News

We had an exciting first at Gaskbeg this week – a squirrel paid a visit to our garden!

Although the Cairngorms National Park is one of the UK’s most important strongholds for native red squirrels, this is the first time we have spotted one actually in the garden making it a very special sighting indeed. We were lucky enough to capture a few photographs, and it was wonderful to watch the squirrel exploring the garden before disappearing back into the trees.

One of the joys of staying in the Highlands is that nature is never very far away. Whether it’s red squirrels, deer,  golden eagles overhead or even if you are very lucky a wildcat there is always the chance of an unexpected wildlife encounter.

Red squirrels are one of Scotland’s most iconic species and are a real conservation success story in the Cairngorms. They are busy little creatures, spending much of their time collecting and hiding food for later in the year. If you’re staying with us, keep an eye out in the early morning or evening, as these are often the best times to spot wildlife around the cottages.

TRAVEL INFORMATION – A86 NIGHT TIME CLOSURE

For guests planning a visit to Gaskbeg over the next few weeks, please be aware that the A86 will be closed overnight between 8.00 pm and 6.00 am from 28 June until 16 July to allow essential road works to take place.

If you are travelling to us during this period, we recommend checking your route before setting off, particularly if you are planning a late arrival or an early departure. Diversion routes will be in place, and allowing a little extra time for your journey may help avoid any unnecessary stress.

If you are travelling from the south, or heading south you will be allowed through at the road block (at the Church) just let them know you are staying at Gaskbeg.  If you are travelling from the North, the road is blocked just as you head out of Newtonmore, you will have to take the detour round by Dalwhinnie.

We hope our little squirrel will become a regular guest at Gaskbeg, and who knows – you may be lucky enough to see it during your stay!

This morning gave me quite a fright. When I checked our Google listing for our self-catering accommodation at Gaskbeg, I was greeted by a bright red banner announcing that we were “permanently closed.” As you can imagine, that was a bit of a shock — and completely untrue!

It seems this may be linked to a rather common scam where businesses are contacted and asked to pay a fee (in my case £200) for the creation or “management” of their Google profile. After I declined, our listing was suddenly edited to say we were closed.

Thankfully, our wonderful website hosts Two Fentons who are based in Grantown, stepped in and quickly helped get everything corrected. I’m very grateful for their help. However, I’ve been warned that these kinds of edits can sometimes happen again.

So if you ever happen to see a message on Google claiming that our Gsbkeg self-catering accommodation is “permanently closed,” please rest assured that we’re very much open and welcoming guests as usual. If you do spot something like that, I’d really appreciate it if you could let me know.

Now, on to something much nicer…

To completely change the subject, here are a few lovely recent photos from around Laggan that — dare I say it — might just be the first signs of spring arriving. The days are getting a little longer, the light is returning, and it’s a beautiful time to visit.

Happy New year

Wishing everyone all the best for 2026

Snowing quite heavily now and its forcast to stay wintery for the next 2 weeks, might actually manage to get the skis out!

Christmas Eve and what a beautiful day, the photos were taken this morning just as the sun was rising.  I think Flash is enjoying the view too, can you spot him?

Wishing everyone a wonderful day tomorrow, Happy Christmas from all of us at Gaskbeg

Red squirrels are one of the Cairngorms’ most charming and iconic residents – with their tufty ears and busy tails and lightning -fast tree hopping antics, they’re like the acrobats of the forest! But they are not just cute – they play a vital role in keeping our woodlands healthy by helping trees regenerate naturally.  The Cairngorms in one of their last strongholds in the UK, so protecting them here means protecting the future of native wildlife too.  Spotting one is always a special moment especially out side your kitchen window! so keep a look out!

Some of the best places to spot them in the National Park include:

Glenmore Forest Park near Aviemore – the woodland trails are a squirrel hotspot, particularly around the visitor centre

The Highland Wildlife Park – although not wild, it offers guaranteed sightings and info if you’re short on time.

Anagach Woods in Grantown-on-Spey – beautiful old pine forest where red squirrels are often seen darting among the trees.

Tip : Go early in the morning, walk quietly, and keep your eyes on the trunks and lower branches.  A rustle or a flick of a tail often gives them away

What a difference in temperatures we’ve had this January! We’ve seen a dramatic range – from a chilly low of -13°C to a surprising rise to +10°C the very next week.  The photo above was taken at the start of the year, capturing the magical moment when the snow arrived and temperatures plummeted, transforming the landscape into a winter wonderland.  If you are looking to make the most of clear, crips nights, Gaskbeg Cottages offers the prefect escape for stargazing, with very little light pollution to obscure the view.  The Cairngorms National Park is recognised as one of the best placed in Scotland to enjoy the stars.  The Cairngorm Mountain Carpark, Glenlivet and Tomintoul, are all part of the Cairngorms Dark Sky Project, where you can enjoy regular stargazing events to learn about the wonders of the night sky.  To find out more Click on the Link.  Stargazing in the Cairngorms

Whether you are a seasoned astronomer or just love to gaze up at the stars, the Cairngorms National Park offers an unforgettable stargazing experience – right form your doorstep and Gaskbeg Cottages or at one of the many Dark Sky sites across the Park.

A very wet last day of the year, big flood so far and could get bigger as the Spey is still rising!  All stock are off the fields so none in danger!.  The rain is to turn to snow by New Years Day!

The photo is of the Allt Bronach Burn in spate and just about to burst its banks and when that happens the Burn goes down the drive and can cause a lot of damage, so fingers crossed it does not get any bigger!

Hogmanay is what we call New Years Eve, a celebration of the end of one year and the beginning of the next.  Its origins are unclear, but Scotts having been celebrating Hogmanay for a long long time.

HAPPY HOGMANAY AND ALL THE VERY BEST FOR 2025

Summer started really well and we had a great end to May, there were lots of bumble bees buzzing about enjoying the warm weather. Can you find the bumble bee in the gorse bush?  Unfortunately June has been a bit disappointing we have had a few nice days but this week had been cold!  Well I suppose that is Scottish Weather, as Billy Connelly said there is no such thing as bad weather just inappropriate clothing!

Hopefully July will signal a return to summer.  It would defiantly help us make silage which we will be trying to do from July onwards, we hold off until the beginning of July to allow the ground nesting birds to breed.

Well it’s actually snowing today and feels more like February than the end of March! hopefully things will warm up soon and the grass with start growing for lambing in 3 weeks!

At this time of year ewes are full of lambs and can easily get suck on their backs and once on their backs they cannot right them selves and will die very quickly as their stomach gasses build up.   Once the ewe has lambed she is still at risk too as she still has her full fleece! So if you see a sheep on its back, grab it and turn it back on its feet – you will probably save its life! Have a look at the video :  Ewe stuck on her back (Thanks to fb Louise’s Farm Kitchen)

Can you spot the goats? I took theses photos on the way into Newtonmore from the car so apologies they are not very good,  they are of a nanny goat and her young kid, which would have been born in January!  Please look out for them when you are heading to Newtonmore just at the Craig Dhu Cliffs and next to the lochs, be careful as they are often on or quite close to the road.

I always love it when the snow drops appear, they are such delicate but hardy plants, you always hope this is the start of Spring but normally winter comes back often quite ferociously!