Strathspey
IN AND AROUND THE HIGHLANDS WITH A WHEELCHAIR
Grantown-on-Spey
The area of Badenoch and Strathspey lies within the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. It is a beautiful and accessible area to visit and within in it there are several towns including Grantown pictured above as well as Aviemore and Kingussie. These lie in a wooded valley (with a plentiful supply of the unique highland flora and fauna) that follows the river Spey with the high peaks of the Cairngorm mountains as an impressive backdrop. There are a wide variety of attractions to visit locally and several accessible places to stay. The area is just as popular in the winter months with those interested in the excellent snow sport facilities available here.
The Strathspey Railway
The Strathspey Railway
A good way to view the area is from the Strathspey Heritage Railway that runs from Aviemore through Boat of Garten to Broomhill (renamed 'Glenbogle' for the Monarch of the Glen tv series). Our researcher boarded the train at Boat of Garten and was assisted aboard via a ramp by the courteous station staff. There is parking outside the main entrance in the station yard for blue badge holders. Adjacent to the station is a small community garden with seating.
The accessible carriage
There are light refreshments served on the train but no wheelchair access to the bar so unaccompanied wheelchair users will need to enlist the assistance of the train staff to fetch them. The train operates a dining service twice a week and although the main dining carriage is not wheelchair accessible, tables can be laid up in the accessible carriage with prior notice.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
The Highland Wildlife Centre
One of the resident red deer at the Highland Wildlife Park
The Highland Wildlife Park is situated 5 miles north of Kingussie off the B9152. Here you can see the animals that inhabit the local area at the present time as well as those such as wolves that used to live here in the not so distant past. The first part of the experience is a drive through area with a wide variety of animals including bison, deer and wild horses.
There is a board walk down to the tigers from the picnic area that can be accessed by wheelchair users (with a fit pusher to assist). Wheelchair visitors are able to access the forest areas containing the pine marten, wild cats and capercaillie etc via a compressed bark path. The park gives an informative insight into the wildlife of this unique habitat.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
The Highland Folk Museum
The Blacksmiths at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore
Dr Isobel Grant opened the Highland Folk Museum in Kingussie in 1944. The sister site in Newtonmore opened in 1996 to hold the ever expanding collection of examples of Scottish rural life that were being acquired. The site covers approximately 80 acres and is a mile long. There are four main areas with buildings and artifacts from different eras including 'Baile Gean' a unique re-construction of a 1700's Highland township.
The Creel House in Baile Gean
Please note in the interest of accurately recreating this period in history the buildings are constructed in the original method and although they have level access at the entrance they have dirt floors and limited internal dimensions. However it is well worth the effort of negotiating the site to gain valuable insight into life during this period of history.
There are many other interesting old buildings to see and at the other end of the museum site the sweetie shop is also well worth a visit for a 'pennoth' of your favourite treat.There is a cafe, a shop and introductory video.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Loch Garten Osprey Centre
Loch Garten Osprey Centre
There is vehicular access to the Loch Garten Osprey Centre at Abernathy for blue badge holders via a locked gated road please ask for the key at the information desk at the main car park. The humorous and informative talk given by a warden during the visit followed by a question and answer session helps set the scene but the highlight is obviously the sighting of the osprey themselves.
Viewing the osprey nest
Several low level viewing windows with telescopes have been included and these are particularly suitable for wheelchair users. There are also recordings of footage of previous osprey activity to view and good access to the small shop in the centre.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Rothiemuchus Visitor Centre
The 'View of the Mountains' trail on the Rothiemurchus estate
The Rothiemurchus Estate Visitor Centre is situated on the B970 a mile from Aviemore. The centre has designated parking and a cafe, a shop and information point. Our researchers tried out two named accessible trails on the Rothiemurchus Estate, the 'View of the Mountains' trail pictured above which for most wheelchair users is only accessible on the first section and the 'Loch an Eilen' trail pictured below.
Loch an Eilen
The second trail is only 200 metres long from the car park along a good surfaced path to a viewing point across the loch to the castle on the island. There is also a small visitor centre with a designated disabled toilet.
For more detailed accessibility information about the visitor centre, a link to their website and more in depth information about the trails please click here
The Cairngorm Mountain Railway
The accessible carriage on the Cairngorm Mountain Railway
Approximately 7 miles further along the B970 is the lower station of the Cairngorm Mountain Railway. This is an experience not to be missed if you are in the area and is accessible for most wheelchair users. There is a lift from the car park to the station platform and level access to the carriage. The journey up the steep track to the top station is slow and smooth and the views are incredible. The railway staff are courteous and willing to assist in any way possible. When our researchers visited in June 2007 it was snowing at the top but in keeping with highland weather shortly afterward the sun came out and there was perfect visibility.
