In July, Angus and I went on a pawfect dog-friendly journey to Aviemore within the Cairngorms Nationwide Park. We found a number of dog-friendly actions, pubs and eating places, and had a good time absorbing the mountain surroundings from our dog-friendly lodging: Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel. Aviemore actually is the proper vacation spot to take your canine on holiday- learn on for our greatest journeys on planning your dog-friendly Aviemore journey.
The Cairngorms Nationwide Park is UK’s largest nationwide park, and covers over 4500 sq. kilometres, stretching from Glenlivet and Granton on Spey within the north to Blair Atholl within the south, and Ballater to the east.
Aviemore is the capital, positioned on the west aspect of the park, and that is the place we primarily based ourselves on our newest dog-friendly Scottish journey.
Aviemore is thought for its host of outside actions – from snowboarding to kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, climbing to mountain biking, it offers a superb base for a wide range of actions for you and your canine to take pleasure in!
Canine-friendly lodging in Aviemore
We spent two nights in Glenmore (a 10-minute drive from Aviemore) at Hostelling Scotland’s Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel – one among their dog-friendly hostels.
Angus is a proud Ambassadog for Hostelling Scotland, and he has liked all his stays with them to date, coercing heaps and biscuits and pats out of the workers!
The Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel was as soon as a capturing lodge, and has not too long ago undergone a formidable renovation. It’s simple to mistake the modern lounge areas for one thing you’d discover in a lodge, but – the hostel has retained its conventional and cosy lodge attraction.
Take one step exterior and also you’re immersed in Glenmore Forest Park. Sprinkled with hundreds of pines encompassed by rolling mountains, Glenmore is a nature lovers’ playground.
The golden sandy seashore of Loch Morlich is positioned a brief stroll from the hostel. Angus and I performed rounds of fetch and watched the solar go down over the water.
At night time we returned to the hostel to recharge with a heat cooked meal, and every morning I loved a Full Scottish breakfast with Angus beside me, chowing down on his doggy breakfast of ham the hostel workers kindly made for him!
There was additionally a big backyard for Angus to run round in behind the hostel, and picnic tables to benefit from the views throughout the valley. Our comfortable personal room backed onto the forest, and a rest room with a waterfall showerhead was positioned throughout the hallway.
It had all the pieces we would have liked for a dog-friendly nature escape.
Services embrace:
- Personal Rooms
- Drying Room
- Bike Storage
- Self-catering kitchen
- A number of lounge areas
- Hearth
- Pool desk
- Beer and wine on the market (it’s a licensed premise!)
- Safe lockers
Issues to do in Aviemore with a canine
There are numerous enjoyable issues to do in Aviemore with a canine, and lots of the actions I like to recommend on this article are positioned inside a brief distance from the Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel.
Having a automotive actually helps if you wish to attain many of those locations, nonetheless, in case you don’t I like to recommend basing your self on the hostel as lots of the actions talked about begin from there.
Loch Morlich Seaside
Angus liked working alongside the seashore on the japanese finish of Loch Morlich. Lower than a 5-minute stroll from the hostel, Loch Morlich is the UK’s highest physique of water and residential to a golden sandy seashore surrounded by mountains and enjoyable forest trails to discover.
It’s a well-liked space for swimming and watersports – and after some coercion, I enticed Angus into the water the place he went swimming for the primary time!
The best method to entry the seashore is through the Glenmore Tenting floor, which is accessible to everybody. There’s additionally parking available- simply be sure you deliver cash to pay on your parking as there isn’t a cellular sign on this space to make contactless funds.
Stroll or cycle the Loch Morlich circuit
The Loch Morlich Circuit is a simple stroll or cycle for everybody, together with your pooch. I employed a hike from under the Pine Marten Bar on the Glenmore Campsite; it value £20 for a half-day rent (3 hours) which gave me loads of time to cycle across the loch (you’ll want round 1.5 hours to cycle it).
Angus loved splashing within the rivers and the loch. You should definitely make certain your canine stays on the path, as there are birds nesting on the banks of the loch.
This information from WalkHighlands is an efficient one to comply with.
