Booking
The Boat House, Rothiemurchus

FAQs

Please find below a list of our most frequently asked questions – please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like any further information.

How do I book?


What does it cost?

Pricing varies by season and again by clicking here you can check the availability and pricing.


Will I receive a refund if I need to cancel due to Covid-19?

We are offering full refunds on all bookings if you are not able to travel due to – 1) the need to self isolate because of developing Covid-19 symptoms 2) the need to self isolate due to being identified via track and trace system 3) current Government restrictions in place preventing travel to The Boat House.


Can I bring dogs?

We welcome one or two well-behaved dogs – there is a small charge for them.

Dogs are not allowed upstairs or on furnishings.   They must not be left in the house unattended at any time.  The Boat House is a special home and we need to take care to look after it.

There is a lovely walk from the house along the river and a generous, recently fenced, grassy area through the door from the dining- room, kitchen, snug living area. N.B.  There might be cattle or ponies in fields on the other side of the fences.

There are poop bags in the equipment shed and a bin into which you can put the bags. Please make sure to clean up after your dogs immediately and check outside areas are clean before you leave.

Guests will understand that any damage will have to be paid for, as will any additional cleaning required.


What procedures have you implemented re Covid-19?

Read more here


Are there facilities for small children?

Yes, we have a travel cot with bedding and a high-chair with harness, as well as unbreakable children’s’ plates, mugs and cutlery.  There are games and toys for children as well as a football, frisbee and cricket set for playing on the large lawn.  With two rivers near the house, we have re-fenced the grassy area the dining and kitchen living area so small children can play there away from the water, as our children did when they were small.


How do I get to The Boat House?

You have the choice between car, an excellent train service to Aviemore Railway station which is only a mile away, or by air then hiring a car via one of Scotland’s main airports at Edinburgh, Glasgow, or from Aberdeen or Inverness.  Pick up from Inverness airport can be arranged.  Full details are available on our Contact /Location page.

Our lovely host Amy can advise you on travel and will let you know how to let yourselves in.  They will arrange when it is convenient to welcome you in person.


What about food and drink?

Our Estate Farm Shop at Rothiemurchus Centre about half a mile away and a destination for ‘foodies’.

You can order through your host Amy, our famed velvety Rothiemurchus venison and our celebrated, full of flavour traditional highland beef fresh, or frozen into ready to eat meals, as well as seasonal Scottish, U.K and European cheeses, our own smoked rainbow trout, haggis, black pudding, home-cured bacon all made by our inhouse butcher and lots of local, Scottish and specialist deli produce. We try also to have locally grown soft fruit and veg. in season. Amy can arrange for Janet and her farm shop team to take delivery of your order from Tesco or Sainsbury so it can be put into the Boat House fridges and freezer ready for your arrival.  Just let Amy know so you get the right address and they can warn The Farm Shop team.

There are also carefully selected wines, whisky, gin and beers many are from our award-winning local distilleries and breweries as well as a good range of Scottish non-alcoholic drinks.

Aviemore which is about a mile away has an outstanding Fishmonger – Pro Fish as well as M&S Simply Food, Tesco Metro, Aldi, Home Bargains and Co-op.

The Boat House has two fridges and a freezer.


How about Wifi?

There is excellent Wifi throughout the house, wirelessed from our private uncontested fibre supply.  It also provides streamed TV programmes.


Is there a phone signal?

It’s pretty good depending on your network and where you are in the house.  4G covers most of our area. There are 2 USB sockets beside every bed.


Is it accessible for guests who can’t manage stairs or steps?

The ground floor is accessible for wheelchairs and for guests with reduced mobility and includes many people’s favourite bedroom with adjoining wheelchair accessible wet room.


What weather can I expect?

Rothiemurchus is equidistant between the West and East coasts; it sits at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains – the highest mountain range in Britain and seems to have its own weather. Perhaps the largest natural forest in Scotland has this effect?   We have an average rainfall of only about 33” and most years on at least one day a year between April and October Rothiemurchus is the hottest place in the U.K. and during the winter not surprisingly among the coldest.

