When guests sit down to dinner at Fraoch Lodge, or look around the walls and floors of the Lodge, they’re tasting and touching much more than just food and fabric. They’re sharing in the story of our community. The local suppliers and crafters in the Cairngorms form an important part of our story.
Over the years, we’ve built relationships with local farmers, crafters, and makers who share our passion for the land, heritage, and good honest produce. These connections aren’t business arrangements so much as friendships, and they shape what we can offer you when you come to stay.
We’ll never forget the first time we visited Lynbreck Croft. Lynn and Sandra’s enthusiasm for regenerative farming is infectious – they’ll tell you about Highland cows, pigs, and hens as if each were an old friend. Their crofting philosophy is simple: care for the land and it will care for you. Their produce has become part of our table, and every time we serve it, we know we’re also serving a slice of the Cairngorms.
On the riverbanks of Speyside, the Tulchan Estate has been part of the fabric of Highland life for centuries. When we use their beef and game, it feels like we’re connecting directly to the traditions that shaped this landscape.
Closer to home, we often pop into the Ballifurth Farm Shop in Nethybridge – it’s one of those places where you can’t leave without bumping into someone you know. (Our son, Gregor, is currently doing work experience on the farm itself.)
Our meat often comes from skilled local butchers – Grants of Speyside and Millers of Speyside – who know exactly where every cut has come from, often just over the hill. There’s something grounding about that traceability; it’s food with a face, not just a label.
Of course, not everything can be grown in the Highlands (bananas, for instance, would struggle in the Cairngorms!). That’s where Mark Murphy (Dole Group) comes in – helping us fill in the gaps sustainably, so we can still offer variety without losing sight of local first.
And then there’s one of our favourites – the Cairngorms Connect Venison Larder. Their community project supplies wild venison harvested as part of restoring the ancient Caledonian pinewoods. Serving that venison feels like being part of something bigger: good food and ecological renewal on the same fork.
The Cairngorms aren’t just about landscapes – they’re also about hands at work. Over the years, we’ve come to know and admire a host of craftspeople who give our region its creative heartbeat.
We’ve long admired Loch Ness Clayworks, where each piece of pottery carries the ripple of water or curve of hill in its design. Similarly, the historic Knockando Wool Mill continues weaving more than just wool – it weaves two centuries of Highland story into every blanket and scarf.
3 Bags Wool in Aberlour is a place where shelves of yarn practically sing with colour and possibility. Sarah opened up a cafe in Aberlour a few years ago and we were delighted to be asked to supply to traybakes to begin with until they became more accustomed to the local demand. Sarah has also been able to offer felting and peg loom workshops which we’ve tested out for you. You’ll see evidence of our endeavours around the Lodge as all the rugs in the lounge and dotted around the rooms are hand made.
We’re excited to soon be collaborating with Learn and Create, run by the inspiring Lexy in Newtonmore, as part of our knitting retreats. Lexy has created a space where traditional skills are celebrated, shared, and reimagined – the perfect complement to our vision of learning in place.
Local woodworker Wooden Tom is another gem – his creations carry the quiet strength of the forests that surround us. Even though Speyside Pottery and Nethybridge Pottery are no longer operating, their work still lives on in many homes, including our own, a reminder of the creative culture that has always thrived here.
For us, these connections go far beyond transactions. They are friendships, collaborations, and a way of life. When you tuck into dinner at Fraoch Lodge, or when you pick up your knitting needles on one of our retreats, you’re sharing in this story too.
Our guests often tell us it’s the little details – the taste of local venison, the handmade mug, the hand-dyed wool – that stay with them long after they leave. And we think that’s the heart of it. These are not just ingredients or objects, but pieces of the Cairngorms themselves, carried home in memory.
This is why we’re so proud of the people we work with. They don’t just supply us – they help us tell the story of this place we’re lucky enough to call home.
Don’t forget that we’re running our inaugral Knitting Retreat in October 2025. We’re really excited about this trip even though it’s a departure from our traditional hiking base. We have noticed that some of our guests have brought their projects with them to wind down and relax in the evenings after hiking, so we thought why not offer the chance to start a new project of to come along with your hiking partner and while they’re out striding round the countryside, you can do what you love in the comfort of the Lodge under the expert guidance of Lexy from Learn and Create.
When you’re an experienced hiker, it can be surprisingly difficult to break down all the small but essential steps you take before heading out on a walk. Much of the process becomes second nature. But if you’re newer to hiking—or if you’re venturing into unfamiliar terrain like the Scottish Highlands—it’s worth taking the time to think through your plans carefully. It’s difficult for a beginner to plan a hike. There are so many factors to consider.
We’ve put together this beginner-friendly guide to help you prepare for a hike in the Highlands, where weather can change in a flash, trails may not be waymarked, and your phone signal can’t always be relied upon. Here’s how to set yourself up for success and safety before you even tie your boots.