The viewing platform outside the Ptarmigan restaurant
The lower station also has a very small disabled toilet so we recommend using the better sized one in the adjacent Cas Bar restaurant. Also based here is the office of Disability Snowsports UK that provide a wide variety of activities for people with disabilities during the winter months with a wealth of adapted ski equipment and trained instructors.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
The Bridge of Carr
The 'pack horse' bridge that spans the river at Carrbridge was erected by Brigadier-General Sir Alexander Grant of Grant in 1717 for estate purposes to provide a safe passage across for those on foot, horses and livestock. It was also used for taking bodies across to funerals in Duthil Churchyard which gave rise to its other local name 'the coffin bridge'. It was replaced by a new toll bridge before the end of the 18th century.
The Landmark Forest Adventure Park
The 'Red Squirrel Trail at the Landmark Adventure Park in Carrbridge
Just up the road from the ancient bridge is the Landmark Forest Adventure Park. Some activities are mainly suitable for able-bodied visitors. However the Wild Forest Maze and the Red Squirrel Trail are both board walked and equally suitable for wheelchair users. The trail winds around a wooded area for a 1000 metres and at points is raised up to the tree top level on stilts.
Checking out the information boards
There are plenty of information boards along the route with detailed descriptions of the local wildlife as well as a bird and red squirrel hide. Please note there are sections of the lower level that are approximately 18 inches off the ground with no side barriers so younger visitors will need supervision. There is a shop and restaurant near the entrance. Access around the maj0rity of the site is good and there is a reduced admission fee for wheelchair users.
For more detailed accessiblity information and a link to their own website please click here
Speyside Heather and Visitor Centre
The entrance to the Speyside Heather Centre
The Speyside heather Centre is located just off the A95 at Dulnain Bridge approximately two thirds of the way between Aviemore and Grantown-on-Spey. It has ramped access into the gift shop and into their famous 'Clootie Dumpling' restaurant. Here amongst other dishes they serve both savoury and sweet variations of the local delicacy which is a cloth wrapped pudding containing fruit and spices resembling a cross between Christmas pudding and christmas cake.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Grantown Museum
The original clock mechanism from the Speyside House Clock Tower in Grantown-on-Spey Museum
The Grantown Museum is situated in the centre of Grantown-on-Spey and is an excellent source of information about the history of the local area. Grantown was an 18th century planned 'new town' and the history detailing the growth of the town is fascinating. There is a audio/video presentation and a small shop.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Tomintoul Museum
Tomintoul Visitor Information Centre and Museum
Exploring a little further afield the small town of Tomintoul is 14 miles from Grantown-on-Spey and is the highest village in the Highlands. Entrance to the small museum that is housed in the visitor information centre is free and worth a visit if you are in the area. The exhibition details local history and wildlife and included is a reconstruction of the local 'Smiddy's' (smithy) workshop. The staff were also helpful and informative about the local area.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their website please click here
Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle, the summer residence of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria's reign
Traveling further along the 'Lecht' road which has fantastic views across rugged open mountainside you eventually come to the Royal Deeside area and the royal residence of Balmoral. The Estate extends to just over 50,000 acres and includes the surrounding hills, ancient woodland and the stretch of the River Dee running through it.
Audio tour equipment, detailing the history of the Balmoral Estate and its association with the Royal Family, is available in the old coach house and access around the estate grounds and gardens is good. It is important to note that the Ballroom is the only part of the house open to the general public.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Royal Lochnagar Distillery
Part of the distillation equipment at Lochnagar Whisky Distillery
Our researchers felt they could not visit Scotland without finding out about its most famous product. So approximately a mile away from Balmoral is Royal Lochnagar Distillery. It is possible to take a tour here with a guide who gives a very detailed and informative talk on the mysteries of the whisky distillation process. The tour is adapted for wheelchair users as the distillery contains many staircases but it is possible to follow the whole fascinating process (with samples if you are able to indulge!) from the raw grain mixed with highland water to the finished product of 12 year old malt whisky. There is also a shop on site.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
This area of the Highlands has a wealth of wonderful unspoilt scenery and a wide variety of visitor attractions for all ages within a very small radius. We hope this brief insight into what is available encourages many more visitors to enjoy what it has to offer. For accessible places to stay in the area please read on.
