The WHAT TO DO HERE  page

A great hostel, we both really enjoyed our stay, very clean, great kitchen and very friendly owners - Emma & Andy - September 2007

Phone - 01540 67336
 
pete@HighlandHostel.co.uk
 
BADENOCH to STRATHSPEY and the MORAY FIRTH
"I'm bound for the mountains and the sea" - Tom Paxton

Spring - Autumn - Summer

Hill-walking/Mountaineering

Be Safe

The high hills are serious places, there may be large snowfields until well into the summer, take with you the right equipment and the knowledge of how to use it.

Take Care and Ca canny

All in a day from Newtonmore Hostel
There are numerous other options
  • from Shepherds Bridge(1.5 miles/5 minutes) for the Monadhliaths.
  • from A9 lay-bys on Drumochter(15 miles/20 minutes) for east and west Drumochter Hills.
  • from Moy Lodge, A86(24 miles/35 minutes) for Binnien Shuas, Craig Pitridh, Beinn a Chlachair.
  • from Dalwhinnie(14 miles/20 minutes) for Culra, Ben Alder and Geal Charn.
  • from Cairngorm Ski area (25 miles/35 minutes) for Northern Corries/Cairngorms/Macdui.
  • from Aberarder (20 miles/20 minutes) for Craig Meagaidh + adjacent hills.
  • from Nevis Range Gondola (42 miles/50 minutes) for Aonachs/Ben Nevis.
  • from Torlundy near Spean Bridge (40 miles/45 minutes) for Ben Nevis.
  • from Loch an Eilein (15 miles/35 minutes) for Strath Nethy/Lairig Ghuru/Chalamain Gap/Braeraich.
  • from Glen Feshie, Allt Ruadh (12miles/25 minutes) for Sgorans.
  • from Glen Feshie, Achlean (22 miles/30 minutes) for Carn Ban Mhor/Moine Moss.
  • from Glenmore (20 miles/30 minutes) for Bynach Stables and Bynach Mhor/The Saddle/Cairngorm.

Valley/Forest Walk/Ramble

  • Wildcat Trail, Newtonmore.
  • General Wades Old Military Road, Newtonmore (includes a bothy). Walk back via Kingussie and then along the cycle track. Nice views of the mountains and you can visit Gilly's Kitchen in Kingussie for superb coffee and cake.
  • Glenmore Forest Park.
  • Inshriach Forest.
  • Revack Estate near Grantown for woodland walks. Nice restaurant/coffee shop and gift/book shop.
  • Rothiemurchus Estate for Loch an Eilein to Loch Morlich.
  • Laggan - Strathmashie Forest and other walks in Laggan area.

Rock Climb

  • Glenmore Lodge Climbing Wall.
  • Climb Caledonia, Inverness.
  • Cummingston sea cliffs.
  • Kingussie Crags.
  • Farletter Crags near Insh.
  • Creag Dubh, Newtonmore (one of the biggest roadside crags in the UK).
  • Huntly's Cave, Grantown (not a cave!) but good steep climbing

Cycling

  • Forest everywhere, miles of superb off road cycling.
  • There are several road circuits starting from the Hostel. All roads in this area are pleasant, quiet and scenic. The main A9 has Sustrans Route 7 running alongside it through Drumochter. We can provide advice and maps. There is more information on our Cycling Routes page,
  • Using a car to transport bikes opens up a larger selection of scenic routes. Again we can provide maps and advice.

We have a small selection of 'keep you on the road' cycle spares

for sale at the Hostel and the tools to let you fit them.

Alternatively Pete can do repairs for you.

Water Sports

Easter to October

sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, rowing.

Hire a boat, get instruction or use your own equipment at:

Loch Insh

Loch Insh, by Kincraig, Inverness-shire--
office@lochinsh.com
www.lochinsh.com

Loch Morlich

Glenmore Forest Park, by Aviemore. PH22 1QU
office@lochmorlich.com
www.lochmorlich.com

KAYAKING ~ CANOEING ~ GOOD PADDLING

All these rivers 'in a day' from Newtonmore Hostel

 
 

Arkaig, Calder, Feshie, Findhorn, Lochy, Ness, Nevis, Pattack, Roy, Spey, Spean, Truim, Tromie

Our Hostel is centrally placed in Scotland allowing access to both east and west rivers. Everything listed below has been done in a day from a base at Newtonmore. Wet gear guaranteed dry overnight in our superb drying room (if hung up carefully)

Additionally you could do sections of the Tay or Etive/Coe on the way here/home.

