Visitor Attractions and Places to Visit Around Aviemore
Below we have listed just some of the places around Aviemore that we would recommend you visit during your stay with us at 'The Cairn'
Cairngorm Mountain Railway
No head for heights! No problem! This is a Natural High! - A wonderful Railway that hugs the grass clad, rocky surface of the 6th highest mountain in Britain. From the Base Station this high speed funicular takes visitors up to the Ptarmigan Restaurant and mountain exhibition. The facts and figures and audio-visual displays in the exhibition are fantastic, as is the story of the mountain and the fight to retain, nurture and regenerate the rare plant life peculiar to this conservation area.
Cairngorm Sleddog Adventure Centre, Ski Road, Aviemore
The only centre of its kind in the UK with Museum, Kennel tours and Daytime and evening Sleddog trips. Meet the dogs – talk with the musher. Open all year.
Cairngorm Brewery
Located within walking distance of Aviemore town centre, the brewery produces some of the finest Highland beers. As with whisky, only the finest ingredients and purest Highland water are used to create a range of premium cask conditioned ales and bottled beer. Enjoy a tour and tasting – no preservatives are used. Training is also offered in cask ale handling.
Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
Riding the funicuar Railway – can’t believe your eyes – yes those really are reindeer you can see grazing the slopes of the mountain. Visit the centre and watch Britain’s only reindeer herd roaming freely against the stunning background of Glenmore. Learn the history of the Cairngorm reindeer herd and meet the reindeer themselves. Perhaps you would like to adopt one? There are Christmas events with the reindeer too
Highland Folk Museum (Newtonmore/Kingussie)
This museum is located over 2 complimentary areas, exhibiting different aspects of the life of a Highlander over the past 300 years. You can wander through houses, crofts and even amongst animals. To the true lover of Scotland and its heritage or the ‘first time’ visitors this is an experience that will enrich your life.
Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig, Kingussie
A fantastic chance to see everything from bison herds to wolves, capercaille to Highland cattle – all up very close and personal with Animal encounter sessions as part of the programme. A part ride, part walk attraction – there is a raised walkway that takes you right into the heart of the wolf’s enclosure – you will wonder at the things you see. An altogether exciting and unforgettable experience.
Landmark Forest Theme Park, Carrbridge
Voted THE number one attraction by local school children, there is great fun to be enjoyed in this awesome adventure park that has something for everyone, from waterslides to Clydesdale horses. There is a Wildlife trail, climbing wall, the tallest wooden fire tower in the country, a wild forest Maze…one could go on – but it needs to be experienced personally. There is a Shop in which to browse together with a Restaurant and Snack Bar for your convenience. Open all year.
Rothiemhurcus Estate
Inverdruie, a mile from Aviemore, is the point at which visitors are first welcomed and informed about what this wonderful family Estate – aptly advertised as ‘ one of the 100 Most Amazing places in the UK’ – has to offer. Nurtured by the Grant family, together with its employees and supporters, over a period of 450 years it has become a family activity centre of considerable note. There are pursuits too numerous to list individually but this is a well organised, well loved haven in a stunning setting that you cannot fail to enjoy.
Ruthven Barracks
1 mile from Kingussie, via the A86 and B970 this awe inspiring ruin still sits and guards a main Spey crossing. There has been a castle on this grassy mound since the 13th century – the barracks being built in 1719 only to be blown up in 1746 by the Jacobites! It was here that the Wolf of Badenoch died in 1405 (yes, the very same who burnt down Elgin Cathedral). This is a monument to the past – steeped in history – if only stones could talk.
Speyside Cooperage, Craigellache
Multi award-winning working cooperage. Skilled coopers with their apprentices practice their ancient craft. Around 100,000 oak casks are repaired each year. Gift shop, tastings and refreshments available. Accessible by bus from Elgin: request stop.
Speyside Heather Centre
This is a fascinating Visitor Centre with a wonderful, colourful audio and visual exhibition telling the Heather Story. This family owned, multi-award winning attraction also offers a Gift shop, Boutique and mouth-watering food served all day in the famous Clootie Dumpling Restaurant (licensed). Wander round the Garden centre and buy some heather plants and/or visit the Gift shop for a bottle of the exclusive Heather Cream liqueur and take a unique part of Scotland home with you.
