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Cairngorms Christmas Treats

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

 

With Christmas on the horizon, thoughts at What’s On HQ invariably turn to food! Namely what locally grown produce we will be piling on our plates this festive season and the abundance of restaurants and hotels that will be serving up a host of treats on their menus.

So, to satisfy ourselves we caught up with three chefs around the Cairngorms National Park to discuss all things food and ask them how they will be celebrating the 2011 festive season. Prepare to abandon the diet until New Year!

Rebecca Ferrand is head chef at Muckrach Lodge

Chris McCall is head chef at The Old Bridge Inn

Neil Keevill is head chef at Loch Kinord Hotel

  1. How did you become a chef?

NK - I was meant to go to Abertay Uni to study chemical engineering, but spent the summer working as a KP in a hotel and when the commis chef failed to appear one day I stepped in – that was 17 years ago and I have still to go to uni!

RF - Muckrach was my first experience of running a hotel with a restaurant, and a very steep learning curve indeed.  I delight in discovering new tastes, new food experiences, and I wanted to impart some of this joy in the food we served.

  1. What’s your perfect Christmas day meal ?

CM -  For me, it’s breast of wild Gunknowe Loch grouse with all the traditional trimmings.

RF – With the great company of friends and family I much prefer goose to turkey. Goose is harder to cook and takes time and patience but it is really worth the effort as the meat is rich, dark, gamy and warming. Goose fat roasted potatoes with thyme and a sprinkling of sea salt makes a perfect partner with this wonderful bird. And of course finished with a Christmas pudding. I try and make mine in late August, so it has months for the flavours to meld together.

NK – Roast goose, bread sauce and all the trimmings

 

 

3. What food or smell puts you in a festive frame of mind?

NK – nice aromatic flavours like cinnamon and cloves

RF – The delightful smell of mince pies cooking in the oven with slightly puffed pasty and the wonderful tangy taste of the mince meat.  The sweet bonfire smell of cinnamon and rum and the dark alluring scent of molasses sugar. The bouquet of pine cones and mulled wine with its lovely aroma of stewed plums and of course the tangy, zesty fragrance oranges.

CM - The warm aroma of mulled wine and chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

 

 

4.What local produce is always on your shopping list?

NK – at the hotel we get our meat from small local independent suppliers – our pork and lamb come from Wark Farm in Cushnie and pure Aberdeen Angus beef comes from Cairnton Farm near Lumphanan.

CM - White mountain hare, Sikka deer – especially the haunch for smoking on our in-house smoker and the loin for searing – and Clava Brie.

RF – The venison is outstanding, so it’s always on the menu when it is available – it’s wild off the hills around Tomintoul and has dark rich meat that goes so well with Juniper, a local plant.  We serve it with the truly remarkable and very special venison haggis, which is the king of Scotland’s famous pudding. I also love the local Speyside smoked salmon with rich oaky flavours that just comes alive with a little lemon juice and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper.

 

5. Best Christmas Eve or Boxing Day dish?

RF- Cold goose with baked potatoes loaded with softly melting Stilton, buttery and creamy, soft velvety brie and hard pungent cheddar. Crisp crunchy homemade coleslaw; tart, vinegary pickled onions that crunch when you bite into them, soft and yummy warm bread, pickles and homemade chutney. All washed down with a good glass of red wine. Then fried Christmas pudding and mince pies with a glass of port.

NK – I love having cold turkey or goose on Boxing Day with bubble and squeak made from the left over vegetables

 

6. Who cooks at Christmas in your household?

CM – I normally cook but I tend to leave the mess for everyone else to clean up!

RF – Since we’ve been here and I’ve been cooking I tend to. Last year the family came up and we all had a great time!

 

  1. Any Christmas foods you wouldn’t touch with a barge pole?

RF - Cheap, nasty mince pies – you know, 48 pies for 20p. Intensively reared deep frozen turkey that dries to dust as soon as you put it in the oven.  Tinned Christmas pudding – eugh!