We are in the Highlands of Scotland at the same latitude as James Bay in Canada and we have weather, not a climate, which is difficult to predict. There is a big contrast between the seasons, particularly summer and winter with very long light summer days and nights when it hardly gets dark; the short winter days have with long nights to snuggle up in front of the wood-burning stoves with a book, play one of many games or watch your favourite movie.

Rothiemurchus is stunning all year round and many people choose to live here specifically to enjoy being outdoors during the autumn and winter months.


What clothing shall I bring?

The house is toasty warm, so bring warm clothes and waterproofs for the great outdoors.

From April onwards the sun can be very strong and it can get very warm.  Walking boots or shoes are almost essential all year round. In winter it is cold, but its usually a dry cold which feels invigorating.  Thermals are useful and essential during the winter and Spring.  Aviemore has a wide range of excellent shops selling every kind of outdoor clothing.

Midges are generally less of a problem on Rothiemurchus than areas to the West, however, midge repellent – like Smidge which is available in Rothiemurchus Centre, is a wise addition in the summer months, just in case you find a midgy pocket or travel to other areas.


What is there to do on Rothiemurchus and in the wider Cairngorms National Park?

Where do we start – there is so much to do and see.  Rothiemurchus is unique and the scenery is stunning.  The highest range of mountains in the U.K. are the constant backdrop to the largest area of ancient natural forest and woodland in Scotland merges into small farms. Shaggy purebred Highland cattle with their huge horns and cute calves, still live in wooded fields (sometimes beside The Boat House), and barley is still grown especially for making Speyside whisky in one of the many local distilleries and there are many traditional stone built villages along the River Spey.  Rothiemurchus Rangers lead ‘Hairy coo’ tours and visits to a herd of Red Deer as well Discover Rothiemurchus by Land Rover behind the scenes tours.

David Attenborough has described Rothiemurchus as “one the glories of wild Scotland” and we cherish the feeling of wildness.  However, the remains of bronze age or older communities, evidence of more recent settlements, the ruined mediaeval island castle at Loch an Eilein, the attractive cottages and the network of paths are clues that this is a place where people have lived and worked in harmony with nature for thousands of years.  Maybe this is why people love just being here, tell the world they find it inspirational and rejuvenating and why visitors regularly tell us they feel an emotional connection with places on Rothiemurchus such as Loch an Eilein. It’s not just breathing the clear air, the wildlife, mountains lochs or the ancient forest – it’s the centuries-old connection between nature and people and The Boat House is an important part of this story.

There are great low-level walks and biking in amazing scenery as well as some of the most interesting wildlife and habitat for endangered species in Europe. Loch an Eilein – just a mile away, was voted the U.K.’s favourite picnic spot and is for many people, their favourite place in Scotland.  Rothiemurchus has been a National Scenic area for decades and over
83% of the land, many of the buildings and a 19C designed landscape are designated and protected.

On Rothiemurchus we have developed and invited specialist expert partners businesses to join us in offering a wide choice of active ways you can enjoy and care for this amazing place – many are all the year round and whatever the weather, such as clay shooting, quad trekking and Rothiemurchus Ranger-led tours.  Sometimes high winds mean that Treezone aerial adventure has to close, otherwise, apart from annual maintenance it is open all year round as are bike hire, trekking on expertly schooled Highland Ponies and Segways but these may not be possible when it is snowy or icy, however then there are skiing and snowboarding to enjoy.

Fast flowing mountain burns (streams) bring the clear water that runs off the mountains and from numerous natural springs into peaceful lochs and fast flowing rivers and which can be enjoyed in many ways.  As well as bait and fly fishing, there is river tubing, gorge walking, kayaking, canoeing, stand – up paddleboarding, family ‘float’ rafting.

