Spring is such a beautiful season to visit Grantown-on-Spey. The blossoms and daffodils tend to emerge slightly later here than further south, all the more welcome when they do appear and best enjoyed under a crisp blue Highland sky. Do remember the old saying ‘ne’er cast a clout till May be out’ when you’re packing! But you are equally likely to encounter glorious sunshine and warmer temperatures here from March onwards, so pop the sunglasses in too. You can find a handy packing list here.

With the nights stretching out after winter, we can’t wait for the increasing hours available for outdoor activities. There are plenty of options to choose from, whether you wish to create your own adventures or be escorted by some of our excellent local guides. How about biking or walking in Grantown-on-Spey’s Anagach Woods for forest fun, the viewpoints walk for impressive views of the surrounding Cairngorm hills, or perhaps a mosey down by the River Spey? You can get in touch with Lindsay and his team at Basecamp Bikes to discuss your bike hire and mountain bike guiding requirements. 

If it’s snowing, we can highly recommend the slopes at the Grantown Golf Club for a spot of sledging! Without snow, visitors are always welcome for a round of golf – the club website has details of visitor fees in the low and shoulder seasons, as well as the open competitions that begin in May.

Spring is also a fantastic time to explore Speyside’s best river and loch fishing spots. The best of the salmon fishing is from April to June, and from February to September you can pre-book a full or half day out fishing with a local ghillie – get in touch with Mortimer’s on the High Street to make arrangements.

There are lots of places to warm up and shelter from those spring showers. Choose from the fine selection of eateries on the High Street, ranging from bakeries to pub grub to Thai and Indian dining. A hot coffee and cake at local favourite The High Street Merchant might be just the ticket on a wet afternoon. Or how about a relaxing browse in our fantastic independent bookshop, The Bookmark? Across the road, Smarty Art is Grantown’s own ceramic painting studio. Embrace your creativity under the guidance of Nikka and her team, and enjoy a cuppa while you work. And for the ultimate indoor warming pamper, head to The Therapy Suite Spa, where you can enjoy a beautiful spa experience in luxurious surroundings. Now that sounds like the perfect afternoon after a morning of outdoor exploration!

For a more active indoor experience, the Craig Maclean Leisure Centre has friendly staff, a swimming pool, fitness classes, kids activities and an indoor climbing wall with pay-as-you-go access for visitors. For families with children aged over 10, Escape Cairngorms provides a fantastic family team escape room experience.

And finally, keep an eye on Visit Cairngorms What’s On events calendar for even more Spring activity ideas while you’re here!