Eat, Drink & Shop
Village Shop & Post Office (5 mins walk)
This little gem of a store, owned and run by Beth & David, sells freshly baked bread, local fruit & vegetables, deli products, newspapers, greetings cards, handcrafted gifts, and so much more. An amazing array of wonderful things.
Anderson's Restaurant (8 mins walk)
Local, family friendly, restaurant run by Steve & the team. Excellent food on your doorstep.
1896 Gallery (5 mins walk)
The gallery has Scottish landscape artists alongside resident landscape photographer James Gordon, all of whom capture the stunning highland light and form.
The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore (10 mins drive away)
On the banks of the Spey, with a roaring log fire and great atmosphere, along with excellent food and a fine selection of cask ales, premium lagers and malt whiskies. Dog friendly.
Attractions & Activities
Boat of Garten is a charming scenic village with wonderful views over the countryside to the Cairngorm Mountains. It is an ideal setting for a relaxing break, or as a base for all Spey Valley activities – skiing, golfing, walking, climbing, birdwatching, fishing, riding, tennis, and watersports on Loch Insh and Loch Morlich.
Children’s Play Area - there is a children’s play area next to the village hall, at the top end of the village.
A Guide to the area can be found here.
Fun For All Ages
Strathspey Steam Railway
Spectacular views are available on board as you steam through the stunning Cairngorms National Park on board a very special vintage train. The railway runs from Broomhill to Aviemore via Boat of Garten. The line runs along the perimeter of the grounds of the Treehouse, providing an ideal viewing point of the steam trains as they pass.
The Landmark Forest Adventure Park , Carrbridge
Great for all ages – ‘Fun, discovery and adventure in the highlands’
Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig
See Scotland's wildlife up close. Drive through the Main Reserve in your own vehicle, then explore the rest of the Park on foot, discovering capercaillie, tigers, snow monkeys, red pandas, wolves, wildcats, snowy owls, pine marten and polar bears.
Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore
Visitors can explore how Highland people lived and worked from the 1700s up until the 1960s. Over 30 historical buildings, with furnishings appropriate to their time period. The site is a mile long with a 1700s Township at one end through to a 1930s working croft at the other.
Activities & Sport
Cycling
There are numerous cycle routes and tracks to suit all abilities in and around Boat of Garten, with many well sign posted routes through the surrounding woodlands.
-
Cyclepod
We have a new locker-pod, providing storage for 3-4 bikes. The cyclepod is manufactured in the UK, from 100% recyclable material, and provides secure and dry storage for your bikes, with a 3 point locking system and key operated door.
-
Ride Scotland is sited near the train station in Boat of Garten, and does bike hire, servicing, spares, etc., and just 5 minutes’ away from the Treehouse.
-
Woodland Wheels is a pump track hidden in the woods off Kinchurdy Road – a fantastic new addition to the village, and also just 5 minutes’ away from the Treehouse.
Find Aviemore & Boat of Garten Sustrans routes here
Find other Boat of Garten Cycling routes here
Fishing
The world renowned River Spey, which runs along the edge of the village, offers unrivalled fishing for Salmon, Sea Trout and Brown Trout. Nearby Loch Vaa is a large spring fed Loch , fully stocked with Rainbow, Brown and Blue Trout.
Golfing
The Treehouse overlooks Boat of Garten golf course, a superb, James Braid designed, 18 hole course in stunning scenery, a true hidden gem of Scottish Golf Courses. It is an ideal base for any highland golfing holiday, with many other clubs within easy reach. The Highlands of Scotland boast no less than 46 golf courses that visitors are able to choose from, with spectacular panoramic views and idyllic surroundings.
Visit Boat of Garten golf course website
Skiing
The lodge is ideally situated for both the Cairngorm and Lecht ski areas:
Visit Cairngorm Mountain website
Visit Lecht Ski area website
Tennis
Courts are available for hire next to the golf club.
Visit Boat of Garten golf course website
Walking
There are many walks locally for all ages and abilities. For further information see the Boat of Garten Walking website. For more general information on walks visit the Walk Highlands website - A comprehensive online resource on walking in the Scottish Highlands.
Water Sports
-
Loch Insh
Waterborne activities include sailing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, raft building, rowing, osprey boat trip and Spey salmon fishing. Visit website here.
-
Loch Morlich
Loch Morlich is surrounded by forests and fringed by beaches. They offer activities including Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP), Kayaking, Canoeing, and Mountain Biking. Visit website here.
Wildlife
Birdwatching
Boat of Garten is renowned for the Ospreys that return each year to nesting sites in the area. They can be seen nesting at the RSPB centre at Loch Garten and hunting over the local lochs and along the River Spey. From the woodland setting of the Treehouse, a wide variety of birds can be seen, including Tree Creeper, Greenfinch, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Redstart, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Red Squirrels
There are regular sightings of red squirrels at the Treehouse, and they can often be seen jumping from tree to tree. We have a squirrel feeder on a tree facing the lounge window seat, and one facing the kitchen window.