Hike Meall a’ Bhuachaille
Meall a’ Bhuachaille is a reasonably difficult hike that rewards you with a birds-eye view of Loch Morlich, the munro Cairn Gorm, the Cairngorm Mountain Ski Centre, and Glenmore Forest.
I counsel climbing Meall a’ Bhuachaille clockwise, starting on the Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel. Mountaineering this Corbett in a clockwise course is the simplest possibility, as whenever you descend to the east it’s very steep (like a staircase).
If you happen to comply with this information, additionally, you will move the Ryvoan Bothy and An Lochan Uaine (the Inexperienced Loch).
Problem ranking: 3/5
Time: 3.5 – 4.5 hours
Distance: 8.5 kilometres / 5.25 miles
Stroll to An Lochan Uaine (the Inexperienced Lochan)
If you happen to fancy a shorter, simpler stroll, the path to An Lochan Uaine (the Inexperienced Loch) is a well-liked possibility. You’ll move via historic Caledonian pines to achieve the lochan, which has attention-grabbing folklore connected to it.
Locals say the lochan is inexperienced as a result of that is the place the faeries wash their clothes.
The algae ranges within the lochan make extra sense as to why it’s inexperienced, nonetheless!
Individuals have been identified to swim on this lochan, though I don’t assume I’m that courageous as a result of leeches I glimpsed within the water! It’s a beautiful stroll, nonetheless.
Problem ranking: Simple
Time: 2 hours
Go to Ryvoan Bothy
Ryvoan Bothy is a country wee bothy positioned on the base of Meall a’ Bhuachaille. If you happen to’ve not heard of a bothy earlier than, it’s basically an unlocked mountain shelter with fundamental lodgings. Bothies have been utilized by drovers, deer-stalkers and farmers centuries in the past. Ryvoan was previously a crofters cottage which was deserted in 1877.
Right now, bothies are a well-liked refuge for walkers and mountaineers. Out of doors lovers can spend the night time at a bothy, or simply use them for shelter throughout tumultuous climate.
If you happen to’re strolling to An Lochan Uaine, you possibly can attain the bothy by persevering with down the identical path for one kilometre (0.7 miles).
You may comply with this information for directions. Please comply with the bothy code when visiting.
Problem ranking: Simple-moderate
Time: 2-3 hours
Distance: 10 kilometres / 6.5 miles
Learn extra: The very best bothies in Scotland
Journey the Strathspey Steam Railway
The Strathspey Steam Railway is a hidden gem within the Cairngorms Nationwide Park- and canines can trip the steam practice too!
You should purchase a ticket for a roundtrip departing Aviemore; a ticket for the overall part is at present £16.75 for one grownup, and your pup’s ticket prices simply £1.
The journey winds via a number of the Cairngorms’ best surroundings. The practice stops at two stations: Boat of Garten and Broomhill (aka Glenbogle for Monarch of the Glen followers). Boat of Garten has a beautiful espresso store that sells scrumptious slices, and an previous Girls’ Ready Room which gives an attention-grabbing glimpse into the previous!
Stroll the Loch an Eilein circuit
Get pleasure from a simple round route together with your canine and uncover an island fortress! Loch an Eilein is a superbly reflective physique of water, named after the island that’s dwelling to a 14th-century fortress of the identical title.
Loch an Eilein fortress was in all probability constructed by the Bishops of Moray within the thirteenth century, however it was rebuilt within the 14th century by Alexander Stewart, the Wolf of Badenoch. He inherited the fortress after forcing the widowed heiress, Euphemia, to marry him. After being excommunicated by the Bishop of Moray, Alexander Stewart received his personal again by burning Forres, and the town and cathedral of Elgin.
The fortress is now an overgrown damage, reduce off from the mainland by the rising water of the loch. It’s a shocking instance of an island fortress.
To stroll the loch circuit, comply with this information.
Problem ranking: Simple
Time: 2 hours
Distance: 7 kilometres / 4.25 miles
Learn extra: A dog-friendly information to Loch Lomond
Canine-friendly Eating places and Pubs in Aviemore
There isn’t any scarcity of dog-friendly eating places in Aviemore and Glenmore; in actual fact, the encircling space is made for a dog-friendly staycation.
