Playground Of The North

Set in the majestic Cairngorms, Aviemore and its surrounding forests, rivers and lochs are full of delights for lovers of the outdoors

- Janice Hopper

Scotland is rich in tales of dramatic history, battlefields and beheaded queens. Aviemore stands out as a relatively peaceful destination, a town now celebrated as a family-friendly resort, an outdoor playground for all ages. Perennially popular with Scots who fancy a weekend of skiing and escape, it offers ‘playtime’ to visitors from across the UK and overseas. Part of the spectacular Cairngorms National Park (Britain’s largest), Aviemore was once little more than a staging post for travellers. Tucked away in the Cairngorm mountain range, situated on a natural boundary separating the east and west of Scotland, its rise to prominence began when the railway brought Victorian visitors into the romantically imagined wilds of the Highlands.

The transformation of Aviemore was sealed with the opening of its ski resort in the 1960s. Today, the region is fully geared up to welcome visitors to an area of renowned natural beauty for a host of outdoor activities – both high-octane and gentle – and the railway is transforming the experience once more. Sleeper trains linking London and the Highlands already run regularly but in the first half of 2019, new, luxurious train stock is scheduled to hit the tracks. Suites, featuring double beds and en-suite showers, will transform the experience, opening up the north of Scotland to those who wish to travel in comfort.