What Activities Are Available from Nethy House & Nethy Station?

There is so much that you can do from Nethy Bridge. How long have you got? There are a number of excellent attractions nearby and I am going to take you through some of them so you may pick a varied programme according to your group's needs and the length of your stay.

Where Can I Find Out About Other Activities?

These activities are just suggestions and I try to keep it up-to-date as possible and as wide a variety. There are many others and we can advise you of them when you are here. Please have a look here and you will find a pdf file with the listings of all that we can keep up with!

Full Days

Castles, lochs and distilleries abound. We will be able to tell you which are the best suited to your group, we'll book you in and point out where to park. Our idea is to make your stay as easy as possible so that you, the group leader can have a holiday too!

These are only examples of itineraries but they give you an idea of what you can do:

Cycling & Watersports: Many schools and clubs either bring their own bikes or hire them. You can get them from various locations. In Aviemore they can be hired from Bothy Bikes if you wish to stay mainly on forest tracks, then go to Rothiemurchus, who can help you with maps. Half the group could ride to Loch Morlich, whilst the other half spend a half-day on the water. Having met for a picnic or B-B-Q on the beach, they swop and the other half ride home!

Golf: There are a great number of golf courses within a short distance. We have a super 9 hole course just a few hundred yards from Nethy House, Abernethy Golf Club.

Cawdor Castle, Fort George & Inverness: Visit Cawdor Castle, which was made so famous by Shakespeare and then on to Fort George where you can marvel at the size of the fortifications, learn how soldiers lived in the late 1700's and spend the rest of the day shopping in Inverness.

Fort Augustus & Loch Ness: You can do a circular route taking you down as far as Fort William if you wish, and then return up the western shore of Loch Ness. If you don't spot the monster, then perhaps you'd like to stop off at Drumnadrochit where the Loch Ness 2000 Exhibition will inform you where to look, or even just allow you to buy a model! Discover Loch Ness can be pre-booked online, or you could cruise down the Loch from Inverness and picking up your bus at the other end?

Ballindalloch, Speyside Cooperage and Glenfiddich: After visiting Ballindalloch, a castle still occupied by the family, you can picnic on the beach by Telford's metal bridge at Craigellachie. Then on to the Cooperage to watch how the barrels are made and repaired for the Whisky industry. Naturally you have to then visit Glenfiddich, where a guide, film and 'wee dram' await you!

Edinburgh: Why not spend the day in Edinburgh. Shop in Prince's Street under the shadow of Edinburgh Castle where you can trace the history of Scotland's extraordinary past, see her Crown Jewels and at 1 o'clock, hear the gun that booms across the city every day. The Georgian House offers an insight to life as it was in the more recent past. There are, of course, many other attractions, whether you want history, culture, arts, crafts or even just the pubs for which the city is renowned! Return to Nethy House for supper, or even stay down there for the evening and return in time for bed!

Eilean Donan & Skye: You can visit Eilean Donan, not only one of the most photographed of Scottish views, but also made famous as the location of the 'Highlander' films. Then drive on towards Skye and take the bridge over if you wish. Be warned, though it is not cheap!

Eilean Donan & the Rogie Falls: Alternatively, once you leave Eilean Donan, you could visit Plockton where 'Hamish Macbeth' was filmed and then on through a very scenic route back via the Rogie Falls.

Orkney: If you don't mind an early start, you could drive up to John O'Groats and catch the ferry across to these islands. The tour will take you to most of the major sites, including Skara Brae, a 5,000 year old settlement and then return you to catch the ferry back. Again, you'll be back for bed!

Half Days

Of course, many of the above trips may be shortened but there are other opportunities. Landmark is a great way to spend a number of hours learning about the environment around us or just whizzing down the waterslides! Waltzing Waters is an unusual light and music show, literally featuring dancing fountains with the Highland Folk Museum nearby. A visit to the Findhorn Foundation Ecological Village is always an interesting trip. Or, perhaps a short walk up to Broomhill Station, better known to BBC viewers as Glenbogle Station, where Archie's loves travel to and from in the hit series 'Monarch of the Glen'. From there you can catch the Strathspey Steam Railway's regular service to Aviemore.