Listed here are a few of my favorite eating places and pubs the place Angus and I dined. Tip: in case you’re visiting in summer time, you should definitely guide a desk in advance- I discovered it tough to get a desk at many of those eating places.
The Pine Marten Bar
The quirky Pine Marten Bar is positioned by the roadside on the Glenmore Campsite. It’s a country ski lodge, the partitions crammed with mementoes together with previous ski gear. It’s often bustling with glad campers from the campsite and their canine companions.
There’s an out of doors space to take pleasure in a drink on a heat day, and in addition balcony seating that overlooks a quiet part of the Glenmore Forest.
That is one among my favorite dog-friendly pubs in Aviemore/Glenmore.
Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel
Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel additionally serves scorching meals from 5pm- 8pm. They’ve an incredible choice of basic meals together with steak pie, fish and chips, and rooster curry.
They’re additionally licensed so you possibly can take pleasure in a beer, glass of wine, or cider together with your meal- and your canine is allowed to take a seat with you within the eating space.
The Boathouse Cafe
The Boathouse Cafe is positioned at Loch Morlich Watersports, which gives a wide range of leases together with kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards and mountain bikes. It’s on the seashore at Loch Morlich.
They provide each takeaway and sit-in meals and drinks. It may well get busy right here as a result of variety of beachgoers, nonetheless, it’s an excellent place to seize a fast meal or a snack in case you’re stress-free on the seashore.
The Winking Owl
The Winking Owl and Bothy Bar are positioned within the centre of Aviemore. Owned and run by Cairngorm Brewery, The Winking Owl is the primary restaurant, with mountain views over the Cairngorm ranges. The Bothy Bar is a heat and cosy bar that serves award-winning native ales and hearty meals.
The Bothy Bar is dog-friendly, and well-behaved canines are allowed within the upstairs restaurant.
The Balavoulin
If you happen to’re in search of a restaurant that’s just a little extra dressy than a pub, The Balavoulin in central Aviemore is a superb alternative. They supply a lot of their substances regionally, they usually even have an incredible cocktail menu!
The Outdated Bridge Inn
The Outdated Bridge Inn is your typical cosy, candle-lit Scottish inn with a twist: it has a small seashore!
There’s a wide range of outside seating the place you possibly can take pleasure in a drink when you watch your pooch play within the River Spey. There are additionally hammocks the place you possibly can loosen up within the woodland surrounding the river.
Situated on the fringes of Aviemore, The Outdated Bridge Inn has a wide range of beer, whisky, wine, and spirits to select from, and serves your typical pub meals.
Canine are welcome of their rustic lounge, by the wood-burning range. I might suggest reserving a desk for dinner upfront because it will get busy.
Smiffy’s (for takeaway)
Get pleasure from fish and chips on the seashore by selecting up a takeaway from Smiffy’s on Grampian Street in Aviemore. Additionally they have scrumptious vanilla gentle serve ice cream.
Learn extra: A dog-friendly information to the Isle of Arran
Packing record on your canine
That will help you plan your journey, I’ve created this packing record for our dog-friendly journey to Aviemore and the Cairngorms Nationwide Park:
- If you happen to’re driving to Aviemore, I like to recommend you will have a Canine Automotive Seat Cowl to maintain your automotive as tidy as potential. That is the one we’ve got and it has saved our automotive from muddy paws many occasions!
- Meals bowl
- Meals on your canine. We measure out what Angus wants, and place every meal in particular person reusable/biodegradable luggage. All the time take further meals.
- Transportable water bottle with ingesting bowl
- Biodegradable poo luggage
- Poo bag service. This one is nice.
- Canine collar, harness, and leash
- Treats and service bag
- Canine mattress
- Blanket
- Toys
- Tick remover (one for canines and one for people too). I discovered two ticks on Angus throughout our time in Aviemore.
- A few previous towels
- Canine-friendly first assist equipment
Are you occurring a dog-friendly journey to Aviemore and the Cairngorms Nationwide Park? Drop your questions or ideas under!
This weblog submit was a part of a paid partnership with Hostelling Scotland. All phrases and opinions are my very own (and Angus’s!).
