Guidebook for Highland
Entertainment & Activities
For the adrenaline junkies! Zip-line your way back and forth across a gully in this spectacular zip park. 14 zip lines over a 2km course, with your final flight speeding up to 40mph, over 550m long stretch. Really well organized, with great
staff. Booking ahead is ESSENTIAL. The zip park is very popular, and is often fully booked, especially during holiday periods. If it is up your street, contact the website in advance to avoid disappointment.
17 Einheimische empfehlen
Zip Trek Park Aviemore
For the adrenaline junkies! Zip-line your way back and forth across a gully in this spectacular zip park. 14 zip lines over a 2km course, with your final flight speeding up to 40mph, over 550m long stretch. Really well organized, with great
staff. Booking ahead is ESSENTIAL. The zip park is very popular, and is often fully booked, especially during holiday periods. If it is up your street, contact the website in advance to avoid disappointment.
Landmark is approx. 4.5 miles from Boat of Garten, just a 10 minute drive from the house.
There is something for the whole family at
Landmark, from the Wild Water-coaster and the
Skydive challenge to nature walks and Butterfly world. They really do cater for all ages here. The kids will enjoy the attractions and
the various play equipment on site. There are cafes and plenty outdoor seating for picnics. If you are staying for a week or more, you might find that when purchasing tickets, a week pass is better value that a day pass, if you intend to make return trips. We used to buy a week or season pass, which meant we could spend a whole day there,but also pop in now and then.
161 Einheimische empfehlen
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
B9153Landmark is approx. 4.5 miles from Boat of Garten, just a 10 minute drive from the house.
There is something for the whole family at
Landmark, from the Wild Water-coaster and the
Skydive challenge to nature walks and Butterfly world. They really do cater for all ages here. The kids will enjoy the attractions and
the various play equipment on site. There are cafes and plenty outdoor seating for picnics. If you are staying for a week or more, you might find that when purchasing tickets, a week pass is better value that a day pass, if you intend to make return trips. We used to buy a week or season pass, which meant we could spend a whole day there,but also pop in now and then.
The MacDonald Resort in Aviemore has a few things to offer including:
Cinema Soft Play
Leisure Pool (quite expensive but the flumes and wave machine are great fun. Also has a steam room and sauna for the grown ups)
Shopping
Spa and Beauty Gym
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Macdonald Aviemore Resort
The MacDonald Resort in Aviemore has a few things to offer including:
Cinema Soft Play
Leisure Pool (quite expensive but the flumes and wave machine are great fun. Also has a steam room and sauna for the grown ups)
Shopping
Spa and Beauty Gym
The Go Kart track is situated just outside Aviemore, just a quick 10 minute drive from the house, or a 30 minute cycle along the speyside way. “Arrive and Drive” sessions are available most days, but best to check
their web page or facebook page to see when block bookings are on. This is brilliant fun for all ages, and has to be the Go Kart track with the best views around.
18 Einheimische empfehlen
Aviemore Kart Raceway
The Go Kart track is situated just outside Aviemore, just a quick 10 minute drive from the house, or a 30 minute cycle along the speyside way. “Arrive and Drive” sessions are available most days, but best to check
their web page or facebook page to see when block bookings are on. This is brilliant fun for all ages, and has to be the Go Kart track with the best views around.
http://www.lochmorlich.com
Check the Website for lessons available in sailing, surfing,
canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking. All equipment and wetsuits
etc available to hire.
Or enjoy the beach, with buckets and spades, hats and scarves,
sunscreen or thermals, depending on the weather!
We have been on the beach, caked in factor 50, enjoying 28 degrees, surrounded by
snow-capped mountains. Only in Scotland. This spot is very popular, and and can be busy over the summer.
36 Einheimische empfehlen
Loch Morlich Watersports
http://www.lochmorlich.com
Check the Website for lessons available in sailing, surfing,
canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking. All equipment and wetsuits
etc available to hire.
Or enjoy the beach, with buckets and spades, hats and scarves,
sunscreen or thermals, depending on the weather!
We have been on the beach, caked in factor 50, enjoying 28 degrees, surrounded by
snow-capped mountains. Only in Scotland. This spot is very popular, and and can be busy over the summer.
http://strathspeyrailway.co.uk
Running from Aviemore to Broomhill, through Boat of Garten, the Strathspey steam train journey is a delightful adventure. You can enjoy coffee and shortbread, afternoon tea, lunch or dinner on the train. You can even upgrade to a first class
carriage for a special occasion. See the website for different booking options.
