GLENARDER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2-7 DAY STAYS.

Here are some of our recommendations to help you cover all the basics on a short stay. Obviously this is a jumping off point for you. See our web site for further information and links. 

Have fun planning. If you have any questions please ask.

SUMMER TIP: Please note restaurants and distilleries tours are often very busy, particularly in the summer and weekends. Book your tours and dinner reservations as far in advance as possible. You can take your chance and pop in and often you will find availability however it cannot be guaranteed. Better to have some reservations on hand. You can also see my website for transportation information if you need taxis. Plus there is info at the cottage.

DISTILLERY ESSENTIALS: Here are our favourite choices:

Aberlour Distillery. 

Aberlour.

This pretty distillery sits on the edge of Aberlour. It providesan excellent tour and gift shop. Tip – they also provides a take home tasting package for your designated driver so they don’t have to miss out.

Cardhu Distillery. 

Cardhu

This is our closest distillery (2km). This provides a great alternative to the larger whisky experience.

Ballindalloch Distillery. 

Ballindalloch (4km)

A new distillery opened by the Ballindalloch Estate. (Call for information)

The Macallans (4km). 

Wester Elchies

One of the most iconic distillers. In process of building a new age visitor Center. Due to open 2018. They provide extensive tour options, gift shop etc

Glenfiddich Distillery.

Dufftown. 

Large distillery experience. Extensive tours. Restaurant and gift shop. 

The Glenlivet

Glenlivet. (20 minute drive)

This is perfect if also want a little drive. The location of the distillery itself is worth the drive. There is also restaurant and gift shop.

For more information see our links

https://glenardercottage.wordpress.com/whisky/

GOLF OPTIONS CLOSE BY.

Reserve in advance.

Rothes Golf Club

http://www.rothesgolfclub.co.uk

Most local courses are:

Ballindalloch Golf Course

https://www.scottishgolfcourses.com/northeast/ballindallochcastle.html

Dufftown Golf Course

https://www.dufftowngolfclub.com

WALKING

The Speyside Way is only 2km from our house. I suggest to pop onto it at Blacksboat, Knockando or Carron entry points. All very close to us. You can walk in either direction for as long or short as you wish. Information at the cottage.

Aberlour. Linn Falls. A short but pretty walk from Aberlour distillery along the side of the burn to a very pretty waterfall.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/maps/map1_32mn.shtml

If you want to view some amazing scenery and equally fascinating wind turbines take a walk directly from our place. Turn right at our post box and walk for about 5 mins until you see a gate (if closed there is aside opening). The gate takes you on a path (vear left). You will see a a bit of a steep ascent through the cutting which is for the first 10 minutes but once you level out you can follow a path into the stunning moorland. However stay directly on the path and do not go close to the turbines…view them from afar.

If you are feeling a bit more adventurous you can climb Ben Rinnes. It is about a 1-2 hour walk/climb. It is moderate so very doable if you are in reasonable fitness level. It is a beautiful location and provides great views back to Glenarder and all the way to the Moray Coast (on a clear day) so well worth it.

See more links to walking suggestions

https://glenardercottage.wordpress.com/activities-2/walking/

CANOEING

Highly recommend and great experience. Contact the best, Dave Craig at Spirit of the Spey. Tell him we recommended you. He will sort you out or at the least guide you in the right direction.

http://www.spiritofthespey.co.uk

Or try our neighbour 

Joerge at Sporting life. See below

http://www.sportingscotland.co.uk

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ACTIVITES

Touch base with our neighbour at Sporting Scotland. Ask for Joerge. They provide all sorts of individual experiences or team building fun such as Land Rover experiences, canoeing, sea kayaking, Skeet shooting, fishing, mountain biking and picnics etc

http://www.sportingscotland.co.uk

BEACHES.

Glenarder is within 45 minutes of some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches. Our first recommendations are:

Findhorn, conservation area on the bay of Findhorn. 

45 min drive.

Time it right and you can see seals (Check times for low tide). Also enjoy pub fair in cozy pub or take your drink outside and watch the boats. Cute little fishing town

Lossiemouth. 

45 minutes drive.

Vast open beach that goes on for miles. Beautiful on a nice day. Have an ice cream or lunch while overlooking the sea or harbour.

Spey Bay beach and wildlife refuge.

Spey Bay.

Great for birdwatching and dolphin spotting. The Dolphin centre and icehouse fun for kids and adults.

See Glenarder website for more information as well as information regarding small historic fishing villages along the coast.

https://glenardercottage.wordpress.com/beaches/

https://glenardercottage.wordpress.com/moray-firth-coast-line/

CLOSE BY TOURIST OPTIONS:

Knockando Woolen Mill. (2km)

Restored historic Woolen mill set in a beautiful little valley. They offer a small tours and workshops. There is also a shop where you can pick up some local Woolen blankets, tweed, gifts etc. Also they do some mean homemade bakes. Great for an afternoon tea. https://www.kwc.co.uk

Ballindalloch Castle 

Ballindalloch (4km)

Lovely gardens and tour of the castle. Take a walk on their paths along the River Spey and enjoy the stunning gardens. Also offer great little gift shop and cafe. Good lunches and home bakes.

http://www.ballindallochcastle.co.uk

TOWN OF ABERLOUR

Aberlour is a pretty town with a lot to offer for a small town and all local services.  Rothes and Aberlour are our closest small towns. For more extensive services you can also visit Elgin, about 45 min drive.

You could have lunch or dinner at The Mashtun Pub located on the banks of the Spey or The Dowans Hotel.

Be sure to pop into Speyside Larder (directly on the Square). It is a lovely little shop renowned for its traditional atmosphere and great selection of local cheeses, wine etc. Great place to pick up some goodies for a take home lunch/dinner.

At the same time you can pop on to the Speyside Way walking path. You can easily walk to Craigellachie and back (45 minutes each way) and enjoy the lovely views of the Spey River.

DAY TRIPS AND DRIVING TOURS

See our website

https://glenardercottage.wordpress.com/day-trips/

https://glenardercottage.wordpress.com/tours-and-trails/

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

https://glenardercottage.wordpress.com/activities-2/

LOCAL RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS.

The Copper Dog, 

Craigellachie Hotel, Craigellachie. 

Great food, live local musicians on a Friday night ( best to reserve in advance!)

The Station Hotel. 

Rothes. They have three options; a pub atmosphere, a Brasserie and a fine dining restaurant. They also have a very cool whisky lounge (with good gin selection).

The Dowans Hotel. 

Aberlour

Again they have a fabulous Whisky bar, a brasserie and a restaurant.

The Highlander. 

Craigellachie.

Delicious local food and traditionally Scottish. One of the best stocked whisky bars.

Archiestown Hotel

Archiestown (4km)

Open for lunch and dinner. 

Good reputation for food and very close to us.

Pubs:

The Mashtun. Aberlour. Bar and restaturant. Good whisky selection.

The Highlander Inn, Craigellachie.

The Seven Stills. Dufftown. Historic pub, restaurant and whisky bar.

The Stuart Arms. Dufftown. Bar and restaurant.

Whisky bars.

Dowans hotel. Aberlour

Craigellachie Hotel. Craigellachie

Station Hotel. Rothes.

The Highlander Hotel. Craigellachie.

See our links for more information 

https://glenardercottage.wordpress.com/eat/

https://glenardercottage.wordpress.com/whisky/whisky-bars-and-pubs/

At the end of your tray sure to report back to us with any exceptional experiences or recommendations ..we love to pass on positive recommendations to our guests.

Have fun

Yvonne