cairngorms - exploring and any recommendations appreciated!

[cutewithsharpteethpossibly]

we have a lodge booked Glenmore area for activity holidays with dc, any recommendations for places to eat / visit please, don't mind a drive and would like to explore the wider area as it looks incredible. Thanks.

DP and I did a really fun zip wire thing in Aviemore a few years ago. I would say it's suitable for adults and older kids.

Yes, there’s a Go Ape type thing in Rothiemurchis near Aviemore. The Highland Wildlife Park also near Aviemore is great. Look at Glenmore Lodge activity centre and what courses they are running while you are there, they do great outdoor training.
Then fundamentally go and walk up some awesome hills and appreciate the view! Although make sure you have the kit and knowledge for the scale of hill that you are tackling!

thanks for this advice - we go next week and have boots & maps packed, anywhere a bit special to eat out that anyone could recommend please as we have a birthday whilst there? Oh and thanks again!

Landmark adventure park is just a short drive from aviemore and the kids should love it.

Walk from glenmore visitor centre to the green loch (think its loch an uaine but my Gaelic is crap). Definitely also loch an eilean on rothiemurchas estate. That costs money to park but is lovely - about 5km round.
Funicular up cairngorm is worth it so long as you can see.
Loch morlich area is just so lovely, hire bikes from next to the rothiemurchus visitor centre and just explore behind loch morlich from loch an eilean towards cairngorm, there’s miles of easy well surfaced trails. You can get a map at the rothiemurchus centre and a map of glenmore forest which adjoins at the glenmore visitor centre. You don’t need to drive anywhere really as that area is just heaven.

Eating - we like the winking owl. It’s not fancy, just nice pub food.
Cakes - either the mountain cafe on the high street or best is the inshriach Nursery near loch Insh.

thanks we will be there Saturday - can't wait, I see the Inshriach Nursery has closed though, anything anyone can recommend to eat at around Kingussie / Newtonmore please?

Funicular is great but if you want to go outside at the top and go to the top you have to book a guided walk. We did and really enjoyed it. Reindeer centre is next door but we didn't do that.

We took our then six year old camping for two weeks and we hired bikes, loads of great bike tracks. Go up to the top of the cairngorm plateau. We walked but you can get the lift up. Day trip to see balmoral. Aviemore itself is fab, very trendy vibe. Loads of nice places to eat. Look for ospreys at loch garten, look for red squirrels at rothiemurcus. Look for golden eagles at findhorn valley and if you are lucky the training fighter jets may make an appearance. If you are an outdoors type of family and you are lucky with the weather,
There is absolutely loads to do there, one of the best holidays we have done with the kids by far.
Enjoy.

I’ve just spent 4 days in Braemar visiting friends. First time in Scotland. I love north wales and the lakes but I think the Cairngorms is very special. With the snow rails above the doors, it feels like it’s somewhere abroad, a real get away. Sorry - no advice on activities but thought I’d share the love. We did see the Duchess of Cambridge buying new walking boots too

The Potting Shed at Inshriachis closed now - it was the best in the area and I’m still not over it closing . The Sugar Bowl cafe in Kingussie is good I hear. Nethy House cafe in Nethy Bridge is v good too. Nethy Bridge is good for a stroll, list of waymarked trails and it’ll be a bit quieter than Rothiemurchus. Funicular up Cairngorm is a must- do, but you cannot get out at the top other than onto a viewing deck.

If you fancy a longer drive, head over to Braemar via Nethy Bridge, Tomintoul and Crathie. Go up to the Linn of Dee car park and walk into Derry Lodge, it’s about a 6 mile round trip walk and it’s beautiful. Lovely cafe called The Bothy in Braemar too (are we seeing a theme emerging here...)

Walk from Glenmore up to the Green Lochan and then keep going for about another mile (tops) to Ryvoan Bothy. Nice spot.

Please note however, I do not rate the cafe at the Glenmore Visitors Centre. Avoid!

I second the Linn of Dee walk and The Bothy in Braemar. The gathering is next Saturday though so it will be rammed

Yes, don’t go to Braemar this weekend unless you are deliberately going for the Gathering!

thanks everyone for these suggestions and the weather looks promising!