ROTHIEMURCHUS

Rothiemurchus its hills, glens, woodlands, ancient forest, lochs, burns, rivers, farmland and buildings have been a natural sanctuary for communities of wildlife and people for countless generations.  The result of centuries of loving care by the Grant family, who continue to uphold environmental principles and endeavour to achieve a sustainable future for everyone and everything that lives here. Its success could be measured by the number of designations: all Rothiemurchus lies within a National Scenic Area and over 85% is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA) or Ramsar site (wetland) which are part of three Natura 2000 Areas. There are also Scheduled Archaeological Monuments including Bronze Age settlements and an Iron Age Fort as well as Listed Buildings.

Centuries of rearing traditional cattle continues today on the estate farms which produces some of the most delicious beef you can buy (only available in Rothiemurchus Estate Farm Shop), from the purebred fold of hardy Highland Cattle which thrive outside all year round in fields and woodland.  Barley is grown to make whisky and the extensive deer farm means that fresh venison is available throughout the year in Rothiemurchus Estate Farm Shop and often in the Druie café.   In short, it’s a precious place where people and nature are enabled to live together.

However, although this is a wonderfully wild region, it’s not a wilderness. The Grant family working with local outdoor businesses have developed a huge range of appropriate ways to enable you to enjoy this fabulous setting for a holiday every season of the year, especially if you’re booked into the Boat House! As guests, your host will give you your own weekly pass which includes a map of walks on Rothiemurchus, parking at Loch an Eilein and discounts at Rothiemurchus Centre.

Nestled in its own generous grounds, the property offers great privacy yet is less than a mile from Rothiemurchus Centre, with its fabulous Estate Farm shop, Druie café, craft, card and gift shops.   As well as the comprehensive network low-level paths which link with much loved Loch an Eilein (Loch of the Island) voted the U.K’s favourite picnic area, it’s ideally located for enjoying this fabulous area.

With all this on your doorstep, your only problem may be deciding where to start.