With a cycling obsessed five year old thanks to his experience of the UCI World Championships in Glasgow, when I was looking to get away with the two boys for a few days before school started again, Aviemore kept popping into my mind. I remember holidays to Aviemore from my own childhood and being dragged out on my bike. I wasn’t a fan of cycling as a stroppy teenager but remembered there were lots of safe, simple trails where Alfie could channel his inner world champ.
Roping in my parents because daddy was working, we booked the Scandinavian Village in the heart of Aviemore for four nights.
Our apartment at Scandinavian Village was lovely, all traditional wooden interiors which made it feel so cosy and homely. I love a shiny hotel room as much as the next person, but nothing says comfort and warmth like gorgeous pine interiors. And even though it was a warm august, there was something so comforting and cosy about the apartment. But the best part for the boys was the playpark just across the road, and even better, it had a train structure in it. The park must have been put in fairly recently because it was immaculate and perfect for entertaining a five and two year old. Getting them to come back to the apartment for tea … not so easy!
Cycling from Aviemore to Loch Morlich
Alfie was desperate to get out on a proper bike ride so early the next morning we got ready for our first cycle – Aviemore to Loch Morlich, around 12km away. To get to the trail we had to ride through Aviemore first which wasn’t the most relaxing. The main road through the town is busy with cars, motorhomes and coaches. Thankfully it didn’t take too long to get to the trail then we were away through a pretty housing area, along the side of the road on a cycle path then into the forest which was so beautiful. It was a bit of a shock to the system for Alfie as he hasn’t tackled too many hills before and there were a fair few climbs along the way. I was pulling the two year old in the Burley bike trailer so was really feeling the climbs too and felt for him. He didn’t want to stop though and he didn’t want to turn back. He loved the flatter parts and the downhills, plus the slightly more adventurous little bits in the trees.
After a couple of hours we arrived at The Pine Marten Bar to refuel. After delicious bacon and egg rolls washed down with coffee, and ice lollies for the kids, we were back in the saddle to cycle down to the beach on the edge of Loch Morlich. Lots of people were paddle boarding, kayaking and swimming and it had such a lovely chilled out feel. The beach was sandy/ pebbly and the boys had a blast paddling in the chilly water. I would love to come back here with wetsuits because you could easily spend a day playing in the water. The water was so clear and the surroundings were beautiful but soon it was time to head back. Thankfully the ride back felt a lot easier and we were flying down the parts we’d had to use every ounce of energy to get up. By the time we got back, there were sore bottoms all round, muddy legs but happy, smiling faces. Alfie was so proud of himself, and rightly so. 24km complete. And an hour later he was asking to go back out on his bike again. No way pal.
In search of the Steam Train
The benefits of being in the centre of Aviemore meant that just a short while later we were ready to go out again. This time to try and see the steam train. The Strathspey Railway starts and ends in Aviemore making it easy to see, or at least hear the steam train multiple times a day. For two little boys, seeing a real steam train is a mind-blowing experience. The huge engine is impressive and really quite exciting to see. We didn’t end up riding the train because I wasn’t sure if the boys would like it if they couldn’t actually see the engine. There is a gorgeous observation car which friends of ours rode in with their two boys (aged 5 and 4) and on the return journey, the steam engine is in front of this car so you have a fantastic view of the engine. One thing that put us off was the attitude of the staff – the lady “greeting” and the one in the ticket office were incredibly unfriendly, verging on downright rude. Whether they were volunteers or not, there’s no need for it and it was frankly embarrassing listening to them speak to visitors. We got platform tickets one day and thankfully the on board team who we spoke to a couple of on the platform were friendly so hopefully it would be a better experience on the train.
After a wonderfully comfy sleep in our cosy bunkbeds, the padded shorts and the chammy cream (a first for me) was back on and we were ready to get back on the bikes, this time to ride to Boat of Garten, and hopefully see the steam train along the way. My bottom certainly wasn’t thanking me for it as we made our way through the town again back to the cycle path. Knowing we had a twelve mile round trip cycle ahead of us I had to quickly learn to drown out the feeling. Alfie was delighted to be cycling again so I kept the focus on that, just having an occasional cheerful whinge along the way. By the time we got onto the main cycle path I wasn’t thinking about it anymore because the scenery was so beautiful. We were riding along stone paths cut through the heather, moorland and forest, it was so peaceful and relaxing. Even though it was still hard work, it was so worth it. Knowing the train would be departing Aviemore shortly, we slowed to stay on the path close to the railway. And sure enough the faint chug chug sounds got closer and we stood by a fence waiting for it to come. What a sight it was chugging and puffing away through the stunning scenery. It felt like something out of the Railway Children as we waved at the passengers and they waved back, smiling faces all round.
