Boat Of Garten, Highland

Flower Delivery Boat of Garten by Clare Florist

Boat of Garten is a small village in the Highland of Scotland with a huge personality. Due to the large population of Ospreys in the area, probably higher than the local population of almost 700, the place is also called the Osprey Village. And the reason Ospreys and tourists alike flock in this destination is the abundant wildlife and magnificent scenery. What else can you expect from a village set among the native woodlands of the Cairngorms National Park?

Rolling countryside? Check. Magnificent flowers in Boat of Garten? Check. Leisure activities? Check. Suffice to say that this peaceful village is the perfect place to get lost in. You’ll never be alone, what with all the Ospreys around, anyway. However, if you want to do more than smell the Boat of Garten flowers, so to speak, you should indulge in various pursuits.

But first, a look into its past. Aren’t you just a tad curious why the village is named as such?

It is believed that the name was derived from an old ferry over the River Spey, but no one can actually say for sure if the ferry did exist back then. In 1600, the settlement at that time was called Gart. It was only in 1662 that ‘ferry’ was mentioned on a property-related document. But it was a couple of centuries later that the name Boat of Garten came about, when the Forres to Dunkeld railway arrived in 1863. The name stuck and had been used ever since.

Due to railway connections and road networks, the village grew. A bridge was built and the ferry closed down.

What to see in Boat of Garten?  

Naturally, the Osprey Village is a haven for birdwatchers and not just for Ospreys. As a place set in the Cairngorms, it provides a habitat for a wide range of bird species, including the Goldeneyes and Crested Tits. Moreover, it has a special nest box programme that draws a huge number of birds and ensures they stay to breed. Well, if the Highland landscape that’s made colourful with beautiful flowers in Boat of Garten attracts birds, you’ll find it irresistible too. The best time to visit for a good spotting of Ospreys is between April and August, while spring is when you’re likely to see capercaillie, particularly in the early hours of the morning.

Notable landmarks are plenty in the small village. One fine example is St Columba’s Church that was built in 1900, with the Church Hall added 34 years later. There’s also a golf course that is ranked as one of Scotland’s top 35 courses. It was originally designed by James Braid, a professional Scottish golfer, built in 1898 and expanded in 1931. Then there’s the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSBP) in Loch Garten that the village is quite famous for. It’s also Europe’s largest wildlife conservation charity, maintaining 200 nature reserves. These are where you can get ideas which flowers to choose, if you want to send flowers to Boat of Garten.

What to do when in the village?

Aside from playing golf and exploring the Highland landscape, you can also fish in the River Spey, cycle in lovely circuits, including the Boat of Garten Loop Past Loch Garden and Over Tulloch, and travel on a steam railway. And, with a vast and vibrant landscape of green and Boat of Garten flowers, you can choose to just take in the view and unwind.

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