Loch Insh Watersports Visitor Attraction
Voted 'best on the water facility in Scotland' Loch Insh Watersports is a beautiful place to visit. Specialising in all levels of tuition or just basic hire from taster sessions and national governing body certified courses, to Instructor qualifications. Activities include Sailing, Windsurfing, Canoeing, Kayaking, River expeditions in Open canoes or Kayaks, Skiing, Snowboarding and Sledging on our own dry slope, Archery, Orienteering, Improvised Raft Building. Alternatively hire equipment or boats and explore on your own.
Special Features: Guests that book into Insh Hall Lodge or Loch Insh Chalets which are also part of the same centre get free use of the kit in the summer at set times (8.30-10am and 4-5.30pm when staying two nights or more.)
Superb log chalets overlooking scenic Loch Insh and the mountains. Set in 14 acres of woodlands in the foothills of the Cairngorms National Park, the site borders an RSPB reserve and half a mile of Loch Insh beach frontage.
General comments about all the log chalets: High open ceilings with open plan Kitchen/Living/Dinning areas. The bright modern kitchens are fully equipped with hob, oven, microwave, fridge/freezer dishwasher and all necessary cooking equipment. Open verandas to enjoy the loch-side views. BBQ's and garden chairs provided along with linen and towels
Now one of the largest private Watersports centres in the country Loch Insh Watersports is a high-grade tourist facility able to accommodate 130 guests in twelve chalets, two self-catering apartments and 23 B&B en suite rooms. There are family rooms for activity holidays, twin-bedded rooms with double bunks in most cases, with central heating, TV, tea and coffee making facilities, lounge, laundry and drying room.
We have a huge range of boats which can put up to 200 people on the water in a variety of modern sailing craft including Optimists, Wayfarers, Seafarers, Omegas, Dart 16s, Picos, Oppies and Toppers. Kayaks are sit-on-top and decked versions, together with the open Canadian canoe and Windsurfers. For the less energetic there are rowing boats. And of course the salmon fishing is popular in the Spring from April to July, when it’s at its best.
There is instruction for everyone. Andrew Freshwater is now Principal and Manager of the centre. A former member of the British Alpine Ski Team for eight years, Andrew holds instructor qualifications in all sports at Loch Insh and is responsible for instructor training, giving a very stable base for the training of staff and the provision of courses, both for holidaymakers and school parties.
The centre’s well situated for access to all three main Scottish resorts and skiing courses have been run by the family for years. We have our own 65m dry ski slope, complete with rope tow, for basic training of all ages in all weathers. Ski hire is extensive and very competitively priced.
School groups have become a substantial repeat business from April until July. July and August are family months. September brings more school parties for the summer activities.
The Boathouse Restaurant has a view reputedly among the best in Europe (Easy-jet magazine), certainly in Britain - was opened in 1977 and has been sensitively extended in phases over the years.
Nestling in the foothills of Glenfeshie and the western Cairngorms, Loch Insh Watersports is an ideal base for walking both low-level and high plateau. With the abundance of wildlife adjoining the RSPB Insh Marshes the accommodation is popular with walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers alike.
As with the ski equipment, bike hire is quite extensive and not expensive, with all ages catered for.
Because of the unrivalled location, with its exquisitely romantic backdrop, there is an increasing demand for marriage celebrations here. Insh Church is within walking distance and the centre has a civil wedding licence.
There’s a licence to thrill for the youngsters in Kids’ Kingdom, a play area which is a huge attraction in the summer, and all-year-round we present an interpretative trail along the shore and in the trees, spelling out the history of the timber together with a detailed description of the local flora and fauna. It’s a fascinating, educational 20-minute stroll.
In 2005 we were honoured with the Tourism in the Environment Award, sponsored by Scottish National Heritage, after introducing our wildlife boat tours, where family or club parties can enjoy a guided trip around the loch for a closer look at the wonderful diversity of birds and vegetation – plus another camera angle on those awesome mountain views.
Quality Awards: Healthy Living Award (Restaurant) RYA, BASI, AALA accredited (Activities) GTBS silver award for whole centre.
Opening Hours
8.30am – 5.30pm
Contact
Loch Insh Watersports Visitor Attraction
Loch Insh Watersports
Kincraig
Inverness-shire
PH21 1NU
Great Britain
Tel: +44 (1540) 651272
E-Mail: office@lochinsh.com
WWW: http://www.lochinsh.com
