We had thrills galore in our family favourite holiday spot in the Cairngorms

THERE’S nowhere better for a family holiday than Aviemore in my book.

We’ve been going as a family since our 11-year-old son Jacob was born.

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So you can imagine our excitement when we booked up for a return weekend  break.

But this time we vowed to do things differently and  get out and explore the Cairngorms.

Before, when we’d stayed at the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel my partner Laura,  Jacob and I found it hard to pull ourselves away from all the facilities  they have to offer.

But this time we wanted to really get under the skin of the area.

But first check in. Our room was huge,  with a massive king-size bed and a decent sized single bed for Jacob, with a big roomy bathroom.

It was late on the first day when we arrived, so adventures had  to wait as we headed to the busy hotel bar for a nightcap.

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Next day we were up and at ’em and after a  sumptuous breakfast were off to the Rothiemurchus Estate to meet their Highland Cows.

Our guide, Eleanor, told us about the different types they breed and we got to visit a herd as they munched barley produced on the farm.

We wanted to try some fare too, so had  lunch at their cafe, The Barn.
Laura and I had the most delicious fresh homemade soup and Jacob had a bacon roll. I suppose it was brunch-time!

Next was  my favourite part of the trip  — feeding the local deer.

We were met by the ranger, Ray, who answered all our questions  and then made the short drive to the field where 40 hungry deer were waiting on their dinner.  

I thought they looked pleased to see us as they all bounded over en masse but I  guess they were probably more interested in the food we’d brought.

Hand feeding these magnificent creatures left me a very happy man and we were buzzing as we headed back to the hotel to  relax.

Jacob was in his element as he splashed in the pool,  going down the large flume about a million times. Laura and I relaxed in the sauna, and swerved the well-equipped fitness suite!

We made the  short walk into town for dinner before calling it a night, ready for more Highland high jinx.

Next day we drove to the Highland Wildlife Park  to get a look at the polar bears.

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Jacob was also keen to see the tigers, so after we drove through the safari area we headed off to find them and his face lit up when he spotted them.

Pure joy. I also had a go at feeding the red deer. The adventure clock was ticking and it was time to get ready for our second activity of the day and one we were all apprehensive about — the zip wire park. 

But we needn’t have worried. Our guide, Andy, reassured us all before it was time to zip along more than 2km of wire, passing  stunning scenery as we blasted towards the bottom of the gorge.

The weather was stunning and the views and colours of the trees were simply mesmerising.  

This was definitely Jacob and Laura’s favourite activity and we’d highly recommend it.

All that exercise  had worked up an appetite so we  headed over to Loch Insh Boathouse Restaurant for dinner.

We got seats with spectacular views over the loch. Jacob went for the burger, Laura had fish and chips and I had the steak pie.

The food was delicious and happily, we still had room  for homemade apple crumble and custard.

Jacob didn’t stop talking about the trip all the way home and we had to promise we’d be back soon just to get some peace.

But this is one promise we’ll definitely keep. Aviemore and the Cairngorms are absolutely our fave family destination.

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