Start from 35 curated places around Aviemore, GB, then choose the recommendations that fit your guests.
Restaurants & cafés
The Cross at Kingussie
A restaurant-with-rooms in a converted Victorian tweed mill on the Gynack Burn at Kingussie, and the area's destination dinner. The kitchen does a short modern-Scottish set menu and a tasting menu built on local game, fish and produce, paired from a deep cellar. For a special night out rather than a casual bite.
Andersons Restaurant
A small evening bistro in Boat of Garten run by a chef-and-front-of-house couple, leaning on Highland beef, venison and seasonal produce. The room is intimate and the cooking confident without being fussy, with homemade ice cream to finish. The best proper dinner in the Boat of Garten direction.
Trails & outdoors
Loch an Eilein Circuit
A flat three-mile loop around Loch an Eilein through old Caledonian pines, with the island castle in view for much of the way. It is the easiest of the classic Cairngorm walks, on good path the whole way, and suits buggies, dogs and small children. Allow about an hour and a half at an easy pace.
An Lochan Uaine
The Green Lochan in the Ryvoan Pass, an unnaturally emerald pool below scree slopes a short walk in from the Glenmore forest. The out-and-back from the Glenmore car park is gentle and short, popular with families, and links onward to the Ryvoan Pass for longer days. Folklore says fairies dye the water green.
Things to do
Strathspey Railway
A heritage steam line running restored locomotives between Aviemore, Boat of Garten and Broomhill through the strath. The round trip is a relaxed 90 minutes or so of Highland scenery from a vintage carriage, with themed and dining services at times. An easy outing that works for all ages and any weather.
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
A forest theme park at Carrbridge mixing treetop rope courses, water rides, a fire tower and nature trails among tall pines. It is squarely aimed at families and rewards a full day, with enough indoor and sheltered bits to survive a shower. The headline kids' day out in the area.
Landmarks & sights
Loch an Eilein
A quiet loch in the old Caledonian pines of Rothiemurchus with a ruined 13th-century castle marooned on a little island near the shore. The flat circuit around it is the walk locals send first-time visitors on, and the visitor point sells maps and ice cream in season. Good for an unhurried morning with kids or a dog.
Loch Morlich
A freshwater loch with an actual sandy beach backed by Glenmore forest and the Cairngorm tops, on the road up to the ski centre. People swim, paddleboard and picnic here in summer, and the watersports centre rents kayaks and SUPs. The most family-friendly loch in Strathspey.