Activities
Muckrach Lodge Hotel is in the Caringorms National Park, Britain's newest national park, and the centre for all kinds of year round activities. Less than a mile away is the river Spey, one of the most important salmon rivers in the country. Five championship golf courses are within 30 minutes' drive. Hunting, shooting, fishing are all available in a format to suit all levels of experience and budget.We are lucky to be just up the road from Craggan Outdoors, where you can enjoy a wide range of of outdoor pursuits such as Abseiling, Archery, Canoeing, Clay Shooting, Climbing, Cycling, Gorge Walking, Kayaking, Quad-biking to name just some. Craggan was nominated this year as the Best Visitor Experience by the Highlands and Islands Tourism awards, and they are Tripadvisor's top rated 'thing to do' in Scotland. There is also a challenging short hole golf course there. Have a look at:
http://www.cragganoutdoors.co.uk/
Within half an hour of the hotel there are dozens of acitvities and attractions available
Adventure
The hotel can organise any adventure activity for you but please see below for an example of what is on offer in the local area.
http://www.aceadventures.co.uk/
http://www.fullonadventure.co.uk/
Abseiling
www.activespirit.co.uk/pages/aboutus.html
http://adventure.visitscotland.com/
http://www.yougodo.com/Search.aspx?c=36&cc=GB&gclid=CKLhwo7st5MCFRBTEAod5A2MBw
Archery
http://www.cragganoutdoors.co.uk/
Bird watching
The Lodge is surrounded by ten acres and situated within the Cairgorms national park. Many rare birds have been spotted within the local area. The hotel is within four miles of the Boat of Garten Osprey Centre, and Capercaillies have been spotted in the local copse.
http://www.travelaccommodation.co.uk/scotland/high-sky/aviemorebirds.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/handsonnature/uplands/cairngorms_access.shtml
Boating and Sailing
Rowing boats can be hired at Lochindorb where you can row out into the loch. A wonderful castle stands in the middle of the loch and rare birds can be seen in the surrounding area. A wonderful summer's day out.
Many boating activities are available in the area. See the links below for the details of companies offering all types of water activities.
http://www.scotland-inverness.co.uk/outdoors.htm#sailing
http://www.ufindus.com/sailing/aviemore
Canoeing
Loch Insh has an activity centre where canoes can be hired. Please ask at the hotel.
http://www.lochinsh.com/canoeing.htm
http://www.visitaviemore.co.uk/outdoor-activities/index.php?page=Canoeing
http://www.highlandcanoes.co.uk/
Castle Visiting
The hotel is within easy reach of some of Scotland's finest examples of castles and forts. Visit Fort George on the Moray coast, or Cawdor castle with its links to Shakespeare's Macbeth.
http://www.rampantscotland.com/castles/blcastles_index.htm
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults.htm?keywords=&Region=GR_8&PropertyType=All
http://www.castlexplorer.co.uk/n-scot.php#map
http://www.clansandcastles.com/
Clay Shooting
Rothiemurchus clay pigeon shooting range is one of the best in the area, whether you are very experienced or a novice, this course offers something for everyone to enjoy. Gun hire, shells and tuition are available. The hotel can book times for you and your party.
Climbing
The Cairngorms national park offers some of the best climbing in the highlands of Scotland. There is also an indoor climbing wall in Aviemore - see the link below - and local guides are available. Please ask at the hotel for more details.
http://www.visitaviemore.co.uk/outdoor-activities/index.php?page=Rock%20Climbing
http://www.aceadventures.co.uk/
Cycling
There are many wonderful cycling paths in the local area. Please see the link below. Secure bike storage is available at the hotel.
http://www.visitaviemore.com/Cycling.html
http://www.mountainbikers.org.uk/
Deer Stalking
Deer stalking is available on many of the local estates. Please ask at the hotel for information about stalking (deer).
http://www.deerstalkingscotland.co.uk/stalkingvenues.html
http://www.strathspey-estate.co.uk/
Distillery Visiting
The Spey valley is famous for its whisky, and there are a number of distilleries in the local area. Please see the links below. The hotel can organise private visits to some of the less famous whisky makers and our staff are trained to give whiskey tastings. The hotel has over 70 whiskies in the bar and whiskey bibles are available to buy.
http://www.scotland.com/explore/scottish-whisky-trail/
http://www.maltwhiskytrail.com/
http://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/swa/CCC_FirstPage.jsp
Fly-fishing and Fishing
Traditionally the Ghillie is a much respected and knowledgeable figure in Scottish fishing circles, an important flesh and blood link between fisheries, rivers and lochs and their fishing and angling clients. Contact the hotel for information about private tuition and a Ghillie.
http://www.flyfish-scotland.com/
http://www.mortimersofspeyside.co.uk/fishingpermits.htm
http://www.speyfishing-grantown.co.uk/
http://www.speyfisheryboard.com/
http://wheretofish.spinfish.co.uk/wheretofishanglingclubs.html
Golfing
Tee times can be arranged by the hotel. A golf discount pass is also available on request when you play a number of the local courses.
