Aviemore has grown from what was once a little railway junction to a globally recognised winter sports resort.
Aside from the winter season ski offerings, Aviemore has an increasing range of activities on offer, making it a Highland Holiday resort the whole year through.
Let’s take a look at what makes Aviemore so great!
Location
If you’re planning a visit to the Highlands of Scotland, you’d best include Aviemore.
It’s one of the easiest places to reach thanks to it being on the Highland Main Line from London Kings Cross to Inverness.
There are also regular buses serving the town, including coaches from cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
This means that you can also fly into any of these international airports and easily travel onwards to Aviemore.
If You’re Driving – Aviemore is just off the A9 main road that runs from Perth in the South through Inverness and to Thurso in the very north of Scotland.
Driving will give you amazing views of the Scottish Highlands no matter from which direction you originate.
History
Aviemore has been inhabited since at least the Bronze Age. Three Clava cairns remain from this era near Aviemore.
These include:
- the Delfour stone circle
- the Aviemore stone circle
- and the Grenish stone circle
The area consisted of a very small village that began to grow much more quickly when it became a railway junction at the end of the 19th century.
The Highland Railway then became a big employer in the area and built housing and facilities for its employees as well as the Aviemore Hotel.
In 1961, its ski chair lift was constructed, and it then became one of the first ski resorts in Scotland.
After that opened, the village grew again. Today, it is considered to be the most visited ski resort in the whole of Great Britain.
In its heyday, there were regular royal visitors including Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
Things to See and Do
There are many things to see and do in Aviemore and its environs.
Indeed, in the 15 or so years that I’ve been a regular visitor there, the town has gone from strength to strength with what’s on offer.
It’s certainly far from just a ski resort these days.
Having said that, a large percentage of visitors to Aviemore come here in the winter season exactly for that reason!
Snow Sports
It would be remiss of me to write an article on things to do in Aviemore without starting with winter sports!
Aviemore has a great set-up for snow sports.
The mountains hold the snow well throughout the winter months and there is a range of terrains, rails and kickers that attract novices right through to the best skiers and snowboarders in the country.
If quieter slopes are your thing, you can get off the beaten track in Aviemore with plenty of opportunities for ski touring and exploring (but it’s always best to have a guide if you’re not an expert!).
There are even ski and snowboarding courses to help you get started.
If the snow is more low-lying, there’s the Glenmore Cross Country Ski Machine that cuts tracks in the forest!
If you’re after a bit of sledging, there’s a specialist sledge retailer at the Glenmore Shop.
There are a couple of popular sledging spots including at the Hayfield within Glenmore Forestry Park and the Strathspey Lawn outside of the Four Seasons Hotel.
The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
Reindeer are not just for Christmas!
But, if you’re there at this extra special time, you’re in for a treat! This beautiful herd of reindeer are Britain’s only free-ranging herd.
The 150 reindeer are friendly and tame and most of them are on the Cairngorm Mountain, with some on the Glenlivet Estate around 30 miles away.
Each day, there is a daily Hill Trip where a guide takes you up to see the reindeer.
However, in winter, you might not be able to find the herd easily, so these visits are dependent on this!
Well, what do you expect from a free-ranging herd?
You can also visit the paddock as an alternative if you have young children or you’re unable to make the climb up to find the herd.
However, unlike on the hill, you can’t get too up close and personal with the reindeer and can’t feed them in the paddock.
At Christmas Time – The reindeer really come into their own. Their paddock is filled with tinsel and sparkles and there’s even a festive quiz. The big man himself also pays them a visit to check they’re ready for Christmas Eve.
Loch an Eilein
Not just an ordinary Scottish loch (are any of them ordinary?), Loch an Eilein has its own island with a castle on it!
And, if you’re wondering what its name means, it means exactly that Loch of the Island.
With its surrounding forest pathways and hills, humans have used and visited the area for centuries.
In fact, in 2010 it was awarded Britain’s Favourite Picnic Spot in a Warburton’s poll commemorating National Bread Week!
Loch an Eilein is a relaxed place that offers peace and tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of central Aviemore.
There are some lovely low-level paths around the loch with an easy 3-mile route perfect for families.
Most of the paths are buggy and bike friendly too.
You may even catch a glimpse of a red squirrel, crested tit or Scottish crossbill from here.
Ospreys have occasionally been spotted fishing in Loch an Eilein too in the summer months.
Unfortunately, the castle isn’t accessible. Allegedly, it dates back to the 14th century and was built as a refuge for warring clans.
There’s also a legend that there’s a zigzagging walkway underground that will take you from shore to island. No one has ever found it yet though!
Rothiemurcus Activities
Loch an Eilein is a part of the Rothiemurcus estate.
The estate is a special place with lots to offer.
Often called “the gateway to the Cairngorms”, this estate sits just outside of Aviemore and has one of the largest natural forest areas in Britain.
Rothiemurcus offers a huge range of activities with something for everyone.
Activities include:
- Clay shooting
- TreeZone – an exciting adventure playground up in the treetops! Suspended from wires high in the pine forest, you can walk across balance beams, swing across a Tarzan swing and do long ziplines! With 35 different challenges, it’ll certainly be an exhilarating journey through the forest.
