Experiences in the Cairngorms
Creativity
Of course you don’t have to go far to get creative! Amy offers jewellery making courses on site at Arbor and would love to show you the art of the goldsmith. In Grantown, Spey Bank Studio has an array of crafting available in clay, drawing, painting courses and more. Aaron Sterritt teaches woodworking skills at Logie Estate.
We thought you might like to know about all the fun stuff you can see and do during your stay at Arbor. Being situated within the Cairngorms National Park, it’d be rude not to mention skiing! However, there is so much to enjoy in this incredible place, you’ll probably have to come back again and again!
We have created a map of our favourite places for you to enjoy.
Mountain Sports
If you’re up for a bit of mountainous adventuring, you’ll be happy to know we are a short 30 minute drive from mountain sports for all abilities at Cairngorm Mountain, The Lecht and Glenmore Lodge. If it’s off-piste you’re after, our friends at British Backcountry are highly skilled and can select terrain to suit your skill level.
I Want To Ride My Bicycle
Looking for mountain bike courses? Glenmore Lodge is less than 30 mins drive and less than an hour’s bike ride over the Ryvoan Pass. Check in with Nash at Ride Scotland for bike hire in Boat of Garten, home of the Woodland Wheels pump track. For a local mountain bike guide and skills coach, see the team at Lazy Duck.
Walks + Hikes
Recharge yourself in the healing power of nature. There are many beautiful woodland walks right on our doorstep here in Nethy Bridge and of course throughout the Cairngorms National Park. Oh and we have a 4 meter tall OS map of the surrounding area as a feature wall in the bothy, so you’re sure to find a few trails there!
Water Sports
When you’ve got a wetsuit on, who cares if it’s raining? There are so many watersports to choose from at Loch Insh, kayaking, SUP, sailing, windsurfing, fishing… the list goes on. Loch Morlich also has lots to do on the water and with stunning views of the cairngorms.
Wellbeing
If after all that adventure, you’re in need of some sports massage, Kirsty Wright is based at Glenmore Lodge and comes highly recommended. For sports physio check in with Julie Porteus at Highland Physiotherapy. And if you want to relax and have a beauty treatment, book into Sleeping Beauty in Aviemore. For fitness classes and personal training in Nethy check out Sharp Fit.
Organised Fun
Rothiemurchus Estate offers an array of outdoor activities including; clay shooting, quad biking, archery, axe-throwing, falconry, land rover adventures, pony trekking and loads more. There’s also pony trekking on the Alvie Estate which happens to be near some delicious eateries.
Rewilding
We are passionate about our local area and conserving the beauty for coming generations, and this is the work of two amazing organisations here, Scotland: The Big Picture and Cairngorms Connect. They both frequently organise local talks and events to educate and collaborate.
Day trippin’
We are just so lucky here with such an incredible array of fun things to do near and far that’s it’s impossible to do them all in one stay, but here are some of our favourite day trips. Logie Farm Steading, 30 mins away and well worth it with stunning river walks, a beautiful garden, cafe, bookshop and other things to peruse, also home to Logie Timber and Aaron Sterritt Woodwork. If you’re planning a trip to the beach at Nairn or Lossiemouth, you must top by Wester Hardmuir fruit farm in season, you can turn your fruit into ice-cream and it is delicious! In 50 mins you could find yourself in the lovely coastal village of Findhorn. Great beach walks and home to the Findhorn Foundation who have courses on permaculture, sustainability and more.
Steam Train
Travel back in time on the Strathspey Railway from Broomhill Station to Aviemore. If you decide to stop off in Boat of Garten, pop into the Gashouse Cafe for some top notch coffee and cake (check it’s open as is seasonal). You’ll also find Ride Scotland bike shop right there so you could train there and bike back.
Whisky Country
If you are partial to a slanj or two, you will find an endless supply in the Speyside area including the brand new Cairn Distillery less than 10 mins from Arbor.
Wild Swimming
While we all enjoy a dip in the local lochs and river in the summer months, there has been an explosion of enthusiasts on the wild swimming scene year round in recent years. If you’re up for some cold water therapy and would like some guidance, dip into Swim Wild who run coaching and events in the lochs nearby.
Yoga + Pilates
You are very welcome to stretch out in the bothy and on the patio but if you’d like a bit of guidance, we have some wonderful practitioners in the village. Lucy Boyes is based in Nethy, runs Cairngorm Pilates and offers private sessions. Dive deep with Katie White Yoga for yoga, breathing, meditation and mindfulness group and 1-2-1.
Dolphins + Surf
You might think this is a crazy suggestion when you’re immersed in the glory of the forest, but we are only an hour’s drive from Chanonry Point, the best land viewing of bottlenose dolphins in the world, as featured on BBC Wild Isles. Equidistant is Sandend Bay where you can learn to surf with Suds Surf School.
Wilder Farming
At Lynbreck Croft the philosophy is to “grow food and minds” and they have amazing courses to help us to reconnect to nature; Living off the Land, How to Grow, All About Trees, Wild Foraging and Woodcraft Weekend. And they’re only 10mins drive from us or a 40 min bike ride.
Delicious Eateries
So you’ve worked up quite an appetite, where to now? Well we know of a few places. Nethy House is a great wee cafe right in the centre of the village. Our very good friends at The Dell of Abernethy offer scrumptious oven ready meals which can be delivered ready for your arrival. They also have wonderful events on in the tipi with great food and music. KJ’s Bothy Bakery is euphorically delicious and only 10 mins from us! For great food, drink and craic in Aviemore, it’s Old Bridge Inn. Alvie Forest Foods just on the other side of Aviemore, is a high quality street food van we highly recommend. Throw a stone to find the best coffee in the Cairngorms at Cabin Coffee. For a spot of lunch over by Kincraig, our favourite is The Old Post Office.
Food Shopping
There are some excellent options for food shopping nearby including Dell Grocer which has lots of delicious meal kits and baked goods. Bailliefurth Farm Shop in the village which is stocked not only with local meat but also an excellent variety of deli delights and even has a wee gift section. Over in Grantown is the lovely Fiona’s Wholefoods which offers organic refills, eco products, vegan treats and a coffee bar. For baked goods and to expand your waistline (so good it’s mentioned twice), head over to KJ’s Bothy Bakery. The Boat of Garten Post Office is well stocked with more than your essentials. Our wee shop in the village closed recently but is due to reopen so watch this space. For bigger food shops, there is a Co-op in Grantown, A Tesco and an Aldi in Aviemore and lots of other shops including an excellent fishmonger, Pro Fish.