Grantown-on-Spey
Baile nan Granndach
Alert
Perched on the northern edge of the Cairngorms National Park is the historic town of Grantown-on-Spey, the capital of Strathspey. Home to Clan Grant, this picturesque town is known for its quaint architecture, connection to nature and lively atmosphere - aided by year-round markets and the town’s strong community spirit.
James Grant of Grant, a weaver, established the town in 1765 with the first building: a linen factory. Other businesses soon joined, including the town’s first distillery, The Grant Arms, which serves up drams to this day. As well as a small supermarket, Grantown supports several independent shops, cafés and restaurants that line the traditional high street.
As the name suggests, the River Spey runs parallel to the town and has supported many of its former industries, from salmon fishing to shipbuilding. Today, the fresh Highland waters feed several whisky distilleries and provide a place of solace for those seeking adventures on - and in - the water.
On land, Grantown-on-Spey has a seemingly endless network of trails. Ready for exploration by foot or bike are wild pine woodlands and a range of local hills.
Many of Scotland’s iconic tree types such as aspen, birch, bird cherry, pine and rowan weave through the local Anagach woods and provide a home to an exciting mix of wildlife - from otters to red squirrels, golden eagle and more.
For a longer adventure, the nearby Speyside Way winds through 84 miles of whisky country. The Lecht ski resort and Cairngorm Mountain are within half an hour's drive, making it convenient for snowsports enthusiasts.
Perched on the northern edge of the Cairngorms National Park is the historic town of Grantown-on-Spey, the capital of Strathspey. Home to Clan Grant, this picturesque town is known for its quaint architecture, connection to nature and lively atmosphere - aided by year-round markets and the town’s strong community spirit.
James Grant of Grant, a weaver, established the town in 1765 with the first building: a linen factory. Other businesses soon joined, including the town’s first distillery, The Grant Arms, which serves up drams to this day. As well as a small supermarket, Grantown supports several independent shops, cafés and restaurants that line the traditional high street.
As the name suggests, the River Spey runs parallel to the town and has supported many of its former industries, from salmon fishing to shipbuilding. Today, the fresh Highland waters feed several whisky distilleries and provide a place of solace for those seeking adventures on - and in - the water.
On land, Grantown-on-Spey has a seemingly endless network of trails. Ready for exploration by foot or bike are wild pine woodlands and a range of local hills.
Many of Scotland’s iconic tree types such as aspen, birch, bird cherry, pine and rowan weave through the local Anagach woods and provide a home to an exciting mix of wildlife - from otters to red squirrels, golden eagle and more.
For a longer adventure, the nearby Speyside Way winds through 84 miles of whisky country. The Lecht ski resort and Cairngorm Mountain are within half an hour's drive, making it convenient for snowsports enthusiasts.
Alert
Grantown-on-Spey
key
facts
Elevation
220m
Location
N
Location
Discover Grantown
Learn more about this vibrant Highland village, including local walk routes and the town’s independent shops and community events.
Relevant alerts
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There is an ongoing wildfire situation at Glenmore within the Cairngorms National Park. Click here for all the latest. We would encourage members of the public to follow current guidance and be aware that the situation may change.
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Very high fire risk - 15 to 20 July
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Wednesday 15 until Monday 20 July. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.
