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 The Square, Grantown on Spey |
 Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey |
 Strathspey Railway |
Grantown on Spey lies 15 miles northeast of Aviemore and is a popular destination all year round. This is a well designed Georgian town, built to the plan of the laird, Sir James Grant in 1766. The streets are wide and tree-lined with attractive buildings grouped around a central square.
It was a favourite with Queen Victoria and its dry, bracing climate was advised as a tonic for those Victorians with a nervous disposition. Today the town has comfortable hotels and makes a good base for summer touring. In winter many of those tourists not wishing to engage with the hustle and bustle of Aviemore choose Grantown on Spey.
There is plenty to do here. There are interesting shops and good tourist facilities. The Speyside Heather Garden and Visitor Centre provides an interesting excursion. Located south west of Grantown on Spey, in the nearby village of Skye of Curr, the Centre sells a huge variety of heather species and has displays on the history and use of heather products in the Highlands. It is open all year. Lochindorb Castle, within an easy drive of the town, is also worth a visit.
To the south of Grantown on Spey, is the Revack Estate, where visitors are given freedom to explore its 15,000 acres. There are trails through the wetland habitats of oyster catchers, lapwings and curlews and, in the summer months, colourful colonies of butterflies can be seen. The Estate also has a display of exotic orchids, some varieties of which it sells. There is an adventure playground, gift shop, restaurant and cafeteria on site.
Also to the south of Grantown on Spey on the less travelled south side of the River Spey is the attractive village of Nethy Bridge. On the opposite side of the Spey is Broomhill Railway Station, the new northern terminus of the Strathspey Railway. From here you can catch a steam train to Aviemore.
Fishing is a popular pastime in Grantown on Spey and the area is an anglers' paradise. Most hotels hire out tackle or can advise on availability in the town. The Spey is famous for salmon, sea trout and brown trout fishing of the highest quality, and from the start of the season in February, the Spey salmon fishing intensifies throughout the summer.
The Spey's unpolluted waters also have another use, as one of the key 'ingredients' of malt whisky production. Half of all Scotland's malt whisky producers are located in the surrounding glens. The River Spey is also followed through the area by the route of the long distance footpath, the Speyside Way.
