Places to go ... people to see ... things to do

Places to go ... people to see ... things to do
The Steading, Ballieward, Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3PR

Thursday 25 February 2010

'Snow fair'


Its been a bitterly cold few days in the Scottish Highlands, and The Steading is being battered today by yet more heavy snowy and gail force winds! Even our neighbours (pictured above) are wondering if they will ever see their field again!

With the road to the town closed due to the drifting snow, we are spending the day keeping warm (we still have power.....well for now at least), and surfing the net (we still have internet connection....just!)

For those who are new to our blog, our cosy holiday home near Grantown-on-Spey is a beautiful converted self catering cottage set in the idylic countryside of the Scottish Highlands. In the winter months, our holiday cottage is a fantastic location for skiing on both the Cairngorm Mountain Range near Aviemore, and the Lecht in Aberdeenshire. In the summer we are a great base for all the fantastic tourist attractions that the northern Scottish Highlands has to offer.

To book a last minute winter break in the Scottish Highlands, or to get booked up early for your summer holidays, please visit us as http://www.ballieward-steading.co.uk/ : )

Thursday 18 February 2010

Walking in a winter wonderland.....



These pictures were taken yesterday after another dusting of snow! The Steading holiday cottage is situated 1 1/2 miles from Grantown-on-Spey in the Scottish Highlands, on the edge of the Dava Moor. Our self catering holiday cottage is an excellent base for anyone wishing to visit local visitor attractions in the Scottish Highlands. These include the Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail, the Strathspey Steam Railway, the Cairngorm Funicular Railway, Loch Ness, the River Spey and the Loch Garten Osprey Centre.
Located on the northern edge of the Cairngorms National Park, our cottage is within easy access of these fantastic tourist attractions, and offers comfortable self catering accommodation with excellent facilities all year round. The surrounding countryside is some of the most picturesque in Scotland, and can be enjoyed by all - holidaymakers, walkers, winter sport lovers, birdwatchers and fishersman. Some of the highlights on the local social calendar include the Grantown-on-Spey New Year's Eve Street Party, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (29 April-3 May 2010) and the Grantown-on-Spey Highland Games (August). There are also regular sporting events in the area, including the Cairngorm Classic Cycle Sportive 50/100 mile road cycle challenge (12th June 2010), the Lairig Ghru Race (27th June 2010), and the Cairngorm Adventure Triathlon (Canoeing & Cycling) (18th September 2010).

We still have good availability for this year, so to book your holiday in the Scottish Highlands, please visit us at www.ballieward-steading.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you soon!!

Wednesday 17 February 2010

The Braes of Castle Grant



The Steading- our self catering holiday cottage in the Scottish Highlands, lies on the Braes of Castle Grant approximately 2 miles from Grantown-on-Spey. Castle Grant (pictured above left by Ronnie Leask) is the 15 century ancestral home of the "Chiefs of the Grant Clan". Previously named Castle Freuchie (which means 'Heathery Place', or 'Castle of the Heather'), it became the principal residence of the Grants in 1693. Clan Grant, like many Highland clans, had divided loyalties regarding the monarchy, and the castle was occupied by Jacobites during both the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite Risings (during Sir Ludovic Grant's period of occupation 1743-1773).
As local legend has it, the ghost of Lady Barbara Grant, a daughter of one of the chiefs in the 16th century, is said to haunt the tower of the Castle. Lady Barbara Grant was said to have been entombed in the tower because she disobeyed her father's wishes in marriage. Work men working in the tower - known also as Babetts Tower - during refurbishment work in recent years, are said to have fled the Castle one evening after hearing footsteps, voices and a woman crying........ spooky!!!
In the middle of the 18th century, Sir Ludovic Grant married the daughter of the 5th Earl of Findlater and 2nd Earl of Seafield - James Ogilvie. Their son - Sir James Grant (inheriting the title of Earl of Seafield) founded the town of Grantown-on-Spey, and was the last chief to die in the Castle. Many years later on the death of the 11th Earl of Seafield, Castle Grant and the estate were inherited by Countess Nina. She was the last Grant to inhabit the Castle until in 1942 when dry rot forced her to move the Seafield residence of Cullen House - a Georgian mansion house.
The Castle, which has been extended over the years, was damaged by fire shortly after Countess Nina vacated the property and became derelict. Since then there have been a series of different owners, and following various rennovation works and plans to transform the Castle into a luxury resort, the Castle is now a privately occupied home.
The Castle and its beautiful grounds, are within minutes walk from our holiday cottage and can be accessed from either of the two beautiful gatehouses which are still occupied today (see right hand picture above). To see and experience the wonderful history of Castle Grant, book now to stay in our beautiful holiday rental cottage near Grantown-on-Spey in the Scottish Highlands. More information, including booking calender can be found on our website at http://www.ballieward-steading.co.uk/.

Tuesday 16 February 2010

More wintery weather @ The Steading



Well it was predicted yesterday.....and it has arrived...AGAIN! About 4 inches of snow fell on the Scottish Highlands over night, and more is falling today! With the wintery conditions set to continue for the next few days, we are happy to stay indoors, make pancakes (!) and watch all the goings on from a "not so snowy" Olympics in Whistler!

For any of you skiers or boarders out there wishing to book ski accommodation in the Scottish Highlands, and take advantage of the fantastic conditions on the Cairngorms or Lecht, please see our website: http://www.ballieward-steading.co.uk/. Our immaculately presented holiday cottage near Grantown-on-Spey in the Scottish Highlands, is a great base for those looking to hit the local slopes! Our highly recommended holiday rental accommodation in Grantown-on-Spey is fully equipped and presented to the highest of standards. Book now to take advantage of the wintery Highland conditions!

