Pilmuir, Speyside Cottage

07/09/2026

Please take the time to feed back your thoughts on this proposed visitor levy.

Highland Council has launched a public consultation survey on the proposal for a visitor levy, or tourist tax, in the region.

Under the proposed scheme, a cost of £5 per room per night would apply to hotels, B&Bs, guest houses and other similar accomodation.

It would be £2 per room per night for hostels, camp sites, and caravan parks. These costs would apply across the whole Highland Council area and for nine months of the year, excluding December, January and February.

Find the survey link, and more information, in the article in the comments.

07/09/2026

Inverness is just a 40minutes drive away or you can jump on the Ember bus for a great day out. Invernessis a great location with lots to do from dolphin tours, walks, shopping and some great sights to see.

07/09/2026

06/09/2026

Believe it or not, we do get asked where the nearest beach can be found. There are some locally such as Loch Morlich or even closer to home, Loch Garten. However, for something different, this shows the beach at Cullen.

05/09/2026

The leaves haven't started falling...yet.. but when they start changing colour, the area and views are magical. We love sitting in the window seats looking out onto the view and seeing the changes in the heather, trees and the view. When the trees start to drop we can get a better view of the Strathspey steam railway.

To see our availability check out https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cottage/oc-42517-pilmuir

04/09/2026

We do love a walk down to Boat of Garten. There is so much to see and do but this shows the River Spey looking up towards Cairngorm mountain. You can see how low the river was earlier in the summer. For those of you that don't know there is a picnic table below the bridge which is a great stopping place for a picnic. There are also some great walks along the river.

04/09/2026

In case you missed it, it was great to see The Boat featured by The Herald this summer as one of four wonderful Scottish courses shaped by the legendary James Braid.

Describing Boat of Garten as a course where Braid’s ability to work with the natural Highland landscape is “on full display”, the article highlights the heathland, birch, heather and natural undulations that give each hole its own character.

And perhaps our favourite line:

“For anyone following a James Braid trail through the Highlands, Boat of Garten feels less like a detour and more like an essential stop.”

We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.

Read the full article: https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/26299686.four-wonderful-courses-visit-scotland-designed-james-braid/

03/09/2026

It is now officially autumn. The trees are not quite turning but the temperature has definitely dropped. What are your autumn clothing essentials that you will be looking for shortly or even now?

02/09/2026

Un-guided access is to be allowed for Cairngorm funicular passengers from the top station for the very first time.

Read more in comments.

01/09/2026

As mentioned at the beginning of the year, throughout this year we are going to share each month a photo from a calendar which has been put together by and supported by the Rotary of Aboyne and Upper Deeside. Torin is an 18yr old photographer who lost his brother through su***de in 2020. Through the sale of his calendars he raises money for SAMH - North East Su***de Prevention in the hope he can help others and preventing families from experiencing the pain he went through. He won the amazing accolade from the Rotary Great Britain and Ireland , the Young Citizens Award 2025 for his achievements and we wish to support his work by sharing the photo relevant to each month from his calendar.

This photo is 'gratitude for the golden glow, Lochnagar View' for September 2026 with the quote

'Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.' - Zig Ziglar

You will find the full calendar on display in the cottage.

Obviously Torin's original photo's are better than the ones we have taken of his, but here is September. If you wish to support the cause please visit his page https://www.justgiving.com/page/torin-liversedge?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL