Arriving on a Friday evening, just in time to kick off the weekend, you pull up to one of the Highland Hideouts lodges. Maybe it’s Old Mill on the Spey with a blue-colored barn door, a sauna in a large barrel, and a water wheel inside the house behind glass, or Whiskey Trail Lodge, a 19th Century stone townhome right in the heart of Grantown-on-Spey, or the Highland Lodge Estate where the rooms and views go forever over sheep pastures and hills… or perhaps you’re staying just outside of Carrbridge at the Snowy River Lodge with its modern ski lodge look, dark-wood decks, hot tub, lights, and grill overlooking the river.
You’ve stopped at the grocery store in Aviemore on your way, so you’re prepared to grill up a feast, then relax with a dip in the hot tub and a card game by the fire. The next morning, you’re getting up early for a breakfast and coffee in Carrbridge, a bike ride from Aviemore, a stop for lunch in town, a drive up to the ski area to check out the views, and an afternoon swim in (or walk around) Loch Morlich depending on the weather.
8am: Breakfast in Carrbridge at The Old Bakery or Kitchen (just across the street), small village restaurants in old stone buildings with delicious coffee, baked goods and hot breakfast options.
10am: Bike ride with Mike’s Bikes: You decide to rent bikes and ride around Loch Eilein, a beautiful lake with a small island and castle in the middle. There’s an old stone building just near the lake loop entrance with a gallery of Highland art, which you stop to enjoy, then continue around the large lake (7km around), snapping photos of the deteriorating castle from different angles as you go. You make your way back to Mike’s Bikes to return the bikes, change clothes there, and walk across the street for lunch.
12:30pm: Tea (lunch and dessert) at Mountain Café, a Kiwi-owned restaurant with some of the best food in the area, including desserts and coffee drinks.
3pm: Drive up to Cairngorm Mountain, pull into the parking area for views (and photos) of the mountains and glen below.
4pm: Swim/walk at Loch Morlich: Driving back towards Aviemore, pull alongside Loch Morlich into the car park with the sign ‘Loch Morlich Watersports’ (or even into the Glenmore Forest Visitor Center car park, and walk down through the RV campground to the lake). You’ll see a cute building with Boat Café written on the side. You can use their facilities to shower if you plan on swimming or sailing, or just notice this as a reference point if walking all the way around (6km). The paths are marked, so be sure to take the dark red trail markers… see the map here.
6:00pm: Head back to the house to shower and get ready…
7:30pm: Dinner at The Old Bridge Inn, a converted cottage that sits on the River Spey. You share the haggis croquets with the table, split the venison haunch, Shetland salmon, and Old Inn burger (with beet root) with two of your friends, and you all share the chocolate tart for dessert. You have, after all, burned up quite a bit of calories today and deserve all you can eat.
9:30pm: Head home to the lodge for a late-night dip in the hot tub, some chamomile tea, and to finish up a puzzle by the fire. You head to bed before midnight, excited for the following day’s adventure.
The following morning, you look forward to a home-cooked breakfast, a walk through the area’s woods and parks, a Steam Railway ride with lunch, a walk through the stores and galleries of Aviemore, and to finish up the day, fine dining in an old country-lodge-turned-hip restaurant near Grantown-on-Spey.
8:00am: Cook up an egg and toast breakfast with a side of fruit for the gang and eat outside the house on the deck.
10:00am: If staying in Carrbridge (Snowy River or Highland Lodge), head out for a hike a few steps from town at Ellan Wood. It’s an easy walk through a pretty pine forest and finishes at the Carrbridge ‘packhorse’ bridge built in 1717, the oldest bridge in the Highlands. There’s a car park right at the entrance to the walk and directions listed here; it’s about 4.5km, 1-1.5hours walk. If staying in Whiskey Trail, you’re located right next to the town’s park, which has beautiful walks next to marshes, streams, ponds, and eventually winds its way over to the River Spey. If staying at Old Mill, walk into Boat of Garten along the river and back.
12:45-3pm: Steam Railroad ride on Strathspey Railway with Tea. Park at Aviemore Station (next to the Police Station). Take the steam train to the end of the line and back while enjoying lunch and the views of the Cairngorms. When you return, walk through Aviemore to see the galleries, gift shops, and the many outdoor-wear outfitters.
5:30-7pm: Home to relax and get ready for dinner at Muchrach Country House.
7:30pm: Treat yourself to a high-end dinner at Muchrach Country House Restaurant with outstanding views, a hunting-lodge-hip décor, and food sourced from local farms for your last night in Strathspey.
The following day, as you head home to real life, you vow to come back soon and maybe sit by the fire more now that you know the area so well…