 

8.  And lastly, what’s the best thing about Christmas in the Cairngorms?

NK – The fact that you are almost guaranteed a white Christmas!

RF – The snow, the reindeer, the scenery, the whisky, the wonderful crisp cold weather, warm fires and the smell of pine and finally the great people.

CM - The stunning scenery and being with my good friends at the Old Bridge Inn!

 

 

 

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Skiing, sledging, snowboarding and walking in a winter wonderland!

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

 

Like icing on a scrumptious carrot cake, little flakes of snow have already started to dust the mountaintops in the Cairngorms National Park. High street shops are stocking up on down jackets, ski poles and snowboard boots and a mere mention or photo of snow on Aviemore and the Cairngorms Facebook page prompts hundreds of “likes” and gleeful comments of expectant joy! That’s right folks winter is on its way and with it a whole host of winter sports, exciting events and celebrations.

This month, What’s On turned up the heating, settled down with a mug of gluhwein and started to watch re-runs of Ski Sunday in preparation…. oh and we researched and wrote about some of the best things to do in the Cairngorms National Park during the winter months!

Snowholing and Winter Skills

The Cairngorms, protected from Gulf Stream warmth, are universally recognised as providing the most consistent snow and ice conditions. They’re Britain’s highest mountain range, Scotland’s high arctic and home to our most permanent snow beds. However, most of all we must remember that the conditions on these stunning mountains can change in a blink of an eye and that we have to have the upmost respect for them.  That’s where winter skills come in! The most important aspect of getting out into the hills, at anytime of year but especially winter, is to be experienced and to be prepared. With plenty of courses going on around the Park there is no excuse not to be prepared when facing the mountains and the environment.

In addition, we are so lucky to have loads of experienced guides and instructors who will take you on guided walks across these stunning landscapes and teach you how to build your very own evening accommodation – a snow-hole! Made from cutting into the snow rather than building the blocks of an igloo, a snow-hole can become quite a cosy way to spend the night, but you must know what you are doing before you start to build your very own snowy Sistine Chapel!

Skiing and Snowboarding

This winter marks an incredibly important milestone for two of our resorts – Cairngorm Mountain and Glenshee. Cairngorm is celebrating 50 years of mechanical uplift and Glenshee 50 years of being an official resort. Celebrations will include a retro ski patrol day, a photo competition resulting in a memory exhibition, and a ceilidh. Both mountains have seen hundreds of thousands of people ski and board down the pistes since the winter of 1961-1962 – including Olympic champions, families happy to occupy the host of slopes and the new generation of freestyle skiers and boarders.

With over 90km of pisted runs across the National Park and heaps of off-piste terrain to explore (we’ll come to that later!) there is something for every skier and snowboarder to enjoy.

Recent research into the history of mechanical uplift at Cairngorm Mountain led me to a fascinating piece published in The Scotsman newspaper on December 23rd 1962. The reporter wrote how the ski road (finished the winter before) put paid to the three and half mile trudge up the mountain from Glenmore Lodge and that the new Cairngorm chairlift would save legs even more. Although he concedes a “walk to stretch and warm up the legs from the car park to The White Lady Shieling, the new centre of the resort, would still have to be accomplished!”

Since then, the resort has gone on to much bigger and better things and Glenshee, to mark their 50-year anniversary, will be opening their brand new chairlift this winter. It seems that as long as we have snow, there will always be a passion for snow-sports in the UK’s largest National Park.

Ski Touring

If you would, however, prefer a quieter jaunt into the wilderness than that of the busier pistes then ski touring may well be the sport for you.

If you’re a parallel skier with a decent level of fitness, it is possible to ski the original way – and experience that blissful tranquility. However, it does involve skiing up a mountain…. The idea is that you attach special grippy skins to your skis in order to prevent yourself sliding backwards. When you eventually reach the top of your mountain, you take them off and ski down. There are many guides within the Park who will lead you on a journey over untracked, unpopulated off-piste routes that penetrate the mountainscape. Many people see it as skiing as nature intended – elevating, sustainable and a great calorie burner.

