Self-catering Holiday Cottage to rent near Aviemore & Inverness in Scotland Outdoor Activities: Hillwalking, Climbing, Skiing Wild Salmon Fishing Rough Shooting Birdwatching & Golf Sightseeing: Castles & Museums Whisky Distilleries Loch Ness

SPECIAL OFFERS - SEE BELOW

Enjoy the Castaway experience in the Highlands of Scotland, but in comfort!

Strathnoon is an isolated yet fully equipped cottage (pictured above) available for weekly or fortnightly holiday lets throughout the year.
Situated in Monarch of The Glen country in the Scottish Highlands,
Strathnoon is close to the Cairngorm Mountains
and lies in a Strath (valley) called Strathdearn alongside the River Findhorn.

Strathnoon retains many original features, including lovely period Victorian tongue and groove pine panelling throughout the cottage. This keeps the cottage cosy in winter together with the Rayburn AGA cooker in the farmhouse style kitchen. The cottage is suitable for children with a stairgate at the top of the stairs and a TV, as well as a stereo (for tapes). A cot is also available upon request.

Accommodation comprises 2 twin bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, cosy sitting room with open fire, and a modern, fully equipped kitchen with Rayburn and electric cooker, dishwasher, clothes washing machine etc. Bed linen is provided and each bed has an electric blanket. There is also a large porch (useful for boots and outdoor gear). There is a secure kennel with run next to the cottage.

High Season (May - September 2008): £450 per week Low Season (October - December 2008): £350 per week Low Season (March/April 2009 and October - December 2009): £400 per week High Season (May - September 2009): £500 per week We regret the need to increase the tariff due to rising fuel prices. We do not charge extra for electricity nor fuel for the AGA stove/cooker which is on all the time. To check available dates: click here to view our Online Availability Calendar Email us for details and make your booking. The cottage is booked from Sunday to Sunday with guests being asked to vacate by 10am Sunday. Click here for details of our Fishing breaks... SPECIAL OFFERS Any 2 consecutive weeks booking at Strathnoon attracts a 12.50% discount. Any week booked at Strathnoon together with the full fishing package i.e. 3 rods for 6 days similarly attracts a 12.50% discount overall.

Many come to visit Strathdearn to see and experience the variety of wildlife in this tranquil place. You will spot buzzards and golden eagles, and even the occasional osprey has been seen taking fish from the local burn (stream). Red kite have also been seen here recently. The moor above the house is where red deer and grouse can be seen.

Scottish wild salmon and sea trout fishing can be arranged for you in season (from April to the end of September). Three rods per day can fish the river for salmon at a cost of £25 per rod per day (£50 per rod in May & August, and £80 per rod in September). A ghillie is available for hire with a 4x4 for £30 per day.
Visit our fishing web page for details of the Old Clune Beat.

Trout fishing is free for those staying at the cottage subject to availability (only 3 rods per day may fish and sometimes these are taken by salmon fishers who have formally booked salmon fishing on the river at the time).

We can also organise rough shooting in season - just ask us for details and we will be happy to arrange something to suit your interests.

Comment from a guest who first came in 2002 and who has been returning every year since: 'Our stay at Strathnoon far exceeded any expectations we could possibly have had - the cottage and location are absolutely superb. Although we have visited the area on previous occasions we were overwhelmed with the scenery and the extent of wildlife. I can't think of any other location where you have red stags walking along the hill at the bottom of the garden almost every day at dusk!' Barbara T.

Strathnoon is positioned in Strathdearn on the River Findhorn, between Inverness (22 miles) and Aviemore (14 miles).

Strathdearn (valley)

The nearest village is Tomatin (6 miles away) which has a small general store, Post Office and a pub which serves a wide variety of food from bar snacks to such local delights as fillet steak stuffed with haggis and whisky (vegetarians also catered for!). Additional shopping can be obtained at Carrbridge (10 miles). Tomatin is also home to one of the greatest and largest malt whisky distilleries in the whole of Scotland. There is a visitor centre and 10-year malts to try. Tomatin comes from the Gaelic meaning 'the hill of the Juniper bushes'.

This area of the Highlands can be easily reached by car, train or plane. Overnight sleeper trains operate from London Euston Station, and there are regular daytime trains running between Edinburgh and Aviemore / Inverness every day. There are also daily flights to/from Inverness Airport which is within easy reach of Strathnoon. Car rental is available locally in Inverness.