Relax

Enjoy a peaceful time at our Hostel. Relax beside the wood-burner, away from the phone and the jobs.

Eat

Local hotels provide excellent bar meals and dinners, some even have evening entertainment.

Newtonmore has 4 coffee shops / restaurants: Newtonmore Craft Centre and The Garden Cafe, The Tuck Shop, The Pantry and The Capercaillie. In addition: The Chef's Grill provides all day breakfasts as well as other meals. Laggan Pottery & Coffee Shop is open from April to October.

Swim

  • Balavil Hotel, Newtonmore - small pool/sauna.
  • Aviemore Hotels (swim-lunches).
  • Lochanhully, Carr Bridge - small pool .
  • Bught Park, Inverness - big swimming pool + fun pools (great flumes).

Inverness

  • Eden Court Theatre, cinemas and shops.

Archery

  • Loch Insh Watersports.
  • Lagganlia OEC.

Fishing

 The lochs and rivers offer some of the most famous and challenging game fishing in Scotland. The River Spey is one of the fastest flowing rivers in Britain dropping 11 feet per mile on it's 100 mile journey to the sea.

Places you can Fish

  • Inverdruie Fishery, Rothiemurchus
  • River Spey
  • Craggan Fishery, Grantown
  • Loch Insh (boat hire)
  • Loch Morlich (boat hire)
  • Lochs everywhere.

Permits available locally

  
 

Golf

  • Abernethy Golf Club, Nethy Bridge.
  • Boat of Garten Golf Club.
  • Carrbridge Golf Course.
  • Craggan Golf Course/Driving Range (near Grantown)
  • Grantown on Spey Golf Club.
  • Kingussie Golf Club.
  • Newtonmore Golf Club.

Artificial Ski Slopes

  • Lagganlia OEC,
  • Loch Insh Watersports
  • Lochanhully, Carr-bridge.
  • Glenmore Lodge
  • Lecht

Other Attractions

Ok, so you're not a 'hairy chested' outdoor type or you have small children who need to be entertained. We have listed everything we can think of that can be visited in a day whilst staying at our Hostel. We are experts on what can be done locally but if anything further afield in the list catches your eye either we can get you more information or you can check the Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board website at www.host.co.uk (but they only have information about tourist board members).

All the stuff listed below in a day from our Hostel (and a scenic journey too):

Kids/Fun
 Fun House - Coylumbridge
Strathspey Steam Railway - Aviemore
Landmark - Carr Bridge
The Lecht Ski Area has all year round facilities
Loch Morlich Beach (beautiful, sandy and perfect for wee children)
Horses/Ponies
Aviemore Trekking Stables
Laggan Pony Trekking
Castles
Ballindalloch
Brodie Castle & Garden
Inverness
Moniack Castle & Wineries
Urquart
History
Cromarty Court House
Culloden Visitor Centre
Duff House
Elgin Cathedral
Fort Augustus Abbey
Fort George
Highland Folk Museum - Newtonmore
Highland Folk Museum - Kingussie
Kinloss Abbey
Pluscarden Monastery
Ramsay McDonalds House - Lossiemouth
Newtonmore Highland Games
Nature
Dolphin Cruises - Inverness
Dolphin Ecosse - Cromarty
Dolphins - Spey Bay
Falls of Shin
Jack Drake's Nursery - Inshraich (alpine plant specialists)
MacDuff Marine Aquarium
Moray Firth Wildlife Centre (weekends only)
Findhorn Bay-birdwatching
Moray's Rocky Shoreline
Munlochy Reserve
Randolph's Leap
RSPB- Ospreys and Capercaillie Leck (probably Blackcock too)
Seabird Colonies - MacDuff
Distilleries
 Dalwhinnie Distellery

Dalwhinnie Distillery - well worth a visit.
 


Speyside Cooperage (see whisky barrels made) Craigellachie
Whisky Trail (Benromach, Dallas Dhu, Glenfiddich, Glen Ord, Glenlivet, Glenmorangie)

Retail Therapy
Baxters of Speyside
Brodie Countryfare
Gordon & MacPhail - Whisky& Wine Merchants
Johnstons of Elgin - woollens and cashmere
Logie Steading - Near Forres
Made in Scotland - Beauly
Places of Interest
Artists Studio - Carrbridge
Aviemore Brewery
Black Isle Brewery
Calva Cairns-Inverness
Caoldair Pottery and Coffee shop -Laggan
Christie's Nurseries - Nairn
Clanland & Sealpoint - Cromarty Firth
Grantown Smokery (Salmon)
Helicopter Flights - Inverness
Jacobite Cruises Caledonian Canal/Loch Ness
Landmark Visitor Centre - Carrbridge
Loch an Eilein Pottery
Loch Ness Exhibition Centre
Moray Motor Museum
Museums - Forres, Elgin, Buckie Drifter, Lighthouse.
Waltzing Waters-Newtonmore
Nethy Pottery
Revack Estate
Speyside Heather Centre - near Dulnain Bridge

WINTER

WINTER MOUNTAINEER - ICE CLIMB - ROCK CLIMB - HILLWALK - SKI TOUR
Be Safe

The high hills are serious places, there may be large snowfields until well into the summer, take with you the right equipment and the knowledge of how to use it.

