Things To Do

Fishing

We are ideally situated for Salmon & Sea Trout fishing on the River Avon. The Avon is a major tributary of the world famous river Spey and offers excellent opportunity for your fly fishing holiday. Permits are available through the Tomintoul Angling Association at Tomintoul Post Office on a first come first served basis. Free fishing for Brown Trout on the Conglass Water is only a short walk from Benavon. A deep freeze facility is provided for the fish you wish to take back home. The Lochy Brown Trout Fishery is only 10 minutes drive from us and set in the beautiful River Avon valley.

  Tomintoul Post Office (Tomintoul Angling Association) Tel no:
01807 580201
  Lochy Brown Trout Fishery (John/Liz Irvine, Inverlochy Farm) Tel no:
01807 580243

Golfing

We are surrounded by golf courses at Grantown-On-Spey, Nethy Bridge, Dufftown & Ballindalloch. These courses are within 30 minutes drive from Tomintoul and Boat of Garten being a little further at 45 minutes.

  Abernethy Golf Club ( Nethy Bridge)
9 Hole, par 66.  Beautiful course with stunning scenery and a very welcoming informal clubhouse.
Tel no:
01479 821305
  Grantown-On-Spey Golf Club
18 Hole, par 70. This must be one of the most stunning golf courses; the views of the Cairngorms and surrounding countryside are lovely.
Tel no:
01479 872079
  Ballindalloch Castle Golf Club9
Hole, par 72. This is a new course and was designed by Donald Steel and Tom McKenzie with full USPGA greens. Resplendent clubhouse. Open and operating with an honesty box.
Tel no:
01807 500305
  Dufftown Golf Club
18 Hole, par 67. It is a hilly course with beautiful mountain scenery and has the highest tee in the country. It is situated on the road from Tomintoul- Dufftown.
Tel no:
01340 820325
  Boat Of Garten Golf Club
18 Hole, par 69. Boat of Garten is known as one of the best inland courses in Scotland, it is a magnificent course surrounded by stunning scenery and well worth a visit.
Tel no:
01479 831282

Whisky Distilleries

We are very well placed for visiting the local distilleries or joining the Malt Whisky Trial. Before, regulation, the secluded hills provided many secret sites for producing illicit whisky, the hill tracks provided routes out of the hills and these smugglers supplied an ever increasing demand. The first distillery to be licensed was Glenlivet distillery. A local farmer called George Smith set up the distillery in 1823 on his farm at Minmore. It is the only distillery which has the sole rights to call its product ‘ The Glenlivet’.
The two nearest distilleries which offer excellent guided tours are Glenlivet and Glenfiddich in Dufftown. The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is held during May each year in Dufftown.

  Glenlivet Distillery Tel no:
01542 783220
  Glenfiddich Distillery Tel no:
01340 820373

Walking

The Glenlivet Estate lies between the Ladder and Cromdale hills in the Cairngorms National Park and is part of the Crown Estate. Here amidst open expanses of heather covered hills, clear rushing burns and rivers, straths, glens and woodlands you will find some of the finest scenery in the Grampian Highlands. The Cairngorm mountains to the southwest intercept much of the rain and the area is surprisingly drier than many other parts of Scotland making it ideal for walking. The estate offers an extensive network of waymarked trials.

Bird Watching

The varied nature of the countryside provides good opportunities for enjoying birdwatching or viewing other upland animals. Crossbills, Siskins, redpolls, Goldcrest and Long-tailed tits can be seen across many areas. Heather, heath and woodlands provide good habitat for Black Grouse & Short Eared Owls while peat bogs and rough grass allow for waders including Snipe, Redshank, Curlew and Golden Plover. The banks of the Rivers Avon and Livet are very attractive, Goosanders can be seen in the summer and Dippers and Oystercatchers are commonly seen amongst the rocky burns. The mixed countryside and open moorland provides good habitat for a variety of different birds of prey including Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Hen Harriers, Merlins and Buzzards.

Skiing

 
  Lecht
We are the nearest village to the Lecht Ski centre, only 10 minutes drive away. The Lecht offers downhill skiing, snowboarding and a nursery area for beginners. A full instruction/ ski hire service and a large purpose built Day Lodge with restaurant, café-bar & toilets.

 

The Lecht is an all year fun & action outdoor centre:
Tubing, Mountain Biking Tracks, Deval Karts, Quad Bikes, Fun Karts and Chairlift Rides available when snow free.

Tel no:
01975 651440

www.lecht.co.uk
  Cairngorm Ski-centre
The Cairngorm Ski-centre is situated just outside Aviemore and 45 minutes drive from Tomintoul. A funicular mountain railway takes you to the Ptarmigan restaurant near the summit of Cairngorm. Downhill skiing, snowboarding and a nursery area   available.
Tel no:
01479 861261

Pony Trekking

Pony Trekking is available nearby (5 minutes from Benavon) at St. Bridget Farm.
Beginner treks and rides for the more experienced rider are on offer on well schooled ponies .Exhilarating rides in outstanding scenery with exceptional wildlife. Established in 1992, 1hr, 1/2 day or day long trial rides. BHS & TRSS Approved. CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Tel no:
01807 580210

Castles

The Castle Trial can be easily joined from Tomintoul; we are only a short drive away from Ballindalloch, Corgarff and Balmoral castles.

  Ballindalloch
Magnificent 16th century castle and family home being occupied continuously by the Macpherson-Grant family since 1546, wonderful gardens, riverside walks, golf course and tearoom. Open Good Friday-September (closed Saturdays)
Tel no:
01807 500205
  Corgarff
A 16th century tower house converted for use as a barracks for Hanoverian troops after the Battle of Culloden. In 1830 the castle was again in use by the army when 58 soldiers were stationed there in an attempt to put a stop to whisky smuggling.
Open daily March-September (winter open weekends only)
Tel no:
01975 651460
  Balmoral
Scottish home to the Royal Family, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert built Balmoral in 1853. Exhibitions, walks, trials, gift shop and café are open from March25th-August 1st    (10.00am-5.00pm)
Tel no:
013397 42534

Cycling & Mountain Biking

The Glenlivet Estate has many trials and “off road” sections for cycling and mountain biking. Forrest roads, farm roads and hill tracks are linked by quiet public roads and are all waymarked with a small “G” together with a cycling symbol. Further information and details are available from the Discovery Centre in Tomintoul.
(Tel no: 01807580358) Email: info@tgdt.org.uk

Glenlivet Mountain Bike Trial Centre

We are only 2.5 miles from Tomintoul. Facilities; Enjoy this purpose built trial at the heart of the Glenlivet Estate. The Blue Trial is a great introduction to cross country riding while the Red Trial provides challenges for the experienced. Open 11am- 5.00pm. Telephone number 01479870070.

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