We recommend that you call ahead to check availability and opening times for all attractions as timings and bookings vary according to season.  If you feel more like a day of rest then make the most of the beautiful scenery at Ardvonie House Highland bed and breakfast.  Why not try your hand at painting or writing from the comfort of the B&B, or in the garden?  There are also plenty of free activities like visiting the River Spey for a paddle, picking blueberries, walking up Meal Bheag behind the house, or cycling one of the many trails/tracks. 

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Day 1

Visit RSPB nature reserve at Insh Marshes (PH21 1NT ).  It is said to be one of the most important wetland areas in Europe, supporting populations of breeding waders including curlew, lapwing, redshank and snipe.  Keep your eyes peeled for Golden Eagles, which have been spotted here too.

Enjoy a picnic lunch on one of the available benches and head back to Kingussie town for a stop at Iona Gallery, Kingussie.  Exhibitions are free and local artwork is exhibited here.

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Day 2

Take a trip to Speyside Distillery for a pre-booked tour and tasting.  This is a small, hand-built, artisan distillery  nestled amongst the foothills of the beautiful Cairngorm Mountains.  Whisky here is still hand distilling in the time-honoured tradition.  The newer distillery building was built, stone by stone, by the hand of Alex Fairlie over 2 decades. Its first distillation commenced in December 1990, and it offers visitors a full distilling process under one roof.

Follow this visit with a trip to The Sugar Bowl in Kingussie for a very good light lunch, complete with excellent service.  Their cakes are not to be missed either!

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Day 3

Contact School of Mountain Biking, Aviemore, and book yourself onto a 'guided ride', a 'skill coaching', or an 'epic adventure' for a really great day out.  Or simply hire some bicycles for your own little adventure.  Choose between riding some of the best natural trails Scotland has to offer, improving your confidence and riding skills and challenging yourself on remote and difficult terrain.  Bring a packed lunch for an action-packed day.

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Day 4

Take a trip to Alba Chocolate, Newtonmore, for a sublime taste of chocolate.  Book a 3hr workshop learning about chocolates and tastes as you progress to making your own truffles/chocolates.

The Macpherson Museum is a must see place if you have family heritage here.  You won't be short of reading material here, and if you look carefully, you will find a dressing up box and quizzes to keep the children entertained (voluntary donation).

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Day 5

Scottish Rock and Water are based in Newtonmore and they run guided sessions/walks/days with hill, water and rock options.  One of their scrambling sessions may give you the confidence to try scrambling on your own, or take on the challenge of climbing.  A session on winter skills, or a trip on the canoe may inspire you further to gain qualifications or simply allow you to hone skills already in place.

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Day 6

Fused and Light offer workshops for anyone interested in learning how to fuse glass artistically.  This workshop includes glass cutting, introducing the different approaches to fusing ,and the forming of two small and one larger piece using different techniques.  Additionally they have an exhibition of watercolours by Mirima Smith and David Fallows, and there is also a selection of locally produced crafts and a wide range of fused glass work by Fused and Light.  

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Day 7

Kingussie Gold Club welcome beginners and experts alike, with the possibility of hiring golf clubs (book early).  This is an entertaining way to spend the day, as you explore the18-hole course and admire the gorgeous views along the way.  If golf is not for you, follow the trail that runs up and around the golf course, visiting Loch Gynack which is beautifully positioned in a remote location just a few miles from town.

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Day 8

Take a trip to Ruthven Barracks, where you are able to see the best preserved of the four barracks built in 1719 . Set on an old castle mound, Ruthven Barracks were built by George II’s government in the early 1700s after the failed Jacobite uprising of 1715. The troops stationed there were to maintain law and order and enforce the Disarming Act of 1716.

The barracks saw action twice. A 300-strong Jacobite attack failed to take the barracks in 1745, but a more heavily-armed attack the next year forced the barracks’ surrender. The Jacobites rallied here after their defeat at Culloden before conceding.  Entrance is free at all times.

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