Emma Luxury Bed and Breakfast in the Cairngorm National Park – perfect for exploring the Highlands
Firhall is an award winning bed and breakfast in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, in the Highlands of Scotland.
It is an adult only guest house, which means you can relax and unwind without children! Each room is individually designed with a balance of modern and traditional Scottish design.
Activities
There’s plenty do in the Speyside area should you decide to spend a few nights at Firhall.
Cairngorm Reindeers
20 minutes away just outside of Aviemore is the Cairngorm Reindeer House. Rent some wellies and follow the guides to meet the herd. Stunning scenery and beautiful beasts await. Cairngorm Reindeer Herd
Quad biking in the Cairngorms
Another short drive away is quad biking in the Cairngorms. Learn to quad bike and discover the rugged side of Speyside.Quad biking in the Cairngorms
Carorunn Gin
The distillery for Caorunn Scottish gin can be found nearby where you can pre-book a tour and find out more about this gin using locally foraged botanicals. Caorunn Small Batch Gin Tour
Whisky
A visit to Speyside isn’t really complete without trying some whisky or following the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail close by. Here are some links to some of the more famous distilleries so you can pre-book your tour.
Glen Moray | Glenfarclas | Glenlivit | Glen Grant | Glenfiddich | Benromach | Cardhu | Dallas Dhu | Strathisla | Aberlour | Macallan
Getting there
We don’t have a car so travelled by bus to Aviemore where we changed onto a local service, which was so late it had disappeared from both the LED bus stop sign and the Stagecoach app so we weren’t sure if it was going to turn up at all (and there are only a few of these buses per day!).
Lounge
After our journey it was lovely to be offered a seat in the lounge with a proper cup of tea and a Tunnocks caramel wafer as well. Comfy sofas and great hospitality from our hosts.
Later on the fire was lit ready for an evening lounging. There are books available to peruse, including maps and walking guides for the local area. It would have been easy to sit here all night just looking at the fire, relaxing.
Bedroom
The room was decorated to a modern Scottish style. Luxurious and good quality items made for a welcoming feel, with lots of details we didn’t expect in a B&B that were ver much appreciated, such as a fridge with fresh milk, Nespresso machine, USB sockets at the bedside, robes and slippers.
The room even came with a sleep kit, which included an eye mask, ear plugs and lavender sleep spray should you need help drifting off. We are happy to report that we both slept soundly without assistance!
Bathroom
The bathroom was impressive with a deep bath and Scottish Fine Soaps toiletries, including bath soak. Having a luxurious soak when away is one of my fave treats and this was a proper-sized bath with piping hot water – bliss.
Spare accessories, not normally associated with a B&B, such as toothbrush, shaving kit, vanity kit and shower cap were also available in the bathroom if required.
Breakfast
As expected the dining room was designed and maintained in the same impeccable taste. The sideboard is suitably impressive and we loved the salt and pepper pots on the tables; each one was different.
Breakfast is ordered the evening before in order to make sure the pinhead oatmeal is suitably soaked. This really makes a difference. That and the cream and sugar ;-).
If you are looking for something a bit more Speyside then order the soaked sultanas, fruit soaked in Glen Moray whisky. They really do taste as good as they look.
Each day has a different special, today was Eggs Benedict which is a favourite of mine. This must be the most impressive I’ve seen. Toasted muffin with bacon, wilted spinach and poached egg topped with hollandaise sauce and a jaunty angled chive.
Everyday there is a full Scottish breakfast on offer, with a choice of bacon, sausage, black pudding, haggis, roasted tomato, baked beans, potato scone and mushrooms. Eggs are either scrambled, fried or poached.
If you still have room there is fresh fruit and Greek yoghurt available. Even us professional eaters were stuffed!
Verdict
A beautifully maintained property with balance of traditional and modern Scottish design, e.g. Timorous Beasties wallpaper and Harris Tweed furnishings. Good modern touches in the room – more than you would normally expect for a B&B, e.g. fridge in room with fresh milk, Nespresso machine, USB sockets, robes and slippers, sleep kit, toothbrush etc.
The owners were excellent – friendly, approachable and a little bit cheeky! We were offered and accepted tea and coffee in the lounge on arrival, which included a complimentary Tunnock’s wafer. Both fresh milk and lemon slices were provided with the tea, which was welcome after the long journey. Breakfast was to an excellent standard with local produce used where they can.
We would very happily return to Firhall Highland Bed and Breakfast.
Where
Firhall Highland Bed and Breakfast
Grant Road
Grantown on Spey
Highlands PH26 3LD
tel: 01479 873067
relax@firhall.com
Book a room
Book a room via their website.
They offer Free Cancellation 30 days or more prior to your arrival and £15.00 per room, per night discount for booking direct with them.
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