, a chance to smell all of the botanical used, info on the Distilling method and plant used. Then a chance to put your nose and tongue against the gin masters to gauge the taste and smell of the botanical in a measure of great gin. The tour then finished with a perfect gin and tonic and the chance to buy some goodies. Great afternoon and exceptional value for money.

3. RSPB Loch Garten

Nethy Bridge, Boat of Garten, Aviemore PH25 3EF, Scotland +44 1479 831476
Excellent
72%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 482 reviews

RSPB Loch Garten

RSPB Loch Garten Osprey Centre sits amidst the stunning Caledonian pineforest, just a short walk from the shores of beautiful Loch Garten. The centre is open every day from April 1 to the first weekend in September, though the rest of the reserve is open all year round. It opens at 10am till 6.00pm, and last entry is at 5.00pm. There is a viewing area in the centre, with binoculars and telescopes to view the ospreys and other wildlife, plus live hi-definition CCTV pictures to give really good close up views of the birds on the nest. Red squirrels can often be seen on our feeders and a large array of small birds visit too. There are always knowledgeable and friendly staff and volunteers on hand to help you make the most of your visit and presentations on the previous year's osprey season are also given. There are activities and games for children both in the centre and on the walk up from the car park. The Osprey Centre shop stocks binoculars and telescopes, gifts, toys, cards, hot and cold drinks, ice creams and snacks. There are picnic benches and garden benches outside if the weather allows! Two beautiful woodland walks take you through magnificent pine forest to tranquil Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie - one accessed from the Osprey Centre car park and the other from the nearby Loch Mallachie car park.

Reviewed By Foodfriend100 - Cheltenham, United Kingdom

The centre was closed when we visited, but don’t let that stop you! Plenty of car parking space and the path through the pine trees was full of birds and herons while we admired the Loch. We did walk the pathway to the centres buildings...MoreThank you for your review of visiting Loch Garten - we're pleased you had a good time, even though it was out of season and the centre was closed. Sounds like a lovely way to spend an hour!

4. The Bookmark Bookshop

34 High Street, Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3EH, Scotland +44 1479 873433
Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 78 reviews

The Bookmark Bookshop

Reviewed By joolia76 - London, United Kingdom

So many books packed into this amazing find. Majorie is so friendly and knowledgable about books. Our 2 children were delighted with the selection and the whole family could have easily spent a couple of hours browsing. Definitely worth a visit.

5. Craggan Outdoors

Craggan Golf Course | Near Aviemore, Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3NT, Scotland
Excellent
86%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 237 reviews

Craggan Outdoors

Welcome to Craggan Outdoors, 'Best Outdoor / Adventure Experience' finalist in the Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards 2016, & 'Best Outdoor Venue' finalist in the Scottish Hospitality Awards 2016 & '17. We deliver fantastic experiences across our range of 20+ outdoor activities, as well as offering groups great value places to get together & have their own fantastic times in our two bunkhouses & bothy. And not to forget our relaxed & cosy Clubhouse Café venue. We appreciate you checking us out.

Reviewed By zachella

A group of friends and I booked the Ardenbeg bunkhouse to stay whilst on a stag doo in the area.
After initially booking, Keith stayed in touch regularly until our arrival which was a nice touch.
The bunkhouse is outside Aviemore but not too long in a taxi.
The bunkhouse itself has loads of room and everything you need for a weekend stay or longer.
The local town is very nice and everyone is friendly.
I would recommend these digs for stags or large groups heading to the Highlands and will hopefully be making more regular visits to the area.

6. The High St. Merchants

74 High Street, Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3EL, Scotland +44 1479 872246
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 53 reviews

The High St. Merchants

Welcome to the High St. Merchants, we are a small cafe & gallery, located in the capital of Strathspey. We aim to offer you a warm and friendly welcome in a relaxing and inspiring atmosphere. We are proud to be working with some of the areas finest artists & craftsmen, sharing their passion with us all. Continually updating our range we will be displaying unique and traditional hand made products found in our community and those close by. Whether it is something special for you or a friend, we are sure you will find it here. We look forward to your visit and sharing a story or two Donna & Colin

Reviewed By MsChook - Grantown-on-Spey, United Kingdom

If you love coffee, this is the only place to enjoy it in Grantown. Friendly, well trained staff, who know that a cappuccino is served with a sprinkling of chocolate on the top. Great cosy atmostphere, with fabulous art work from local artists. The soups are tasty and the cheese scones, especially when straight out of the oven are too die for. They have great awareness of gluten free too, unlike other cafes in town.

