Grantown-on-Spey is a small town on the edge of the spectacular Cairngorms National Park and a good base for exploring Strathspey. Lying half way between the Cairngorm and Lecht Ski areas, the town of Grantown on Spey boasts attractions that range from a superb 18-hole golf course to the new Grantown Heritage Museum and the delightful Revack Estate with attractive gardens, an orchid house, nature trails and an adventure playground - great for a family day out.
Email Balliefurth Farm enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in Grantown
on Spey
In the Highlands of Scotland nestling at the foot of the impressive
Cairngorm Mountains is 'Balliefurth', a family run farm on the banks of
the famous River Spey, situated between Nethybridge and Grantown-on-Spey,
an area beautifully portrayed in the TV series 'Monarch of the Glen'.
Renowned for its natural beauty and diversity of flora and fauna, Strathspey has many attractions for the discerning visitor, from the snow capped mountains to the beautiful pine forests, rivers and streams making this the ideal location for fishing holidays and skiing holidays in Scotland.
We are delighted to show you around our farm, including cattle, sheep, and an immense range of birds and other wildlife.
Balliefurth Farm Accommodation
Farmhouse bed and breakfast is in the main house with open fires and
ensuite bedrooms. Downstairs there is a sitting room with arch to dining
room. Well equipped kitchen, utility room and double bedroom. Shower room/WC
Upstairs; two twin-bedded rooms and bathroom/WC. Sleeps 6 + cot.
Breakfasts are freshly cooked using local ingredients including our own beef sausages. Balliefurth bed and breakfast offers flexible mealtimes to suit you, home cooking and baking. Special diets catered for.
Tigh-Na-Coille Self Catering Accommodation
With its own secure garden backing on to pine woods, this modern, attractively
furnished and well-heated cottage has been equipped to a very high standard.
Set in the lovely Highland village of Nethybridge, it is within walking
distance of the village shop/post office, several pubs and restaurants.
Facilities include:
. Electricity included
. Electric Central Heating by NSH and convector heaters
. Electric fire
. Parking
. Close to Shop/post office
. Colour TV/ Video
. Radio/cassette
. Payphone
. Electric blankets
. Automatic Washing Machine
. Tumble dryer
. Microwave oven
. Dishwasher
. Fridge/freezer
. High chair
. Cot if required
. Secure garden with furniture
. Easy walking access to amenities
. Duvets with linen and towels.
Pet Policy
Sorry no pets.
Attractions
This area is a very popular area for fishing holidays and skiing holidays
in Scotland plus an ideal location for walking, climbing, bird watching,
canoeing, sailing and sight seeing. With whisky distilleries, Loch Ness,
Balmoral and RSPB's Loch Garten reserve all within easy driving distance,
we offer a superb, welcoming and comfortable base for your holiday in
the Highlands.
A walk through the wood leads directly to the Nethybridge Golf Course. Historic castles, distilleries and the "Osprey" RSPB reserve in Abernethy Forest can be found within easy reach.
Water sports, hillwalking, climbing, off-road four-track fun and golf are all nearby. Fishing on the Spey, golfing, riding the steam train, distilleries, ospreys and bird watching.
Nethybridge, Grantown-on-Spey, Speyside Way, Aviemore is 13 miles. Inverness with its shops, cinemas and theatre is approx. 40 miles.
About the Farm
Balliefurth (Baile phuirt in Gaelic), means homestead of the
port or ferry. Referring to the ferry which ran for several centuries
across the River Spey at Boat of Balliefurth to the rallying place of
the clan Grant, allowing the people of Abernethy access to the courts
and fairs and clan occasions at Ballintomb. The ferry ceased to operate
around 1920.
It has been an important place since at least medieval times (7th to 12th century) when the area was referred to as the Davoch of Balliefurth. The present Farmhouse was rebuilt in the autumn of 1848 at the expense of £110 to contractors and with the addition of £140 materials, by the farmer of the time a Peter Grant. Only a little of the original farm steading survives as it was pulled down and replaced in 1961.
This is split from the upper level of the farm by a disused railway, which operated from 1863 until in 1968 it fell to the Beeching closure programme. In 1962/63 Balliefurth was one of only two Farm Halts in Scotland where you could flag the train down.
The farm is 420 acres of mixed grassland, wetland, mixed woodland and a small amount of arable crops. The famous River Spey forms the boundary on the western side. The lower lying half of the farm forms part of the original Spey floodplain now partly protected by flood banks erected in the mid 1800's.
This area is an internationally important site for breeding wading birds, i.e. Lapwing, Curlew, Snipe, Oyster catcher, and Redshank .Traditional shorthorn cross beef cattle and highland mule ewes make up the livestock which graze extensively on the clover and herb rich grass pastures.
Abernethy Forest: From exploitation to conservation!
As you walk through the forest today, you will encounter a very different
atmosphere to the hustle and bustle of industrial and agricultural activity
which characterized the past.
From the 17th to the 19th century, the Lairds of Grant who became the Earls of Seafield placed great demands on the Forest of Abernethy. There were many and varied attempts to exploit the woods, in response to the needs of the war and building of settlements. This provided supplementary work for local people and, next to agriculture, was the most important industry in Abernethy.
The resident population was at its highest then, but by 1870 the forest was cleared of people to make way for deer and wealthy shooting tenants.
Today the forest has several owners who manage it for different reasons. As you amble peacefully along, listen for the sounds of insects, birds and wildlife. Much of the forest is now managed for its conservation value, as it supports an important natural habitat for many special species, like Crested Tits, Red Squirrels, Caper Caillie, Scottish Crossbills and of course Caledonian Scots Pine Trees.
DIRECTIONS
Getting there from the Information Centre:
Go left out the tourist centre in Grantown, at the traffic lights go left,
when you reach the roundabout go straight on over the bridge and go straight
on until the turn off signposted Nethybridge on the right(B970). Continue
along that road for about 2 miles and Balliefurth Farm is signposted on
your right. If you see the pottery on your right you have gone too far!
Getting There by Car:
Coming up the A9 from Perth, take the turnoff after the Aviemore turnoff
signposted Boat of Garten etc.. follow all the signs to Boat of Garten,
got straight through and out over the bridge until you reach a “T”
junction.
Take a left at the junction signposted Nethybridge, go straight through Nethybridge and we are 2 miles along the road on the left. (The 2nd turnoff after the pottery)
Getting There by Railway:
The nearest train station is Aviemore, 12 miles away. There are buses
and taxis available from there.
Getting there by Aeroplane:
The nearest airport is Inverness. There are cars available to hire from
this airport, taxis are available or bus and train services to Carrbridge
and Aviemore. Some buses go directly past farm road end (limited service).
Email Balliefurth Farm enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
