Grantown-on-Spey · Cairngorms National Park
A cottage for two in the heart of the Cairngorms
Self-catering in a converted 19th-century outbuilding — one bedroom, its own patio, and Anagach Woods, the River Spey and the High Street all a few minutes' walk from the door.
Autumn on Woodside Avenue
- Sleeps2 + 2 children
- Bedroom1 double
- Bathroom1 en-suite
- Size32 m²
- DogsBy arrangement
- ParkingOff-road + EV
- OpenAll year
Welcome
Every walk here holds a magic
Welcome to the Highlands of Scotland. In the middle of them lies the beautiful village of Grantown-on-Spey, on the River Spey.
The area invites long, unhurried walks along the river and through the pine woods. Every walk holds a magic. Enjoy it, and spend your holiday here in our self-catering cottage — a small, warm place built for two, with everything you need and nothing you don't.
If you would rather be looked after and wake up to breakfast, you will find the right room next door at Garden Park Guest House.
A drill hall, a laundry, a garage
Built between 1754 and 1800
Nobody knows the exact year, but the building is well over 200 years old. It served as the town's first T.A. hall, then as a laundry, and later as the garage of the first house on Woodside Avenue. Today it is elegant but homely, standing quietly in half an acre of well-stocked gardens.
Grantown Golf Course, the Speyside river walk and the pine forests of Anagach Woods are all close by. The High Street, with its family-owned shops, restaurants and pubs, is a couple of minutes away. Grantown is part of the Cairngorms National Park.
“A former garage refurbished to a very high standard using high tech heating and imaginative design.”
Guest from Wymondham · April 2024Inside
Thirty-two square metres, properly thought through
One double bedroom with an en-suite walk-in shower, and an open-plan living space with kitchen, dining table and sitting area. Heating costs, power, linen and towels are all included in the rent.
Sleeping
- Double bed with wooden frame
- Sofa bed for up to 2 children (max. 10 years) or 1 child up to 12 years
- Bed linen and towels included
- Additional set of double linen or towels on request
- Soundproofed windows
Kitchen
- Combi oven and ceramic hob
- Microwave and fridge/freezer
- Dishwasher
- Kettle, toaster, coffee maker
- Crockery, glassware and utensils
- Dining table for two
Bathroom
- En-suite walk-in shower
- Basin and WC
- Bathrobes provided
- Toiletries
- Hairdryer
Comfort
- Central heating — power included
- Smart TV with cable channels
- Free WiFi throughout
- Pedestal fan for warm days
- Non-smoking throughout
- Welcome package on arrival
Outside
- Private patio with table and chairs
- Garden, 12 m × 4 m (not fenced)
- Ample off-road parking
- Shared drying shed
- Easee charging point for electric cars (chargeable)
- Half an acre of shared gardens
Gallery
Have a look around
Select any photograph to see it larger.
A film tour of the cottage
Three minutes, from the front door to the patio, so you know exactly what you are booking. The video only loads when you press play.
Good to know
Everything before you book
No surprises, no small print buried in a PDF. If anything here needs discussing, simply call or write to us.
- Prices
- Prices vary by season. The booking calendar shows the exact price. Depending on the season, you can also book for one night only. Check availability now.
- Arrival
- 16:00–19:00. Sarah or Daniel hand over the keys at Garden Park Guest House, 30 m away — please bring photo ID or your booking overview. Your welcome package is waiting in the cottage, ready for your first breakfast.
- Departure
- By 09:30.
- Minimum stay
- Varies by date, often three nights. The booking calendar shows the minimum for the dates you choose.
- Guests
- Two adults, plus up to two children (max. 10 years) or one child up to 12 years on the sofa bed.
- Accessibility
- The cottage is not suitable for wheelchairs. The rooms and the bathroom are too narrow, and the doors are standard width. A walking stick or rollator is fine. From the gravel car park, paving slabs lead to the cottage, and there is a 5 cm threshold at the front door. Inside, everything is on one level. The walk-in shower has a 5 cm edge at the glass door, with no grab rails or shower seat. The bed is quite high, because it was built with space underneath for your suitcases. The garden seating area is step-free. If you are unsure, just ask us before you book.
- Dogs
- Welcome by arrangement. The fee is £39 per booking and week.
- Included
- Heating costs, electricity and water, bed linen and towels.
- Extra linen change
- £30 per additional linen and towel change.
- Deep clean
- £95, charged only if the cottage needs more than a normal changeover.
- Payment
- A deposit of 23% of the booking total confirms the booking, and the balance is due 21 days before arrival. We accept bank transfer, Visa and Mastercard.
- Cancellation
- We strongly recommend holiday insurance. Cancelling 28 or more days before arrival costs 8.6% of the stay, cancelling later costs 68%. A no-show, or shortening the stay once you have arrived, is charged in full. The exact wording is in our cancellation policy.
- Smoking
- No smoking or vaping anywhere in the cottage. Please do not tamper with the smoke detectors.