PLACES TO STAY
All accommodation included has been assessed by one of our wheelchair user researchers for accessibility. Please note however whilst we have tried to ensure that the accommodation included will meet most wheelchair users needs we strongly advise you to consult with each provider about your own specific requirements. For accommodation inspection gradings e.g. Diamond ratings, follow the links to each providers own website.
If you wish to hire a wheelchair during your stay Badenoch & Strathspey Community Transport Co help people who have a transport need. They also loan electric scooters and wheelchairs for short periods for people with mobility problems. Their service is free unless they are asked to deliver the chair or buggy to the persons home and their contact telephone number is 01479 810004.
Woodhead Cottages
Woodhead 2 cottage
Woodhead Cottages are situated at Dulnain Bridge just off the A95. There are two self catering cottages offering similar facilities. Our researchers stayed in Woodhead 2 which is surrounded by woodland with an an abundance of red squirrel, deer and other wildlife to be seen from the windows. It has a twin bedded room with a wispa ceiling hoist that is tracked through double doors into the en-suite and passes over the wc (with plenty of space to side transfer) to the bath. There is also a level access shower with wheeled shower chair in the en-suite. The cottage has a double bedroom, a room with bunk beds and separate wc as well. The kitchen has underneath clearance for wheelchair users to the sink and cooker hob and easy access around the lounge.
The start of the accessible woodland path
There is ramped access to the front and back doors and to see the grounds more closely a concrete path winds its way around the woodland.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
The Dulnain Suite at Muckrach Lodge
The Dulnain Suite at Muckrach Lodge
Muckrach Lodge Hotel is situated on the Carrbridge road at Dulnain Bridge. The Dulnain suite is a separate building in the grounds of the main hotel. it offers light and airy double bedded (fold down bed) accommodation on the ground floor with an en-suite with a level access shower and room to side transfer to the wc. There is a twin bedded room upstairs for family members/carers.
The downstairs accommodation
The hotel has a bar and a restaurant that serves meals including breakfast and this is accessed from the suite via a well surfaced path through a conservatory door. The main entrance to the hotel has a portable ramp so guests will benefit from explaining any special access needs when booking.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Fhuarain Forest Cottages
Badanfhuarain Cottage
The Fhuarain Forest Cottages are set in idyllic surroundings at Badanfhuarain on the outskirts of Nethybridge. There are two self catering cottages and we viewed the Badanfhuarain cottage which had a double bedroom with an adjoining single bedded room for a carer/family member and a twin bedded room that can be divided by a curtain to provide privacy. The bathroom has a level access shower and room to transfer to the wc. The cottage has a pleasant lounge with wheelchair turning space and wheelchair access to the kitchen area. Free internet access has been provided. There is an enclosed garden and well trained pets are welcome. Extra mobility equipment including a carter portable hoist is available on request.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
The Lazy Duck Campsite at Badanfhuarain
Also on site is a camp site and the Lazy Duck hostel with a bunk bedded room, a covered garden and level access shower room with sufficient room to side transfer to the wc. Guests using the camp site are able to use the hostel shower room by prior arrangement.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Crubenbeg Holiday Cottages
Pine Cottage, Crubenbeg
Crubenbeg Holiday Cottages are situated near Newtonmore and one of the cottages is wheelchair accessible. Pine Cottage has ramped access into the entrance. It is twin bedded self catering accommodation with a compact en-suite shower/bathroom. The shower has a fixed seat and a tray that is set an inch below floor level and at present side transfer to the wc would be difficult because of the pedestal basin, see photograph below.
The bathroom at Pine Cottage
There is communal access to a barbecue area, a games room with pool table on site and to a trout pool in the grounds. Well behaved pets are welcome.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Crathie Opportunity Holidays
Crathie Opportunity Cottages
Crathie Opportunity Holidays are situated in Royal Deeside on the edge of the Balmoral Estate and offer a selection of cottages (including an allergy free cottage) that have been purposely designed for people with disabilities and their families/carers. The cottage we viewed had twin bedded accommodation downstairs with a ceiling hoist across the two beds (one is electrically adjustable), a level access shower room with a rise and fall wash basin and a clos-o-matic wc (please state if right or left hand transfer is required), an accessible kitchen/lounge and galleried twin bedded upstairs accommodation. Many extra accessible features have been included for example larger light switches and a colour coordinated folder of visitor attraction information.
The Garden room at Crathie
There are many communal features available including the pleasant garden room, a laundry, free video and scooter loan, extra special need equipment loan and an accessible play area. Well behaved pets are welcome and Wiltshire Farm Food ready meals can be pre-ordered.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here