The river Spey itself is well known internationally not just for its peaty water, treasured by the distillers, but also for its excellent salmon fishing. Anglers from all over the world come to the Spey in search of “the elusive one” which often seems to “get away.” If you have time and are a railway enthusiast, we can include a visit to the Speyside Steam Railway, reconstructed by enthusiasts and now extended to run from Boat of Garten to Aviemore. Aviemore itself was, not that long ago, a sleepy Highland village. Today it is a major Scottish Ski Resort. All kinds of winter sports are enjoyed here. When the snow appears people descend from far and wide. Hardly a square mile of this country has not been involved in a battle or skirmish of some kind at some time. Balladeers notoriously use liberal quantities of poetic licence and have a scant regard to the calendar when they immortalise the events of history. For example, their minstrelsy regarding the events in the ancient ballad of “The Haughs of Cromdale”, the site of which we visit today, document two different battles a mere 45 years and 20 miles apart. The scene of the first one is at Auldearn. In the Strath of the lovely River Spey lie very many of the world-famous Highland Distilleries. Glen Grant, Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas and other renowned brands of single malt whiskies emanate from this beautiful area. In Springtime and Summer the changing colours of the Cairngorm Mountains set against the panorama of the various lochs are a sight to behold. Visits to the Osprey Hide (in season) are an option. The Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig, the award winning Heather Centre at Dulnain Bridge, The Waltzing Waters and the Ruthven Barracks at Kingussie are all worth seeing.