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Go Rural from Aviemore

5 min

3 Miles - Avielochan Cottages, Aviemore

These self-catering cottages and caravan accommodation are located by a small loch with spectacular panoramic views of the Cairngorm Mountains.  They also have the advantage of being just a couple of miles outside Aviemore. 

Avielochan is an idyllic place in the Cairngorms National Park in which to escape, relax and recharge. All the properties on Avielochan are set in their own grounds on the farm, which is home to a herd of Aberdeen Angus and shorthorn cattle which are traditionally reared outdoors. The loch is home to many birds including ospreys in the spring and summer as well as golden eye, coot, and slavonian grebe. You may also spot other wildlife like red squirrel, red and roe deer, black grouse and capercaillie.

Experience peace and tranquility in this perfect spot for taking in some of the best scenery of the Scottish Highlands. 

Visit Avielochan Cottages

3 Miles - Rothiemurchus, Aviemore

Rothiemurchus is at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. 

They offer a range of exciting outdoor activities including a Hairy Coo Safari, quad biking, clay pigeon shooting, falconry, axe throwing and pony trekking to name a few. 

It also has a cafe, farm shop and online farm shop where it sells Rothiemurchus beef from their Highland cattle and their venison comes from their herd of red deer. Food miles can be as low as half a mile, from forest or field to shop.

Visit Rothiemurchus

4 Miles - Alvie Estate, Kingussie

Alvie & Dalraddy Estates are family owned, traditional Highland Estates extending from the Monadhliath hills across the River Spey to the Cairngorms National park.  

Sitting in an ideal location only a few miles from Aviemore, their chalets enjoy spectacular views across Dalraddy Moor and the Cairngorm Mountains and their holiday cottages, caravan park and campsite sit within stunning surroundings.   

They also offer a range of activities for all ages, everything from zip wires, clay pigeon shooting, archery & horse riding to fishing and bird-watching.   You will be spoilt for choice. 

 

Visit Alvie Estate

25 Miles - Gaskbeg Holidays, Newtonmore

Gaskbeg is a livestock farm situated at the western gateway to the Cairngorms National Park therefore an ideal location to explore the local area.

If you are looking for a place to unwind in beautiful surroundings then their beautifully renovated cottages might just fit the bill.   They have a traditional stone built exterior with a bright, modern stylish interior.

Around Gaskbeg there are some great walks right from your back door including Gaskbeg Hill (almost a Munro at 2870ft)and Creag Meagaidh National Nature reserve is only about 14 miles west of Laggan. 

Visit Gaskbeg

25 Miles - The Dairy at Daviot, Inverness

The Dairy at Daviot is owned and run by a fourth-generation farming family who have lovingly restored the 19th century farm steading into luxury cottages.

Their cottages are all named after cows including Jersey, Guernsey and Ayrshire and their unique accommodation features original archways, beautiful pink sandstone and reclaimed slate and they have stunning views over the surrounding fields, woodlands and cobbled courtyard.

A great location for exploring the Highlands or visiting Inverness, known as Scotland’s ‘Highland Capital’. 

Visit the Dairy at Daviot

35 Miles - Farm Ness, Inverness

Fans of BBC Alba's, This Farming Life, will love the short trip out of town to visit the family's roadside farm shop selling Farm Ness beef and lamb, turkeys, local pork, local vegetables, local store cupboard ingredients and seasonal products too. 

On 20th July they opened a play area (10-4pm) which has a bale climbing frame, straw pit, sand pit with mud kitchens and pedal tractors.

They are also hoping to open a burger van soon. 

Visit Farm Ness

37 Miles - MacBeth's Butcher, Forres

Macbeths Butchers in Forres has been owned and run by the Gibson family since the 1980's.  This local farming family from nearby Edinvale Farm opened their shop in the town to sell their highest quality Highland Shorthorn Beef direct to locals and visitors.  

Edinvale Farm is situated between 500 and 800 feet above the Moray Firth in the Highlands of Scotland and is located only a few miles from Macbeths.

