Perfect for active couples and families, Aonach is a comfortable, well-equipped cottage situated in the quiet hamlet of Drumguish, on the edge of Cairngorm’s wilderness. Only 3 miles from Kingussie, Aonach is easy to reach by bike along the Speyside Way off-road route. Access is also easy by car, and we have an EV charger at the house. From the doorstep you can walk and cycle for miles with only the sound of birdsong to accompany you, and the wide spectacular landscapes of the Cairngorm mountains opening up before you. We’ve installed a large scale OS map of the area on the dining room wall with Aonach at its centre so you can plan all your adventures over a cup of tea!
Drumguish is a fantastic base for mountain biking and there are many off-road routes right from the door. Whether you prefer a gentle ride on the Speyside Way, exploring the estate tracks, challenging singletrack or even riding up a Munro, it's all here. There are some lovely road cycling options on quiet back roads too, There is a large shed next to the house for you to store bikes, skis, snowboards and other outdoor equipment. The shed is equipped with e-bike charging points, a selection of bike tools, and bike cleaning equipment. See our website more more information about the area: www.wildstuffscotland.co.uk
We welcome pets - you can walk for miles straight from the house with your dog(s), often without meeting a single soul. House cats are welcome too! (just bring your own litter tray and litter).
Explore the forest right next to the house or perhaps embark on a day walk to the waterfalls at Glen Feshie with a picnic. Walk the triangular route to the local village of Insh and back (part of the Badenoch Way) or plan an epic adventure to Braemar or Blair Atholl following ancient cattle drover routes. If you’re an experienced hillwalker the Lairig Ghru is also accessible from here and is one of Scotland’s iconic long distance walks.
If you want to get more distance under your belt, head out on your mountain bike and pick up the trails at Glen Feshie or Inschriach, follow the newly constructed Speyside Way from the door to Kincraig or Aviemore in one direction and Ruthven Barracks or Newtonmore the other way. Venture further afield and you have the beautiful trails of Loch an Eilean, Loch Morlich, Rothiemurchus forest & beyond. You could easily spend a week or more, exploring all the local trails. If you prefer a more skill-based MTB scene, then Laggan Wolftrax is just a few miles down the road. There are some excellent cafes to include on your route!
When there’s white stuff on the ground, dust off your skis and snowboards & head to Cairngorm Mountain (just over half an hour away) or the Lecht/Nevis Range (a comfortable hour and a half drive) for a great day on the slopes.
If you prefer to stay in, light the cosy open fire and settle down with a good book. At night it’s so peaceful the only sound you can hear are the owls calling to each other in the forest. Or head outside and look up at the endless starry skies. From the living room window you could spot red squirrels, deer, pine marten, and maybe even the elusive badger, not to mention all the birds who call this area home. Bring your binoculars and camera! We can't promise you'll spot Michaela Strachan, Iolo Williams or Chris Packham, but lots of the wildlife and landscape you may have seen on Springwatch, Autumnwatch or Winterwatch are right here on the doorstep. We have a family of red squirrels who frequent the garden and keep us amused with their antics chasing each other around the trees, and burying their nuts in the grass. A pine marten visits frequently late at night to help himself to some peanuts, and if you get up early, roe deer can be seen drinking from the stream in the forest.
Kingussie is 3 miles away and has all the facilities you need – a well-stocked Co-op, a great local butchers (D Gilmour), artisan cheeses at The Cheese Neuk, Joe’s Chippy & The Sugar Bowl Café (all tested and declared excellent!). The Post Office Art Café in Kincraig is a short drive away, and is one of our favourite places to cycle to from the house (the cakes make an excellent reward for your effort!)
If you need to catch up with the outside world (we rarely do once we’re here) then the house has WiFi so you can plan those family days out to the amazing RZSS Kincraig Wildlife Park (4 miles away), Newtonmore’s fabulous Folk Museum (also 4 miles away) and perhaps further afield to the Landmark visitor centre at Carrbridge, or a Steam Train trip to Boat of Garten (the local shop here sells a great selection of hot drinks, cakes and pastries) You could also plan a tour of the local whisky distilleries if Scotland’s favourite tipple is more your thing.
Aonach has an energy performance rating of 'D' . The full EPC certificate is displayed in the property.