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.
For accessible places to stay in the area please scroll to the bottom of the page and for a wider accommodation search for other areas of Scotland and the UK click here.
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 but no designated disabled toilet (the nearest public one is just past the post office at the rear of the village hall). 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. There are disabled toilets at Aviemore and Broomhill and the train is stationary here long enough for wheelchair users to request the ramp to alight to use them. They are radar key operated and the guard has a key if you do not have your own. 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.
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. Adjacent to the visitor centre are two walk around areas however as they have steep gradients blue badge holders are able to access part of them by car. There is also a board walk down to the otter holt from the picnic area that can be accessed 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 visitor centre has level access to the shop and a separate access to the cafe (avoiding a flight of internal steps) at the rear of the building. There is a designated disabled toilet in the shop but it is very small and at present internal access is further restricted by bins. The park gives an informative insight into the wildlife of this unique habitat.
The adapted bus 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. The museum has two buses (one of which is wheelchair accessible) to assist visitors to negotiate the whole area. 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
The approach to the township is up a steep gradient that you will need a fit pusher to assist you to negotiate but with prior notice it is possible to arrange for a staff member to take you up in a golf buggy (if you can transfer) or to have vehicular access via a gated road if you cannot. 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 are two designated disabled toilets on site but the one by the croft had the better dimensions. There is a cafe on site with ramped access and a shop and introductory video with level access.
Loch Garten Osprey Centre
There is vehicular access to the Abernathy Osprey Centre at Loch Garten for blue badge holders via a locked gated road please ask for the key at the information desk at the main car park. As you can see from the photographs, the centre has ramped access and excellent facilities for wheelchair user visitors. 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. The designated disabled toilet is situated at the rear of the information desk at the main car park.
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 level access to a cafe, a shop, information point and a disabled toilet. There are two named accessible trails on the Rothiemurchus Estate. The first is the 'View of the Mountains' trail which follows the course of an old narrow gauge railway that was used to haul logs off the estate. The trail starts at the side of the caravan site about half a mile further up the B970 from the centre. If you turn up the road at the side of the site after several hundred yards there is a small car park. Take the left hand fork of the trail ahead of you. It has an excellent surface and for the first mile or so is a gentle level path. You then encounter a short steep slope down to a narrow wooden bridge across a stream. The incline up to the path on the other side is particularly steep and might prove impassable for some electric wheelchairs and manual chair users will need assistance from a very fit pusher. So for most wheelchair users using this as a linear walk to this point and returning the way you came would be more suitable.
Steeper than it looks!
Please note from this point if you wish to continue you will need to be accompanied by a very fit assistant, have a large wheeled chair and be prepared with adequate refreshment and suitable clothing for the quickly changing highland weather.
The still good surfaced path continues from here deep into the estate and away from habitation as it passes through picturesque woodland with views of the Cairngorms in the distance. After a further mile or so you come to a junction and take the right hand fork. The path continues through more open heathland but includes several sharp inclines that will need assistance. Approximately a quarter of a mile later you encounter a second junction and again take the right hand fork. If you take time to stop and turn around you get the most spectacular views of the mountains behind you. At the time we visited at the end of June the path was bordered by many rare wild flowers including orchids, butterwort and cow wheat. After another half a mile or so you will encounter a cattle grid (This has an unusual rectangular grid shaped design) with no side gate or path. Only wheelchairs with large back wheels and a very fit pusher capable of hauling you backwards across it can negotiate this. From here the trail is all down hill until you meet up with the original junction you turned left at and several hundred yards later the car park. The circular route took our researchers two and half hours in total and was 4 miles long. Not for the fainthearted but with adequate preparation well worthwhile.
Loch an Eilen
The second trail is only 200 metres long from the car park (£3 per car) 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. A trail does go all the way around the loch but is it steep in places and has a particularly uneven surface with tree roots and pot holes and in our opinion is not suitable for wheelchair users.
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. There is a reduced fee for wheelchair users and no fee for accompanying carers. 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. There is a small exhibition, restaurant, outside viewing platform, disabled toilet and shop at the top station with a good sized lift to all floors.
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. The wheelchair accessible entrance to the restaurant is around the right hand side of the building. 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.
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 'Red Squirrel Trail at the Landmark Theme Park in Carrbridge
Just up the road from the ancient bridge is the modern Landmark Forest Theme Park. As with all theme parks the activities are mainly suitable for the able-bodied. 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. 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 wheelchair users will need supervision. There is a very large designated toilet by the Wild Water Coaster and a smaller one between the shop and restaurant. Access around the whole site is good and there is a reduced admission fee for wheelchair users.
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. There is a designated disabled toilet on site and a small exhibition area. There is a lift up to the small art gallery on the 1st floor and ramped access to the plant nursery.
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. There is a ramped entrance and easy access around the exhibits that are all housed on the ground floor. Grantown was an 18th century planned 'new town' and the history detailing the growth of the town is fascinating. At present the display boards in the museum might present problems for those with visual impairment but there is a audio/video presentation and large font print-outs are being planned. There is a designated disabled toilet and a small shop.
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 there is separate level access for wheelchair users. The exhibits detail local history and wildlife and included is a reconstruction of the local 'Smiddy's' (smithy) workshop. The staff were helpful and informative about the local area. There is no designated toilet on site but there is a public convenience 300 yards away next to the local Police Station.
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. After purchasing tickets at the entrance there is designated disabled parking inside the grounds behind the Estate Office. 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. The ballroom is the only part of the house open to the general public and disabled access to this (avoiding steps) is to the right and rear of the house. There is a shop and tearoom with an outside picnic area. Two designated disabled toilets are also situated here. Wheelchair/buggy hire is also available.
Part of the distillation equipment at Lochnagar Whisky Distillery
We felt we could not visit Scotland without finding out about its most famous product. So approximately a mile away is the Royal Lochnagar Distillery. After an introductory video 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 and designated toilet on site.
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. More detailed access reports of the facilities of each attraction and accommodation are available by e-mail request. 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 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. This accommodation might be suitable for both accompanied and unaccompanied wheelchair users. more info
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. This accommodation might be suitable for accompanied wheelchair users. more info
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. This accommodation might be suitable for accompanied wheelchair users. more info
The Lazy Duck Campsite at Badanfhuarain
Also on site is a camp site and the Lazy Duck hostel with a bunk bedded room, a conservatory 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. more info
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. This accommodation might be suitable for accompanied wheelchair users. more info
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. This accommodation might be suitable for both accompanied and unaccompanied wheelchair users. more info