Aviemore

Aviemore is perhaps the most well known ski resort in Britain. It can be found in the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands and the scenery forms a stunning backdrop to the town. Although renowned for its skiing, Aviemore is a great place to visit at any time of the year and is easily accessible by rail and road. Aviemore's history was little known until the 1800s, when it became part of the old Highland Railway. This rail access opened the area up to tourists, including Queen Victoria. Walter Scott also visited regularly to enjoy the amazing scenery. Aviemore and the surrounding Cairngorms became extremely popular with hikers and climbers and from the early 1960s, its skiing industry began to develop into what it is today. Clearly, the winter sports are a huge attraction for visitors to Aviemore and the facilities on offer are second to none. The outdoor life is really well catered for even if skiing and snowboarding isn't your thing. Hill walking, climbing, canoeing, pony trekking, cycling and sailing are available, to name but a few. Also, of course, this being Scotland means there are plenty of opportunities to play golf. Aviemore also offers other attractions. There is a well-equipped leisure centre in the town as well as The Fun House just outside the town, offering 65 acres of entertainment. Some unique places are the Cairngorm Sleddog Adventure Centre and the Speyside Wildlife Rothiemurchus, which allows visitors to gain experience of the local flora and fauna. A trip up the Cairngorm Mountain Railway is also a must.