Courtyard Bothy

01/11/2026

Grantown has been voted the best town to live in during retirement. We think it’s simply the best town to live, visit and be part of the community at all times. We are really lucky to live here!

This is Grantown-on-Spey, a Highlands community of just 2,400 people, which has been ranked among the country's best places to retire 👵👴

The small town sits along the northern edge of the Cairngorm mountain range near the River Spey, around 35 miles outside Inverness and 80 miles from Aberdeen.

Travel experts at WorldAtlas named it among the country's best spots, calling it a "natural fit for retirees who want mountains and rivers built into daily life". ⛰️

The settlement was originally established in the 18th century by the Grant family and still retains its Georgian street layout.

"Heading north into the Cairngorms, Grantown-on-Spey has a planned Georgian layout that's stayed remarkably intact since the town's founding in 1765," the experts noted.

"The Grant Arms Hotel on the main square once hosted Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1860, and the Grantown Museum, housed in a former girls' school, traces the town's linen and tourism history."

Retirees can head straight out into the community-owned Anagach Woods, an expanse of pinewood trails covering nearly 1,000 acres between the town centre and the riverbanks.

"Anagach Woods, a network of marked pinewood trails on the town's eastern edge, gives retirees a ready-made walking or birdwatching routine," the report highlighted.

"Healthcare comes from the Ian Charles Community Hospital, an NHS Scotland facility serving Badenoch and Strathspey, and Grant House, an NHS Highland care home, sits in town as well."

Locals also gather every year for the Grantown Show, an agricultural event featuring a funfair, vintage vehicles, stalls, and an evening marquee dance.

For food and drink, the high street hosts independent spots like the family-run Wee Puffin, Po Pia Thai Cuisine, the Grantown Diner and Takeaway, alongside pubs including The Craig Bar and the Claymore Bar.


📸 Stromography, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

24/10/2026

It’s really starting to feel a bit like winter out there, especially today with the storm forecast. Quite a bit of snow on Cairngorm already.

The mountain rescue team does an amazing job in really difficult conditions!

16/10/2026

To get to the woods we walk through our lovely golf course. We do this walk almost every day when we take Islay out. It’s one of the things I love about living here - having all this right on the doorstep. Just a minute or two from the Bothy and you’re surrounded by trees, fresh air and beautiful autumn colours.

11/10/2026

Same view, different day!
Today there’s a really eerie feeling with low mist and a really bright sun ☀️ It’s almost too bright to look out. The mist is likely to burn off soon for another glorious autumn day in the Cairngorms.

07/10/2026

Grantown has a new restaurant opening on Friday. Steve already has a restaurant in Boat of Garten, Andersons, which many guests have been to whilst staying with us. It’s renowned locally for excellent food and we are very excited to visit his new one as soon as we can.

Steve also runs Cairngorm Leaf & Bean, Highland Coffee Roaster, where we get our coffee from, and many guests enjoy his locally roasted coffee in our welcome pack during their stay at the Courtyard Bothy.

Our website is now live and you can book your tables and see our menu there along with our opening times which are as follows:

Monday - closed
Tuesday - closed
Wednesday - 5pm - 9pm
Thursday - 5pm - 9pm
Friday - 5pm - 9pm
Saturday - 5pm - 9pm
Sunday - 12:30pm - 6pm.

We will be serving Roast lunches on Sundays, more info on them soon.

Remember to book to guarantee a table

https://andersonsattheavenue.co.uk

06/10/2026

Autumn is coming!!!!!!
Our favourite time of year. We love all the vibrant colours, wrapping up warm and going for walks in the

12/09/2026

This wee Robin was following me around the garden. At one point he looked like he was eyeing up the apples but I think he was really waiting for bugs and worms!

The robins are so tame and sit really close by.

24/08/2026

Our cleaners have just been named 2026/27 Domestic Cleaning Company of the Year (Highlands) by the Scotland Prestige Awards.

Wow - so many guests compliment the Bothy on its cleanliness so this is very well deserved.

Well done The Spotless Cleaning Company team 👏

Some rather good news...🏆

The Spotless Cleaning Company has been named 2026/27 Domestic Cleaning Company of the Year (Highlands) by the Scotland Prestige Awards

We are genuinely thrilled to have been acknowledged, not just because of the award itself but because it recognises the hard work of the whole team and the care they put in each and every day.

From early starts to late finishes and all the bed changes in between we are incredibly grateful to our team, our clients and everyone who continues to support us.

We're very proud of this 💙

15/08/2026

Last night we popped over to Boat of Garten to see Ed Smith’s photography exhibition- Uisge Spe.

Alongside each photo, he’s printed a card telling the story behind the image and how it relates to climate. I learnt lots about the River Spey that I didn’t know, like over 40% of the river doesn’t even make it from the source to Kingussie (about half way from source to sea) because it’s redirected to Perth and Fort William through man made pipes. I had no idea!

The exhibition is also coming to Grantown and can be viewed in OPENSPACE • THE VAULT • from 11th September. It’s definitely worth popping along to find out more about the River Spey.

12/08/2026

Too much cloud cover for the solar eclipse in Grantown this evening. Whilst it’s gone fairly dark, we’ll have to make do with watching it on the TV!