Badenoch and Strathspey Area

Things to do from Nethy Bridge?

Dining out - Events and Music- Climbing & Walking - Nature, Birds etc - Sport - Shopping - Kids

The Cairngorms National Park was formed in 2003 to protect the unique aspects of the area. It is the UK’s largest national park with a massive mountain range at its heart and with diverse communities around it. The habitat offers a secure haven for many of Britain’s rarest bird, animal and plant species with substantial remnants of the original Caledonian pine forest combining with large areas of heather moorland to foster ecological diversity and a rich variety of terrain and landscapes for those who venture into the hills. Of particular interest to mountain walkers is the dramatic Northern Corries ice wall and the plateau itself, the largest arctic mountain landscape in the British Isles.

Dining out - Events and Music- Climbing & Walking - Wildlife - Sport - Shopping - Kids

Dining out

Our own absolute favourite at Rothiemurchus near Aviemore (well worth 20 mins drive) Fresh and friendly with wood-burnng stove, great coffee, home baking and excellent local produce. Open all week with rustic lunches or whatever you like by day, an intimate dining experience on Friday or Saturday evenings, plus relaxed rolling brunches on Sundays.

In the centre of Nethy Bridge, (15 mins walk) you'll find 2-3 course Sunday lunches and fine evening dining at the Mountview Hotel.

Another local favourite is Andersons Restaurant in nearby Boat-of-Garten (10mins drive) where local produce and creative flair combine to great effect.

For good soup, frothy coffee and a great view of the hills from the balcony try the Mountain Cafe in the centre of Aviemore.

Events & Music

Nethy Bridge in August is all about the Games. It's our big event of the year, with a spectular march of 100 pipes and drums, top class piping and dancing competitions, plus traditional sports including the world-famous heavy events and a funfair to keep the kids amused. If you miss the Nethy Games, other villages have their events throughout the summer. Look out for the Tomintoul Games, the Grantown Show and the famous Lonach Gathering.

Mid-September is when to come for a real community festival event lasting the whole week in one nearby village, or come in early May for our Strathspey Festival of traditional music and dance.

Up in Inverness is the north's best live music. Hootananny is a real institution with an eclectic menu - food as well.

Dining out - Events and Music- Climbing & Walking - Wildlife - Sport - Shopping - Kids

Climbing & Walking

This long distance walking route, from the Cairngorms to the Moray Coast, passes through Nethy Bridge mostly following the course of early rail routes beside the River Spey. Any section can provide a beautiful day's walk through world famous whisky making countryside!

From Nethy Bridge follow waymarked trails through the famous Scots Pine forest, and along the River Nethy. Guided walks will also give you extra local information on wildlife and help you discover how people have lived and worked in this forest over the centuries.

For a guided introduction to mountain walking in the Cairngorms or for advice relating to climbing or high level walking at any time of the year, including weather/snow conditions, we reccommend the Cairngorm Ranger Service.

Wildlife

In spring witness ospreys nesting from the hide at nearby Loch Garten Reserve or rise early to observe a capercailllie lek with the experts.

Abernethy pinewoods remain a stronghold for native scottish red squirrels and these plentiful residents are an everyday sight. Visit the feeding stations located on the Explore Abernethy trails and report your sightings to the ranger.

Experience international endangered animals of mountains and tundra as well as our native wildlife in the spectacular setting of the Highland Wildlife Park.

Dining out - Events and Music- Climbing & Walking - Nature, Birds etc - Sport - Shopping - Kids

Sports and outdoor activities

Shinty is mad - one of the fastest, most physically demanding and skilful sports in the world. Here we've got Kingussie vs Newtonmore, the big contenders. Matches are played locally through the summer months.

Skiing at Cairngorm Mountain and at the Lecht Ski Centre. Both centres are about equi-distant from Nethy Bridge so look up the snow conditions and make a choice.

For a real arctic adventure join the Stewart family for a Husky sled trip or kennel tour. The people who spend their lives with these remarkable dogs are no less amazing we think and thanks to the Stewarts we are able to get close to what is, for most of us, another world.

Bikes & Quads at Wolftrax and Rothiemurchus. This growing sporting activity brings us lots of visitors never mind the large number of locals who use the mountain bike trails'

Fishing and angling for those who know what they are doing with the Abernethy Angling Association. FishSpey will take you further up and down the River Spey. If you are a first timer then try one of the three ponds at Craggan

The Freshwater family built their first lodge from redundant telegraph poles. The sailing and kayaking experience now to be found on Loch Insch combines first class tuition with sound equipment in an environment you will love

Open-air curling at the Aviemore ponds if you're lucky with a cold snap. Otherwise you can try this distinctive sport in Elgin or Inverness

Horseriding and pony trekking. Newly located at Rothiemurchus, these horse folk will give you very good value for time.

Dining out - Events and Music- Climbing & Walking - Wildlife - Sport - Shopping - Kids

Shopping

The Whisky Castle in the village of Tomintoul is where you will find Mike and Cathy Drury offering a mindboggling range of malts and blends from throughout Speyside and the whole of Scotland. Very much worth a visit; often there are special offers and you'll learn a lot too!

The Smokehouse on the way into Grantown practices the ancient art in new premises and then sells to the public. Have a look at their salmon, trout and cured meats selection by dropping in.

Leakeys Bookshop in Church Street Inverness is a one off for character. Here, Charles Leakey, bookseller and gallery cafe owner surrounds himself with his second hand volumes and old prints while inviting you to join him in the woodstove warmed former church building.

Kids

Landmark has developed its range of attractions over the years to provide entertainment, recreation and education in just about equal measure. It is a firm favourite providing you like company and the squeals of delighted children.

Smarty Art, an enthusiast run caper for Kids four miles down the road in Grantown. Discover how mildly messily creative very young people can be.

The Leisure Pool at Aviemore Centre is a recently built replacement for the original we had in the village. This one has all the trimmings of steam room, sauna, exercise rooms and towels, if you need them. Not cheap but good for a wet day and early in the day before the crowds arrive.