So this winter, why not check out the Visit Cairngorms website for a list of activity providers and experts that run snow-holing, mountaineering, ski touring, winter skills and ice climbing classes. In addition, why not try out Nordic skiing, snow-shoeing or ski joring this winter – the winter sports list in the Cairngorms National Park is endless!

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Things that go Bump in the Park!

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

I must admit I love a good scary story – from myths to the macabre, ghostly to ghouly there is still something rather exciting about terrifying ourselves over the unknown!

So this Halloween, sit yourself down in front of a roaring campfire with some toasted marshmallows and your copy of this month’s What’s On, as we prepare to lift the lid on some of the Cairngorms National Park’s most mysterious myths and legends…..

The Spectre of the Bloody Hand

Even the famous Sir Walter Scott wrote about the old man with the bloody hand at Loch Morlich. Despite the golden sands, and stunning views up to the Cairngorm Mountains a seemingly gigantic figure, clad in full Highland warrior dress, one hand always dripping with blood used to guard the east end of the loch. According to legend, anyone unfortunate to meet the spectre would be challenged by him to an instant contest of mortal combat. Should the challenge be accepted no bodily harm would follow, yet those too timid to stand up to the fight would face dire consequences.  Despite his gruesome appearance and hostile manner it seems that the Old Man had a kind streak when it came to animals of Rothiemurchus and stories tell of him assuming the role of guardian of deer and other wild creatures.

 Lass o’ the Lecht

The wind, rain snow and freezing winter weather of the braes of Glenlivet creates some hardy characters in the north of the Park. However, a sudden change in weather can surprise and endanger even the most prepared of walkers. One famous story involved a young 19 year old girl, Margaret Cruikshank or the ‘Lass o’ the Lecht’ as she became known. Margaret set off from Tomintoul one day in February 1860 to cross the Lecht Pass over the Ladder Hills, however a gale sprung up and with it a violent blizzard. Becoming quickly lost, Margaret decided to follow a burn she thought would lead to safety, but this mistake ended up leading her deeper into the hills where she perished. 500 men turned out to help in the attempt at rescue, but it was not until 3 months later that her frozen body was discovered in Strathdon, on the banks of the river Earnan, many miles from the Lecht. No subsequent sights of Margaret’s ghost have been reported, but she is immortalised in the famous poem ‘Lass o’ the Lecht’.

The Old Man Of Garten

Am Bodach Ghoirtean is spoken about with fear and dread in Boat of Garten and it’s surrounding areas. The Bodach was said to be a spirit that dwelt in the woods around Loch Garten and Loch Mallachy and roamed the countryside at night giving anyone he met a warning of impending death of a family member or friend. The Bodach would sometimes appear to his victims as a huge white object – faintly luminous – but always his trademark warning was a terrifying high-pitched scream.

The story of Donald Macpherson of Tulloch is famous in the area as he is the last person said to have encountered the Bodach. Soon after his meeting with the phantom, the tenant of the farm in which Donald played cards was found dead. Even more curious was the fact that at the tenant’s funeral – on passing the spot on the road where Donald encountered the apparition – the stallions pulling the funeral wagon reared up, biting and kicking and eventually upturning the hearse whilst admitting the same blood curdling scream heard by Donald a few nights before!

 French Kate

The lonely ghost of Kittie Rankie is said to walk through the halls and stairs and the surrounding lands of Abergeldie Castle in Ballater. Also known as French Kate (according to legend she was a woman of French origin who was at one time employed in the castle) it is said that she once was accused of practicing black magic and arrested soon after to be charged with witchcraft. After confinement in the castle she was eventually found guilty and thereafter taken to a local hill where she was tied to a stake and burnt for her supposed crimes. Over the years, there have been various encounters with Kittie, most notably in the mid-nineteenth century when the daughter of a local doctor, Patricia Lindsay, was happy to play in the castle cellars during the day.  However, she would never do so after dark as she recounted hearing several terrifying noises and ringing of bells clattering through the stone walls. 

