Scottish culture is alive and well here in the Highlands and it's not all whisky and golf.
Here at Cardhu, we are perfectly placed for access to the Malt Whisky Trail and prestigious golf clubs but the Highlands has lots more to offer. Relax at the Sunshine Coast, eat some of the world's best seafood, fish on fast rivers, hike or cycle up Munros or visit castles galore! There is something for everyone whether you want to delve into Scottish culture, take it nice and easy or push yourself to the limit.
Speyside and the Water of Life…
The milder climate of Speyside makes for perfect barley growing weather; couple it with fresh water from the River Spey and you have the makings of some of the world’s finest whiskies. The Malt Whisky Trail takes you on a journey of discovery from illicit secret distilleries hidden away in heather-clad mountains to the industrial revolution to the global brands of today. The closest distillery to us is Cardhu, makers of Johnnie Walker. The Macallan Distillery, with its award-winning visitor centre, is less than seven miles away.
The Malt Whisky Trail from Visit Scotland
Cardhu
Glenmoray
Glengrant
The Macallan
Speyside Cooperage
Aberlour
Strathisla
Glenfiddich
Ballindalloch Single Malt Distillery
The Glenlivet
If you are planning a distillery tour, consider leaving the driving to the professionals:
Fishing on fast rivers and lakes...
The River Spey attracts fishermen from all over the world for its rich bounty of salmon and trout. Many estates have fishing beats along its banks but there are also smaller angling clubs selling river tickets for the day. You can go it alone or with a ghillie if you want to find out where the catch is plentiful.
Lochs and lakes also offer peaceful angling opportunities, mostly for trout. Go out into the loch on a small boat or sit at the water’s edge, it’s entirely up to you. Fishing equipment can usually be hired if you don’t want to bring your own.
For the more adventurous, why not charter a boat and sail out on the Moray Firth. There are many more species of fish to catch such as cod, pollock, halibut, ling, mackerel, skate, eel and shark. This is also an excellent way to view the incredible coastline.
Further Information
Knockando Estate
Spey Fishery Board
Atlantic Salmon Trust
Fish Pal
Alba Game Fishing
Speycaster.net
Glen Rothes Trout Fishery
River Avon Fishing Association
Fochabers Angling Association
Trout and Salmon Fishing Scotland
A proud golfing tradition...
Being the national game of Scotland, it is no wonder we have so many golf courses everywhere. Ranging from world-class courses like Nairn, Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart with its breathtaking views to inland clubs like Grantown-on-Spey. Whether in the mood for mountain and moor or sea and salty air, there’s a course for you in the Highlands.
Rothes Golf Club
With panoramic views of the Spey Valley and the friendly village of Rothes, this 9-hole inland course has lush tree-lined fairways. For all abilities.
Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club
Expect leafy parkland and striking mountain views on this excellent 18-hole course situated in the Cairngorms. A traditional clubhouse serves good food and drink in a friendly atmosphere.
Forres Golf Club
Located 6 miles from Findhorn Bay, this 18-hole course has spectacular views and welcomes golfers of all ages abilities. Home to the David Torrence Golf Academy, Forres are especially focused on encouraging young people to take up the sport.
Moray Golf Club
One of the finest links in Scotland. Follow Old Tom Morris on the wild gorse-lined old course or Henry Cotton on the challenging new one. You can enjoy incredible views of Lossiemouth as you play.
Nairn Golf Club
Overlooking the Moray Firth, this championship course, provides the more experienced golfer with a challenge. There’s also the 9-hole Cameron Course for players of all abilities. The scenery is breathtaking, whatever your skill level.
Castle Stuart Golf Club
Beautiful views across the Moray Firth, sitting on the coast at Rosemarkie Bay, Castle Stuart is a stunning course. Gorse-lined fairways, Art Deco-style clubhouse house, a restaurant, bar and pro golf shop all make for a great day of golfing.
Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Royal Dornoch’s natural links are perfect for those requiring a greater challenge. A wide stretch of white sandy beach separates the course from the Dornoch Firth, with views of the bay and the wild Atlantic Sea. The Struie, Dornoch’s second course, is less challenging. Both make for an brilliant day’s game.
For information on other Highland courses, visit Golf Highland
Just stretching your legs or shredding up mountains…
The Speyside Way is one of Scotland’s four official Long Distance Routes, connecting Spey Bay on the Moray Coast to Newtonmore on the western edge of the Cairngorm Mountains. With diverse scenery, from ocean views of the Bay or across moors and woodland and on to the mountains as the trail passes the Cairngorms, it’s a feast for the eye. There are superb routes for walkers and cyclists of all ages and abilities whether you want to feel the burn or just stretch your legs.
The Moray Monster Trail offers single-track mountain bike routes around the Fochabers area. Ranging from family-friendly - ‘The Soup Dragon’ - to the more challenging - ‘The Fochabers Ring’ - there are plenty to choose from to make for a perfect day in the saddle. ‘The Gully Monster’ is not for the faint-hearted, though!
Walks in Moray and Nairnshire
Walks in the Cairngorms
Mountainbiking in the Cairngorms
Photos courtesy of Visit Scotland