51 Einheimische empfehlen
Strathspey Railway
Dalfaber Roadhttp://strathspeyrailway.co.uk
Running from Aviemore to Broomhill, through Boat of Garten, the Strathspey steam train journey is a delightful adventure. You can enjoy coffee and shortbread, afternoon tea, lunch or dinner on the train. You can even upgrade to a first class
carriage for a special occasion. See the website for different booking options.
https://www.treezone.co.uk/aviemore
A firm favourite, and regular with our son! Treezone offers 2 routes through the treetops depending on age and height. Instructors are always helpful and full of encouragement.
18 Einheimische empfehlen
TreeZone Aviemore
https://www.treezone.co.uk/aviemore
A firm favourite, and regular with our son! Treezone offers 2 routes through the treetops depending on age and height. Instructors are always helpful and full of encouragement.
www.cragganoutdoors.co.uk
Just 5 minutes from the house, offering various activities such as a 14 hole par 3 golf course, putting, disc golf. Good fun for the whole family!
25 Einheimische empfehlen
Craggan Outdoors
www.cragganoutdoors.co.uk
Just 5 minutes from the house, offering various activities such as a 14 hole par 3 golf course, putting, disc golf. Good fun for the whole family!
There are several golf courses in the area, from award winning 18 hole courses such as Boat of Garten, to small 9 hole, honesty box courses like Nethy Bridge. The Nethy Bridge course is a lovely walk, ideal for young golfers or learners.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Boat Of Garten Golf & Tennis Club
Nethybridge Rd
There are several golf courses in the area, from award winning 18 hole courses such as Boat of Garten, to small 9 hole, honesty box courses like Nethy Bridge. The Nethy Bridge course is a lovely walk, ideal for young golfers or learners.
http://www.hiltonaviemore.com
The Coylumbrige Hotel has a swimming pool with a small chute, which is cheaper that the Macdonald Resort pool. The Funhouse is handy for rainy days, especially for younger children who might enjoy adventure golf, bowling or a swing around in the soft play centre. https://www.funhouseaviemore.com
The hotel restaurant is popular and it offers a large lounge for coffees and relaxing.
Hilton Coylumbridge
http://www.hiltonaviemore.com
The Coylumbrige Hotel has a swimming pool with a small chute, which is cheaper that the Macdonald Resort pool. The Funhouse is handy for rainy days, especially for younger children who might enjoy adventure golf, bowling or a swing around in the soft play centre. https://www.funhouseaviemore.com
The hotel restaurant is popular and it offers a large lounge for coffees and relaxing.
Arts & Culture
Britain’s first open air museum provides a super family day out, and is free to enter. You can explore how highland people used to live from the 1700s through to the 1960s, by
visiting over 30 historical buildings including a prefab, a school room, a
post office, farm buildings, a 1700s township and a 1930s croft. On a
dry day, this attraction provides a lovely walk with plenty things of interest to see and do. There is a café and playpark.
The museum is open from April through to October. It is located in Newtonmore, approx. 20 miles from Boat of Garten – a half hour drive.
90 Einheimische empfehlen
Highland Folk Museum
Kingussie RdBritain’s first open air museum provides a super family day out, and is free to enter. You can explore how highland people used to live from the 1700s through to the 1960s, by
visiting over 30 historical buildings including a prefab, a school room, a
post office, farm buildings, a 1700s township and a 1930s croft. On a
dry day, this attraction provides a lovely walk with plenty things of interest to see and do. There is a café and playpark.
The museum is open from April through to October. It is located in Newtonmore, approx. 20 miles from Boat of Garten – a half hour drive.
Parks & Nature
https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and- events/find-a-reserve/reserves-a- z/reserves-by-name/l/lochgarten/
Boat of Garton is known as The Osprey Village, because of the nesting habits of these extraordinary birds in the nearby Loch Garten. The RSPB centre is just a few miles from the house, approx. 10 minutes in the
car. The rangers are on hand to answer questions and offer fascinating facts, and telescopes are situated in perfect positions for the best views of
the ospreys and their nests. Check the website for the best time of year to catch views of these magnificent birds at the centre, as they migrate to Africa over the winter!
8 Einheimische empfehlen
RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre
https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and- events/find-a-reserve/reserves-a- z/reserves-by-name/l/lochgarten/
Boat of Garton is known as The Osprey Village, because of the nesting habits of these extraordinary birds in the nearby Loch Garten. The RSPB centre is just a few miles from the house, approx. 10 minutes in the
car. The rangers are on hand to answer questions and offer fascinating facts, and telescopes are situated in perfect positions for the best views of
the ospreys and their nests. Check the website for the best time of year to catch views of these magnificent birds at the centre, as they migrate to Africa over the winter!
Sightseeing
http://www.cairngormmountain.org/funicular-railway/
This is a really fun way to see fantastic views of the mountains.
Passengers can enjoy the visitor centre and the Ptarmigan restaurant / café at the top before travelling back down the hill. Tickets can be purchased at the centre.