The White Lady of the Rowan Tree

At a bridge in Glentruim near a sharp bend on the glen road an old rotten rowan tree used to stand. On a full moon, local people would refuse to pass the spot, horses would refuse to cross the bridge and dogs would howl in discomfort. Tradition has it that one night a local by the name of John Barleycorn agreed to go, on horseback, to the spot and attempt to cross the river. However, his horse refused to budge, so John dismounted and stumbled over the bridge, past the rowan tree where he came face to face with a white lady. What happens next nobody knows, but the next day John was found a quarter of a mile along the road, in a ditch, his face in a pool of water. His horse was grazing quietly nearby.

 Happy Halloween!

see www.visitcairngorms.com for more infor on the spooky park!

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Walking back to happiness…

Friday, September 16th, 2011

 I remember them well from my childhood days – wrapped up in a scratchy scarf, welly boots tugged onto my feet and a Cadbury’s chocolate éclair stuffed into my pocket for the journey – whatever the weather I loved heading out on walks to explore the countryside. The only problem with those walks was that- living in the Midlands – the space, views and abundance of nature I craved (thanks to Terry Nutkins and his pals) was not there. So when I was old enough I moved here – to the Cairngorms National Park. How’s that for space, views and as much wildlife as you can shake a stick at (only a phrase, please don’t literally do this kids!)?

So, with my comfy walking boots on my feet and my obligatory Cadbury’s chocolate éclair in my pocket (ok maybe a family size bag!) What’s On set out in search of some of the best family walks around the Cairngorms National Park. Get out there and explore this Autumn!

 

Bellabeg Forest Walk, Strathdon 1.75 miles/3km – 1 hour

This is a really pretty walk with a gentle climb through the trees, which allows you to access a host of stunning views across Donside and the picturesque village of Bellabeg.  As you start out on the walk you follow the sign for “Lost” (don’t worry – it’s not a forewarning!) It is a rather steep initial climb, but the ground underfoot in not challenging.

This walk could be combined with a visit to The Lost Gallery or an exploration of the Doune of Invernochty, the large mound where a castle once stood.

Loch Brandy, Glen Clova 3.25 miles/5.5km – 2.5 hours

Loch Brandy is a superb example of a mountain Corrie. Backed by craggy slopes and cradling a perfect loch it is a great place to spend a few hours. The walk has the benefit of a very well constructed path making this a good short, and relatively easy, hill walk.

Once again you get excellent views, but this time they stretch across Glen Clova and the Eastern Grampians to Lochnagar and Mount Keen. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for mountain hare, red deer, peregrine falcon, raven, buzzard and golden eagle as wildlife is in abundance.

Uath Lochans, Feshiebridge 3 miles/5km – 3 hours

This is one of my favourite family walks as what’s great is that you don’t need any special footwear to enjoy it. The Uath Lochans are real gems – like a diamond necklace amongst the pine trees – and a great place to take in the wonder of the Cairngorms National Park.

You can break this walk into three mini walks depending on the time you have available, taking in views of Glen Feshie, the Cairngorm Mountains and exploring the lochans themselves. Lily pads burst into life during July, but the lochans look stunning throughout the year. 

Battle of Glenlivet Path, Tomintoul 4 miles/6.5km – 2 hours

A perfect walk for anyone wanting a bit of history on a hike! The Battle of Glenlivet Path is a well-sheltered route, which gives some wonderful views of the Glenlivet area and provides access to the site of the Battle of Glenlivet, which took place in 1594. You can wander along the path where a force of about 2000 local men routed 10,000 highlanders in a dramatic victory.

In addition, you may even be fortunate enough to hear the piping call of a well disguised golden plover in the lichen rich heather and see herds of red deer browsing on the steep slopes of the local hills.

Wildcat Trail, Newtonmore 6.75 miles/10km – 3.5 hours

This wonderful way-marked trail, which encircles the village, takes in the banks of the River Spey, open heather moorland, wooded glens and burbling streams.

