Glentruim Castle & Cottages

Luxury Castle and Cottage Self-Catering Accommodation in the Highlands, situation on the edge of Cairngorm National Park

Major Euan Macpherson of Glentruim built the present Castle around 1840 on land purchased from the Duke of Gordon in the 1820’s. The Macphersons of Glentruim had lived in the area for almost 1000 years.

They are descended of Cluny Macpherson, Chief of the Clan Macpherson, which in centuries past played such a significant part in the history of the Highlands.

The Castle was altered and extended by the architect Alexander Ross between 1869 and 1875. It is listed grade B as a building of Historic and Architectural Interest. The development of Glentruim was described by Lord Cockburn (1779-1854) in his ‘Circuit Journals’:

“There is a strange wild place called Glentruim on the left hand going north, the progress of which I have been marking since ever it began a few years ago. It is the work of an Indian army officer I believe who no doubt having run about in a torn kilt here in his youth has set about the task of making an habitable residence in this most inhospitable part of the whole Strath. However, since he has had the courage to begin and live there I predict it will one day become a fine and not uncomfortable Highland place. It will depend entirely on the trees he is able to coax into life”.

A visit now will indeed confirm just how fine and comfortable Glentruim Castle and Cottages really are.

Set in 53 acres of beautiful mixed woodland and lawned gardens, the Castle and Cottages have glorious views over the upper Spey Valley and the surrounding Cairngorm and Monadhliath Mountains. The gardens and grounds are a special feature of the estate, with a superb diversity of mature trees including Copper Beech, Oak, Douglas and Noble Firs, Grand Sequoia, Yew, Cypress, Larch and many more.

A mass of azaleas and rhododendrons give colour during the spring and summer months. In fact, according to "Celtic Monthly Vol 06" from the 1890’s, the estate grounds had been so tastefully planted and the estate amenity so greatly improved that it was universally acknowledged “to be one of the most beautiful and attractive residences in the Central Highlands”.

The estate is also home to an abundance of wildlife and includes roe deer, red deer, red squirrels, stoats, hares, rabbits, pheasants, partridges, owls and woodpeckers, and there have even been sightings of the Scottish wildcat – which is on the family crest of the Macpherson Clan, who once owned the estate.