The Sunny Side of Scotland

A May 2005 trip to Aviemore by Carl & Sam

Review of the resort, the village, the people, and the activities

  • 4 reviews
Basic resort - you get a bed, kitchen, and TV. There is nothing else on the resort--not even a bar/cafe! You have to use the Macdonald resort's facilities next door (good quality facilities, though!). Brilliant people. Great place if you like walking (in summer) or skiing (in winter), but not much else to do in Aviemore itself. However, it would be an excellent base camp to explore Scotland as a whole.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Get a car.
When we stayed here in May '05, they were just getting sky TV installed. This is the ONLY facility they have here on-site - they don't even have a bar/cafe. The resort is basic, just a collection of units and nothing else. In the unit, you get a collection of beds, a mini-kitchen (with dishwasher, thankfully!), a sofa, and TV/VCR/DVD. You can rent videos/DVDs from reception - handy if it's raining. Make sure you try to get a unit with a double bed (if necessary), as we ended up spending the week in a room with two single beds and a pair of bunk beds! There is a MacDonald Resort just next door, which has three good-quality hotels and lots of facilities - it makes the Scandinavian Village (SV) look like a poor relative, as there are these two resorts next to each other and not much else around them (except mountains and fields!). You are encouraged to use the MacDonald facilities (which are good-quality), which is a saving grace for the SV, because otherwise, it would be an extremely poor resort for families who are not there for the walking/skiing.

The people of Scotland are extremely friendly - if you are friendly to them, you get it back times 10, and if you are arrogant, you will not be thanked for it - but then, there is no need to be - you're on holiday, after all! This is not a village that puts up its prices for the tourists. The restaurants are all fantastic and are right on your doorstep. The SV is literally a 10-minute stroll into town or 30-second car ride - it's as close as you can get into the centre of the village and right next to the track of a main walk up into the Cairngorm Nature Reserve. We had no expectations when we came here, and we were not disappointed, but we were also not bowled over by its brilliance! I gave it a 6/10 on the comments sheet. I can't see why it is a Resort of International Distiction - it has nothing to set it aside from a butlins chalet! To end on a positive note, the hotel allows dogs (for a 20-pound fee!), and it is an excellent base to use to see Scotland.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Carl & Sam on May 15, 2005

Scandinavian Village
Aviemore Mountain Resort Aviemore, Scotland
4401479810500

Cairngorm HotelBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Absolutely superb! Aviemore generally is not like other tourist villages. which put up the prices just because it attracts tourists. It's VERY reasonably priced, and you get excellent value. You know you have eaten when you leave here - good portions and fantastic desserts, all home-cooked by a great chef! Don't forget to take a couple of pieces of their homemade cake on a walk with you - it's a great reason to stop and take a break.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Carl & Sam on May 15, 2005

Cairngorm Hotel
Grampian Road Aviemore, Scotland
(01479) 810-233

CairngornBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

There are numerous walks around this part of Scotland, spread far and wide, or right on your doorstep. The walks cater for all types of walker from beginner (short 45-minute walks to 4-hour walks with great scenery) to expert. There are guidebooks and detailed maps whih can be purchased from the local tourist information and numerous outdoor activity shops to buy all the gear you need in the village.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Carl & Sam on May 15, 2005

Cairngorn
Aviemore, Scotland Aviemore, Scotland

About the Writer

Carl & Sam
Carl & Sam
Manchester, United Kingdom

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