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NETHY BRIDGE, the centre of Scottish birdwatching
You can’t beat Nethy Bridge as a Scottish birding base, as seen on BBC Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch! We are on the edge of the Abernethy Forest, and a casual stroll can produce Scottish Crossbill and Crested Tit before breakfast. Red Squirrel, Siskin and Great Spotted Woodpecker are regular on our feeding station, Osprey and Buzzard pass overhead, and Dipper breed on the clear River Nethy 200 metres away. Kestrel, Hobby, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and even Golden Eagle, Goshawk and White-tailed Eagle are on our ‘hotel list’. Woodcock are found in spring and summer, Grey Wagtail, Goldeneye, several breeding waders, and even Otter and Pine Marten have all been spotted within a mile or two, especially along the nearby River Spey. In summer we may have Tawny Owl and perhaps Long-eared Owl, and Black Grouse and Ptarmigan are within a few miles. With extensive local walks and trails in this unspoilt and delightful Highland location, early morning and evening birding is an exciting optional extra!
Nethy Bridge has an excellent general store/post office, with postcards, presents, newspapers and all the other little things you might wish. ‘Nethy’ is just right – brilliant for birding, close to services, yet unspoilt and delightful in character. A real Highland village at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park!
We have carefully designed each holiday to give you the best wildlife watching according to changing seasons. That’s why our ‘Spring into Scotland’ holidays in April are very different from our ‘Eagles, Divers and Dotterel’ weeks in July, and our ‘Highlands in Autumn’ trips in October differ again. You can count on Heatherlea to find key Scottish wildlife whenever you visit – a wealth of wonderful experiences! Ideally placed to reach every important habitat, we can easily transfer east or west, to see that special bird which puts the cap on a great week.
Getting Here Is Easy
Reaching Nethy Bridge is easy. Here are some suggestions to help you plan.
BY CAR From the west travel north to Perth. From the east travel via Forth Road Bridge and M90 to Perth. From Perth take A9 signposted Inverness and exit north of Aviemore. Follow signs northeast through Boat of Garten to Nethy Bridge (10 miles). In Nethy Bridge, drive through the village, over the River Nethy, and you will see our sign 200 metres ahead on the right.
BY COACH Scottish Citylink (www.citylink.co.uk 0871 266 3333)
Coach travel is possible from England but takes a long time – most of our guests prefer rail or air travel.
BY RAIL The best train to Aviemore is the ‘Highland Chieftain’ operated by London North Eastern Railway. This leaves London Kings Cross at 12.00, arriving Aviemore at 19.27. This train stops at York (13.54), Darlington (14:23), Newcastle (14.56) and Edinburgh (16.34). Change of train may be required at Edinburgh. We recommend you connect with this service if possible.
From the west, travellers can reach Edinburgh direct from Plymouth, Bristol, Birmingham, Crewe or Preston. In general, rail travel via Edinburgh is easier than via Glasgow, where a trip across the city between stations is needed, often followed by a change at Perth.
Return trains to Edinburgh leave Aviemore at 08.30 (fast train to London –recommended), and 10.20. Please check details before you travel. Rail enquiries: 03457 484950, www.nationalrail.co.uk
BY AIR New flights to Inverness are becoming available all the time, for latest info call our office. Fly from:
Heathrow – British Airways www.ba.com
Gatwick, Luton, Bristol – Easyjet www.easyjet.com
Birmingham, Manchester, Belfast, Dublin – Loganair www.loganair.co.uk
Amsterdam – KLM www.klm.com
Travel from Inverness Airport to Nethy Bridge by taxi, or by rail. NEW! Inverness Airport Rail Station opened in February 2023, and offers regular services to Inverness where there are further rail links to Aviemore. We can provide current details by phone or email.
Disclaimer: This information is published to help you, though we offer no guarantee of services. Please check all details before you travel!
Transfers between Nethy Bridge and Aviemore – FREE!
Our courtesy collect and return service runs between Aviemore and The Mountview Hotel. Pick-up is at 16.30 hours and 19:30 hours, and drop-off at 08:20 hours and 10:20 hours, on SATURDAYS ONLY. Please give at least 24 hrs notice when booking.
