Shetland Cottage, Kincraig is set in stunning scenery in the Scottish Highlands, only seven miles south of Aviemore, gateway to the Cairngorms. Adjacent to the Highland Wildlife Park, Shetland Cottage is part of the Meadowside House group of holiday lets. The historic stone-built complex is very easy to access by road and rail, and Inverness Airport is only an hour away. Shetland's accommodation sleeps 4 comfortably, in a double and a twin bedroom, with a cosy lounge and a well-equipped kitchen diner too. Outside there is a large fenced garden. This is mainly lawned, and is an ideal place for children to play or dogs to exercise. The complex as a whole boasts fabulous views of the Cairngorm Mountains and Spey Valley, more than an acre of grass and scrub for additional dog walking and a shared barbecue area. In all there are 13 holiday cottages in this converted cottage hospital. The Cairngorms and Spey Valley are a fantastic holiday destination, boasting countless activities and endless open air spaces for walking, cycling and water sports. And lets not forget the fantastic pubs, restaurants and cafes around the area. It's fantastic, so no wonder people keep coming back.

I've been a regular visitor to the Spey Valley for over 50 years and treat it as my 'home from home'. My father had a cottage in the village of Insh (only 5 miles from Shetland Cottage, over the other side of the valley) and I learned to ski at Cairngorm Mountain. I love that there are so many diverse things to do within an hour's drive of Kincraig. These days I'm a professional landscape artist and the stunning views all round Speyside and the Cairngorm National Park provide me with lots of inspiration when I'm in the area. The paintings you see on the cottage walls are all mine, and give it a really homely feel. You can even contact me about purchasing one! We've invested a lot of time and effort in to Shetland Cottage over the last couple of years, adding a new kitchen, new lounge furniture, new mattresses and linen and re-decorating almost everywhere. Additionally, we've been able to double-glaze the windows with matching wooden sash units, very much in keeping with the historic nature of the house. And we're thrilled with the response we've had from our guests, who have loved the transformation.

The Cairngorms and the surrounding areas are full of things to do... there's wildlife and nature, sports and physical pursuits, heritage and cultural activities, food and drink...including, of course, Scotch whisky, and plenty else besides... We have everything from native red squirrels to polar bears at The Highland Wildlife Park, birdwatching at RSPB Insh Marshes, the Cairngorm reindeer herd, and further afield...the dolphins in the Moray Firth. Outdoors there's walking, cycling and running all around the beautiful Spey Valley; snowsports at Cairngorm mountain, mountain biking at Wolftrax Laggan, watersports and more at Loch Insh. There's lots of historical interest too...best found at the Highland Folk Museum, then there's original art and craft at the Iona Gallery , Kingussie - not forgetting the paintings in Shetland Cottage...just part of the work of owner Dermod Ruddock! There are lots of excellent places to eat and drink...try the Suie Inn & Gallery Cafe, Kincraig & Boathouse Restaurant at Loch Insh...with many more in and around Aviemore and Kingussie. If it's whisky you're interested in then try the Speyside Malt Whisky trail and Dalwhinnie Distillery.