As anyone who saw Springwatch on BBC2 last year will know, Speyside and the Cairngorms are one of the best birding and wildlife areas in the UK. Few places can offer the year round range of diversity. Golden Eagles, Capercaillie, Pine Martens, Red Squirrels, Mountain Hares, Ptarmigan, Otters, Red and Black Grouse, Red Deer, Crossbills and of course Ospreys in spring and summer.
On the Moray Firth, there are Dolphins, Red Kites, Gannets, Geese, Waders, Divers, Grebes and Sea Duck.
A longer journey will take you to the sea bird colonies (Razorbills, Guillemots, Puffins and Gannets) at Troup Head, and Bullers of Buchan. Loch Ruthven hosts half the UK's entire breeding population of Slavonian Grebe.
But it's not just birding and wildlife. The whole area is magnificent for walking, with the Speyside Way just at the back of the Hotel and Abernethy Forest, Glenlivet Estate, Glen More Forest and the Cairngorms themselves all within a short drive.
Check out the range of Special Events packages we're running this year! Click on the Events tab for more information about: