10 Great Days Out

By silverglades on June 30, 2021

Make your summer holiday full of happy memories

The summer holidays are here! If you are lucky enough to have a stay booked in Aviemore you may be looking for some  ideas for days out with your friends or family. There are so many different things to choose from when visiting Aviemore at any time of the year, from summer activities, to winter snow sports and festive events.

Here are just a few of our guest favourite summer great days out and some hidden gems which are either free or very low cost  like, Aviemore  Spy Mission Treasure Trail or The Highland Folk Museum.

1.Rothiemurchus Estate

Rothiemurchus Estate offers a wide range of outdoor activities (mostly for over 8s) and has loads of footpaths and cycle trails to explore in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.
Activities on land include:

• Archery and Bush Craft,
• Rafting, Tubes and Canoes.
• Quad Biking. Led by a fully experienced guide, your quad trek will take you along a stunning network of tracks and trails around the estate.
• Clay pigeon shooting
• TreeZone. This exciting adventure playground suspended from wires high up in the pine forests of Rothiemurchus with balance beams, Tarzan swings and a monster zip-wire ride.
• Little Landy’s If you have kind age 6-11 why not try newest activity  at Rothiemurchus, Little Landy’s, let the kids take the driving seat and head off on an exciting off-road adventure on our purpose-built 4×4 track designed specifically for them. Taking the wheel of one of our replica land rovers, each young driver will have the chance to learn to steer and navigate the course tackling various obstacles along the way.

You will also find the Loch an Eilein Visitors Centre on the Loch, and gift shops, a farm shop, cafes, and a restaurant on the Estate. Click here to visit Rothiemurchus Estate's website.

2.Strathspey Railway

Step back in time on board the beautiful Strathspey steam train and enjoy the splendid views between Aviemore, Boat and Broom hill station. Bring your bikes on board for free and take the steam train to board - then take a 30-minute (mainly off-road) cycle to the beach in Loch Garten or to the Osprey Centre, before steaming back in to Aviemore! Click here to visit Strathspey Railway's website.

3.Landmark Forest Adventure Park

This was one of my kids favourite days out in the holidays. Theme Park rides and waterfall flumes. All sorts of action including rock climbing and a butterfly biodome. The world’s only ‘Bamboozeleum’ and now their new Dinosaur Kingdom. Click here to visit Landmark Forest Adventure Park's website.

4.Highland Wildlife Park

A great place to visit, whatever the weather. Step into the animal kingdom at Highland Wildlife Park and discover Scottish wildlife and endangered animals of the world's mountains and tundra in our spectacular setting. Drive around the Main Reserve in your own car and then investigate the walk-round area on foot. The Wildlife Park has a wide and diverse range of animals. From native species such as the Capercaillie and Scottish Wildcat to those from further afield such as the Amur Tiger and Polar Bear, snow leopards and Hedwig’s very own crew, snowy owls. Click here to visit Highland Wildlife Park's website.

6.Loch Insh Water Sport and Activity Centre
Let your kids learn a brand new skill ,Kids as young as 4 can learn how to kayak, and there are other great water activities such as raft building, canoeing and paddle boarding. You can enjoy a coffee or meal after a busy day on the water in the loch side café. Click here to visit Loch Insh Watersport and Activity Centre's website.

7.Cairngorm Mountain in summer

• Tubing Slid.
  Fun for both children and adults, the 56 metre, high-speed Tubing Slide will feature two parabolic turns
• Guided Walks
  There is no better way to discover the natural beauty of the Cairngorm Mountains than by embarking on a guided walk. There is a range of guided experiences at Cairngorm Mountain which are ideal for first time visitors and experienced hill-walkers alike. 
• The Mountain Garden & Coire Cas Viewpoint Newly developed for this summer is the Coire Cas Viewpoint and Wildlife Hide. Take a walk through the hide and learn of the native inhabitants of the Cairngorms, catch a glimpse of the hungry locals at our feeding tables and watch the story of our nesting family of Ring Ouzel unfold. Click here to visit CairnGorm Mountain's website.

8.Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

Britain’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer found in the Cairngorm mountains in Scotland. These tame and friendly animals are a joy to all who come and see them. Reindeer are not just for Christmas!
Click here to visit Cairngorm Reindeer Centre's website.

9.Aviemore  Spy Mission Treasure Trail ( under £10)

There is lots to discover and learn on the Aviemore self-guided spy themed Treasure Trail as you embark on this family mission. Great for all ages from 6 years upwards, you will need everyone to join in, old and young, to find and solve the clues. Click here to visit Aviemore Spy Mission Treasure Trail's website.

10.Highland Folk Museum (Free entry)

This is a fun day out and it is free! The Highland Folk Museum has transformed 300 years of history by recreating a thriving 1700's township, of heather thatched turf houses with open peat fires, furnished with box bed and traditional lamps. A working croft still stands with horses, cattle, ducks, tractors, hand pumps and farm machinery and the teacher rules in the old, tin Highland school!
Click here to visit Highland Folk Museum's website.