7. Grantown Museum

Burnfield House Burnfield Avenue, Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3HH, Scotland +44 1479 872478
Excellent
46%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 82 reviews

Grantown Museum

Reviewed By Larry B - Prince George, Canada

This was an informative little museum that seems to be run mostly by volunteers.as I am a slow reader it helps to have a speed reader for a wife and traveling companion. There is a lot of local information to absorb. It is well displayed and very informative.

8. Smarty Art

39 High Street, Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3EG, Scotland +44 1479 873552
Excellent
72%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 28 reviews

Smarty Art

Smarty Art is bursting with ceramic items to paint! Come for an enjoyable catch up with a friend or for a family morning or afternoon out, or perhaps incorporate it in a visit to relatives - bring them all along and everyone can be involved as this is one remaining activity now-a-days that all ages and genders can be involved in at the same time and really enjoy. :) Alternatively, come along and enjoy some therapeutic time out for yourself - immerse yourself in the 'now' and find mindfulness through painting - have fun and relax as well as create a beautiful item to keep, use and enjoy yourself, give away, or perhaps as a special Birthday or Anniversary gift. Baby hand or footprints are also very popular keepsakes and something to cherish for many, many years to come. Everything you need is here - from arty books and inspirational designs to spark your imagination, to a large range of coloured paints, stampers, sponges, stencils and specialty tools. We also have special effect paints which are dead easy to use and look so professional once fired, so however creative (or not!) you're feeling you can still achieve something beautiful. No booking is required - just come along, choose your item and get creative! Our friendly and helpful staff are always here for guidance or help. There's a huge selection available from different shaped mugs and plates to clocks, vases, animal shapes, ornaments and piggy banks. Check out our facebook page, leaflet or pictures posted by other people for an idea of what you can expect! As you will see, we also stock seasonal ranges so you can paint your own scary Halloween decorations, Easter trinkets, beautiful Christmas gifts or lovey-dovey Valentines tokens. Once you've finished, leave your masterpieces with us and we will fire them in our super-hot kiln so that they're the right colours, durable and shiny and have the wow factor!! Then take them home and enjoy them every day... :) If you're just here for the day, you can alternatively choose one of our popular 'take-away' kits that don't need to be fired. Hope to see you soon! :)

Reviewed By kaydivpy - Erskine, United Kingdom

This is excellant fun for children and adults alike. The ceramics are of good quality. The girl in charge of this shop was friendly and helpful and very accomodating

9. The Speyside Centre

Skye of Curr Road | Dulnain Bridge, Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3PA, Scotland +44 1479 851359
Excellent
50%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
14%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 62 reviews

The Speyside Centre

An award winning Centre in the heart of Speyside,attractions include a Gift Shop, Exhibition, Art Gallery, Antiques Shop, Traditional food served all day in the Clootie Dumpling Restaurant with a great selection of homely soups, and of course Speysides largest Garden Centre with a great selection of hardy plants & over 300 different Heathers from which to choose a living part of Scotland to take home with you.

Reviewed By 151Becky - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

This is a garden centre with a difference, good shopping and bric a brac etc,.it has a cafe with light snacks etc,.nice place for a rainy day,.

10. Grantown Golf Course

Grantown-on-Spey, Scotland +44 1479 872079
Excellent
65%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Grantown Golf Course

A prototype of the wide-open golf course that can be found throughout the Scottish Highlands.

Reviewed By Stuart G - Helensburgh, United Kingdom

Played twice this week and going back for more. A lovely wooded moorland course which seems to weather well. Fairways and greens are in excellent condition but beware the rough. Those who are skilled enough to hit the ball straight won't be bothered about that, though. Small greens team of, I believe, 3, do a magnificent job to maintain this course in such good condition. Buggies and trolleys for hire and small professional shop. Didn't try the food.

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