Earlier this year I was lucky enough to head to Majorca with my young family. Having touched back down in Aberdeen, I swore not to go abroad for another five years following a week of toddler meltdowns. So it was with great trepidation that we set off on another trip. We made our way to Rothiemurchus and I can safely say, we absolutely adored our stay. It turns out that my kids didn’t need an all inclusive in the sun. They needed a truly special adventure on Scottish soil.
Rothiemurchus Estate can be found within walking distance of Aviemore, making it the perfect location to explore everything this stunning area has to offer. Described by none other than Sir David Attenborough as “one of the glories of Wild Scotland,” I can confirm it lives up to the hype. Rothiemurchus stretches from Scotland’s third highest mountain, Braeriach, to the River Spey at Aviemore – making it the gateway to the Cairngorms.
Its history alone is remarkable, not least because it has been cared for by people for centuries. From the softness of the pine forests to the tranquillity of Loch an Eilein, it’s not difficult to see why people are so inspired to do their bit for this splendid corner of the world.
There are numerous accommodation options available on the Estate, and we stayed in The Garden Flat. It was the perfect size, with two bedrooms and an open plan kitchen/lounge area which overlooked a beautiful walled garden. You can order delicious local produce from the farm shop, which made for a slap-up breakfast. I came home with shares in black current jam and have no regrets. The estate stables is a mere stone’s throw from your front door, and there is a large green which is perfect for little ones to run about on. There are numerous activities available to book, so you’ll never hear the dreaded “I’m bored” chant. If you do one thing, make it the Feed the Deer Experience. To watch my eight-year old’s face as stags thundered across the hill, he was in awe as were we. You’re accompanied to see these magnificent red deer by a knowledgeable ranger, who showed my eldest how to gently stroke the velvety antlers. It was such a wonderful experience to be up so close to these stunning creatures, which are of course iconic of Scotland. We also did the hairy coo safari, where we met the Helian coos and discovered the role they play on the estate. We were able to cook thanks to the well-equipped kitchen back at The Garden Flat, but we also had a lovely meal at the Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore. The Wee Legends menu kept the kids happy, and I’m still thinking about the mouth-watering scampi.
A visit to Aviemore isn’t complete with a day out at Landmark, which seems to get better every time we go. The amazing forest adventure zone is set to open soon, complete with a six-lane toboggan run. It’s no wonder that Landmark has been crowned one of the UK’s top visitor attractions, and it’s the perfect place to go all year round. The Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS experience is set to make a return in November, where you can immerse yourself in the enchanting ancient pinewood forest, illuminated by thousands of lights, sounds and effects.
We truly had a wonderful stay and can’t wait to return, this time with our Labrador pup. Several holiday snaps have already been framed, which really does say it all.
To book your stay at Rothiemurchus Estate, go to rothiemurchus.net To plan your visit to landmark, go to landmarkpark.co.uk
