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There is a wide choice of sporting activities
to pursue in the healthy Highland air, some more energetic than
others. |
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Fishing
Salmon fishing is a regional speciality, presenting an irresistible
challenge to the skill, resourcefulness and patience of the sporting
angler. The Spey, the second longest river in Scotland and the
fastest flowing, is known the world over for its salmon - "King
of the River". The season lasts from 11 February to the end
of September, and rods (and tuition) can be hired locally. Most
hotels are more than happy to cook your catch for dinner, or you
can take it to the local smokehouse and have it smoked.
If you can't find a stretch on the Spey to suit
you, there is plenty of good quality fishing on the other rivers
in the region. Alternatively, you can fish for rainbow trout at
one of the fisheries or country sports estates all year round
- eg Glen of Rothes Trout Fishery near Aberlour (tel 01340 831888). |
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Hunting and Shooting
Autumn and early winter are the busiest times in the hunting and
shooting calendar, and there is a wide range of wildlife targets
to aim for on the hills and moors of Speyside. If you don't know
your way around the terrain, or you are a novice gun, you would
be better off going to one of the country sports estates where
they have all this and more on offer, with expert training and
supervision. The House of Mulben at Keith is one of the best known.
www.houseofmulben.com
| Take your pick: |
| Grouse |
12 Aug-late Nov |
Partridge/Pheasant/Woodcock/
Wild duck |
late Sep-end Jan |
| Roe deer (bucks) |
Apr-Oct (prime time May-Jul) |
| Roe deer (does) |
Oct-Apr |
| Red deer (stags) |
Apr-Oct |
| Red deer (hinds) |
Oct-Apr |
If you don't want to shoot deer you can always stalk
them in the company of an expert tracker. Or shoot them with a
camera on a wildlife photography field trip. |
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Golf
As you would expect in the country that invented the sport, there
is no shortage of golf courses dotted around - 15 of them within
a 45-minute drive of Aberlour. Here are brief details of three
you might like to club your way around.
Dufftown Golf Club
Just to the south of Aberlour, this up-and-down moorland course
is surrounded by some glorious scenery. At 2,000ft (609m), the
9th tee is one of the highest in Scotland, while Hole 10 has a
vertical drop of 130ft (40m) to the green. www.golfeurope.com/clubs/dufftown
Elgin Golf Course
The course has a par of 69 and a standard scratch of 71, though
even golfers with a single-figure handicap might be distracted
by the panoramic views of the historic city of Elgin to the north
and the distant Cairngorm mountains to the south.
www.elgingolfclub.com
Nairn Dunbar Golf Club
Further afield, but worth the trip, is this Scottish links championship
course on the shores of the Moray Firth. With silver birch, willows,
gorse bushes and winding waterways, there are plenty of natural
obstacles to avoid. The longest hole is the 13th ("Long Peter")
at 529yd (484m).
www.nairndunbar.com |
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Hill climbing
and walking
Almost anywhere you climb or walk is bound to be rewarding, with
spectacular views of the countryside in every direction, and there
is no better place to start than with "Alan
Winchester's Favourite Highland Walks". For the serious
hill-walker there is an elevated trek from Tomintoul to Braemar;
the steep slopes of Corryhabbie Hill; and of course Ben Rinnes.
Shorter walks include the Moray beaches, Ben Aigan and the stunningly
beautiful Bridge of Dulsie. Or you can walk the Speyside Way for
as long as your legs will carry you. Wherever you go, though, take
into account the terrain and the weather, and make sure you are
properly equipped. |
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Cycling
Speyside provides some spectacular terrain for the mountain biker.
You can cycle for long distances in either direction along the Speyside
Way, do the round trip to Dufftown following the River Fiddich,
or just explore the surroundings via the network of rural roads
that take you up hill and down dale. The mountain bike trails on
Ben Aigan offer a greater challenge. Bikes and helmets can be hired
at Craigellachie, among other places. |
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Birdwatching
The Spey Valley is a birdwatcher's paradise. Although in the autumn
and winter some of the summer species will have migrated, there
is still plenty for the dedicated 'twitcher' to spot. The best
area is southwest of Aberlour along the A95, a few miles beyond
Grantown-on-Spey. There the Rothiemurchus and Abernethy forests
are teeming with birdlife from goldeneye to golden eagle, and
nearby Loch Garten is the famous breeding ground of the once almost
extinct osprey.
In the opposite direction, at Spey Bay and Findhorn
Bay, there are sea duck, waders and a wealth of smaller birds
to see - including, in the summer at Spey Bay, the much-admired
osprey. |
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Riding and Trekking
Horse riding or pony trekking along forest and moorland tracks is
a splendid way to see the countryside. There are several equestrian
centres in the area that cater for young and old alike, with riding
lessons for those getting into the saddle for the first time. The
Knockandhu Riding School at Craigellachie is the closest to Aberlour
(tel +44 0 1542 860302) |
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Clay Pigeon Shooting
and Archery
Clay pigeon shooting is an ideal sport for the novice gun or for
someone who doesn't want to hunt live game. All-rounders can combine
it with some archery and a spot of trout fishing, all in a morning
or afternoon. Visit www.houseofmulben.com |
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Water Sports
For summer visitors especially Findhorn, west of Elgin, is an action-packed
centre for water sports enthusiasts. Yachting, canoeing, white-water
rafting, scuba diving and water skiing are all available there. |
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Skiing
Aviemore and Braemar, in the mountains to the south of Speyside,
are great skiing centres, and although you would probably want to
stay closer to the action, you can always pop up to Aberlour for
a restorative dram. |
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