Tomintoul Village
The highest village in the Highlands and close to Lecht skiing with excellent walking nearby. The village is in the Glenlivet Estate.
Although the village is said to the highest in the Highlands, it is not actually the highest in Scotland - Wanlockhead!
The village was laid out in 1775 by the Duke of Gordon in a specific grid pattern. The village used to house around 1720 inhabitants but the numbers have fallen to around 350 in the last census.
The film "one Last chance" was filmed in the village in 2004.
The Gordon Arms Hotel saw significant improvement in the 1990s when it was lavished with funds from the media styled Lord Tony Williams. 'Lord' Williams spent at least £1 million on improving the hotel, and invested yet more money in other projects within the village. The wealth itself proved illusory: rather than a wealthy peer of the realmWilliams was a former Deputy Director of Finance in the Metropolitan Police and had used his talents to defraud them of £4.5 million. He was later sentenced to seven years in prison. After his arrest a 10 metre tall fibreglass Zulu was discovered in the hotel beer cellar – its purpose was never determined or explained.
There is a museum in the centre of the village run by the local trust which is well worth a stop - opening details on their website
Eating Out
There are tea rooms at the Old Fire Station in the centre of town (facebook link) and restaurant at the Clockhouse Restaurant (01907 580378).
There is also a pub, The Gordon's Public House (link) at the Balfour Hotel which is a boutique style hotel in the centre of the village. The bar serves whiskies and good craft beers.
The whisky Castle also has a cafe
Shopping
There is a village shop and post office as well a small craft shop called the A'anside Studio (now closed). For whisky lovers, there is The Whisky Castle which also has an online shop - see here. The shop also has a cafe. The shop features something like 500 malts!
Useful Websites
Region
Cairngorms & SpeysideTravel Directions to Tomintoul Village
There is a bus service between Tomintoul and Grantow-on-Spey. The return service will operate morning and afternoon on a Wednesday, with an adult fare of £5 for the 13-mile one-way journey. A day return fare will be £6.50.
The new service – No 364 – will depart the village square in Tomintoul at 9.10am and 12.30pm, arriving in Grantown at 9.35am and 12.55pm. Return journeys will depart Grantown square at 10.05am and 1pm, arriving in Tomintoul at 10.30am and 1.25pm.
Activities
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Aviemore Mountain Biking Experience
Mountain Biking near Aviemore offer you 1.5 - 2 hrs ride. Don't miss this chance to enjoy the wonderful scenery of countryside and try some jumps. -
The Highland Golf North of Aviemore
Have a great time with an enjoyable and challenging round of golf. -
Clay Pigeon Shooting Aviemore
See Scotland at its very best with a round of clay pigeon shooting just outside Aviemore. -
The Lecht Ski Resort Full Day
Full day of skiing in a full slope area with magic carpet lift for starters to a black run for experienced. Higest standard of ski instruction. Includes all the facilities in one building.
Castles Nearby
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Corgarff Castle
Very striking tower house that was converted into barracks. Its setting on the moorland make this a very remarkable and unique castle.
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Drumin Castle
Massive 14th century castle near Glenlivet. It was owned by the Stewarts until it was forfeit after the 45. Ruined but some recent work has been completed to stabilise the structure
Nearby Distilleries
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Tomintoul Whisky Distillery
Located near the village of Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands of Scotland, Tomintoul distillery has a whisky making tardition of over four generations.
Hotels near Tomintoul Village
Featured
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Easter Corrie Holiday Cottages, Cairngorms
Come and stay in the Cairngorms - Scotland's largest National Park - in one of our comfortable and attractive self catering holiday cottages at Easter Corrie.
- Sleeps: 4-6
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The Mill Glenlivet - Sleeps 6
An idyllic tranquil mountain retreat with panoramic views. Relax and escape the world in this lovingly converted mill. Open log fire, cosy mezzanine library, open plan living area and 3 charmingly furnished bedrooms, one with ensuite.
- Sleeps: 6
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Hillview Cottage, Cairngorms - with Hot Tub, sleeps 14
Self Catering cottage with fantastic living space, hot tub, wi-fi and loads to do in the area. Sleeps 12.
- Sleeps: 14
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Old Pine Yurt Tomintoul
Located in the foothills of Cairngorms near Tomintoul village in old Pine wood. Asian yurt with double bed for two.
- Sleeps: 2
Tomintoul Village Cottages and Holiday SelfCatering
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The Old Church Hall Tomintoul - Sleeps 8
Ground floor apartment in old church hall in Tomintoul in the Cairngorms Park. Sleeps eight people in four bedrooms.
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Dalvrecht Manse House near Tomintoul - Sleeps 8
Detached house/manse situated two miles from the village of Tomintoul in cairngorms. Sleeps 8 people in 4 bedrooms. Lovely location.
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Blacksmith's Cottage nr Tomintoul - Sleeps 4
On a tranquil rural lane, deep in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, this charming traditional cottage was originally the local blacksmith’s and has been sympathetically modernised to a high .... -
The Old Kennels, Tomintoul - Sleeps 7
The Old Kennels sits above Tomintoul, reputedly the highest village in the Highlands, with spectacular views across to the mountains beyond. This single-storey, traditionally built holiday cottage was wher... -
Livet House, Tomintoul - Sleeps 5-6
These two traditional holiday properties are situated in a quiet location close to the centre of Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands, within the stunning scenery of the Cairngorm National Park,... -
Old School Tomachlaggan, Cairngorms - Sleeps 3-4
An old rural detached school, converted to offer a comfortable holiday break, with attractive furnishing in keeping with traditional style. It is surrounded by farmland and forest on the Crown Estate of Gl... -
Honey Cottage, Cairngorms - Sleeps 4-7
This attractive, refurbished, stone built, detached holiday cottage is set in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, and makes a wonderful base for touring. Just 3 miles from Tomintoul, there is easy access t... -
Ailnack Cottage, Cairngorms - Sleeps 4-6
This, cosy, single storey cottage is set in its own garden yet close to the centre of the village with good selection of shops, restaurants and cafes. It makes a great base for exploring this fascinating r...