- Electric cars
- Easee charging point on site via the Tap Electric app. Charging is not included in the rent.
- Laundry
- Wash.ME self-service launderette, open 24/7, is a two-minute walk at 39 Spey Avenue.
- Certification
- Gold Standard for our green practices, awarded with Green Tourism Ltd. EPC rating D.
Questions we are often asked
Where can I buy outdoor gear such as hiking boots or waterproof jackets?
In Grantown-on-Spey we recommend Mortimers. They stock a wide choice of good outdoor clothing, walking boots and equipment, and the staff know what they are talking about. Mortimers has served walkers and anglers in Speyside for over 50 years. If you are watching the price, Mountain Warehouse in Aviemore is a good alternative with a broad range.
Why is Grantown-on-Spey such a good base for exploring the Highlands?
Grantown sits in the middle of several regions. From here you can make star-shaped day trips into Speyside, the Cairngorms, the Moray coast, the Inverness area, Strathspey and Aberdeenshire. Many highlights are 20 to 50 minutes away. Every day can bring completely different scenery.
How far is Inverness from Grantown-on-Spey?
About 52 minutes by car, either via Nairn or via the A9. There is public transport too, with regular buses between Grantown-on-Spey and Inverness.
What should we not miss in the region?
If time is short we suggest combining Inverness, Loch Ness and Speyside. That gives you the historic Highland capital, the famous Loch Ness landscape and the best known whisky region in the world, so culture, nature and history in one trip.
Is Nairn worth a visit?
Absolutely. Nairn has one of the finest sandy beaches in the region, a pleasant promenade and several cosy cafés. On a clear day the views across the Moray Firth are spectacular, and with a little luck you might spot dolphins from the shore.
Where is the best whisky in Scotland?
Who knows. The truth is that nobody can answer that. Scotland has more than 140 distilleries and everyone has different tastes. You may love a smoky island whisky, or you may be completely new to it. If so, Speyside is one of the best places to begin. Stay with us and explore more than 50 distilleries across Speyside and Strathspey.
Is there EV charging?
Yes. There is an Easee charging point by the parking space. You pay through the Tap Electric app. Charging is not included in the rent. It has been in use since 2022. The charging point is shared with Garden Park Guest House.
Can we walk to restaurants and shops?
Yes. Butterfly Cottage is in a quiet side street. The town centre is about two minutes on foot. Every restaurant is one to ten minutes away, several of them under four.
How far is the River Spey?
About seven to nine minutes on foot. The walk leads through the beautiful Anagach Woods, home to red squirrels, deer and a variety of woodland birds.
Can we do the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail in one day?
You can. The real question is whether you will remember it the next day. With so many distilleries, visitor centres and tastings, time flies. Our advice is to visit fewer and enjoy each one more. Daniel also drives up to four people on request. Dates fill quickly, so in high season book at least six weeks ahead.
Can you really see dolphins from the Moray coast?
Yes, really, and they have never charged admission. The best spot is Chanonry Point near Fortrose, where bottlenose dolphins show up regularly, especially one and a half to two hours after low tide. Bring binoculars and some patience, it is worth it.
Where do I apply for the UK ETA officially?
Apply only through official channels, otherwise you pay unnecessary fees or end up on a scam site. There are two routes. Directly on the government site at gov.uk/eta/apply, or through the official UK ETA app from the App Store or Google Play, which scans the biometric chip in your passport and your face. What matters is that the address ends exactly in .gov.uk. Other sites often look identical to the official one and add large surcharges. The official application costs £20.
Can you pour whisky straight from the tap here?
We did ask, but the distilleries found the idea a little too generous. The good news is that Speyside is practically on the doorstep, with world-famous distilleries such as Glenfiddich, Macallan and Aberlour. A tour is worthwhile even for guests who do not normally drink whisky.
Where does the Highland wilderness actually begin?
Roughly where your phone decides it has done enough for the day. In truth, from here you are quickly among some of the finest landscapes in the Highlands. Around Inverness, in the Cairngorms National Park and along the Moray coast, walking trails, viewpoints and plenty of fresh air are waiting.
Green Policy
Looking after the Cairngorms
We work closely with Green Tourism and are proud to hold the Gold Standard for our green practices. We try to keep our footprint small, so the Cairngorms National Park stays beautiful for generations to come.
- Since 2024, 23 Pure Alpha 420 solar panels have been producing our own electricity.
- We recycle everything we can: glass, plastic, tins, cans, paper and cardboard.
- We give furniture and textiles a second life and buy second hand where we can.
- Low-energy bulbs, A-rated appliances, dual-flush toilet and a green policy for towels and bed linen.
- We clean with Ecover and mainly Delphis Eco professional cleaning products, and use steam cleaning where possible.
- Our garden is pesticide-free, bee-friendly and full of birds. We have our own herb garden too.
- Local and fair-trade products in your welcome package where possible.
- Maps and books for walkers and cyclists to borrow, and tips for local shops, cafés and restaurants.
