Dalrachney Lodge Hotel

Carrbridge, Inverness-shire, PH23 3AT, Scotland
Telephone: 01479 841252
Fax: 01479 841383
Visit Scotland 3 Star Country House
AA 3 Stars

E-mail Establishment

A Country House Hotel set in the heart of the Scottish Highlands your ideal location for a memorable holiday or function

We offer accommodation in the Lodge, the Coach house the Garden Houses and Restaurant and Bistro Bar Dining.

Dalrachney Lodge dates from 1845 and was formerly a Hunting Lodge central to one of Scotland's largest Estates. Today we are set in 16 acres of peaceful surroundings bordered on two sides by the Dulnain River. We are situated on the outskirts of the historic village of Carrbridge described by Queen Victoria as "the jewel of the north".

In restoring the house, the owners have taken great care in re-creating some of the atmosphere of an Edwardian hunting lodge. A collection of original oil paintings grace many of the rooms while antique and period furnishings and log fires provide an ambience of quality and comfort characteristic of the age.

There are 11 well furnished bedrooms in the Lodge all with private facilities and many have superb views over the grounds, River Dulnain and Cairngorm mountains beyond.

Guest bedrooms have been individually furnished and decorated to enhance their character. A mix of double, twin and family rooms ensure that we meet your requirements. All rooms are generously proportioned, some very large with seating areas. All have private bathrooms and/or showers. Colour TV with satellite channels, direct dial telephones, hair dryers and tea/coffee making facilities are available in all rooms.

The Strathsfey Suite comprising three bedrooms can be made available. This accommodation is accessed through its own door and occupies an entire wing of the building. It will suit a family group and offers seating areas, two double and three single beds, together with three bath/shower rooms.

Sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts have a wide choice of activities including seasonal hunting, fishing, sailing, canoeing, swimming, skating and golf. There is a nine hole course adjacent to the hotel. Skiing in the Cairngorms is within easy reach and the lifts operate in summer to assist climbers and walkers.

We specialise in putting together sporting packages of all kinds including tuition if required. Pony trekking and riding are available locally.

Furnishings throughout are in keeping with the character and atmosphere of the lodge. Log fires provide a welcome at the end of a day when you may enjoy a drink in our well stocked bar. Lunches and Suppers are also served in the bar.

Our comfortable lounge looks south over the Cairngorm mountains. Roe deer can often be seen from the window. A beautiful period fireplace dominates and when the log fire is lit in the cooler months it is just the place to sit in comfort after dinner and recall the day's activities over a glass of Strathspey Malt.

A traditional full Scottish Breakfast menu is offered including kippers to start your day. The more health conscious will find fresh fruits as required.

Dining at Dalrachney for residents and non residents alike augments the Highland experience where our professional team have acquired an excellent reputation for service and fine foods using the best of fresh local produce.
Our table d'Hote and a la Carte menus offer a wide choice featuring local Game, Aberdeen Angus Beef, Speyside Salmon and Trout. Home made desserts and Scottish Cheeses complement your meal as does a range of specially selected fine wines and liqueurs.

We shall be happy to advise on places of interest in our area and the special needs of the Golfer, Fisherman, Stalker, Skier and Birdwatcher can be catered for if you outline your requirements to us.

For those who must keep in touch with their business interests we offer Fax and copying as well as Internet E-Mail.

Your journey to Dalrachney is easy via the A9 trunk road, main line rail or by Air to Inverness. Rental car is available both locally and in Inverness.

Dalrachney Lodge Hotel is open all year round and we accept American Express, Visa, Access, Mastercard and Switch.

Helicopter landing area available

THE GARDEN HOUSES

For families who, like to be self-contained we offer three houses in the grounds. All are secluded with their own gardens and parking and are offered on a self catering basis. The Keeper's House has 3 bedrooms, Cairngorm Cottage and Dulnain Cottage have 2 bedrooms. Full details on request.

