To see the Queen ....

.... visit Balmoral Castle.

Set amongst the magnificent scenery of Royal Deeside, in the shadows of Lochnagar is the Balmoral Estate.

Purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848, the Estate has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family ever since.

The Estate extends to over 50,000 acres of heather clad hills, ancient Caledonian woodland and of course the beautiful River Dee is nearby.

Over the past 160 years careful Royal stewardship has preserved the wildlife, scenery and architecture which is available for all generations to enjoy.

A visit to Balmoral Castle has proved to be a popular day trip for guests staying at the Steading holiday cottage:

http://www.balmoralcastle.com/index.html

Speyside Wildlife

Why not join one of Speyside Wildlife's friendly, expert guides at an evening wildlife watching experience on Rothiemurchus estate in the Cairngorms National Park?

Following in the footsteps of Bill Oddie and Springwatch, you'll have the chance to see pine martens, badgers and much more just a few feet in front of you from the comfort of our hide, with large picture windows, looking out over the forest.

Whether you want to see golden eagle, red squirrel, ptarmigan, bottlenose dolphins, crested tit, minke whales, deer or our more elusive species, Speyside Wildlife can tailor-make an itinerary to suit your wishes.

Speyside Wildlife is right on the doorstep of the Steading holiday cottage:
http://visitcairngorms.com/dbattractions-Speyside_Wildlife/413.html

The House of Bruar

Situated in rural Perthshire on the main A9 road ten miles north of Pitlochry, the House of Bruar boasts some of Scotland’s finest produce, clothing and rural artwork.

Within its walls you’ll find items ranging from traditional Scottish tweed to cashmere jumpers and food hampers.

The range of country clothing features time-honoured classics and exciting contemporary designs.

If you want to admire some of the UK’s finest examples of contemporary rural art, its Gallery is your ideal destination.

And if you appreciate the beauty of nature as portrayed in the Gallery, don’t forget to explore the magnificent Falls of Bruar with its spectacular tumbling waterfalls.

Why not stop off at the House of Bruar on your drive north to the Steading holiday cottage:

http://www.houseofbruar.com/

The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)

The Northern Lights are a free light show in the night sky seen in northern latitudes - including the Scottish Highlands.

The phenomenon varies from a gradually changing glow along the northern horizon, to flickering curtains and patterns of light over much of the sky.

They peak every eleven years but can occur in any year and also at any time of year - except you need a dark but clear and preferably moonless night to see them at their best. They are caused by electrically charged particles from the sun (the solar wind) inter-acting with gas particles in Earth's upper atmosphere.

Because of their unpredictability, treat the Northern Lights as an unexpected bonus to your stay at the Steading holiday cottage.

Autumn Speyside Whisky Festival (24-27 Sept 2010)

A great Festival held each year in and around Dufftown, organised by Dufftown2000.

Throughout the Festival several distilleries that are not normally open to the public invite whisky enthusiasts to tour their facilities and sample their products. Mini bus trips are laid on that enable connoisseurs of whisky to tour and taste an incredible array of fine malts from a wide range of distilleries. The most infamous of these is the marathon "Seven Stills Tour" that visits all of Dufftown's distilleries on a single trip with a dram at each and every one. Definitely not for the faint hearted!

But there is more - music, dancing, exhibitions, pipe bands and food and craft fairs. The best of Scotland's culture is on show alongside the celebration of its national drink.

The Steading holiday cottage still has availability during the Autumn Speyside Whisky Festival:

http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/holiday_planner.php

Waltzing Waters - once seen ... never forgotten !!

The world's most elaborate water, light & music production!

Visitors are overwhelmed by thousands of dazzling patterns of moving water synchronised with music!

The Waltzing Waters is the only indoor show of its kind in Europe!

An entertainment spectacular for all ages!

The Steading holiday cottage is 30 miles from the Waltzing Waters at Newtonmore:

http://www.waltzingwaters.co.uk/newtonmore/newtonmore-home.html

Self catering - it's the way to go !!

Compared to your other holiday options - hotels, guest houses and B&Bs - self catering undoubtedly provides the 'best value for money'.

The daily rate for a couple staying at the Steading is between £27-£29 for each person.

For four people it's even cheaper - ranging from £18-£20 each.

This price is inclusive of bedding, towels and electricity - there are no hidden charges.

In return you get quality accommodation for the duration of your stay - 24/7.

In terms of cost, B&B is usually closest on price - averaging around £25-£30 per person.

However, bed and breakfast is little more than that - a bed for the night.

The Steading holiday cottage by contrast gives you a comfortable base in beautiful surroundings to relax and enjoy your holiday - along with freedom, flexibility and choice :

http://www.ballieward-steading.co.uk/

Steading prices held for 2011 .....just fantastic !!

After another sell-out summer season, we're holding our prices for 2011.

But don't delay - we've already taken repeat bookings for weeks in April, May and June.

So if you want a fantastic cottage in a fantastic location then snap up a bargain at a fantastic price!!

http://www.availcheck.com/cgi-bin/calendar.cgi?propid=8753

Speyside Cooperage

In the heart of Scotland’s rolling hills lies Speyside Cooperage, the only working cooperage in the UK where you can experience the ancient art of coopering.

Since 1947, this family owned business has produced the finest casks from the best American Oak. Today the cooperage still produces the age-old product, using traditional methods and tools.

Follow the lifecycle of the cask, see highly skilled coopers at work, try it for yourself with mini casks or simply relax and enjoy the gift and coffee shop.