Why we encourage multiple-night stays
We believe in slow and sustainable travel. You are always welcome, even for one night, but a longer stay helps reduce environmental impact. Washing the linen and towels and cleaning the cottage after one night takes the same water, energy and cleaning products as after a whole week.
A few nights also give you time to really get to know Grantown-on-Spey and the Cairngorms National Park. Take your time, explore and relax.
Want to know more? Just ask us.
Guest reviews
What people say when they get home
4.9 / 5
“We had a wonderful week at the Butterfly Cottage. Already after booking we received a great package…”
“Great little space, cosy and compact. Well equipped and very comfy bed.”
“First class hosts, very welcoming. Both Daniel and Sarah like a blether — they are a credit to the town.”
“You can walk to the centre — pub, bar, shops, excellent Indian restaurant. Great place.”
The area
Grantown-on-Spey and the Cairngorms
Founded in the 18th century, Grantown is the historical capital of Strathspey — and a near-perfect Highland base for day trips, whisky, nature and coast. From here you can comfortably explore Strathspey and Badenoch, Speyside, Morayshire, Nairnshire, Inverness and the Moray Firth coast on easy star-shaped drives. Since 2003 the town has sat inside the Cairngorms National Park — at 3,800 km², the largest in the United Kingdom.
Walks and wildlife
Anagach Woods and the Speyside Way begin minutes from the door — we are the closest accommodation to the route. Red deer, otters, dolphins, golden eagles, osprey and pine martens all live in the region, and the RSPB centre at Loch Garten is a short drive away.
Whisky
Nine distilleries and a working cooperage on the Malt Whisky Trail, including The Cairn, Grantown's own distillery. Check maltwhiskytrail.com for more information.
Golf
Eight courses within easy reach: Grantown, Carrbridge, Boat of Garten, Abernethy Golf Club, Newtonmore, Kingussie, Aviemore and Craggan. We have lockable storage and drying facilities for clubs and boots.
Castles and history
Ballindalloch Castle, Cawdor Castle and the battlefield at Culloden are all within an hour. Grantown Museum is just around the corner.
Eating out
We don't serve lunch or dinner — but since 2025 we make our “wee fancy sandwich”, the Brügel: a proper rustic sandwich, Swiss style. Every booking receives a PDF with all the local restaurants and cafés. Whether you are vegan or love meat and fish, you will find the right place.
For places to eat, open our interactive map, choose the filter “Discover Grantown” and then “Eat & Drink” or “Cafés & Takeaway”.
Fishing and outdoors
Fishing and stalking can be arranged with a local guide during your stay. Horse riding, pony trekking, birdwatching, skiing, snowboarding and white-water rafting are all nearby.
Where to find us
A map of the area, full of ideas
Hand-picked destinations by Sarah and Daniel, with drive times and ready-made day-trip ideas, sorted into six categories across three maps — including our own gems. The map also shows how well Grantown-on-Spey is placed between the Cairngorms, the Moray Coast, Badenoch and Speyside.
Your hosts
Sarah, Daniel and Lucy
We live in our own house next door, Garden Park Guest House, just a 30-second walk away. So we are close by if you have any questions — but the cottage is entirely yours. We speak English and German; Daniel also speaks Italian.
Sarah
Meets you on arrival, knows every walk in the woods.
Daniel
Made the maps, the sandwiches and this website.
Lucy
Dalmatian. Answers in Austrian. Approves of other dogs.
We are Sarah & Daniel
Back in 2019, in our late thirties, we left Switzerland and took over Garden Park Guest House because we wanted to be hosts.
Since then, we’ve worked tirelessly to renovate Garden Park and, along the way, built Butterfly Cottage, our self catering accommodation.
Years of countless hours and many proud achievements later, we’re still working tirelessly to make sure our guests feel at home, whether they stay with us in the guest house or have Butterfly Cottage all to themselves.
Hopefully, we’ll continue to surprise our guests with exceptional hospitality for many years to come.
We love what we do.
And we genuinely love being hosts.
We want Butterfly Cottage to be more than just a place to sleep. We want it to be a place you’ll actually want to come back to.
And with Grantown on Spey as a Highland base, it’s perfectly placed for exploring the Cairngorms, Speyside, Moray and the North East of Scotland.
Come for the Highlands.
Stay for the experience.
Come back because it felt like home.
Over the past seven years, we’ve been honoured by our guests with awards recognising the experience we strive to create.
Perhaps the greatest compliment was the Booking.com Traveller Review Award 2026. 10/10.
You can read what our guests have to say here.
Booking
Check the dates you have in mind
Booking directly with us is the cheapest way to stay — no platform commission, and you speak to the people who will hand you the keys.
AddressButterfly Cottage
Woodside Avenue
Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3JN
Scotland
Phone+44 1479 873235
Emailrelax@butterfly-cottage.co.uk
relax@garden-park.co.uk
Both reach us — use whichever you like.
Getting hereOpen in Google Maps
Sat nav: enter PH26 3JL — it brings you to the parking area.