Holiday Cottages:

Places to Visit around the Cairngorms National Park and Moray Firth

There is a huge range of places to visit while on holiday at Bluefolds in Glenlivet: Tomintoul and The Cairngorms National Park; Banff and MacDuff on the Moray Firth coast; The Falconry Centre at Huntly or the Beaches at Findhorn, Cullen or Lossiemouth; or follow the river Spey from Aviemore to Spey Bay. photo: Bog cotton, heather and hills near Tomintoul.

Take time to explore the quiet roads of Moray and to enjoy spectacular scenery of hills, mountains, rivers and lochs, and a wide variety of wildlife. A warm welcome is guaranteed in this remote, stress free location in an undiscovered area of North East and Highland Scotland. photo: River Spey at Grantown on Spey.

Duff House built by William Adam for the Duff, Earls of Fife in the 1700's is an oupost of the National Galleries of Scotland with outstanding works of art and changing exhibitions. Duff House is beside the river Deveron and Duff Golf Club at Banff.
Puffin Cruises depart from Macduff harbour twice daily- the trip is wonderful value with opportunities to see a huge range of seabirds including kittiwakes, cormorants, puffins and gannets fishing and on the cliffs at Troup Head, a new RSPB reserve. There is also a chance to see Dolphins. Above Puffin Cruise boat.

MacDuff is one of the few working fishing harbours along the Moray coast; it is wonderful to see the fishing fleet. The puffin cruises go out twice daily from the harbour to view the seabirds, including puffins and the only mainland gannet colony in Scotland. MacDuff also has the Marine aquarium which is full of local fish and opportunities for a close encounter with them as well as web cams showing the birds on the RSPB Reserve at Troup Head. It is fascinating to see the villages of Crovie and Pennan from the sea as well as entering and leaving MacDuff harbour. Right Troup Head sea cliffs near Pennan. When you have enjoyed a boat trip, you can also park at the RSPB car park and walk to Troup Head reserve for a close up view of the gannets. More photos

The Falconry Centre at Huntly is highly recommended with children (many visitors to Bluefolds) of all ages being given a chance to handle some of the beautiful birds such as Simon with the sea eagle (right) and Robyn with the eagle owl (left) during regular flying displays from April - October.

While at Huntly visit the spectacular ruined Huntly Castle,which served as a baronial residence for centuries. Or visit the Peregrine Falcon Watch. Last year I watched the chicks being fed. It was wonderful. View more photos from Falconry Centre

The Cairgorm Mountain railway can be enjoyed in winter for easy access to the ski slopes and in summer to enjoy the mountain views from the viewing platform, along with a coffee or hot chocolate in the cafe. During September and October enjoy the early morning mist, the wonderful autumn sunshine and the beautiful colours. The drive from Glenlivet via Tomintoul to Nethybridge and then to the Cairngorm mountain railway is very scenic. View more photos of area.

Winter is a beautiful time to visit Tomintoul and Glenlivet. Winter sking and snowboarding are available at the Lecht near Tomintoul and on the Cairngorm mountains near Aviemore. Or why not try out the full range of activities at the Lecht ski resort. There are quad bikes and tubing to try or take the chair lift to walk on the hills in spring, summer and autumn. In winter it is an ideal place to ski or snowboard. The Lecht is quiet during Monday - Friday with a chance for lots of sking or snowboarding. View more winter photos

Further afield in Moray, there are beautiful beaches along the Moray Firth coast at Findhorn (left) with beautiful rounded pebbles (below), Roseisle and Lossiemouth (right) as well as further east at Cullen.At Spey Bay it is possible to see Dolphins. Findhorn also has 2 excellent pubs with a great choice of fish dishes as well as a pretty harbour full of yachts in summer. More photos

Apart from beaches on the Moray Firth coast there is a chance to watch the Dolphins play close to the coast, all the way from Inverness to Peterhead. There is a wildlife centre at Spey Bay where you can learn of otter, birds and Dolphin sightings, a Marine Aquarium at MacDuff and fascinating fishing villages at Crovie and Pennan.

All year there are wonderful walks to enjoy on the Glenlivet estate in Cairngorm National Park, the Morinsh woods or to the top of Ben Rhinnes all within a few miles of the holiday cottages. See the Roe deer, otters, sparrowhawks, buzzards all around you. Fishing is available on the Livet or Avon from February to September. Golf all year (except in the snow) at the Dufftown or Ballindalloch Clubs or on the coast at Spey Bay. Glenlivet is very green in summer until August when the heather adds its purple hues. In winter, we enjoy a white wonderland.

Spring is a great time to see nature awake, as the lambs are born and the wild birds including buzzards, curlews, oyster catchers and lapwings nest. The land awakes after its sleep under the winter snow. Watch the gorse and broom add glowing yellow to Scotland's landscape. Summer is the time to enjoy Highland Games across Moray. A wonderful time to tour castles and visit beautiful gardens or to see the stunning wild flowers.