A truly inspiring Illustrated Talk by Osprey expert Roy Dennis at the hotel ensured that we ended 2008 on a high (not forgetting the traditional Hogmanay dinner-dance and ceilidh, of course!).



And the first guest wildlife sightings of the New Year gave a mouthwatering taste of what is to come over the next 12 months...4 Bottlenose Dolphins at Chanonry Point...Black Grouse at Lochindorb...and skeins of Pink-footed Geese landing on the frozen lochs and comically skidding and sliding away into the distance.




Lochindorb itself was a haunting place to be at dusk as the melting ice groaned and occasionally exploded as another 'berg' broke off. Even the River Spey has frozen and looks particularly picturesque as the image left shows...I wonder how the spawning Atlantic Salmon are managing in the headwaters of the Monadliath Mountains if one of the main rivers of the Highlands can freeze up?

Still, with a warm Hotel to return to and over 100 Speyside single malts to choose from, wildlife watching in winter at the Grant Arms has its own singular charms...

A very Happy New Year to everyone!