112 Einheimische empfehlen
Cairngorm Mountain Carpark
http://www.cairngormmountain.org/funicular-railway/
This is a really fun way to see fantastic views of the mountains.
Passengers can enjoy the visitor centre and the Ptarmigan restaurant / café at the top before travelling back down the hill. Tickets can be purchased at the centre.
Essentials
For a selection of hot pies and pastries, or a filled roll, the post office shop is perfect stop for lunch or a snack on the go.
Or, pick up all the essentials to make your own picnic here.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Boat Of Garten Post Office
Deshar Road
For a selection of hot pies and pastries, or a filled roll, the post office shop is perfect stop for lunch or a snack on the go.
Or, pick up all the essentials to make your own picnic here.
Food Scene
This relatively new café in the village of Boat of Garten is gathering quite a reputation for its cakes and bakes. 1896 serves soup as a light lunch. It is a lovely coffee shop to visit, with plenty wonderful art work, photography and locally made goodies to peruse and even purchase as a momento or a gift.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
1896 Gallery
Deshar RoadThis relatively new café in the village of Boat of Garten is gathering quite a reputation for its cakes and bakes. 1896 serves soup as a light lunch. It is a lovely coffee shop to visit, with plenty wonderful art work, photography and locally made goodies to peruse and even purchase as a momento or a gift.
http://andersonsrestaurant.co.uk
Anderson’s is in the village of Boat of Garten, and is perfect for a special occasion or holiday treat. This small bistro uses local produce to create its delicious menu. Children are welcome, and staff are usually happy to accommodate special requests. The baked potato ice cream is worth a try! Booking recommended.
48 Einheimische empfehlen
Andersons Restaurant
Deshar Roadhttp://andersonsrestaurant.co.uk
Anderson’s is in the village of Boat of Garten, and is perfect for a special occasion or holiday treat. This small bistro uses local produce to create its delicious menu. Children are welcome, and staff are usually happy to accommodate special requests. The baked potato ice cream is worth a try! Booking recommended.
http://www.boathotel.co.uk
The Boat Hotel serves good bar food. The beer garden is a perfect spot, on those sunny days.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant
Deshar Roadhttp://www.boathotel.co.uk
The Boat Hotel serves good bar food. The beer garden is a perfect spot, on those sunny days.
The Sylhet is in Grantown. The restaurant, although it is nothing fancy on
the inside, serves really good Indian food. Or you can do take-away, but remember its around a 15 minute drive back to the house.
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Sylhet Brasserie
36 The SquareThe Sylhet is in Grantown. The restaurant, although it is nothing fancy on
the inside, serves really good Indian food. Or you can do take-away, but remember its around a 15 minute drive back to the house.
Pizzariach is in the Dalfaber estate in Aviemore. There is a small seating area for eating in, but the take away pizza service is super, with pizzas made freshly while you wait. There is a family deal including
pizza, curly fries and drinks which is great value and a bit of holiday fun!
http://www.pizzariach.co.uk
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Pizzariach
Pizzariach is in the Dalfaber estate in Aviemore. There is a small seating area for eating in, but the take away pizza service is super, with pizzas made freshly while you wait. There is a family deal including
pizza, curly fries and drinks which is great value and a bit of holiday fun!
http://www.pizzariach.co.uk
Route 7 is a new café, inside Highland Home Centre – a new shop within the Dalfaber
estate. The shop is well worth a browse, and the café is excellent for lunches and coffees, with everything from freshly made stone baked pizza to soup and sandwiches. http://highlandhomecentre.com/route-7-cafe.html
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Route 7 Cafe
Route 7 is a new café, inside Highland Home Centre – a new shop within the Dalfaber
estate. The shop is well worth a browse, and the café is excellent for lunches and coffees, with everything from freshly made stone baked pizza to soup and sandwiches. http://highlandhomecentre.com/route-7-cafe.html
This has been one of our favourites in Aviemore for many years. The Mountain Café, with its award winning menu, has really got its name on the map these days. There can be queues to get in, but the staff are very efficient, and if you can wait, it is worth it!
Food is served all day. The breakfast and lunch menus are superb, and the quality is consistently excellent. The picture here shows my banana and bIueberry pancake stack from the breakfast menu (only served until 11am). If you’re visiting for coffee and cake, you won’t be able to choose. The range of home baking is extensive – but be prepared to leave with a doggy bag – the cakes are HUGE!
35 Einheimische empfehlen
Mountain Cafe
This has been one of our favourites in Aviemore for many years. The Mountain Café, with its award winning menu, has really got its name on the map these days. There can be queues to get in, but the staff are very efficient, and if you can wait, it is worth it!