A while later we arrived into Boat of Garten, a really pretty little village. We headed for the station first to see if the café there was open but sadly it was closed and we were too early to see the train on the way back so after a quick google check, we headed up the road to another coffee shop – the Osprey Coffee House. What a find this place was. The staff were so lovely, the cakes and coffees were delicious and it even had a kids play corner. Here there was a little unit filled with toys including train tracks, trains and building blocks among other things (that I can’t remember because both kids were sold on building a train track.) There was also a foosball table for older kids which I really enjoyed playing on. Big kid right here. In the play bit there was a sofa so I could sit and rest my legs while the kids had fun. We could’ve quite happily stayed a while longer but it was time to head off again. After a quick chat with one of the guys working there, we learned there was a pump track nearby. Off we went and a few minutes later we arrived at the track. It was pretty impressive and the five year old enjoyed going round the smaller part. It was a bit big for him so after my dad had a go we set off back to Aviemore. You could easily spend time riding the trails around Boat of Garten but knowing we had a long cycle back, we saved the energy and headed for the trail back. Again, the ride back seemed to whizz by and we were lucky enough to see the steam train again. The scenery again was just stunning and so peaceful. Our whole bike ride there and back we saw around five people. It was absolutely perfect for a family bike ride in the peace and quiet.
On the hunt for ice cream
After a quick lunch and a very brief sit down before being dragged over to the play park we headed back into the town to see the steam train again. On the way we stopped at Miele’s Gelateria as I’d heard really good things about the place. Everything I’d heard was bang on. I opted for the apple pie gelato and it was incredible. Totally like eating apple pie in an ice cream form. We’d taken the ice creams to the little area that has a (kind of) stream going through it with lots of rocks to sit on. And more importantly, where we could also see the steam train chugging back into the station. We even managed to catch it on the way back to it’s shed for the night which was a bonus. Overall a brilliant day – who needs more than a bit of cycling in fresh air, beautiful scenery, ice cream and a steam train.
For our last full day in the Cairngorms we headed to Landmark Adventure Park. I’d heard really good things about it from friends that had recently visited. We prebooked our tickets the night before to save a bit of money and joined the queue to get in when it opened. We went straight for the water boats to try and get a few rides in before the park got busy. They were so much fun, although the five year old didn’t enjoy the enclosed dark tunnel one – it was really dark and he couldn’t see where he was going. But that aside, there was tons of stuff to do in the park. There was a nice mix of things to do and things to see. I really enjoyed the tree top walk and learnt loads about the forest, whereas Alfie kept asking when that would be finished, desperate to get back on a ride or at least doing something. His favourites were the ride on jeeps, the remote control cars, the climbing wall and the Tarzan trail which mum and I did too. I had a fear to face from many years ago when I freaked out on one of those trails that wasn’t even that high off the ground, so I wanted to see if I could do it now. Alfie did so well and following him round gave me lots of confidence. For the two year old there wasn’t a whole lot he could do. He did eventually go on the little ride on animals, mainly choosing to do it as the heavens opened of course. He was a tiny bit on the short side for most things but I think he still enjoyed the day. There’s certainly plenty there for a full day for all ages and would definitely go back. The staff at Landmark were all lovely – really kind and helpful to everyone, even helping us escape getting soaked by opening another exit for us to get back to the car park when torrential rain appeared from nowhere.
Aviemore was the perfect choice for a fun, outdoor filled few days for a mix of ages. The boys loved it – from sleeping in bunkbeds to the steamroller they could play on in the MacDonald resort, to seeing a steam train everyday and cycling (or being towed in the trailer) for miles along safe, quiet paths. I’m already missing the stunning Highland scenery and can’t wait to return again for more of the same.
Get us outside 