Monday 15 February 2010

Scotland's Winter Olympic Accommodation!



To mark the start of the Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver, we thought we would give you a wee taste of what's been happening on the local slopes here in the Scottish Highlands. This year we have had one of the coldest winters in 30 years, and with it......the best ski-ing/snowboarding conditions for over a decade! : ) Local ski-ing/boarding at both the Cairngorms and the Lecht (images above) have seen bumper crowds over the last two months, and Scottish tourist officials have reported that ski accommodation bookings are up by a staggering 500%!!!!!

With temperatures about to plummet again, and snow forecast on both the Cairngorms and the Lecht for later today, its a perfect time to get booked up for your stay at The Steading- our holiday cottage near Grantown-on-Spey in the Scottish Highlands. The beautiful town of Grantown-on-Spey is exactly 22 miles between the two resorts, and therefore approximately a 25-30 minute drive from The Steading.
To keep up to date with local ski-ing conditions, piste updates and weather reports, please visit Winterhighland.

Friday 12 February 2010

A red sky at night



This first two photographs above are taken at Lochindorb located in the Dava Moor, approximately 15 minutes drive from The Steading. Lochindorb is home to the ruins of Lochindorb Castle, a former stronghold of the Clan Cumming. It is also a popular spot with fishers and birdwatchers, the latter of whom come to see the local black-throated divers and greylag geese. The third photograph is taken looking over the hills directly behind The Steading, at Ballieward. We are lucky enough to experience some of most spectacular sunsets here in the Scottish Highlands. We are also fortunate to see regularly Aurora Borealis - or the 'Northern Lights' as they are more commonly known as. The summer and winter skylines in this part of Scotland
are definitely up there with some of the most breath-taking in the world!

If you have any pictures from your time at the Steading, or indeed from your holidays around the local Speyside area, we would love to see them!! These can be shared through our Facebook page (http://bit.ly/bP0vFd), or emailed to us at: duncain@aol.com.

We would love to share your experiences with others! Happy snapping! : )

Thursday 11 February 2010

Our cosy wee country cottage



Welcome to The Steading - our cosy little holiday retreat situated near Grantown-on-Spey in the Scottish Highlands! We have just finished giving the place a spring clean and a lick of paint, and we are ready to welcome this year's guests!! Our holiday weeks are filling up fast but if you are interested in making a booking, please check the availability calander on our website at: http://www.ballieward-steading.co.uk/
Our accommodation is comfortable, homely and immaculately presented, and offers a great base for those looking to explore the Scottish Highlands and surrounding areas. The stunning scenery and excellent range of local visitor attractions will make your stay at The Steading a truly memorable experience! In fact we are so confident you will fall in love with our holiday cottage and the idyllic countryside in which it is set, that we never say goodbye to any of our guests, rather "see you next year!"

More information about our holiday rental cottage can be found on our website at: http://www.ballieward-steading.co.uk/, or see our listing on Grantown Holiday Cottages.

Wednesday 10 February 2010

A view over the Cromdale Hills from Ballieward


Situated between the River Spey and the River Avon, the Hills of Cromdale rise on the northern edge of the Grampian Mountains. The views over the hills from The Steading are beautiful all year round. Why not book a relaxing week in our self catering cottage in the Scottish Highlands and enjoy this too.......

Tuesday 9 February 2010

We are now on Facebook and Twitter





You can now follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and keep up to date with all the goings on from the Steading- self catering holiday cottage near Grantown-on-Spey in the Scottish Highlands! Please post us all your comments and pics - we would love to hear from you

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Grantown-On-Spey-United-Kingdom/The-Steading-Ballieward-Grantown-on-Spey/171042170188?ref=ts

and/or

http://twitter.com/TheSteading

Ballieward and its surrounds .......


One of two derelict cottages set above the old military road at Ballieward, which overlooks The Steading - our self catering cottage near Grantown-on-Spey in the Scottish Highlands.
Believed occupied up until the early 1960's by a family called the 'Beannocks' or similar sounding name.
You can check out other photographs of the area at:

Monday 8 February 2010

Winter views over the Cairngorms


View to Ben Rinnes. At the summit one can see 8 counties - Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Moray, Nairnshire, Inverness-shire, Ross & Cromarty, Sutherland & Caithness. Photo taken 29 January 2010.



View over the Cairngorms range from the fields beneath the Steading (self catering holiday cottage in the Scottish Highlands). Photo taken 10 January 2010

Friday 5 February 2010

The Steading - cottage rental prices 2010


Prices £375-£550 per week (Saturday changeover)
Reduced prices for two persons
Fully inclusive of electricity, bed linen & towels
Sleeps 4 + cot
Free Wi-Fi internet connection
No smoking
Sorry – no pets

Thursday 4 February 2010

Another cold day in the Scottish Highlands


This photo of the garden was taken just a few weeks ago. The snow is easing now but another dusting over night means it will be a while until we can see the garden again : ( Bring on the spring! To find out more about our holiday cottage in the Scottish Highlands, please visit www.ballieward-steading.co.uk

Wednesday 3 February 2010

Tykes Tales


The Local Mascot

A Highland Retreat




Ballieward Steading set in the Scottish Highlands is a beautiful self catering cottage near Grantown-on-Spey