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The Steading holiday cottage is 25 miles from the Speyside Cooperage:

http://www.speysidecooperage.co.uk/

Cairngorm Reindeer Herd

The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd is Britain's only herd of reindeer, found free ranging in the Cairngorm mountains in Scotland. These extremely tame and friendly animals are a joy to all who come and see them.

Reindeer are not just for Christmas.

The Steading holiday cottage is 24 miles from the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd:

http://www.cairngormreindeer.co.uk/index.html

Landmark Forest Adventure Park

Where else in the UK can you rock climb, ‘skydive’, flume ride, meet wild red squirrels face to face, walk through the tops of tall pine trees, watch logs being sawn on a steam powered sawmill, wonder at the sheer strength of a Clydesdale horse and learn all the secrets of Scotland's ancient Pine forest all in one day?

The answer is Landmark!

And that's only a small part of what's on offer…..Landmark is a truly awesome day out and easily a whole day's entertainment (educational too, but so fun you won’t notice).

The vast majority of these attractions are included in the great value Admission Ticket so it is easy to see why Landmark is one of Scotland’s favourite family days out.

The Steading holiday cottage is 12 miles from the Landmark Forest Adventure Park:

http://www.landmarkpark.co.uk/

Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club

Situated in the Cairngorms National Park, Grantown Golf Course measures 5710 yards, with a par of 70 and Standard Scratch Score of 68.

Though not long, it presents a fair challenge for every calibre of golfer.

It is naturally split into three sections - Holes 1 to 6 are played over flat parkland, holes 7-12 are played through moderately hilly woodland, whilst holes 13 to 18 revert to undulating parkland.

The 'signature' hole of the course is Murdie's View, the 275 yard 9th, a short downhill par 4 with the spectacular backdrop of pine trees and the Cromdale Hills. Elsewhere on the course, magnificent views of the Cairngorm range may be observed and wildlife abounds.

The Steading holiday cottage is three miles from Grantown-on-Spey Golf Course:
http://www.grantownonspeygc.co.uk/mainsite/index.html

Check out the area ....

.....on the geograph website.

Want to get a better feel for the countryside surrounding the Steading holiday cottage?

Then why not visit the Geograph website:

http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=6131301&page=1

The Geograph Britain and Ireland project aims to collect geographically representative photographs and information for every square kilometre of Great Britain and Ireland.

Lochindorb featured above is only a fifteen minute drive from the Steading holiday cottage.

Cairngorms National Park

The Cairngorms National Park is the largest in Britain, covering 3,800 kilometres of beautiful and unspoilt countryside. Over 16,000 people live and work in the towns and villages throughout the area and every year thousands of visitors travel here to enjoy the fabulous scenery, from wild moorlands and soaring mountain peaks to spectacular rivers and tranquil lochs.

The Park has something for everyone - whether it’s simply admiring the ever changing views of the spectacular mountains, or walking with a Ranger-led group learning about the plants and animals in native pine woods.

For the more energetic there are plenty of opportunities to go mountain biking, canoeing or climbing. The area also has a rich cultural heritage with castle, fortified houses and estates all happy to welcome visitors.

Hundreds of countryside events, outdoor activities, guided walks and talks take place throughout the Park each year. Click here for more details.

The Steading holiday cottage is located at the northern edge of the Cairngorms National Park.

Achagour Fishery

Achagour Fishery is a series of man made lochs extending to some 7 hectares with a depth of between 10 and 14 feet at their deepest points.

They are fed by the Red Burn which flows through them, bringing with it all the nutrients required to provide the perfect habitat for both Brown, Blue and Rainbow Trout, with which they are stocked.

Although relatively new, they are already attracting numerous species of water birds which are taking advantage of the new habitat, and, in time, it is hoped that the lochs will become a wildlife haven.

The area has been extensively landscaped and a continued program of sympathetic planting is planned. The lochs are open all year on a catch and release basis, with a 4-bag per rod/session available at extra cost. The lower lochs are fly only.

The Steading holiday cottage is 15 miles from Achagour Fishery:

http://www.achagourfishingponds.co.uk/

4x4 Off-Road Driving

Venture off-road for an exciting driving experience, in one of Rothiemurchus Estate's 4x4 vehicles.

Learn the tricks of the trade with a friendly, fully qualified and highly experienced instructor.

The session commences with an introduction to off-road driving techniques and a demonstration drive with one of the fully qualified guides. It’s then your turn to take the wheel, with a progression from easy terrain to something a little more testing; climb, descend and tackle side slopes.

The off-roading sites at Rothiemurchus are surrounded by spectacular mountain and moorland scenery; so don't forget your camera!

The Steading holiday cottage is 20 miles from the Rothiemurchus Estate:

http://www.rothiemurchus.net/Pages/Activities/4x4-Driving.html

Tourist Information Centre, Grantown-on-Spey

54 High Street

Grantown-on-Spey

Highland PH26 3EH

E-mail:

grantown@visitscotland.com

The Steading holiday cottage is three miles from the Grantown-on-Spey Tourist Information Centre:

http://www.visithighlands.com/

Grantown Museum

Grantown Museum tells the story of Grantown-on-Spey, a fine example of an 18th century planned town.

The story is brought to life through the museum’s extensive photographic collection.

Visitors can learn the history of the people and buildings that made Grantown what it is today.

Extensive records relating to the founding of Grantown-on-Spey in 1765 form the basis of both traditional and modern, interactive audio visual displays.

Find out about Queen Victoria’s royal visit in the 19th century, the coming of the railways, and how this encouraged Grantown’s development as a holiday destination.

The Steading holiday cottage is three miles from the Grantown Museum:

http://www.grantownmuseum.co.uk/index.asp