“Auchnascraw Mill is located in what must be one of the most breathtaking, relaxing places we’ve ever been. Our days have been filled with hiking, exploring and generally enjoying the Highlands . . . and great Scotch Whisky too! We have had the absolutely perfect stay and highland experience at the Mill. Thank you so much Megan and Sean.”

There are so many things to see and do while staying at Auchnascraw Mill. Scroll through this EXPLORE section to see just a few of the places we love. We are happy to help you plan your days out and suggest other areas to visit while you are here . . . it is always good to discover off-the-beaten-track local secrets. Be sure to follow our Instagram and Facebook pages and check out our upcoming BLOG section of the website where we plan to highlight many more activities. Here are some good websites to help you plan your itineraries and find out more about all there is to do during your stay:

The Glenlivet Estate
Tomintoul and Glenlivet
Cairngorms National Park
Snow Roads
Visit Moray Speyside
Visit Scotland

“It was our first trip to the Scottish Highlands and we were mesmerised by the beauty of the land and the friendliness of the people. We loved visiting castles, sipping whisky and discovering standing stones. We even saw a playful pod of dolphins in Spey Bay! We can’t wait to come back!”

Immerse yourself in history and Sites

Auchnascraw Mill is ideally located for: walking/hiking, mountain biking, fishing, golfing, wildlife watching, skiing/snowboarding/sledging at the Lecht and Cairngorms. Photo opportunities abound with every change of light and season. Visit and sample the world famous whisky distilleries nearby: The Glenlivet, Macallan and Glenfiddich as well as numerous lesser known places. Immerse yourself in history exploring local castles and historical sites: Drumin, Corgarff, Ballindalloch, Balvenie and many others on days out including Urquhart and Balmoral. Speyside, The Cairngorms National Park and the lovely Moray Coast offer a vast trove of iconic Scottish villages and towns for nearby day trip discovery. Venture out to not-so-far-away areas of the Highlands including Inverness and Loch Ness, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen and Royal Deeside too. At the end of your delightful and inspiring day, you can look forward to coming ‘home’ to relax at the Mill. Here are some distances to some popular towns and sight-seeing destinations:

Farmhouse Indoors
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10 minutes to Tomintoul
known as the “Highest Village in the Highlands”
15 minutes to The Glenlivet Distillery
30 minutes to Grantown-on-Spey,

Aberlour and Dufftown

50 minutes to Aviemore & the Cairngorms,

Elgin, Huntly, Fochabers and Forres

1 hour to the Moray Coast/Moray Firth,

(Lossiemouth, Findhorn, Spey Bay, Nairn,
Burghead, Portknockie, Cullen) and also Braemar and Ballater in Royal Deeside

1 Hour and 15 minutes to Inverness

and 1 hour and 30 minutes to Loch Ness and
Aberdeen

“We’ve been out and about right across the Cairngorms all week and have loved being able to come back here every day to rest and relax.”

Many Great Walks, Right From Your Doorstep

Walk throughout the rolling hills or venture out to the Scalan Seminary and Mills, once a seminary in the 1700s. The Scalan farm buildings have been carefully conserved and restored. Immerse yourself in the history . . . and for a longer walk continue on to the Scalan Heritage Trail. Here is a great short video explaining the history of the Scalan and also mentions Auchnascraw Mill. Visit the Glenlivet Estate website for more information about local waymarked walking, hiking and cycling trails. Below are some other highlighted areas for outdoor activities and family fun:

Walk Highlands
Bike Glenlivet
Lecht 2090 Snowsports and Mountain Biking
Cairngorm Mountain Scotland
Snow Roads
“With a heavy heart, I am leaving your beautiful glen and your beautiful holiday home. I have never felt quite so welcomed or comfortable in a holiday home. A retreat indeed from the world. For my second, from eighty-five years ago in Castleton, it was a fabulous base to reexplore, rediscover and recount to my grandchild, the exploits and adventures of a shepherd’s son!”
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Well Known For Its Whisky & Gin Distilleries

Be sure to visit the Whisky Castle and Highland Market in Tomintoul. The Whisky Castle sells numerous single malt whiskies, many of which are single cask bottlings uniquely available there. They sell other spirits, offer specialist tastings, have a nice gift shop and cafe too. Visit their website for further information. Many nearby distilleries offer whisky or gin experiences, showing you how the spirit is made and offering a tasting at the end of the tour. Make sure to check their individual websites/social media pages for information about opening hours and tours/experiences available. Do book ahead to avoid disappointment. Here are a few to choose from but there are many others as well:

The Malt Whisky Trail
The Glenlivet
The Glenfiddich
The Macallan
Aberlour Distillery
Ballindalloch Distillery
Caorunn Gin
Glenrinnes Distillery
Eight Lands Gin & Vodka

Farmhouse Indoors

“After five minutes of being here, I wanted to write how beautiful this place is. It is one of those gems you wish could stay hidden so you can enjoy it again and again. While the location feels remote with the scenic mountains and hills around you, everything you need is within touching distance, from walking to skiing and shopping to whisky trails.”