Easy and clear way marked trails take you through a site of a Pictish stone circle and along the side of Allt Laraidh falls. It’s very rare that you will come across a real wildcat, but keep your eyes peeled for some of the 50 Scottish wildcat models that have been placed on the trails and around the village. You can even get a Wildcat Experience Trackpack which allows you to mark you ‘found cats” on a map and receive a certificate or prize if you find 25 or more. A great fun activity for all the family and kids love it!

Glen Banvie Trail – 9miles/14km – 4.5 hours

This is a tad longer than the other featured walks, but the good thing is there are no hills just a gentle rise from Blair Atholl village. From birds, to butterflies, ruined villages, red deer rubbings on trees and more, the walk has it all as you pass through the farm and moor land of Atholl Estate.

You will also see the ruins of Bail an t’Sepail (Chapel Town) leading into Baluain Wood and if you take a slight detour you will find the Falls of Bruar, immortalized in a poem by Robert Burns in 1787, ‘The Humble Petition of Bruar Water to the Noble Duke of Atholl’.

There are so many more walks to chose from that we haven’t had the chance to cover in this feature – Loch An Eilein, Seven Bridge and Knock Tower and Glenmulliach Forest the list goes on! So check out www.visitcairngorms.com for more ideas and full descriptions of each walk featured in this article.

The Tomintoul and Glenlivet Walking Festival runs 8th-12th September and Blairgowrie and East Perthshire Walking Festival the 15th-18th September featuring some great walks in the Cairngorms National Park.

See www.tgwf.co.uk and www.walkingfestival.org

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What’s On in Royal Deeside in the the Cairngorms National Park

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

Welcome to the July 2011 edition of What’s On in Royal Deeside and The Cairngorms. Here are just a few of the events!

Deeside Sessions
Some of the north-east’s best musicians return to Royal Deeside this summer with more Scottish traditional music! Live music sessions will take place in various pubs and hotels around Royal Deeside in this two month programme promoted by the DMO from the end of July through September. All the dates and locations can be found here – download the Deeside Sessions poster.

Aboyne and Deeside Festival
The 20th Annual Aboyne and Deeside Festival is on during July with an incredible variety of live shows, music events, films, exhibitions and workshops. Something for absolutely everyone and all interests!  Check the Festival website for more details and booking information.

Braemar Junior Highland Games – July 8th-10th
Three days of events including the Junior Games, an Arts & Crafts Fair, Highland Dancing and Piping Competitions, a Tug of War Teams Event and adult races – a Hill Race and a MultiTerrain 12k Run! Check the Braemar Junior Games website for programme details.

Royal Deeside Golf Classic – July 25th-29th
A 72-hole Stableford event for both Ladies and Gentlemen played over four majestic courses in Aboyne, Ballater, Banchory and Inchmarlo. Prizes are awarded for each round and for the full event. A free day has been included this year for an optional additional competition at Braemar or to visit the many places of scenic beauty around Royal Deeside. More information may be found at the Ballater Golf Club.

Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham -  July 30th
The famous duo will be performing a concert on the Crathes Castle lawn from 7.30-10pm. Bring a picnic and enjoy the music! Call 0844 4932166 for details and ticket information.

For more information on what is happening throughout the whole of the Cairngorms National Park in July see www.visitcairngorms.com/whatson

Read our online magazine here

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What’s On in the Cairngorms National Park

Friday, June 24th, 2011

There is loads going on this weekend in the Cairngorms National Park including the Aviemore, Blair Atholl, Deeside and Angus areas.(see below) A brilliant coup for the area is the Scottish Hydro Challenge being held this weekend at the Spey Valley Course at Aviemore with Scot, Chris Doak currently in the lead. A full list can be found at www.visitcairngorms.com/whatson but a selection of events are listed below.

