The local area
Glenisla View sits on the edge of Scotlands wildest national park, the Cairngorms, the largest national park in the UK. It covers 4,500 square kilometres of ancient Caledonian forest, high plateau, river valleys, and moorland.
The cottage is perfectly placed for exploring the park and surrounding areas. Highlights include - Glenshee, Aviemore and Cairngorm and Lecht ski slopes, Royal Deeside to Ballater and Braemar, Speyside whisky country, and the Angus glens.
To the west, after driving over Moulin Moor, the popular town of Pitlochry and the famous House of Bruar can be found. Blair Atholl Castle is also here. Killiecrankie is definitely worth visiting, but especially in the autumn, when the colours of the leaves turn warm shades of gold, orange and red.
To the south, the Sidlaw hills have many Roman encampments, which highlights the intense battles that were waged here in days gone by. The closest is Barry Hill Fort near Alyth and this is easy to walk to. Pick your route though as a lot of it is covered with gorse!
Please remember that the Scottish Right to Roam Responsibly, does not include a dwelling or curtilage (gardens).
WalkingÂ
The Cairngorms is home to five of Scotland's six highest mountains. From gentle glen walks to serious Munro-bagging, the range on the doorstep is extraordinary. The Southern Cairngorm mountains, Lochnagar, and the Glenisla hills are all within easy reach.
The chairlift at Glenshee Ski Centre operates a lift to the top of the Cairnwell, with only a short walk to the top. An easy way to 'bag' your first Munro! It runs for most of the year, closing only due to high winds or maintenance.
Dogs are permited on the chair lift but at your own risk. There are times on the journey when there is a significant drop. However, there is an easily accessible track to walk to the Cairnwell.
Be aware that when there is significant snow, the carparks can be filled to capacity.
Mount Blair, the closest significant hill visible from Glenisla View (you can see the telecommunications mast on it), is a Graham (a Scottish mountain between 2,000 and 2,500ft) It has an elevation from sea level of 2,441 feet and 1,300 from the place where you can park. This is on the opposite side of the hill from the cottage.
A Munro is a mountain that is over 3,000ft. The name is taken from London-born aristocrat and mountaineer Sir Hugh Munro, whose family owned land near Kirriemuir. He passed away in 1919.
Sir Hugh loved to explore Scotland’s peaks, and he published a list of all the mountains he had ‘bagged’, which led to the peaks being known as ‘Munros’. Many people have now taken up ‘Munro Bagging’, as they climb each of Scotland’s 282 Munros. His descendants still live in the area.
A Corbett is the next highest grade of Scotland’s mountains and is also categorised by height. To be classed as a Corbett, a mountain must be over 2,500ft, but less than 3,000ft, and have a drop of at least 500ft between each listed hill and any adjacent higher one.
Grahams are defined as a Scottish mountain between 2,000 and 2,500ft, which is the minimum requirement in the UK to be classed as a ‘mountain’, with a minimum prominence drop of 492ft. There are 224 Grahams in Scotland.
Wildlife
The Cairngorms supports some of Britain's rarest and most spectacular wildlife.
Golden Eagles, Red squirrels, Ospreys, Red Kites, and Mountain Hares are all present. Roe deer are a near-daily sight, and sometimes Red Deer, from the cottage garden.
The Scottish Widlife Trust Loch of the Lowes reserve is a 25 mile drive away near Dunkeld.
The Montrose basin reserve on the east coast, 38 miles away is a must for waterfowl and wader watching.
In October, the basin is filled with up to 70,000 pink footed geese coming in at dusk to roost overnight. A truly magical experience. This represents 15% of the global population of this species.
You can check the Scottish Wildlife Trust at Montrose for updates of numbers of birds coming in to roost on the water or mud flats, along with species.
Cycling and Mountain biking
The Cairngorms has world-class mountain biking at Laggan Wolftrax and Glenlivet, as well as quieter forest trails and the Deeside Way for road cyclists.
Take your bikes up the chairlift at Glenshee Ski centre (check if its running) for real mountain biking!
Trails can be found locally, or simply head out and pedal!
Whisky and Distilleries
The Malt Whisky Trail winds through Speyside, north of the cottage, the world's greatest whisky-producing region. Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, Glenfarclas, and a dozen more distilleries offer tours and tastings.
Even closer distilleries include Edradour (no tours currently), Fettercairn, Dalwhinnie, and Blair Atholl Distillery (in Pitlochry).
Many more exist, so search the internet for your prefered choice.
Eating out
From Glenisla View there are multiple choices.
TakeAways - Fish & Chips, Chinese, Indian are all available from Alyth, Blairgowrie and Kirriemuir (No Indian in Alyth).
For pubs and restaurants, in our cottage information we list them in terms of distance from Glenisla View with
our rating.
It is always wise to book and please bear in mind that Scottish chefs knock off early, particulary if it is quiet in the winter months!
Phone numbers are on their websites.
The majority of eateries are dog friendly but please ask on booking for food.
Skiing
The most extensive ski area in the UK, offering superb skiing given the right conditions.
It is always worthwhile prebooking tickets, and if you have your own skis, you will beat the equipment hire queues.
Weekdays, out of school holidays, it is possible to get a lift up, ski down and repeat with little or no queueing!
Beach Walks
Beach walks are often overlooked on Highland visits.
However, from Glenisla View there are some lovely walks on dog friendly beaches. With easy access, both of the ones below are about an hour's drive.
St Cyrus is one, and is just north of Montrose. There is a good sized carpark and toilet facilities. A short walk over the dunes to a very long beach means you can find your own spot without other people nearby.
The other beach (our favourite) is Lunan bay, south of Montrose near Arbroath. Another good sized carpark and short walk to the beach. Not as long as St Cyrus but there are some points of geological interest worth looking up on the internet. In season there is a cafe open nearby.
The stoney, small beach of Auchmithie is just south of Lunan bay. This has the bonus of having a cliff walk over looking sea bird nesting colonies. Auchmithie is actually the original birth place of the Arbroath Smokie, a type of smoked haddock.