Food is served all day. The breakfast and lunch menus are superb, and the quality is consistently excellent. The picture here shows my banana and bIueberry pancake stack from the breakfast menu (only served until 11am). If you’re visiting for coffee and cake, you won’t be able to choose. The range of home baking is extensive – but be prepared to leave with a doggy bag – the cakes are HUGE!
http://www.roosleap.com
Another family favourite of ours, Roos serves consistently good food. Roos is
famous for its burgers, made from prime Scottish beef. The menu also has pasta, chicken and steak dishes. This restaurant caters well for kids, with a kids menu and smaller portions if you ask. It can be busy, especially at holiday times, so worth booking.
Roo's Leap
http://www.roosleap.com
Another family favourite of ours, Roos serves consistently good food. Roos is
famous for its burgers, made from prime Scottish beef. The menu also has pasta, chicken and steak dishes. This restaurant caters well for kids, with a kids menu and smaller portions if you ask. It can be busy, especially at holiday times, so worth booking.
http://www.highrange.co.uk/taverna
Good indian food, in Aviemore, take away or sit in. Often busy, so best to phone ahead.
La Taverna Italian restaurant on the roundabout at the Rothiemurchus end of Aviemore. This popular, family run restaurant featured on tv last year as part of The Mountain documentary series. This restaurant is often very busy, so best to phone ahead. The buffet is very popular, especially with children, of all ages.
24 Einheimische empfehlen
La Taverna
1 Grampian Rdhttp://www.highrange.co.uk/taverna
Good indian food, in Aviemore, take away or sit in. Often busy, so best to phone ahead.
La Taverna Italian restaurant on the roundabout at the Rothiemurchus end of Aviemore. This popular, family run restaurant featured on tv last year as part of The Mountain documentary series. This restaurant is often very busy, so best to phone ahead. The buffet is very popular, especially with children, of all ages.
http://www.inshriachnursery.co.uk/the-potting-shed-tearoom
The Potting Shed is a charming tea room attached to
the Inshriach Nursery and garden centre. The tea room serves a selection of freshly
baked cakes every day, and because of the location, you can observe an abundance of wildlife from the viewing tables as you enjoy your cuppa. The potting Shed is located at Inchriach. Follow the road towards Loch an Eilein, but continue past loch entrance road
for approx. 10 mins. The garden centre and café is on your right, and parking is opposite.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
The Potting Shed Tearoom & Inshriach Garden
http://www.inshriachnursery.co.uk/the-potting-shed-tearoom
The Potting Shed is a charming tea room attached to
the Inshriach Nursery and garden centre. The tea room serves a selection of freshly
baked cakes every day, and because of the location, you can observe an abundance of wildlife from the viewing tables as you enjoy your cuppa. The potting Shed is located at Inchriach. Follow the road towards Loch an Eilein, but continue past loch entrance road
for approx. 10 mins. The garden centre and café is on your right, and parking is opposite.
The Storehouse is a café and restaurant upstairs in the Day Lodge at the bottom of the Cairngorm Mountain. A perfect stop-off during a day of walking or skiing, or even if you
have just taken a drive up the ski road to admire
the scenery and check out the attractions. Serving
Starbucks Coffee, and a wide range of hot and cold
food, this is a popular café all year round.
The Storehouse
The Storehouse is a café and restaurant upstairs in the Day Lodge at the bottom of the Cairngorm Mountain. A perfect stop-off during a day of walking or skiing, or even if you
have just taken a drive up the ski road to admire
the scenery and check out the attractions. Serving
Starbucks Coffee, and a wide range of hot and cold
food, this is a popular café all year round.
Shopping
Inverness is approx. 40 mins from the house. We have found lots to do in Inverness over the years.
Swimming at The Aquadome is great fun! The building hosts a large leisure pool plus a competition pool. The leisure pool has a large wave pool, river with jets and geysers, 3 flume rides and an outdoor (thistle shaped) pool, family-sized spa bath and toddler pool. The flumes are brilliant fun for the whole family.
Shopping in Inverness is a pleasure. The Eastgate shopping centre has a range of high street shops and the atmosphere is leisurely and relaxed. There is also the Old Town which has shops and restaurants, cinemas etc.
166 Einheimische empfehlen
Inverness
Inverness is approx. 40 mins from the house. We have found lots to do in Inverness over the years.
Swimming at The Aquadome is great fun! The building hosts a large leisure pool plus a competition pool. The leisure pool has a large wave pool, river with jets and geysers, 3 flume rides and an outdoor (thistle shaped) pool, family-sized spa bath and toddler pool. The flumes are brilliant fun for the whole family.
Shopping in Inverness is a pleasure. The Eastgate shopping centre has a range of high street shops and the atmosphere is leisurely and relaxed. There is also the Old Town which has shops and restaurants, cinemas etc.