Walking

There are numerous walks that can be done straight from Nethy Bridge without the use of transport. If you do have transport then you can go further afield. One of our clients' favourite walks is Mealle a Bhuachaile; a 4-5 hour hike up a hill that takes you to the summit with a 360 degree view over Cairngorm, Loch Morlich and even down to Nethy Bridge. We have a local ranger, seasonal and part-time in the Explore Abernethy Centre who can give you ideas. Or, you can have a look at this walking site

Wildlife

Wildlife is the draw for many groups to the area and you can take advantage of the guides provided by Speyside Wildlife or if more suitable, the schools programme run by RSPB. If you just want a guided walk through the Abernethy forest, then our own local ranger can be found at Explore Abernethy Centre near the Post Office.

There are a number of guided walks available during the summer season and others may be arranged at other times. have a look below at the Walking and Guided Activities. However, the RSPB Osprey hide at Loch Garten is only 3 miles, a lovely afternoon's walk or ride away. The Wildlife Park at Kincraig gives you a view of the Highlands as it was with wolves and bears and, of course, you may always go along to the Reindeer Centre to see, and maybe walk out to feed, the only herd of reindeer in Britain.

Castles

Why not visit Macbeth's Cawdor Castle, Ballindalloch or go further afield to one of the most recognised of Scotland's castles, Eilean Donan. This is where 'Highlander' was filmed. You can reach many other castles from here if you stay long enough to visit the more local ones!

Highland Games & other Events

Scotland is renowned for it's Highland Games. They are held throughout the summer and a list can be found on Visit Scotland's site.

The Abernethy Highland Games take place on the second Saturday in August every year and nethy.org groups have always taken part in a big way if staying over the games weekend. They have run in some of the athletic events and a tradition is often followed now that they even run a stall! Details can be found at the Abernethy Highland Games page of the Nethy Bridge Community Website

Scottish Evening

We will lay on a traditional Scottish meal. It has to be haggis, neeps and tatties doesn't it? If possible, we will then teach you how to do 'Strip the Willow' so you can go home and impress your friends! If you can already do it, then you can impress us! If you ply him with port, Richard may sing a song or two but beware of his flailing broadsword! See the 'extra activities' page.

Wintersports

We are not organising skiing ourselves now but don't despair. We have an excellent partner in Ardenbeg, who can organise many of your activities, including wintersports. In winter, it's worth noting that Nethy Bridge is on a good road half-way between The Lecht & CairnGorm Mountain, offering a choice of area depending on the weather or your ability.

Walking

Richard is a qualified Summer Mountain Leader and if your group have suitable boots and clothing, then perhaps you could go off into the high hills. Or perhaps, a gentle stroll through the largest remaining stretch of ancient Caledonian pine forest here in Abernethy or Glenmore Forest may be more up your street! You can even print out some of the walks now and have them ready for your stay, or buy the little booklet from the Post Office on your arrival.

Local Experts & Guides Available for Various Activities

This area is lucky enough to boast a wealth of talent! Many of the country's leading experts in Outdoor Pursuits, among other things, are on our doorstep. So, let us know what you wish and we will try to put you in touch with the correct person. Your first stop for activities or equipment hire may be Ardenbeg in Grantown, who have qualified instructors for outdoor activities such as canoeing, climbing & skiing. They are flexible and very well priced.

We are 12 miles from Scotland's National Outdoor Training Centre at Glenmore Lodge. So, if you are taking part in the courses that they offer, we may well be an ideal place for you to use as a base if you are unable to stay at the Lodge.

Other Activities & Prices

Click here for a list of activities and prices for those that nethy.org provide. Please note that we do try to keep the list as up to date as possible, but it is not easy!!

Shopping

Grantown, 5 miles, has some excellent sports shops and gift shops. A chip-shop, take-away and bakery are among the various other outlets available. There has been and exciting redevelopment of Aviemore, 11 miles away, though it is all very upmarket! Aviemore does also offer you a supermarket and many other shops for gifts, stationery, woollens, outdoor wear and as the development grows the variety will grow too! If you wish to go further afield, then Inverness is only 35 miles and offers you the opportunity to visit the fastest growing city in Europe.