Speyside Heather Visitor and Garden Centre was established in 1972 when Betty, David and their two young sons, Craig and Iain, moved from Carmunnock in Lanarkshire to Skye of Curr. The 'Corner' at that time, was virtually waste ground and the Lambie family lived in a caravan for the first 3 years. Signs offering 'Heathers For Sale' were erected by summer 1973. Betty decided to offer tea and home baking in the garden produced from the caravan kitchen which proved so popular that when the first shop (a converted garage) was operational, a small room was used as a tearoom during poor weather. With only one table and four chairs, it was fondly referred to as the 'Smallest Tearoom in Scotland'.

In 1978, the old canteen/classroom from Rothiemurchus School, Aviemore was purchased and reassembled at the Heather Centre and the Clootie Dumpling Restaurant was established. The tearoom and kitchen were extended in July 1992 just as David and Betty entered their 21st year in Strathspey so they decided to introduce '21 ways to have your dumpling' to mark the occasion.