THE COACH HOUSE

The original stable and coach house building has been tastefully converted into a 5 double room accommodation facility, all rooms having private facilities. Guests have breakfast in the Lodge.

The Garden and Coach House accommodation described on this page do not form part of the STB, AA and RAC classification schemes.

THE CLIMATE

A lot has been written and said about the Scottish climate. It is important to understand that many micro claimates exist in the area between the Atlantic and North Sea coasts with Altitudes between sea level and 4000 ft.Dalrachney's location in the central highlands is at an altitude of 850ft above sea-level and yet on a plateau valley surrounded by hills to 3000 ft. This creates a relatively dry area climate protected from the Western and Eastern excesses as occur from time to time.Damp mists considered typical of some parts are virtually unknown here. Strathspey's rain fall is as low as the South of England's on average and summer temperatures can be well into the 20's C. No guarantees can be given but in our experience rainfall is rarely prolonged or heavy and two consecutive days of rain are uncommon.In early winter it can be very cold but in a dry semi-alpine fashion which is quite pleasant. These hard frosts prepare the base for the expected snow which usually arrives soon after.Air quality is about as high as can be measured and if the lochs and rivers are other than crystal clear it is only peat being washed off the mountains often carried by melting snow in spring time.

CENTRAL LOCATION

We are situated in the midst of unspoiled country and yet with fast trunk road access to so many attractions. There are often "B" road alternatives if one is not in a hurry. A one hour's drive radius takes in Pitlochry to the South, the beautiful Moray Firth coast to the North, the entire Whisky Trail and a large part of Grampian to the East as well as the Loch Ness visitor areas west of us.

HORSE RIDING

Many riding opportunities are available locally.

A PLACE FOR ALL SEASONS

Whatever time of year you choose to come to our area you will find things to do and places to visit. The Year round image of Strathspey was originally based on Deer Stalking, Grouse and Pheasant Shooting. Later in the 1960's the Cairngorm Ski Area was developed and expanded to what it is today. These activities and the Estate areas encompassed have built up a sophisticated, yet discreet, infrastructure which can be found within easy travelling distance of Dalrachney.

Many visitor centres and facilities that are open in Summer in fact are open year round particularly those nearer the Ski Area. Strathspey is the only Highland area that can truly claim to be a place for all seasons.

FISHING, RIVER AND LOCH

Dalrachney is loacted within 20 minutes drive of some 40 miles of the Rivers Spey, Dulnain and Findhorn. Indeed the Dulnain flows through our West and South borders and the single bank belongs to the Hotel. Prime fish is of course the Salmon but there are Sea Trout and Brown Trout also.The local fishing Associations are based in Boat of Garten and Grantown-on-Spey where public tickets can easily be obtained. Strathspey Estates control some prime private beats as does Tulchan Estate. We have options from time to time on some of these Beats including on the River Findhorn.

GOLF

The Carrbridge nine hole is directly across the road from the Hotel and some 11 or so more challenging 18 hole courses are located within a half hour drive. World class courses at Royal Dornoch and Carnegie Links at Skibo Castle lie just over an hour distant. Many of our Golf Parties hire local mini-buses in order to tour the courses more easily.

SHOOTING AND STALKING

Red Deer Stag and Hind, Roe Buck, Grouse, Pheasant and Rough Shoots can be arranged with local estates. These are very specialised activities subject to Firearms regulations and Sporting Insurance cover. We can put you in touch with these Estates but demand well exceeds supply and arrangements are usually made months in advance. Your Firearms must by law be held in the Hotel Gun Room.

WHISKY DISTILLERS

Scotland's largest distillery is located at Tomatin a 10 minute drive on the A9, and the highest at Dalwhinnie at the south end of "the valley" also on the A9. The Whisky trail in neighbouring Grampian boasts the bulk of the Speyside distilleries most of which are within an hour's drive of Dalrachney.

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