Grantown on Spey

Grantown on Spey is a Town in the Speyside area of the Highlands in Scotland, 16 miles northeast of Aviemore, 33 miles southeast of Inverness, with a number of Malt Whisky Distilleries in the area to the north and east.

Grantown on Spey is popular for the Grantown Museum, Cairngorms Activities 1 mile south, Duthil Old Church 7 miles west for the graves of Clan Grant, Carrbridge 9 miles west for the Oldest Stone Bridge in the Highlands built by the Grants, and Walks including the Speyside Way.

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Camping & Touring Parks in area

The image top is of Castle Grant 2 miles north. Clan Grant gained land in this area in the 1300s, with the Town of Old Grantown growing around their Castle from the late 1600s. The Grant's began the building of New Grantown / Grantown on Spey in 1765.

Castle Grant is said to be Haunted by the Ghost of Lady Barbara Grant. This building has been sold a number of times recently for Private ownership, so cannot be visited.

The second image is looking north up the High Street towards The Square, and Castle Street beyond The Square.

The War Memorial is in The Square with the Grant Arms Hotel opposite. This Hotel was built in 1765, with Queen Victoria staying at the Hotel in 1860.

The Regality Cross is at the top of The Square. The Original Cross was brought from Old Grantown to this spot in 1766, one year after the first buildings were built in Grantown on Spey. The Original Cross disappeared without record. The Cross seen today was erected in 2015 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Town being founded.

The Garth Hotel is on Castle Street at the top end of The Square. This Hotel was originally built in the 1850s as a Coaching Inn.

Grantown Museum is down Burnfield Avenue, across from the Garth Hotel. Burnfield House was bought in 1995 to house the Museum, with it opened to the public in April 1999.

The Museum covers the Town from its founding in 1765 till today. There are also Temporary Exhibitions such as Historical, Photography, and Art.

The wooden Campanile outside the Museum was built to house the Grantown Bell in 2006. This Bell is from the Clock Tower of the Speyside Orphanage building in The Square. The Bell was removed from that Building when it was converted to Flats in the 1980s. The Bell was used to let people know when important Events were about to take place.

Grantown on Spey Golf Club is down past the Museum. This club was founded in 1890.

Grantown East: Highland Heritage & Cultural Centre is 1 mile southeast of Grantown on Spey, next to the main A95 Road that runs from Grantown on Spey to the Malt Whisky Towns of Aberlour, Dufftown, Rothes, and Keith.

Grantown East is a former Railway Station that operated from 1863 to 1968. The Centre opened in 2018 covering the History of the Speyside Line, Kilt Making, Making of Grantown East Tartan, Highland Games, and Clydesdale Horses. There is also a Gift Shop, Rail Carriage Restaurant, and Miniature Railway.

Grantown East was closed in 2024, hopefully it will re-open.

Grantown on Spey History

1300s - Clan Grant gained land in this area for their support of Robert the Bruce.

1536 - Ballo Castle was built in this area for an unknown family.

1694 - the Grants gained control of Ballo Castle, with the name soon changing to Castle Grant. The Town of Old Grantown grew by the Castle.

1700s - the Grants supported the Government during the Jacobite Risings.

1700s mid - extensions by John Adam were built around Castle Grant, with Queen Victoria stating it looked like a factory.

1765 - the Grant's began the building of New Grantown, 2 miles south of Castle Grant, then forced the people of Old Grantown to relocate to New Grantown, or just Grantown.

1824 - Balmenach Distillery opened.

1863 - the Railway reached Grantown leading to an increase in visitors with many Hotels built.

The Railway also led to growth in the Town with Candle Making, Wool, and a Brewery.

1890 - Grantown on Spey Golf Club was founded.

1898 - the Council re-named the Town - Grantown on Spey.

1965 - the Railway at Grantown on Spey closed.

1993 - Balmenach Distillery closed.

2018 - Grantown East Railway Station re-opened as a Heritage & Cultural Centre. This line used to run between Boat of Garten and Dufftown, calling at Nethy Bridge, Broomhill, Grantown on Spey, Ballindalloch, Aberlour, and Craigellachie.

Some of the old Railway Stations in these towns have been converted for use in business. Aberlour Station is now a Cafe and Visitor Centre.

2023 - Grantown East Heritage Centre was put up for sale.