Grant Arms Hotel - Grantown-on-Spey

4-star wildlife-focussed hotel in Cairngorms National Park

Accommodations & Wildlife Programming

Grant Arms Hotel offers 51 guest rooms, each with en-suite bathrooms and mountain or square views from the front-facing superior rooms. The hotel runs daily wildlife briefings and free guided nature walks for all guests, led by experts from the on-site Bird Watching and Wildlife Club. Evenings include talks by renowned wildlife enthusiasts, with recent sessions covering topics like golden eagles and black grouse behavior.

Dining & Whisky

The on-site Capercaillie Bar stocks over 150 whiskies, with staff offering personalized tasting sessions for an additional fee. The award-winning restaurant sources ingredients locally, changing its menu daily to reflect seasonal Highland produce like venison and hake. Guests eating in the bar on quiet nights can still access a reduced menu with gluten-free options clearly marked.

Location & Activities

Grant Arms is located inside Cairngorms National Park, a 5-minute walk from the Spey River, known for salmon fishing and otter sightings. Guests can reach 12 golf courses within a 30-minute drive, including the Grantown-on-Spey course. The hotel sits along the Speyside Whisky Trail, with 8 distilleries (like Glenfarclas and Aberlour) open for tours within 24 km.

Accessibility & Pet Policies

The hotel has 3 wheelchair-accessible rooms on the ground floor, with grab rails, raised toilets, and lowered bathroom sinks. The Grant Arms Hotel is dog-friendly, providing pet baskets, bowls, and a welcome pack for each canine guest at a charge of £25 per dog. A lift with antique brass gates serves all upper floors, and street parking is free.

History & Guest Services

The building dates to 1765 and was visited by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert during an 1860 tour of the Highlands. The hotel offers a free daily news sheet with bird sightings and local event details, printed each morning for guests. Meeting facilities for up to 50 people are available, with fax and photocopying services.

• Wildlife & Birdwatching: Free guided walks and expert evening talks on-site
• Whisky Selection: Over 150 whiskies in the Capercaillie Bar
• Dining: Award-winning restaurant with menus that change daily
• Location: Inside Cairngorms National Park, near River Spey
• History: Visited by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1860
• Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible rooms with grab rails and lowered sinks
• Pet Policy: Dog-friendly with pet baskets, bowls, and welcome pack