Have a cracking time in the Cairngorms this Easter
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Step into spring in the Cairngorms – it really is one of the best times of the year to visit this special part of world with the arrival of longer and warmer days.
And to celebrate Easter the Macdonald Aviemore Resort has its very own 'eggs-cellent' (apologies) special deal.
The offer includes delicious dinner each evening – kids eat free – and a full Scottish breakfast each morning.
But that's not all.
The resort has also lined up some fantastic activities and entertainment during the holiday break including an Easter egg hunt and a full Easter activity programme for the kids, as well as a complimentary family cinema pass.
For those who wish to explore a bit further afield, head to the fantastic Landmark Forest Adventure Park in nearby Carrbridge or get up close to the animals at the fabulous Highland Wildlife Park with free admission included.
But it does not end there...
Easter guests can treat themselves with 10 per cent off at the resort's very own luxury department store – Spey Valley Shopping – with its great range of food and drink, gifts, homeware and clothing.
The children can also burn off their excess energy with unlimited access to the Aviemore Activity Centre at the resort which includes a large indoor swimming pool and slide, soft play area over several floors, and exciting children's activity rooms and the package also includes 30 per cent discount at the on-resort community ice rink - so rest assured mum and dad you're never hear cries of "We're bored!".
It really is the perfect place for a short family getaway and a base to explore an amazing range of places and enjoy a staggering number of activities all within easy reach.
Here are a few more suggestions to whet the appetite for a Cairngorms stay this Easter.
Catch the spring snow at Cairngorm Mountain
It might be spring but there will still be snowsports at Cairngorm Mountain.
It is actually one of the best times to visit as the days are longer and the temperatures milder even at the very top of the ski area.
The slopes will also be quieter making it a perfect time for beginners to learn those turns and for more experienced skiers and snowboarders to brush up on those carves.
There are even two magic carpets at the ski resort now making it easier for novices to
There is fantastic mountain tubing park (weekends only), some mountain garden trails and viewpoints to be enjoyed and why not enjoy a warming drink in the Cairngorm Cafe and a chance to buy some souvenirs from what must be Scotland's highest store - The Moutnain Shop.
And once the snow does vanish then the new mountain bike trails will be back in use aimed at all of the family.
Visitors should note that outdoor activities are weather dependent. Also snowsports are on hold Tuesdays and Wednesdays during March so check the resort's website for latest updates on what lifts are running and conditions.
Put a spring in your step
The Cairngorms has some of the finest walks in the whole of Scotland and it is not just for rugged out door types (although there is plenty of testing terrain for more experienced hikers such as the classic routes over the Northern Corries).
Those who prefer to take it a little easier can enjoy plenty of (relatively) lowland walks on well marked trails. One of the best places to explore is Rothiemurchus just on the doorstep of Aviemore.
The old Highland estate has loads of great walking and it's own base with great gift and deli at the Dell of Spey to find out more about what is going on.
For those interested the estate has a vast range of activities from clay pigeon shooting, feed the deer trips and even its very own Hairy Coo Safari.
But back to the walking. Within a short drive of the resort is the magnificent Loch an Eilein and its castle ruin, once home to the feared Wolf of Badenoch who was so bad that he razed Elgin Cathedral. But there is no fear of bumping into him – to give him his real name Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan, the third son of King Robert II of Scotland.
The Wolf of Badenoch was rumoured to have played chess with the devil on the evening before his death in 1394.
The loch and its castle is perfect for a picture and a bit to eat - the beauty spot is a past winner of the UK's best picnic place.
Just a short stroll from the fabled loch is a no less beautiful – and many locals will say even prettier – lochan (just think smaller than a loch). Lochan Mor is called the Lily Loch and easily accessible along recently improved paths through Rothiemurchus' ancient pinewoods. It gets its name from the spectacular display of water lilies in the summer.