 

Visit Macbeths Butchers

39 Miles - Big Sky Lodges, Muir of Ord

A 'wow' awaits you at Ailsa and Jonny’s 17 acre family croft on the edge of the beautiful Black Isle.

Set among meadows grazed by Highland cows and horses, surrounded by natural birch woodland and forest, you’ll find six beautiful Finnish log cabins, a vintage style glamping caravan and an adventure themed croft loft at Big Sky Lodges.

The mantra here is on enjoying nature and the peace and tranquillity of the Scottish countryside-from the smell of wood when you enter a lodge, to the red kites flying overhead and the cows grazing in the fields. Family friendly details add to the charm - you will find handy things to make your family stay a little easier including kid friendly crockery, story books for bedtime, and board games to keep the little ones entertained. Cots and highchairs are also available if needed.




Visit Big Sky Lodges

50 Miles - The Bothy at Nonikiln, Alness

Looking for a romantic break for two?  Then this cottage is perfect for an escape.  It is located on a family farm with rolling views of the surrounding farmland, the Cromarty Firth and the mountains of Wester Ross in the distance.

Lovers of the great outdoors will enjoy the many walks, forest tracks, rivers, lochs, and local archaeology, all within easy reach, including the Fyrish Monument which is 10 miles away.

Inspired by the old farm bothy, the cottage has been lovingly created using stone from the original building with large windows looking out onto Fyrish Hill.  Relax in the large garden that opens out onto wildflower areas with fields beyond. There is also BBQ for evenings for alfresco dining.

Visit the Bothy at Nonikiln

51 Miles - Byres Farm, Fochabers

Byres farm grow malting barley for the Speyside Whisky industry, and keep beef cattle and sheep and sits on the banks of the River Spey in Moray. It is farmed by the Smith family and they have created a unique facility for families to see first-hand what happens on their working farm.  

Byres farm also offers weekly children's farm events, farm tours and the option to hire the venue exclusively for your own event. 

The farm park and animal feeding are open Saturday & Sundays 10:00am-4:00pm. Their self-service coffee shop is open 7:00am-7:00pm.

Visit Byres Farm

51 Miles - Royal Hotel, Cromarty

Farmer Jenny Henderson welcomes you to her restaurant and bar in Cromarty which is five miles from her family farm at Udale. The restaurant serves delicious meals using Jenny's own farm Scotch beef and a range of other farm produce from the Highlands.

Being right beside the sea, they are lucky enough to have first refusal of the daily catch from the local fisherman including scallops, mussels, langoustine & mackerel. 

Using their farming connections and local butchers ensure only the finest locally-produced lamb, pork and game are served.

 

54 Miles - Culligran Cottages & Estate, Strathfarrar

A perfect choice for those who love all things outdoor and this beautiful, unspoilt, magical glen has it all – mountain scenery, lochs and river, Caledonian pinewood and breathtaking views of the unspoilt wild Highlands of Scotland.

Choose from a traditional stone cottage or Norwegian-style chalets in the beautiful Glen Strathfarrar, surrounded by mountains, lochs, river and Caledonian pinewood.

Visitors have exclusive access to Culligran Estate, ideal for a spot of salmon or trout fishing, walking among the forests or hiring a bike to enjoy the estate’s private tracks. 

59 Miles - Mayen Estate, Rothiemay

These luxury range of self-catering cottages are situated on the stunning 700 acre Mayen Estate which is run by the Cheyne family.

This is a private, family run estate offering authentic Scottish holidays in the Deveron Valley. With quaint and unique historic self-catering holiday cottages and cabins, stunning gardens and grounds to explore, wild salmon and trout fishing holidays, hunting, shooting and bespoke holiday experiences, Mayen really is a unique Scottish destination.

As the landscape bursts into bloom, escape to Mayen, in the Deveron Valley, where peace and nature awaits.

Visit Mayen Cottages

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