The Guardian-1000-things-to-do-for-kids
To buy the full six part series of 1000 Things for Kids to Do for £10 go to www.guardian.co.uk/readeroffers/thingsforkidstodoExtreme Adventure
Ages 7+
Indoor climbing walls are all well and good but they can't compete with the buzz you get from hoisting yourself up a hunk of rock in the great outdoors. The country side around Aviemore and in the Cairngorms national park lends itself very well to this sport which most kids love. So if it clambering over rocks or hosting yourself up a shear cliff face the Cairngorms is the place to visit. There are a number of adventure companies in the area that will take your kids out rock climbing and there are a adventure parks where being hosted to great heights on a rope is part of the overall fun.
G2outdoors Aviemore run half day taster sessions for families with young children and bespoke coaching sessions for teenagers and adults wishing to hone skills and learn to lead climb. http://www.g2outdoor.co.uk/ (01479 811008)
The Landmark Centre. This amusement park has an outdoor climbing frame and tree top walks on rope ladders and suspended walkways. The park is great fun for the kids and features the fauna and flora of the area. Educational and fun! http://www.landmarkpark.co.uk/ tel. 0800 7313446
999 Things in one place
The Craggan Outdoor centre offers a mixture of kids activities from high ropes to archery. So it is a one stop shop for making the kids really tired. The list of fun seams to be endless and they can also invent a days fun especially for you and your kids. So if you have one that just likes golf or rock climbing and another who only likes archery this could be the perfect place for your family. Activities include: archery, clay pigeon shooting, climbing (indoor bouldering and outside crags), golf, gorge walking, high ropes, kayaking, massage, mini-quads, mountain biking, paintball, pony trekking, quad treks, raft building, River Spey canoe trips, team-building, white water rafting, yoga and a zip wire. Click on the 'Activities' tab to find out more.
http://www.cragganoutdoors.co.uk/index.html Tel: +44 (0)1479 873 283 · Email: info@cragganoutdoors.co.uk
Weaseling
Imagine a heap of giant boulders: over, under and around which Mother Nature has set an obstacle course. Well that's the new activity of weaseling. A softer option than caving proper, you still have to well, weasel your way through rocky tunnels, voids and tight spaces- the difference is you've above ground, there's always an easier path, and you'll frequently reach daylight before it's on to the next chamber. Involving a mix of low-level climbing and surface caving, it's great fun- especially for younger kids, who'll find it easier to squeeze through those gaps than you will. Boots and Paddles http://www.boots-n-paddles.co.uk/ 0845 612 5567
Cycling
The vast and wild countryside of the Cairngorms national park offers some fantastic trails for mountain biking, from easy, surfaced routes for all the family to extreme hill biking. Hire shops will rent bikes at a very reasonable prices and you can explore the country side with great paths such as the Speyside way or the trails and bikeways of the Rothiemurcus estate.
http://www.rothiemurchus.net/index.html T: +44 (0) 1479 812345
http://www.visitaviemore.com/onabike
Country Pursuits
Falconry
The term falconry actually refers to all birds of prey, so you could find yourself up close and personal with an owl, eagle, buzzard or vulture as wall as a falcon or hawk. At the Huntly falconry centre kids can handle birds and understand about what role birds of pray have in the country side
http://www.huntly-falconry.co.uk/ Telephone: +(44)1466 760328
The osprey centre at the Boat of Garten is great for seeing ospreys in their natural environment. http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/l/lochgarten/index.aspx
http://www.rspb.org.uk/youth/
Clay pigeon shooting.
The Rothiemurchus estate offers a wide range of activities for kids from Clay pigeon shooting to nature trails.
http://www.rothiemurchus.net/
Golf
The Spey valley has a number of Golf clubs and as Scotland is the home of Golf they all welcome kids.
Grantown on Spey GC and world rated Boat of Garten GC nestle in the folds of the Cairngorm hills, whilst Carrbridge GC offers a challenging nine hole experience. For a short course that's a bit devilish head for Craggan Outdoors (yes, this place really does have everything)
http://www.cragganoutdoors.co.uk/index.html Tel: +44 (0)1479 873 283 · Email: info@cragganoutdoors.co.uk
http://www.boatgolf.com/ Tel: +44 (0)1479 831 282 . Email: office@boatgolf.com
http://www.grantownonspeygc.co.uk/ Tel: +44 (0)1479 872 079 . Email: secretary@grantownonspeygolfclub.co.uk
Muckrach Lodge is the perfect holiday base from which to explore the Spey Valley, Loch Ness, the Cairngorms National Park and the Moray coast.
Within 15 minutes drive:
The Rothiemurchus Estate , a truly magical place for walks, picnics and to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife of North Scotland. Every outdoor activity imaginable is catered for somewhere on this fifty thousand acre estate, and it's all accessible to the public. A very classy deli sells estate venison, beef and many other yummy things, and there's a substantial gift shop as well.
Grantown on Spey, a classic, 18th Century 'new town' with craft shops, boutiques, sporting goods stores and whisky specialists, Grantown is the capital of the Spey Valley. www.grantownonspey.com/
The Landmark Centre, a fantastic woodland theme park for kids of all ages. Highly recommended by Rob, our twelve year old, and his dad, who's a little older. www.landmark-centre.co.uk/
Strathspey Steam Railway, where the charm of steam lives on. Regular services run between Aviemore and Broomhill (and back). Enjoy a ride on the train or play the Railway Children and wave to it from the bridge at Broomhill. The driver always waves back. www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk/
Speyside Heather Centre, a fine selection of native plants available to buy, as well as an extensive retail store and a red squirrell and bird watching area. www.heathercentre.com
Boat of Garten Osprey Centre is a major birdwatching centre within the national park.
See capercaillies, crossbills, tits and ospreys. www.swt.org.uk; www.boatofgarten.com/wildlife/
Within 30 minutes drive
Cairngorm Mountain. Climb it or use the funicular to see spectacular views from Scotland's second highest mountain www.cairngormmountain.org.uk
Ballindalloch Castle: www.ballindallochcastle.co.uk
Glenfarclas Distillery and the Whisky Trail: www.maltwhiskytrail.com/
Kincraig Wildlife Park: www.highlandwildlifepark.org
Nairn and beach: www.visitourscotland.co.uk/pictures-of-scotland-beautiful-beaches
Within an hour's drive:
Loch Ness: www.lochness.com Cruise Loch Ness with Jacobite Cruises, from two hours to all day www.jacobite.co.uk
Inverness: www.inverness-scotland.com
Fort George: www.nairnscotland.co.uk/VFortGeorg
Elgin, Findhorn and the Moray coast: www.elginscotland.org; www.morayfirth.org/moray.asp
The Black Isle: www.aboutinverness.co.uk/inverness-city-guide/black-isle.htm
Balmoral: www.balmoralcastle.com
Please see our offer pages for special deals and offers or make enquiry at: info@muckrach.com