The town of Aviemore, home to our Glenmore campsite, sits in the stunning Cairngorms National Park, where you’ll find endless stretches of ancient mountain trails, peaceful lochs and striking forests.
This gorgeous expanse of the Scottish Highlands offers unparalleled natural beauty for any lover of the great outdoors, but what about when the weather isn’t quite so serene? Not to worry, we have you covered! You can still make the most of this beautiful corner of the world with our top recommended rainy day activities…
The cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands has certainly earned that reputation. In the Old Town you’ll find landmarks such as Inverness Cathedral, the Old High Church and the popular indoor Victorian Market, with vendors selling an array of wares to take everyone’s fancy.
There are plenty of high street and independent shops around the city, as well as an abundance of dining destinations, pubs and bars for when you need to refuel or unwind.
Check out Inverness Museum and Art Gallery to delve deeper into local history, with exhibitions and hands-on activities to keep the whole family entertained! Plus, Eden Court Theatre is host to a whole variety of events covering opera, pop concerts, dance shows, theatre and films.
The sixth-highest mountain in the UK, Cairngorm Mountain stands at an impressive 1245 metres. The mountain has a reputation of being one of the most beautiful but also most difficult places to ski in the UK. Non-skiers looking for a gentler pace of life can enjoy unrivalled views from the UK’s highest funicular railway, which is enclosed so you can visit no matter what Mother Nature throws at your day out.
Once you’ve reached the top you can take in the views over Loch Morlich in the Storehouse restaurant. For further food options, you can also visit the highest restaurant in the UK, Ptarmigan Restaurant, serving local produce and showcasing the landscapes perfectly from its viewing terrace.
If scaling a mountain doesn’t appeal, how about luxury designer shopping? There’s excitement for every age and interest at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort, with the Aviemore Activity Centre providing soft play for the youngsters, games consoles and DVD facilities, and even a stage area for those budding young performers.
Spey Valley Shopping offers everything from clothing and homeware to fine foods, while the 3D cinema shows all the latest releases. Plus, the leisure pool is always a hit with all the family! The giant slide, wave machine, sauna and steam room guarantee a fun-packed day with a little well-deserved pampering thrown in for good measure.
In addition to all of those activities, there is a range of bars, cafes and restaurants offering views onto those famous highland vistas.
Go back in time with vintage railcar trips at the Strathspey Railway, a splendid way to take in an afternoon from the comfort of your olde-worlde carriage. During the trip – around 1 hour and 35 minutes round trip - you’ll pass through the stations of Aviemore, Boat of Garten and Broomhill.
It’s not just the striking local scenery you can enjoy; tasty catering is available on-board comprising lunch, evening meals, afternoon tea and Sunday luncheons. To make those special times of year even more memorable for the family, Strathspey Railway also hosts Easter, Halloween and Santa Express events.
For parents, they have Mother’s Day and whisky tasting events on the calendar. You can even learn how to drive one of the engines yourself, with steam and diesel footplate experiences available for a gift that won’t be forgotten in a hurry! As you can see, you don’t have to rely on beautiful weather to enjoy the best of what Aviemore has to offer.
There are plenty of ways to turn your visit into one you will always remember, without having to battle the elements. So what are you waiting for? Find your perfect weekend break in Aviemore and start enjoying all of these activities for yourself.
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