Strathpeffer

United_Kingdom

Strathpeffer is a village in Easter Ross in the Scottish Highlands, about 20 miles northwest of Inverness. It has sulphurous springs and grew up in the 19th C as a spa resort, served by a branch railway line. Fashions changed and the railway closed in 1951, but the attractive Victorian village centre and railway station have been preserved.

Spa Pavilion

  • Spa Pavillion, The Square, Strathpeffer IV14 9DL, +44 1997 420124. Historic venue, refurbished in 2004, hosts a variety of live music and other events.
  • Pump Room. Apr-Oct. Small museum of Strathpeffer's spa history, but it's nowadays basically a sweetie & gift shop plus TIC. The spa springs have been closed off so you can't sample the waters.
  • Highland Museum of Childhood, Old Railway Station, Strathpeffer IV14 9DH (North end of village. Apr-Oct M-Sa 10:00-17:00. Explores the history of highland childhood through audio-visual displays, childhood treasures, and a fascinating doll and toy collection. Cafe next door. Adult £3, child £1.75.
  • Castle Leod, Strathpeffer IV14 9AA (A mile north of village. 2019 open days May 23-26, June 20-23, July 25-28, Aug 1-5 & 22-25, Sept 5-8, all 14:00-18:00. The original Leod was an 11th C Norse Earl but the tower house probably dates from 15th C. It's now the home of the Earl of Cromartie, Chief of Clan Mackenzie. It is the inspiration for Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series of books. Impressive trees in the castle grounds include Giant Sequoia and an ancient Spanish Chestnut. Adult £10, child £5.

Spa Pavillion, The Square, Strathpeffer IV14 9DL, +44 1997 420124. Historic venue, refurbished in 2004, hosts a variety of live music and other events.

Pump Room. Apr-Oct. Small museum of Strathpeffer's spa history, but it's nowadays basically a sweetie & gift shop plus TIC. The spa springs have been closed off so you can't sample the waters.

Highland Museum of Childhood, Old Railway Station, Strathpeffer IV14 9DH (North end of village. Apr-Oct M-Sa 10:00-17:00. Explores the history of highland childhood through audio-visual displays, childhood treasures, and a fascinating doll and toy collection. Cafe next door. Adult £3, child £1.75.

Castle Leod, Strathpeffer IV14 9AA (A mile north of village. 2019 open days May 23-26, June 20-23, July 25-28, Aug 1-5 & 22-25, Sept 5-8, all 14:00-18:00. The original Leod was an 11th C Norse Earl but the tower house probably dates from 15th C. It's now the home of the Earl of Cromartie, Chief of Clan Mackenzie. It is the inspiration for Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series of books. Impressive trees in the castle grounds include Giant Sequoia and an ancient Spanish Chestnut. Adult £10, child £5.

  • Mountain biking. Plenty of trails in the surrounding countryside of forests, hills and mountains, including a race route nearby at Contin. Bikes can be bought, hired and repaired at Square Wheels in Strathpeffer Square (+44 1997 421000).
  • Hiking. The area around Strathpeffer has some great forest and river walks.
  • The Golf Course. is half a mile north of the village. Open daily, visitors' Green Fee £30.
  • Strathpeffer Highland Gathering is held in mid-August at Castle Leod. The next event is Sat 10 Aug 2019.

Mountain biking. Plenty of trails in the surrounding countryside of forests, hills and mountains, including a race route nearby at Contin. Bikes can be bought, hired and repaired at Square Wheels in Strathpeffer Square (+44 1997 421000).

Hiking. The area around Strathpeffer has some great forest and river walks.

The Golf Course. is half a mile north of the village. Open daily, visitors' Green Fee £30.

Strathpeffer Highland Gathering is held in mid-August at Castle Leod. The next event is Sat 10 Aug 2019.

There are a number of gift shops in the Square, as well as a pharmacy, and an "open all hours" supermarket. At the Old Station are a fair trade shop as well as the Highland Museum of Childhood's own gift shop.

  • Embrace, The Old Station, +44 01997 421133. 10am - 5pm W - Sat, noon-4pm Sun. Gift shop with products made by Highland artists and craftspeople, and further afield.
  • Small Planet Trading, The Old Station, Strathpeffer, +44 01997 421942. 10am - 5pm Tu - Sat, noon - 4 pm Sun. A friendly local shop selling environmental, ethical, organic and fair-trade products and gifts.

Embrace, The Old Station, +44 01997 421133. 10am - 5pm W - Sat, noon-4pm Sun. Gift shop with products made by Highland artists and craftspeople, and further afield.

Small Planet Trading, The Old Station, Strathpeffer, +44 01997 421942. 10am - 5pm Tu - Sat, noon - 4 pm Sun. A friendly local shop selling environmental, ethical, organic and fair-trade products and gifts.

  • The Coffee Shop, Cromartie Building, The Square. Daily 10:00-17:00. Friendly place offers tea, coffee, snacks, acoustic music sessions and silent movies.
  • Museum Cafe is within the old railway station next to the Highland Museum of Childhood. Freshly-prepared Scottish lunches and snacks, home-baking, ice cream, tea and coffee. Eat in or outside on the station platform. It's open Apr-Oct M-Sa 10:00-17:00 Su 12:00-17:00, Nov-Mar Th-Su 10:00-17:00.
  • Red Poppy Restaurant, Main Street (opposite Pump Room, +44 1997 423332. Tu-Sa 11:30-20:30, Su 12:30-15:00. Light lunch, high tea and dinner.
  • Wee Swally Tearoom is in White Lodge, on the Square (see "Sleep"); use the side entrance in Church Brae. It's open Tu-Sa 11:00-16:00.
  • Pavilion Café Bar, +44 1997 420124. Tu-Sa 11:00–21:00, Su 12:00–16:00. Lunches and suppers.

The Coffee Shop, Cromartie Building, The Square. Daily 10:00-17:00. Friendly place offers tea, coffee, snacks, acoustic music sessions and silent movies.

Museum Cafe is within the old railway station next to the Highland Museum of Childhood. Freshly-prepared Scottish lunches and snacks, home-baking, ice cream, tea and coffee. Eat in or outside on the station platform. It's open Apr-Oct M-Sa 10:00-17:00 Su 12:00-17:00, Nov-Mar Th-Su 10:00-17:00.

Red Poppy Restaurant, Main Street (opposite Pump Room, +44 1997 423332. Tu-Sa 11:30-20:30, Su 12:30-15:00. Light lunch, high tea and dinner.

Wee Swally Tearoom is in White Lodge, on the Square (see "Sleep"); use the side entrance in Church Brae. It's open Tu-Sa 11:00-16:00.

Pavilion Café Bar, +44 1997 420124. Tu-Sa 11:00–21:00, Su 12:00–16:00. Lunches and suppers.

There isn't a pub, but some of the hotels have public bars, see "Sleep".

Strathpeffer is in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, and thus an excellent base from which to tour this area.