Take Care and Ca canny
All in a day from Newtonmore Hostel
There are numerous other option

  • from Shepherds Bridge(1.5 miles/5 minutes) for the Monadhliath.

  • from A9 lay-bys on Drumochter(15 miles/20 minutes) for east and west Drumochter Hills.

  • from Moy Lodge, A86(24 miles/35 minutes) for Binnien Shuas, Craig Pitridh, Beinn a Chlachair.

  • from Dalwhinnie(14 miles/20 minutes) for Culra, Ben Alder and Geal Charn.

  • from Cairngorm Ski area (25 miles/35 minutes) for Northern Corries/Cairngorms/Macdui.

  • from Aberarder (20 miles/20 minutes) for Craig Meagaidh+adjacent hills.

  • from Nevis Range Gondola (42 miles/50 minutes) for Aonachs/Ben Nevis.

  • from Torlundy near Spean Bridge (40 miles/45 minutes) for Ben Nevis.

  • from Loch an Eilein (15 miles/35 minutes) for Strath Nethy/Lairig Ghuru/Chalamain Gap/Braeraich.

  • from Glen Feshie, Allt Ruadh (12miles/25 minutes) for Sgorans.

  • from Glen Feshie, Achlean (22 miles/30 minutes) for Carn Ban Mhor/Moine Moss.

  • from Glenmore (20 miles/30 minutes) for Bynach Stables and Bynach Mhor/The Saddle/Cairngorm.

Alpine Ski - Snowboard - Snowblade - Telemark Ski

Skiing starts in early winter, the lifts have been known to operate as early as October but generally speaking things do not get going until November/December. Global warming means Skiing is dodgy in Scotland, come prepared to do alternative activities

CairnGorm Ski Area
Our closest ski area. A large network of lifts when the snow cover is good. Now trying to throw off the image of poor service and grumpy staff. Not a good area for complete beginners unless snow conditions are very good. The new funicular railway will get you to the top and allow you to try to ski in the most obnoxious conditions, however you will have paid for your ticket by then.
 
From Newtonmore - 25 miles/35 minutes.
by Aviemore, Inverness-shire PH22 1RB
Tel: 01479 861261
Fax: 01479 861207
Ski Report: 01479 861261
E-mail: cairngorm@sol.co.uk
Web: www.skicairngorm.com

Cairngorm Ski Area on March 19th, 2001

It doesn't get any better, not there! What a shame!!
The Lecht Ski & Multi Activity Centre
The best pace for beginners and kids. Staff fall over backwards to help you. Lots of good idea's about resort management and handling the limited amount of snow the are gets (lower altitude than the others). Cairngorm could learn a lot from them.
From Newtonmore - 48 miles/75 minutes
 
Strathdon, Aberdeenshire AB3 8YB
Tel: 019756 51440
Fax: 019756 51426
Ski Report: 019756 51440
E-mail: info@lecht.co.uk
Web: www.lecht.co.uk
Nevis Range
Still the 'new kid on the block' after 10 years. Good skiing and interesting runs. Limited in poor snow cover. Comfortable access on the Gondola. Good for kids and beginners. Helpful staff and good ticket deals.
From Newtonmore - 42 miles/50 minutes
 
Torlundy, Fort William, Inverness-shire PH33 6SW Tel: 01397 705825
Fax: 01397 705854
Ski Report: 01397 705825
E-mail: nevisrange@sol.co.uk
Web: www.nevis-range.co.uk
Glenshee
If you are collecting ski areas it is 'do-able' in a day from Newtonmore. More lifts than anywhere in Scotland and in the right snow conditions simply the best. Arrive early as the car parks can fill right up in good ski conditions.
Glencoe
Only for the dedicated, from Newtonmore. Small but interesting. Some particularly good runs for snowboarding 'dudes'.
Craigellachie House, Main St, Newtonmore, Inverness-shire, Scotland. PH20 1DA
email                                                                                                         Phone 01540 673360