9 miles in the opposite direction are Dufftown and the highest village in the highlands "Tomintoul" these attractive places have a selection of food and gift shops one with a great selection of scottish gifts. On the way to Dufftown is the excellent 18 hole Golf course. Dufftown also has an excellent butcher, baker and a well known kilt maker.

Tomintoul the highest village in the highlands has a selection of food and gift shops including with a great selection of Scottish gifts. The Croft Inn pub, with excellent beer is about 2 miles from the cottages.

The Speyside Way is only a short distance from Bluefolds and 65 miles from Aviemore to Spey Bay with a spur to Tomintoul. Most of the route follows the river Spey. From Spey Bay where there is a wildlife visitors centre along to Aberlour and on the Grantown on Spey. Salmon leap and are fished beside much of the route. Fly fishing here is an anglers dream.

Skiing holidays in Scotland

Skiing conditions in the Cairngorms are good and on a clear, sunny day and with good snow, you can enjoy some decent skiing. However, at weekends, in conditions like these, expect the slopes to be very busy. Glenlivet ideally placed in the Cairngorms, offers easy access to both alpine (downhill) and nordic (cross-country) skiing, as well as the increasingly popular snowboarding.

Cairngorm, which has almost 30 runs spread over an extensive area. The Lecht is the most remote centre, and is good for beginners and families and for nordic skiing. The resort has a ski patrol and facilities for snowboarding. The Lecht has a wonderful new centre and is ideal for sking and snowboarding in winter and in summer such things as tubing and go karts.

The high season is from January to April but it is possible to ski from as early as November to as late as May. (3 and 7 day Special prices available...please ask for details of availability)

Ben Rinnes is a landmark in this area and can be seen from all angles as you drive towards Dufftown or Aberlour from the cottages and can even be viewed from Spey Bay on the Moray Firth coast. You can enjoy a wonderful holiday in the remote wilderness area of the Cairngorm National Park in winter and spring. This is an ideal area for walking by the river Livet or cycling on the waymarked trails on the Glenlivet estate and enjoying wonderful wildlife. There are excellent opportunities for golfing, fishing, sking at the Lecht or Cairngorms, touring the castle and whisky trails. Relax while driving on quiet roads off the beaten track in North East Scotland.

The Lecht Ski Resort

Within and easy 15 minute drive from Bluefolds self catering cottages you will find the Lecht ski resort www.lecht.co.uk Tel (01975) 651440. This fantastic activity centre is best suited to beginners and intermediates, featuring an exellent Dry Ski slope. The longest natural run being 900m, there is also a network of short lifts on both sides of the A939 Cockbridge–Tomintoul road. Straddling the A939 on the famous Cockbridge to Tomintoul road, the Lecht 2090 sits feet above sea level amid the beauty of the Eastern Cairngorms. This natural playground offers exciting outdoor activities throughout the year from Deval Karts / ride (incl. Uplift), Quad Bikes / session, Fun Karts / session, Kiddie Karts / session, Chairlift / return ride, Summer Ski or Board.

Resort altitude: Top: 793m - bottom: 643m. Lifts in area 14

Up to date snow reports also the www.lecht.co.uk/wap

Wildlife and Nature

Glenlivet is a fantastic area for viewing birds, wildlife and wild flowers. After you have enjoyed the resident rabbits, sheep, buzzards and deer, you can explore further within this area and see Stags, Rut and Mountain Hare. With winter good timing Stoat visitors including Fieldfare, Redwing, Snow Bunting, Waxwing and Brambling. Many birds including Flocks Pink Footed Goose, Whitefronted Goose, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose visit the Cairngorms every year. Also Badgers, Red Squirrel, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, and Long Eared Owl,  Pipstrelle, Long Eared Bats.

Touring is easy from the cottages. Bluefolds highland holiday cottages are situated on a hillside in open farmland, with stunning panoramic mountain views across Glenlivet. They are about 1 mile from the B9009 Dufftown to Tomintoul Road. To help locate them, they are east of Aviemore, south of Elgin and west of Aberdeen. They have breathtaking views across Glenlivet to the Cairngorm National Park mountains. The Cairngorm National Park is largest in Britain and encompasses the Cairngorm and the Grampian Highlands and possesses many of the highest peaks in Scotland. Our four self catering holiday cottages have an unrivalled location in remote, rural Glenlivet, Grampian. Glenlivet is a must see destination with a huge range of wildlife, beautiful rivers; the Avon and the Livet; varied walks by rivers or on hills and mountains and not forgetting the quiet roads which makes driving a joy.

"Fyvie Castle (left) and the majestic Ballindalloch Castle(right)"

Availability & Further Information Advice / Help Lines open 08:30 to 22:30 GMT 7 days a week PLEASE CALL US 01729 851181  Mobile Phone / Texting 07885 211787 Email enquiries to: cottageinfo@self-catering-scotland.com (Ref Cairngorms List 16) Due to ever increasing Spam levels we cannot guarrantee to reSpond to emails. Please call us on either phone number above to be certain. If you do wish to email us please state in your email exactly which cottage and dates your require further information.

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