About Strathspey & Speyside · Part 7 of 7 Auf Deutsch

Golf, Fishing & Outdoor Fun

Frost on Grantown golf course at sunrise

Now we come to the final part of the seven-part story. It has been a wonderful journey for me. I had to read a lot and discovered many new places. Some I already knew, but I had no idea what they truly offered. Refreshing my knowledge and diving deeper into the area was fantastic.

The clip is a short video on our YouTube channel “The Muccio’s”. It only loads from YouTube once you tap play. German version, the English clip is coming soon.

We have covered food, history, architecture, hiking and castles. Today we dive into the world of golf, fishing and outdoor activities in and around Grantown-on-Spey. I must admit, this was the hardest part for me. There are hundreds of golf courses and countless activities, so I have hand-picked a small selection for you.

All the experiences I have mentioned in this series, from part one to now, are reachable within 75 minutes of Grantown-on-Spey, with an average driving time of just 35 minutes.

Speyside & Morayshire, a golfer’s paradise

There are at least 20 golf courses within a 70-minute drive of Grantown-on-Spey. Here’s a selection of three 18-hole and three 9-hole courses.

Grantown Golf Course (18 holes): Right here in town, a fantastic course for all skill levels. A very special one: you play around woodland, have to cross a street, navigate many sand bunkers and enjoy a nice up-and-down layout. Great value for money.
Boat of Garten Golf & Tennis Club (18 holes): Stunning in late August and early September when the heather is in full bloom. 9 miles from Grantown.
Moray Golf Club (18 holes): Imagine lush greens, roaring jet planes overhead (yes, really), fierce winds and a breathtaking sea view. A jewel of a course, but book in advance!
Abernethy Golf Club (9 holes): Just 4 miles from Grantown, perfect for a relaxed round.
Carrbridge Golf Club (9 holes): Great value for money, and the clubhouse serves excellent food. 13 miles from Grantown. You might even find mushrooms if you send the ball into the woods!
Covesea Links Golf Course (9 holes): The quirkiest 9-hole course in the region, right by the sea, dog-friendly, with stunning views and almost perfect green grass!

Fishing on the River Spey

The River Spey has long been known as one of the finest rivers for sea trout and salmon. It’s famous not only for its fish but also for its stunning landscapes. For fishing permits, visit Mortimer’s of Speyside in Grantown-on-Spey, a lovely fishing shop with knowledgeable staff. You can also contact the Strathspey Angling Improvements Association (SAIA). Many of our Guests fish with Gordon Castle Estate, which has a large stretch of prime fishing water (double bank).

The River Spey and an old stone bridge from above in winter — The River Spey near Grantown

Outdoor adventures

I don’t even know where to start, there’s so much to do!

Dolphin & seal watching: Why not enjoy a unique experience in Findhorn, which I mentioned in the foodie part? North 58 Sea Adventures offers unforgettable boat tours where you might spot dolphins. This is something for all ages, and let’s be honest, you won’t get to do this at home, unless you live somewhere special. Only a 45-minute drive north of Grantown.
The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd: The UK’s only free-ranging reindeer herd, 150 strong. With a bit of luck you will spot them, but there is no guaranteed encounter. Book your guided tour in advance. Fancy adopting a reindeer? Yes, you can! Ask the staff and they will explain how. Drive 40 minutes south to the Reindeer Centre.
Loch Morlich water sports: Already seen the reindeer? Why not try stand-up paddle boarding or even surfing? Loch Morlich, which I also mentioned in the hiking part (see, reading my series pays off), has a surf school and a coffee shop. Or just grab a coffee and enjoy the stunning view of snow-capped mountains, pine forests and golden sands.
Cairngorms Activities: Right in Grantown! Whether you prefer water adventures like canoeing, white-water rafting or gorge walking, or land activities like archery, laser clay shooting, foot golf, frisbee golf or even mini Highland Games, you will have a day packed with action. And if all that activity makes you thirsty, The Cairn Distillery is conveniently next door. You know about The Cairn, right? If not, go back and read the distillery part now!
BikeGlenlivet: Don’t be fooled by the name, this place isn’t just about biking! As well as five fantastic cycling trails, they also have a zip-line adventure course. Bonus: if you book a half day of biking and a half day of zip-lining, you get a free drink in their café! A guaranteed fun day out.

A small boat on the Moray Firth with a dolphin surfacing nearby — Dolphin spotting off Findhorn

Paddle boarders on Loch Morlich seen from the beach — Stand-up paddle boarding on Loch Morlich

That’s it, the end, that is me off…

No, no, no, we can’t finish like that! You need to write a review, please, after all I have shared with you.

It doesn’t matter if you choose self-catering, a hotel or the classic bed & breakfast experience. Just use Grantown as your base for all the amazing activities I’ve shared over these seven parts. Of course, we’d be delighted if you stayed at Garden Park Guest House or Butterfly Cottage, but ultimately we just want to help bring more visitors to our beautiful village, because Grantown-on-Spey truly deserves it.

A big thank you for all the wonderful compliments, reviews and mails we have received over the years. It is a pleasure.

Daniel and Sarah