Directions by car: Take the A9 from Perth to Inverness. Approximately 3 miles north of the turn-off to Carrbridge, a dual-carriageway begins. Almost immediately take the left turn signposted to Raigbeg and Balvraid (if you go over the huge viaduct over the River Findhorn you have gone too far!). Approximately 1 mile ahead take the sharp left turn signposted 'Clune 2 miles'. Continue along this single track road, past Old Clune Lodge, and then after another 2 miles (and three cattle grids) you will come to Strathnoon on your left near an old stone barn.

Click here for a detailed location map

There are lots of things to see and do in the vicinity of the cottage including:

Landmark Visitor Centre (outdoor nature centre) by Carrbridge Loch Garten Nature Reserve Glen More Forest Park (visit the herd of reindeer or go mountain biking) Watersports on Loch Morlich and Loch Insh

Highland Folk Museum at Newtonmore and Kingussie Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig Strathspey Steam Railway between the Boat of Garten and Aviemore Tomatin Distillery

Strathnoon is located close to the Cairngorm mountain range which is a popular ski resort in winter and widely frequented by hillwalkers and climbers throughout the year. From the 4000-ft summit of Cairn Gorm there are spectacular views all the way to Inverness on a clear day. Taking the chair lift is the easy option if you don't want to hike your way to the top!

One mile upstream from the cottage lies Dalarossie Church (pictured left), built in 1790 on the site of an early Christian mission dedicated to St. Fergus (Dalarossie comes from the Gaelic Dail Fhearguis meaning 'Dale of Fergus'). The stone font inside the church is thought to date from this original place of worship. By the church, there is a small sandy beach and a pool where you are welcome to go swimming on a hot summer's day. Winter in Tomatin

A short drive northwards from Strathnoon takes you to the bustling Highland Capital, Inverness, where many events take place throughout the year including music festivals, piping, Highland Games, etc. Nearby Loch Ness is a popular tourist attraction centred on daily boat trips and the ruins of Urquhart Castle (pictured left). If you want more than Nessie hunting, then either take the road along the eastern shoreline which is much less travelled or head into the beautiful Glen Affric to the west of Drumnadrochit. To the east of Aviemore, you can tour the numerous local distilleries by following the Speyside Whisky Trail. Castle lovers are also spoilt for choice - legendary Cawdor Castle, fairytale Brodie Castle and splendid Ballindalloch are just a few of those you can visit easily from the cottage. Another interesting day trip from Strathnoon is to cut across country near Newtonmore to enjoy Loch Laggan and perhaps continue on to Fort William and Ben Nevis (Scotland's highest mountain).

Many visitors enjoy taking a cruise to see the famous Moray Firth Dolphins. Boat trips are available from Inverness and Cromarty. If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, then check out the Dolphins and Seals of the Moray Firth Visitor Centre at North Kessock (just 2 miles from Inverness). The centre includes video footage, underwater microphones and binoculars. Dolphins can also often be spotted from Chanonry Point on the Black Isle and from Nairn. The web site of the The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society features regular updates of local sightings and also offers you the chance to Adopt a Dolphin.

Strathnoon Cottage Old Clune Estate Tomatin Inverness-shire IV13 7XZ View the Online Availability Calendar Contact Tim Boles - Mobile: 0705 009 6616 Email: tboles@strathnoon.co.uk Or Mrs Elizabeth Boles, Old Clune Tel: +44 (0)1808 511208 Click here for Booking Form 50% deposit required to secure your booking. The balance is refundable if the holiday is cancelled giving not less than 8 weeks notice. * Visit our Fishing web page *

Sightseeing and travel information is provided online
in the The Internet Guide to Scotland:
Aviemore and the Cairngorms - Inverness - Loch Ness - Fort William

Visit Aviemore

'If you are thinking about accommodation to the same standard in the very South of England
have a look at my sister’s holiday accommodation in Dorset: Church Farm Stables
I have recently stayed there and it is well placed for the South Coast sights and beaches etc.
as well as being extremely comfortable.' Tim Boles

Text copyright Elizabeth & Tim Boles and Joanne Mackenzie-Winters 1999-2008
Urquhart Castle photo copyright Joanne Mackenzie-Winters 1998
Other photos copyright Scenic Strathdearn (Mark Courtney - tel: 01808 511315)
www.strathnoon.co.uk
Web design by The Internet Guide to Scotland