http://www.visitaviemore.com/SpeyvalleyGolfClubFinal.html
http://www.cragganforleisure.co.uk/
http://www.carrbridgegolf.com/
http://www.abernethygolfclub.com/
http://www.grantownonspeygolfclub.co.uk/
http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/aviemore/golf/index.htm
http://www.kingussie-golf.co.uk/
http://www.nairngolfclub.co.uk/
http://www.aviemoregolf.com/coursehome.htm
http://www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/htmlsite/productdetails.asp?id=981
http://www.scottishgolfcourses.com/highlands/index.html
http://www.forresgolfclub.co.uk/epages/es108644.sf
http://www.braemargolfclub.co.uk/
Gorge Walking
http://www.visitaviemore.co.uk/outdoor-activities/index.php?page=gorge-walking
Grouse Shooting
Grouse shooting in Scotland is very special, and parties come to Speyside every August and September to enjoy this unique sport in our superb surroundings. Bookings can be made either for walked-up shooting or for driven birds, but need to be made about 9 months in advance. Please contact the hotel for details on local shoots.
http://www.basc.org.uk/content/grouseshooting
Historic Places of Interest
Please see the link below for the National trust for Scotland.
There is a new visitors' center at Colluden. Please see the link below.
http://www.nts.org.uk/Culloden/Home/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Highlands
Hiking
Scotland is unique in the UK, in that it has an open access policy. This gives ramblers and walkers the opportunity to see some of Scotlands wonderful scenery. Access codes are available at the hotel.
If you are walking the hills and moors, please be respectful of the game birds and local wildlife and be aware during the hunting season. Please make sure that there is no deer stalking or grouse shooting in progress, in the areas that you wish to walk. Ask at the hotel or the people at the Tourist Office which are the areas to avoid at this time.
http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Scotland/
http://www.moray.org/area/speyway/webpages/swhome.htm
http://www.morayfirth.org/walksmap.asp
http://kev.langan.googlepages.com/
http://www.robroyway.fsnet.co.uk/
http://www.southernuplandway.com/
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/
Loch Ness
Famous world wide for the monster, Lochness is the deepest fresh water lake in the UK. Take a boat on this breath taking loch or visit one of the many monster exhibitions or just take a drive around its magnificent shoreline. Please ask at the hotel for information about boat trips, exhibitions and maps for the area.
http://www.jacobite.co.uk/?gclid=CLy2iJOVuJMCFQxbHgodTRQpCw
http://www.cruiselochness.com/
Kayaking
There are a number of companies that offer kayaking hire in the area. Please see below for a selection.
http://www.macguiding.co.uk/contactus.html
http://www.kushiadventures.co.uk/
Landrover Touring
The Hotel can book your tour for you.
http://www.rothiemurchus.net/Pages/Activities/Land-Rover-Tours.html
Off-roading and Quad-biking
Times can be organised for you before your stay.
http://www.rothiemurchus.net/Pages/Activities/4x4-Driving.html
http://adventure.visitscotland.com/activities/mad/offroad/
http://www.highlandactivities.co.uk/
Skiing
The hotel is in easy reach of three of the main ski resorts in Scotland: The Cairngorms, The Letch and Glenshee. The link below updates the snow conditions on a daily basis during the season. Please ask at the hotel for snow reports and passes.
http://ski.visitscotland.com/centres/
Steam trains
The local steam train runs from the Boat of Garten to Broomhill. Special events are organised throughout the year. See link below for more details.
http://www.boatofgarten.com/leisure/railway.php
http://www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk/
Tennis
Grantown on Spey Lawn Tennis Club has eight blaes courts four of which are floodlit. Coaching is run throughout the year. Contact Alistair Mcleod on 01479 872 465. The hotel can book court times for you.
Tobogganing
The cairngorms national park has an area dedicated to tobogganing in the ski season. The Letch offers summer season activities to include tobogganing. Please see the link below.
http://www.lecht.co.uk/summer/summer1.cfm
Whisky Tasting
Two of the Hotel's staff are trained whisky instructors, and can guide you through our seventy whiskies. Most distilleries offer tours and these can be booked for you.
http://www.scotchwhisky.net/
http://www.whisky-distilleries.info/index_EN.shtml
White Water Rafting
Please see above under the adventure section for more companies who organise white water rafting.
Raft the Findhorn: Please see the Sunday Times article.
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/best_of_britain/article3209219.ece
http://www.yougodo.com/en/G2-Outdoor-Activities/activity/b1c38068-f8ab-4ef0-ac85-fc9242c19283.aspx
http://www.activityscotland.com/Rafting/?gclid=CIqFlv6CuJMCFQWR1QodiD-TCg
Wild Life Tours
Seals and Dolphins can been seen in the Moray Firth and there are a number of tours from the Black Isle. See the links below for more information and a link to the visitors centre.
http://www.inverness-dolphin-cruises.co.uk/map.html
http://www.inverness-dolphin-cruises.co.uk/map.html
Other things to see...
http://www.somewheretogo.co.uk/highlands_attractions.html
Please see our offer page for special deals or make an enquiry at: info@muckrach.com