❤️ Garden Park Guest House

Your perfect base in the heart of the Scottish Highlands

41+

Destinations

90

Max. Minutes

∞

Adventures

Grantown-on-Spey – Your Perfect Highland Base

Nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms, Grantown-on-Spey is the ideal base to explore Strathspey, Speyside, Moray, and Inverness. This interactive map highlights 41 carefully curated destinations, from world-renowned whisky distilleries and historic castles to scenic beaches, wildlife spots, family activities, and top local restaurants. Each location includes useful links, postcodes, and contact details, making it easy for you to plan your day trips or simply discover the region at your own pace. Click on a category to explore whisky experiences, town highlights, or ready-made day trips – your Highland adventure starts here!

Garden Park Guest House • #ScotlandbyDan

🗺️ Day Trip Ideas

Curated itineraries for your Highland adventure – Click to expand

🐬 Dolphin & Whisky Day – 6-8 hours

Watch dolphins at Chanonry Point, visit Glenmorangie distillery, and if time allows, take the Nigg Ferry.

Route:

🐬 Chanonry Point – Dolphin watching (best 1.5-2h after low tide)
⚗️ Glenmorangie – Famous Highland distillery tour
⛴️ Nigg Ferry – Historic 2-car ferry (if time allows)
🏰 Optional: Dunrobin Castle – fairytale castle
🍽️ Eat Out: Cawdor Tavern or Uilebheist Distillery & Brewery

⚠️ Note: Please check opening hours, tour times, and availability before visiting. Phone numbers and websites are provided for direct planning.

🏰 Castle & Whisky – ~6 hours

Explore the Pearl of the North castle and visit authentic Speyside distilleries.

Route:

🏰 Ballindalloch Castle – Pearl of the North with Highland cattle
⚗️ Speyburn – Daniel's recommended distillery tour
⚗️ Speyside Cooperage – Watch master coopers craft barrels
🍽️ Eat Out: Dinner in Grantown-on-Spey

⚠️ Note: Please check opening hours, tour times, and availability before visiting. Phone numbers and websites are provided for direct planning.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Fun Day – ~6 hours

Perfect family adventure with forest trails, reindeer, and Highland history.

Route:

🌲 Landmark Forest Adventure – Treetop trails & waterslides
🦌 Cairngorm Reindeer – Meet Britain's only reindeer herd
🏚️ Highland Folk Museum – Open-air museum with 35+ historic buildings. Highland life 1700s-1950s.
🚡 Optional: Cairngorm Funicular – mountain railway
🍽️ Eat Out: Pack a picnic or café at Landmark

⚠️ Note: Please check opening hours, tour times, and availability before visiting. Phone numbers and websites are provided for direct planning.

🏖️ Coastal Adventure – 6.5-8 hours

Explore the stunning Moray coast with seals, beaches, and charming villages.

Route:

🏖️ Cullen – Stunning beach & Bow Fiddle Rock
🦭 Portgordon – Grey seal watching (best at high tide)
⛵ Findhorn – Picturesque village & eco-community
🍽️ Eat Out: Crown & Anchor Inn or The Admirals

⚠️ Note: Please check opening hours, tour times, and availability before visiting. Phone numbers and websites are provided for direct planning.

🦕 Loch Ness Explorer – 5.5-7 hours

The classic Loch Ness experience with waterfalls, canal locks, and maybe Nessie!

Route:

💧 Foyers Waterfall – Spectacular waterfall with café
⛵ Fort Augustus – Watch boats navigate the locks
🦕 Loch Ness – Scotland's most famous loch
🏰 Optional: Urquhart Castle – iconic castle ruins on the loch
🍽️ Eat Out: Fiddler's in Drumnadrochit

⚠️ Note: Please check opening hours, tour times, and availability before visiting. Phone numbers and websites are provided for direct planning.

Top Highlights Around Grantown-on-Spey

Macallan Distillery – Whisky ExperienceWorld-famous single malt distillery in Craigellachie, offering guided tours, tastings, and insights into Speyside whisky production. Perfect for beginners and connoisseurs.
Glenlivet Distillery – Classic Speyside WhiskyIconic Speyside distillery in Ballindalloch, with visitor center, guided tours, and tasting sessions. Discover the heritage of Scotland's renowned whisky.
Cawdor Castle – Historic Landmark14th-century castle near Cawdor, steeped in history and legends. Beautiful gardens, family-friendly tours, and Scottish heritage experiences await visitors.
Anagach Woods – Nature & HikingScenic woodland trails along the River Spey in Grantown-on-Spey, ideal for walking, cycling, and wildlife spotting. Suitable for all ages.
Spey Bay – Wildlife & BeachesCoastal reserve at Spey Bay known for seals, dolphins, and birdwatching. Perfect for families, nature lovers, and photography enthusiasts.
Grantown Museum – Local HeritageDiscover Grantown-on-Spey's history and culture through engaging exhibits, interactive displays, and insights into the Strathspey region. Ideal for a half-day visit.
Highland Folk Museum – Local CultureOutdoor museum in Newtonmore showcasing Highland life through historic buildings, interactive exhibits, and traditional crafts. A must-visit for cultural enthusiasts.
Loch Garten Osprey Centre – BirdwatchingVisit during spring and summer and spot breeding Osprey, Crested Tits, Red Squirrels, Bank Voles among the Caledonian forest wildlife.
Ballindalloch Castle – Historic CastleHistoric castle near Ballindalloch with stunning gardens, heritage tours, and Scottish history. Great for families, architecture lovers, and cultural exploration.
Boat Trips at Moray Firth – Dolphins & SealsGuided boat tours from Findhorn along the Moray Firth, offering encounters with dolphins, seals, and other marine wildlife. Perfect for all ages.