- Quad bike treks
- Feeding the deer
- Hairy Coo Safari – where you follow the ranger in your own car to see the Highland Cow in her natural habitat
- Pony Trekking and Wee Womble ride (for children under 8 or those with no previous pony trekking experience).
- Falconry
- Land Rover discovery tours
- Archery
- Axe throwing
- Bike hire
- Ranger-led activities
- Stalking experiences where you follow the deer from forest to fork.
- Tennis
- Stag and Hen activities including Mini Highland Games
- Fishing
- Little Landys – where kids get the opportunity to drive mini replica Land Rover 4x4s on a child-friendly track!
- River and loch adventures including river tubing, white water tubing, River Spey paddle boarding, stand up paddle boarding, family rafting, white water rafting, canoeing, canyon gorge and gorge walking.
- Wildlife watching and photography
- WildernessFit retreats – full-body experience around the shores of Loch an Eilein.
- Self-guided walks
Cairngorm Mountain
Reportedly Scotland’s favourite mountain destination, the Cairngorm has a lot to offer its visitors.
It’s not just a mountain, oh no!
It has a funicular railway to the top where you can find the Cairngorm Café and Cas Bar.
It’s a great choice for having a hearty warm lunch after a day on the mountain.
There’s also a mountain shop and the Ptarmigan Restaurant (due to reopen in early 2023 after a big refurb!).
You can even have your children’s party or wedding up there!
The Cairngorm also has a mountain tubing park where you can bomb down a slope on an inflatable ring!
There’s the Spindrift – a 70m long slide with two thrilling bends, the Cliff-hanger – where you drop off the edge and slide all the way down, and the Snowflake – a gentle option for smaller children or those that prefer the gentler approach.
Aside from this aspect of the mountain, it also has all the snow sports on offer, as mentioned above.
Aviemore Kart Raceway
With family sessions or adult-only karting, Aviemore Kart Raceway offers something a little different to your average Highland holiday activity!
There are carts for all abilities aged 8 upwards and even tandem carts so you can ride with littler ones aged 4 and up.
Tiny tots can also ride solo on the battery-operated karts on their own small track.
The bigger track is 550m long and six metres wide to ensure there’s enough room for you to overtake safely.
There are lots of sweeping bends on positive cambers to help with cornering as well as undulations and one longer straight for you to pick up a bit of speed if you wish.
Macdonald Highland Resort
The Macdonald Highland Resort is not just a hotel complex. It offers so much more than that!
There is a choice of four hotels, a range of bars and restaurants including Spey Burger, (a contemporary diner-style restaurant), Giovanni’s (an Italian restaurant) and others.
Aside from this, there’s a great designer outlet shop within the resort.
The resort also boasts a huge range of activities, including:
- Aviemore Ice Rink
- Swimming Pool
- Soft Play
- Spey Valley Cinema
- Children’s play area
- Grass sledging
- Bike hire
Bad Weather Activities
Of course, if you’re going to the Highlands of Scotland, you should be prepared for bad weather.
As they say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.
However, sometimes you just want a break from it and want to head indoors.
If that’s the case, Aviemore also has a whole range of indoor activities to keep you all amused.
Aviemore Escape Rooms
Aviemore Escape Rooms offer three challenges where you have to escape in under an hour.
There’s the Space Race, The Bothy’s Treasure and the Secret Forest.
Strathspey Steam Railway
The Strathspey Railway takes you on a chugging adventure from Aviemore through Boat of Garten and up to Broomhall and back.
On board the steam train, the trip takes around one hour and 45 minutes along a 20-mile route.
You’ll pass the Cairngorm Mountains and travel alongside the River Spey. There are even dining and first-class options.
In December, a festive service is a popular choice.
Here’s a Tip – Make sure you check the timetable if you’re desperate for a steam engine! Some days, the train is pulled by a diesel engine instead.
Shops
Since you’re in Aviemore, you’ll find a whole host of mountain shops.
Trespass, Cairngorm Mountain Sports, Mountain Warehouse Blacks, Ellis Brigham, Tiso, Nevis Sport, and Rohan.
You’ll also find gift shops, boutiques, traditional sweet shops, a Fat Face store, an Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Waterstones, WH Smiths within the railway station, a subway, Tesco, Aldi, Costa, Home Bargains, and more besides.
Food and Drink
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink in Aviemore.
There’s The Taverna or Cheese and Tomatin for Italian cuisine (the latter apparently does a haggis and black pudding pizza!), Tamanna for Indian, and a whole host of pubs and cafés waiting to greet you.
Why not try the Winking Owl, the Galaxy World Buffet restaurant, or the Explorer café?
There’s definitely something to suit everyone’s taste. There’s even a bakery or two and a fish and chip shop.
Final Thoughts on Aviemore
If you’re looking for a Highland getaway with a difference, Aviemore’s the place to be.
For adrenaline junkies, family adventures and lots of amenities, there really is something to suit everyone at this holiday hub.