Scopttish Hydro Challenge

Saturday 25th
• Charity Day in aid of Scotland’s Garden Scheme and Tay Valley Mountain Rescue – Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, 9.30am-5.30pm.   www.blair-castle.co.uk
• Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team Sponsored Walk – Glen Feshie, £15/£10.   www.cmrtwalk.org.uk
• Spey Art Group Painting Workshop – Inverallan Church Hall, 10am-4pm, £15. To Book T: 01479 872085/873101.
• Live Music with Alfie McQuade – Glen Hotel, Newtonmore, 9.30pm. 
 

Sunday 26th
• Cairngorms Farmers Market – The Square, Grantown on Spey. 10am-4pm.
• Abernethy Open Gardens – Discover the treasures of private gardens in and around Nethy Bridge.  Tickets & location map from local shops, £5.  10am-5pm. T: 01479 851347.
• Lairig Ghru Race – Braemar to Aviemore, 10am www.deesiderunners.com
• Hilton Around the World in a Day 5km Fun Run – Hilton Coylumbridge Hotel, Aviemore, 2pm.  In aid of Hilton in the Community Foundation www.hilton-foundation.org.uk
• Live Music with ‘Blind & Deaf’ – The Club Bar, Hilton Craigendarroch Hotel, Ballater, 3-5pm.

11th June – 24th July
• Rachel Everitt Exhibition – The Iona Gallery, Kingussie.  Illustration, printmaking and animation. Mon, Thurs, Fri 1-5pm.  Sat-Sun 11am-5pm, FREE.
23rd-26th June
• Scottish Hydro Challenge – Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Course, Aviemore.   www.teamscottishhydro.com

Saturday 25th June
The Eilan, Newtonmore – Newtonmore 1sts v Lovat.  2.30pm.
The Dell, Kingussie. Kingussie 2nds v Kilmallie. 2.30pm.

There are also some local open golf comps on this weekend see http://visitcairngorms.com/opengolf

Whatever you choose to do have a great weekend in the Cairngorms National Park…kick back and enjoy the scenery!

Posted in Accommodation Aviemore, aviemore, aviemore activities, aviemore hotels, ballater, Balmoral, Boat of Garten, braemar, cairngorms, cairngorms national park, Carr Bridge, Cromdale, Dulnain Bridge, Golf, grantown on spey, Kingussie, laggan, loch morlich, mountain biking, music, Nethy Bridge, Newtonmore, royal deeside, Shinty, Uncategorized, walking aviemore, Weather | No Responses »
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National Parks Week – Inspiring places, inspiring people 26th July – 1st August 2010

Friday, July 30th, 2010

The Cairngorms National Park is joining the UK’s 14 other National Parks in a week of events to celebrate the people and places that have been their inspiration. National Parks Week runs from 26 July to 1 August 2010.

This year the Cairngorms National Park is welcoming some of the north-east’s top musicians to take part in a series of music events. The Deeside Sessions sees traditional music being performed in various pubs, hotels and other venues in Royal Deeside during this week and throughout August and September. John Carnie from Royal Deeside & Cairngorms DMO said: “Everyone is welcome to come along to hear these talented and exciting musicians – many of whom are from the Royal Deeside area.”

There are also a number of countryside events taking place across the week run by Rangers from Balmoral, Mar Lodge Estate, Atholl Estates, Explore Abernethy and Cairngorm Mountain to help people discover what’s around them and learn about the National Park.

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Teddy Time on the Strathspey Steam Train Again!

Thursday, May 27th, 2010
  

Over thirty children from Aviemore Nursery took a trip on the Strathspey Railway last Thursday as a  special treat for their favourite teddies. “Warby” bear from the Nursery particularly enjoyed the trip but had to be told to calm down by guard John Wood (Picture).

This Saturday and Sunday, 29th and 30th May, every child’s teddy is specially invited for a trip on the Strathspey Railway. Both the teddy and the child will go free with only adults having to pay. There will be teddies all over the railway with a special competition to find them and make a note of something about them.

On each of the mornings, two trains will run from Boat of Garten at 10.00am, then each departs Aviemore and Broomhill at 10.30am. Thereafter, throughout each day there will be almost an hourly service but check timetable on-line (www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk) for more details.  Adult fares will be as normal and catering facilities will be available on only one of the service trains.