And the wildlife – you don’t have to be shown it – if you are quiet and careful it is all around you at The Boat House.  For more experienced photographers there are guided sessions to catch that award winning image of Ospreys diving into the water to catch trout,  a charming red squirrel or other wildlife.

For smaller children there is feeding fish at the Fishery, Little Landys, ‘Womble” rides, the Funhouse soft play centre at Coylumbridge and the Steam Railway from Aviemore.  All children love Landmark Forest Adventure Park 20 mins drive to the North, polar bears at The Highland Wildlife Park the same distance South, with the award winning Highland Folk Park just a few miles further.  Family and friends can enjoy walking or biking round Loch an Eilein and peaceful Rothiemurchus fishery together.

In the summer, the days are incredibly long at this latitude.  In Spring and Autumn, photographers love the colours, the light and the wildlife. In winter, Rothiemurchus offers a chance of three ski centres, a wonderful clear light and this is also when The Boat House tends to have more availability and rates are lower.

And, of course, there is just relaxing in luxury in a beautiful house.

There is so much to enjoy here – your personal host can help you with specific suggestions to suit your interests, book your activities and arrange special experiences and celebrations.


What is there in the house?

As well as the normal, we offer:

  • luxury welcome basket including oatcakes, shortbread, locally made organic jam and chutney, Scottish chocolate, cards and post cards, milk and eggs in the fridge
  • complimentary Friends of Rothiemurchus card includes discounts at Rothiemurchus Centre and on some of the outdoor activities (free) parking at Loch an Eilein is included for use during your stay
  • coffee, teas, sugar, oatmeal, muesli, fresh and dried herbs and spices, cooking oil, olive oil, salt, pepper etc.
  • recycled Indian Fire Bowl with tools for your use
  • three efficient wood-burning stoves including one in a bedroom
  • high-performance insulation in the outside walls, roof and under floors where possible as well as double glazed windows to keep the house cosy while minimising the use of fossil fuels
  • underfloor heating in the kitchen/dining area and bathrooms
  • all wood and electricity are included
  • all linens and towels
  • three separate living and sitting spaces inside the house.
  • three amazing bathrooms including two freestanding baths, one in front of a large window with a great view of the River Spey, the other with a fireplace full of candles and a great wheelchair-accessible wet room. There is a separate wee loo downstairs, tucked in beside the living area
  • Scottish Fine Soaps soap, bath & shower gel, hair and body shampoo,
    moisturiser, shampoo, conditioner and hand cream
  • eco friendly washing up, dishwasher and laundry soaps and conditioner
  • exceptionally comfortable, super king-sized beds handmade in Scotland by a specialist craftsman, with snowy white, fine Egyptian cotton covering super soft pillows and duvets – all 100% natural
  • one bedroom can have super king or twin beds according to your needs
  • a space upstairs for a cot or two chairs fold down beds for younger family members
  • anti-allergy pillows and duvets are available
  • hairdryers in all bedrooms
  • Lavassa coffee machine and pods
  • Nutriblast
  • Belfast sink
  • built in dishwasher
  • excellently equipped kitchen with a large range stove
  • Thermos flask
  • built in microwave
  • superb Sonos surround sound systems in the living area, Chill Out sitting room and each bedroom. Connect to a Sonos app on your mobile phone, laptop or tablet – free to download.
  • 75” smart TV with streaming and Freesat satellite channels and Sonos sound bar providing a cinema experience
  • radios beside every bed and in the kitchen
  • torches beside every bed
  • USB sockets beside every bed
  • shelves of books and games
  • generous heated hanging and drying area inside
  • large heated drying and hanging area outside for wetsuits, boots
  • storage space for your bikes etc.
  • bike and boot wash outside
  • outside benches and table
  • washing machine and tumble dryer, iron, ironing board
  • laser printer,
  • binoculars, bird and wildlife reference books
  • A range of local OS maps