Hotel Group of the Year
This is your playground ...come and play!, Macdonald Hotel and Resorts
Kids
Cycling
With cycle routes spanning over 64km there are plenty of reasons to get on your bike. Pack a picnic, rent a bike and head off into the hills with the family.
The National Cycle Network crosses Aviemore and the Cairngorms, making the whole area ideal for a holiday on two wheels. Get lots of fresh mountain air and exercise as you follow peaceful trails and quiet roads through some of the best countryside in the world. Hire bikes for the whole family from Bothy Bikes and spend all day off-road exploring miles of the beautiful Rothiemurchus Estate and Glenmore Forest. Or travel further afield to Inshriach Forest, Anagach Woods and the Speyside Way, stopping for a picnic at award-winning Loch an Eilein.
Distance from resort: Bothy Bikes (approx 5 mins' drive) Opening hours: Open daily 9am - 5.30pm. Further information: www.bothybikes.co.uk Tel: 01479 810111
Watersports
Landlubber or salty old sea dog? Everyone can have fun on the water in Aviemore! Bring your wetsuit and jump right in, sign up for some expert sailing tuition or roll up your trousers and paddle on the beach...
Loch Insh (voted 'Best on the Water' in Scotland) and nearby Loch Morlich both offer fun watersports for all the family, with expert tuition if needed. Explore the loch from a large open Canadian-style canoe, try your hand at sailing, windsurfing, kayaking or rowing, or enjoy a leisurely family boat trip. If you'd rather be on dry land, relax on the natural sandy beach, help the kids burn off some energy in the lochside adventure playground or put your feet up with a coffee at the Boathouse Café.
Distance from resort: Loch Insh (approx 15 mins' drive)
Loch Morlich (approx 15 mins' drive)Opening hours: Open all year round. Please call to book. Further information: www.lochinsh.com Tel: 01540 651272
www.lochmorlich.com Tel: 01479 861221
Horse Riding
See the beauty of the Cairngorms from the saddle. From beginners' lessons to skilled hacks through the forest, there is a riding experience to suit everyone in Aviemore...
Set out on a horseback adventure from Alvie Stables, or ride Strathspey pure bred Highland Ponies through Cairngorm National Park land in the company of a knowledgeable guide. Rides are tailored to suit ability - whether that's a mini-ride for children aged 4-8, a beginners' ride for over 8's, or 'Rothiemurchus on horseback', a lovely 1 hour walk through the heather for adults. Disabled groups are welcome and half day treks and private lessons are available too.
Distance from resort: Alvie Stables (approx 10 mins' drive)
Strathspey Highland Ponies (approx 5 mins' drive)Opening hours: Open Mar-Nov 9am-5pm. Please call to book. Further information: Alvie Stables - Tel: 01479 831409
Strathspey Highland Ponies - Tel: 01479 812345
Attractions
Thrill the kids with a forest adventure, see endangered species in the wildlife park, take a trip to 'Glenbogle' on the steam train or visit the UK's only herds of reindeer. There's plenty to keep the whole family entertained around Aviemore...
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
This natural Caledonian woodland adventure park is full of red squirrels... and surprises. You can go rock-climbing, skydiving, ropewalking, flume riding and drive a mini car... all before lunch! Stop for a bite to eat and choose whether to spend the afternoon studying the world under a microscope at Microworld, walking through the treetop trails, climbing the fire tower, getting lost in the maze or just enjoying the adventure playground. Meet Lex the resident Clydesdale horse, see a working steam-powered sawmill and visit the pine seed factory in a day packed with fun and learning.
Distance from resort: 7 miles (approx 15 mins' drive) Opening hours: Open all year. Some attractions closed Nov-Easter. Further information: www.landmarkpark.co.uk - Tel: 0800 7313446 Other Family Attractions:
Highland Wildlife Park
Internationally endangered animals and Scottish wildlife. There are two new Amur tigers which have arrived at the Wildlife Park.
Distance from resort: Approx 15 mins' drive Opening Hours: 10am - 5pm daily Further information: www.highlandwildlifepark.org Tel: 01540 651270 Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
Visit herds of Santa's gentle friends on the hills and in the paddocks.
Distance from resort: Approx 15 mins' drive Opening Hours: Daily visits depart 11am daily Further information: www.reindeer-company.demon.co.uk Tel: 01479 861228 The Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore
An open-air museum evoking life in the past as a Highlander. Old school and farm.
Distance from resort: Approx 25 mins' drive Opening Hours: 20 Mar - 31 Aug 10.30am - 5.30pm. Call to book. Further information: www.highlandfolk.museum Tel: 01540 673551 Strathspey Railway
Magnificent steam train journey to Broomhill (Glenbogle in 'Monarch of the Glen').
Distance from resort: Approx 5 mins' drive Opening Hours: Timetables vary throughout the year - please check. Further information: www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk Tel: 01479 810725 Speyside Heather Garden & Visitor Centre
Award-winning display gardens and garden centre with shopping and antiques.
Distance from resort: Approx 20 mins' drive Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Sun. Further information: www.heathercentre.com Tel: 01479 851359
Fun Factory
Try out our great new attraction - the Inflatable Fun Factory - a whole room full of inflatable slides, tunnels and bouncy castles available every Friday in the Osprey Arena.