This is the first in a series of feature weekends throughout the Spring and Summer season. Saturday and Sunday, 17th and 18th, July will be “Steam Fair” time again with exhibits of historic traction engines, tractors, machinery and other interesting vehicles as well a Strathspey Railway’s “two train” timetable.

 The Strathspey Railway is more than just a train ride!

Hendy Pollock, Strathspey Railway, says:-

 “This is a real fun event for families to enjoy and every teddy, no matter how worn, is welcome. The competion will keep everyone busy. It is great to see that steam trains are still an exciting experience for children.”      

   

WEBSITE WITH LOTS OF INFORMATION  is at www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk and visitcairngorms.com

Visitors enjoy a nostalgic train ride in restored carriages usually hauled by one of the Railway’s steam locomotives.  There are fine views of the Cairngorms and the River Spey as well the chance to see much of the diverse wildlife, in varying habitats, along the line. Many passengers also enjoy dining in the train’s buffet car.

 The Strathspey Railway has been used for filming “Monarch of the Glen”, with Broomhill doubling as Glenbogle Station, and “Dr Finlay’s Casebook”.

                       
   
   

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Special Offers on Accommodation in Aviemore and the Cairngorms

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

If you are considering a break away why not check out our special offers page on http://www.visitcairngorms.com/specialoffers Now is a great time to get away for a pre Christmas break to do some Christmas shopping and get some fresh air or even partake in some snowsports such as skiing or snowboarding at the weekends.   Get some Christmas shopping done at the Macdonalds Aviemore Highland Resorts huge ‘The Brands’ centre, or for a very unique touch Rothiemurchus Visitor Centre who will make up Christmas Hampers. There are loads of local shops and the many outdoor specialist shops thatcan cater for that special Christmas present for the outdoor enthusiast!

If you would prefer a break away over Christmas or New Year , there are some great properties with woodburners and saunas available at Silverglades in Aviemore.  Use our new Accommodation Finder to contact multiple businesses and get quotes on accommodation.

There is currently skiing at weekends on Cairngorm and as the area gets busier and hopefully more snow arrives this will become 7 days subject to weather conditions.  There are loads of Christmassy events on each weekend featuring Santa and his Reindeer – www.visitcairngorms.com/whatson

The Ptarmigan on Cairngorm Mountain

The Ptarmigan on Cairngorm Mountain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a fantastic Festive Season!

Posted in Accommodation Aviemore, aviemore, aviemore activities, aviemore hotels, Boat of Garten, cairngorms, Carr Bridge, Cromdale, Dulnain Bridge, grantown on spey, Kingussie, laggan, Nethy Bridge, Newtonmore, Skiing Aviemore, Skiing Cairngorm, Snowboarding Aviemore, Snowboarding Cairngorm, Weather | No Responses »
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Bed and Breakfasts in Aviemore and the Cairngorms

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
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Bed and Breakfasts in Aviemore and the Cairngorms

From hotels to bed and breakfasts and guest houses, Aviemore has a wealth of accommodation on offer.

If you are planning a visit to Aviemore and the Cairngorms then why not stay in a bed and breakfast in the area.  Each village in the Aviemore area has great Bed and Breakfasts and Guest Houses to choose from.  These are perfect for a short stay if you only have a weekend in Aviemore or are passing through the Cairngorms National Park.

Find Aviemore accommodation, b and bs and guest houses at www.visitcairngorms.com There is something to suit all budgets whether you are looking for cheap Aviemore accommodation or are treating yourself to more of a luxurious stay in a Guest House or Hotel.

 

Visit the Aviemore and Cairngorms area and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. www.visitcairngorms.com

Posted in Accommodation Aviemore, aviemore, aviemore activities, Boat of Garten, cairngorms, Carr Bridge, Cromdale, Dulnain Bridge, grantown on spey, Kingussie, laggan, Nethy Bridge, Newtonmore, walking aviemore | No Responses »
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