Planning a hike doesn’t just mean choosing a trail and packing snacks. Before you go, ask yourself a few crucial questions:
Be specific. Know the name of the route, the start and finish points, the elevation gain, and approximate distance. Don’t just rely on a vague idea or a recommendation from a friend. Look it up on a map, read up-to-date route descriptions, and make sure the walk is suitable for your experience level and fitness.
What time of year is it? What time are you setting out? Are you allowing enough daylight hours to complete the hike comfortably—ideally with some margin for delays? In winter, or even spring and autumn in Scotland, night can fall early and fast. Start early, and plan to be off the hill well before dark.
Is there reliable parking? Public transport? Can you arrange a lift if you’re doing a linear walk? Know your start and end points, and have a backup plan in case of road closures or delays. In rural areas like the Cairngorms, transport can be limited and infrequent.
This is the heart of any good risk assessment. Consider:
Weather: Have you checked a reliable mountain weather forecast (e.g. MWIS or Met Office)? Will it be safe to hike in wind, rain, or snow?
Navigation: Are you confident with a map and compass? Do you have a paper backup if your phone fails?
Fitness and ability: Is everyone in your group prepared for the challenge? Could someone turn back safely if needed?
Injury or emergency: Do you know how to call for help? Have you left a route plan with someone?
Even for a short walk in the Highlands, navigation is non-negotiable. Waymarking is not common, and many of the best routes are unpathed or cross open moorland.
OS map (Explorer 1:25,000 or Landranger 1:50,000) of the area
Compass – and know how to use it
Route notes or guidebook, printed or downloaded in advance
A fully charged phone with GPS-based mapping apps like OS Maps or ViewRanger (but don’t rely solely on these)
How to orient your map using a compass
How to take a bearing and follow it
How to recognise features on the map in the landscape
How to relocate yourself if you get disoriented
If you’re not confident in your navigation, consider booking a guided walk or taking a navigation course first. At Scot Mountain Holidays, we offer both, and we’re always happy to help you build skills that will open up more of the Highlands for future adventures.
Map reading in the Cairngorms
The Scottish Highlands are notorious for variable weather. It’s entirely possible to experience sunshine, rain, hail, wind, and a rainbow all in the same hour. Wind chill on exposed summits can be biting, even in midsummer.
Always check mountain-specific forecasts before setting out
Dress in layers and carry full waterproofs
Bring hat and gloves even in summer
Be prepared to change or shorten your route if conditions worsen
If there’s snow or ice on the hills, you may need winter equipment and training
Before you leave, always tell someone:
Your planned route and expected return time
Who’s in your group
What to do if you haven’t checked in by a certain time
It might feel overcautious, but this one habit could make all the difference in an emergency.
Planning your hike thoroughly means more than ticking boxes—it means giving yourself the best chance to fully enjoy Scotland’s spectacular landscapes without unnecessary stress. With good preparation, you can focus on the joy of walking: the rhythm of your steps, the call of a ptarmigan, the endless horizon stretching beyond the glen.
Whether you’re striking out on your own or joining a guided adventure with us here at Scot Mountain Holidays, remember: a little extra planning goes a long way.
They say talking about the weather is a national pastime in Britain, but here in Scotland? It’s practically a competitive sport.
We don’t just comment on the weather — we categorise it, name it, and then use those names as an excuse to launch into a good blether with whoever’s nearest (whether they like it or not).
And because our weather changes faster than you can say “Put the kettle on,” we’ve got a whole dictionary of brilliant Scots words to help describe exactly what’s falling from the sky — or creeping in from the sea — at any given moment.
So next time you’re at Fraoch Lodge, whether you’re sipping tea after a walk or pulling on your boots for another adventure, you’ll be able to impress the locals by knowing your smirr from your stoating.
Pure Baltic – Absolutely, bleepin’ freezing. The kind of cold that has you chitterin’ (shivering) so much you could shake the sugar in your tea.
Snell – That piercing, icy cold that feels like it’s cutting straight through your coat.
Jeelit – Proper, no-arguments, “my toes are numb” freezing.
Oorlich – Cold, damp and nippy all in one miserable package.
Drookit – Soaked to the skin. You either forgot your brolly or underestimated the Scottish sky.
Smirr – That sneaky, drizzly rain that slowly soaks you without the drama of a downpour.
Pish-oot – A torrential downpour when it’s “pishing it doon.”
Sump – Rain coming down with gusto and great strength.
Plowetery – A right dreich mix of showers, dampness, and general grimness.
Greetie – Rain falling like tears from the sky.
Stoating – Rain so heavy the drops bounce back up from the pavement.
Fret – A cold, damp mist rushing in from the sea.
Haar – A ghostly, wispy sea mist sliding in from the East, hiding the hills and making everything eerily quiet.
Flaggie – A big, fat snowflake.