If you like a goal with your walks why not seek out the Duke of Gordon's Monument on Kinrara Estate, also just out of Aviemore with parking by Dalraddy Caravan Park. The 80 foot high Tuscan column built in honour of George Gordon, the 5th Duke of Gordon, can be seen from the southern approaches to Aviemore and offers splendid views up and down the strath (valley).
Walking with dinosaurs
A visit to Carrbridge's Landmark Forest Adventure Park is guaranteed to be roaring fun for all of the family – the theme park even has its own Dinosaur Kingdom with more than 20 pre-historic giants to get up close too. But don't get too near or you might end up getting a bit of a surprise!
The attraction was recently voted by TripAdvisor as one of the top 10 adventure parks in the whole of the UK.
But is it far from your conventional theme park – it is very much nature based and its 30 acres are nestled in the local native pinewoods.
Take on one of the two high-ropes course – Ropeworx and the Tarzan Trail for smaller kids – in the trees, tackle the endless number of steps to the top of the timber look-out tower – said to be the highest in the whole of the UK – or how about making the plunge down one of three fun water coasters in your very own dinghy?
And then there there is Ant City – a sprawling playground for children – but if ants aren't your thing then how about butterflies?
Landmark has its own amazing tropical hot-house with hundreds of stunningly beautiful butterflies and exotic flowers.
There is easily a full day of fun to be had, and Landmark has its own cafe and food outlet as well as facilities for picnics.
You're only six miles from the stars at Aviemore resort
That's all it is to Kincraig and its Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, renowned for its stargazing nights.
Don't miss your chance to discover the magic of the outdoors after dark in the Cairngorms National Park with the best of Badenoch's star-gazing experiences.
Loch Insh is just about the best in the strath for dark skies areas, being handily just outside the local village.
The emphasis is on naked-eye observation, but they will also teach you how to use your smart phone, or just take your binoculars if you have any.
You'll need to wrap yourself up well as you could well spend a good hour outdoors, weather permitting. And take a low light torch too, to make walking in the woodland trails easier.
The expert guides will lead you to some magical local places to capture some cool night photos on your smart phone or camera, with dark trees providing a dramatic contrast to the night sky.
You’ll leave knowing a great deal more about stargazing than the majority of people!
Oh, and for the days there's always guaranteed archery, bike hire, skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, open canoeing, river trips, jungle float, stand-up padding, windsurfing, wingfoiling, sailing, fishing, rowing...
To name but some of the activities! There's more at https://lochinsh.com/
It's all go at – karting, that is
The whole family can go have some fast and furious fun in total safety at the Aviemore Kart Raceway just two miles away from the resort.
Families and groups welcome all year round, with opening hours from 10am to 9pm. But advance booking is recommended and, of course, the number of drivers allowed on the premises at any one time will be limited.
After your own session you can leave the track, reception area and equipment room to the rest of the family to enjoy their spell at the wheel while you adjourn as a satisfied spectator to watch the fun from outside: there are loads of great spots to view the track from.
It's a beautifully designed and built track stretching for some 500 metres, boasting a thrilling mix of fast flowing corners which undulate throughout its whole length.
The whole experienced has been expertly designed for wet conditions, with all of the corners positively cambered to increase cornering speeds, particularly on those damper days.
Designed for maximum speed and thrills, Aviemore's dedicated go-karting course rises briefly, then runs downhill for most of its length to ensure the whole full-on buzz of ground-hugging pace before the tight right hander at the end.
The brilliant thing about the village's latest new attraction is that it is also specifically suitable for the very young. Its 'kadet kart' is provided for youngsters between eight and 12 years old.
The newest drivers also get to share the track with some of the older hands, those racers in the 200cc and tandem karts. It's only the adults from 17 and over in the more powerful 270cc vehicles that they won't come up against on their way to perfecting their karting prowess.
Check the place out at https://aviemorekartraceway.co.uk/
The Macdonald Aviemore Resort is the perfect place for a short family getaway and a base to explore the amazing range of places and enjoy the staggering number of activities all within easy reach’.
Ready to book your family Easter adventure at Aviemore Resort?
Visit https://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/offers/aviemore-easter-offer