Flindrikin – Just a wee flutter of snow.
Feefle – Snow that twirls and dances in the air like it’s auditioning for Frozen.
Spitters – Slushy, half-hearted snowflakes or icy raindrops carried by the wind.
Bullet Stanes – Hailstones. Usually painful.
Hiking across the snowy slopes of the Cairngorms
Gloaming – The beautiful, soft twilight in the early evening. Perfect for a quiet walk before supper.
Watergaw – A patch of rainbow after rain. Not a full arc — just a magical snippet of colour in the clouds.
Rainbow in Torridon,September 2021
“The rain is God’s way o’ cleanin’ the coos.” – Always a silver lining.
“Cast not a clout till May is oot.” – Keep your warm layers until summer really arrives.
“Yer grandpa’s like the weather — nae pattern!” – A gentle reminder that you can’t trust the forecast.
Next time you’re out walking the Cairngorm trails with us, see if you can tick off every type of weather in one day. (Spoiler: it’s entirely possible.) And whether it’s smirr, snell, or a wee watergaw, you’ll know exactly what to call it — and you’ll sound like you’ve lived here all your life.
One of the photography highlights of the autumn – hanging mists
Some of you may never have heard much about Scotland. Some of you might know it well. And some may feel pretty indifferent about it.
Well, let me tell you—I live here, in the Scottish Highlands. And I couldn’t be prouder to call this magical part of the world home. Here’s why.
I’ve always had a wild imagination, and I can’t think of a better place to let it run free than here, where magic feels close enough to touch.
The Highlands are unlike anywhere else on earth. Picture rolling green hills, glassy lochs, misty glens, and carpets of purple heather. Add in a history steeped in legend and a deep sense of belonging, and you’ll understand why people are drawn here year after year—whether for a day trip or a week-long escape.
Stac Pollaidh, Assynt, Scotland – north of Inverness
One of the Highlands’ most beloved residents is the Highland cow—or “coo” as we say. With its shaggy ginger hair and gentle eyes, it’s no wonder this photogenic creature has become a Scottish icon. You don’t even need it on your bucket list—seeing one in person automatically ticks a box you didn’t know you had. Artists paint them, photographers chase the perfect shot, and you’ll find coo-themed keepsakes all over the Highlands. They’re one of a kind—and you’ll only find them here.
There’s something deeply authentic about Highland life. You can feel it in the landscape, in the stories, in the ruins of ancient castles that still whisper of the past. These aren’t just stones and walls—they’re the remnants of a world where clans ruled, lairds and ladies walked proudly, and people lived lives that shaped Scotland’s very identity.
History isn’t tucked away in museums here—it’s under your feet. Paths once trodden by Jacobite soldiers, rivers that once carried tartans hidden from British rule, lochs that hold secrets from centuries ago… It’s all still here, waiting for you to explore and ask questions. Scotland doesn’t hide its past—it invites you to feel it.
Beyond the history lies something more elusive: legend. From the mysterious Loch Ness Monster to the mythical water-horse Kelpie, Scottish folklore is alive and well. Some say the Highlands are a doorway to the “Otherworld,” a place where magical beings dwell, hidden from view but always present.
It’s not hard to believe when you’re walking alone through a quiet glen or standing beside a loch as the mist rolls in. If you let your mind wander, you might just feel the presence of something ancient and unknowable. That’s the magic of Scotland—it never fully reveals itself, but it’s always there.
Andy advising some guests on weather and hiking
The weather here can feel downright mythical too. Thanks to the Highlands’ unique microclimates, you can go from sunshine to fog to rain and back again—all in one afternoon. The clouds move fast, the light shifts constantly, and the result? Some of the most breathtaking rainbows and skies you’ll ever see. It’s nature’s theatre, and it never plays the same show twice.
Ben Alder Munros
And then there are the munro —the mighty mountains of Scotland, especially prominent on the west coast. They draw adventurers from around the world: hikers, climbers, dreamers, and challenge-seekers.
Each Munro has its own personality. Some are gentle giants, others wild and unforgiving. In winter, the weather can be brutal—winds strong enough to take your breath away, snow deep and wild, rain that tests even the toughest trekkers. But that’s part of the appeal.
To climb a Munro is to test yourself—to feel humbled, awed, and invigorated all at once. You might arrive thinking it’s just another walk, but you’ll leave with a story—and a longing to do it all again.
Scotland is more than just a destination. It’s a place that invites you in, challenges you, inspires you, and maybe even changes you. Whether you’re chasing adventure, seeking stillness, or simply want to experience something real—Scotland has something for you.
Let it work its magic. Let the Highlands stir your soul.
Scotland is waiting. Will you come?
Written by Tammy Reynolds, as a guest writer.
Tammy worked with us before Covid. She is now proud mother to 2 children, professional baker and works at the Osprey Coffee Shop in Boat of Garten
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