The Herald - The Herald Magazine
Scotland A deluge of food, drink and outdoor activities will hit the Cairngorms next weekend
LIKE many holiday spots in the Highlands, Aviemore has a railway station – and Queen Victoria – to thank for putting it on the map. The monarch was a regular visitor to the Cairngorms and trotted up nearby Ben Macdui (Britain’s second highest peak) in October 1859 on a pony led by faithful Highland manservant John Brown.
On his advice the Queen had a dram with water at the summit. Pure water on its own, he told her, would be “too chilling”.
Queen Victoria would barely recognise the modern-day Aviemore, since in her day it consisted of a train station and not a lot else. But she reputedly liked a sweet treat, a dram and a jig, so she would probably have been drawn to forthcoming food and drink hoolie, North Hop, at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort. This travelling festival gives lovers of craft beer, artisan gins, whisky cocktails and fine street food the chance to taste and test new products – all made in Scotland.
Split into two sessions over the course of Saturday February 25, there’s a cast of musicians to entertain festival-goers.
Reflecting the great outdoors on the doorstep, there’s an apres-ski theme. On the bill at North Hop Aviemore is a line-up of rising Scottish talent in the shape of Dr Wook and The Voltaic Disorder, Hollie Atkinson, Josephine Sillars, Carma, Footerin’ Aboot, Nicky Aiken, Michael Cassidy and Moteh and Friends. Spud the Piper, who played for Madonna and Guy Ritchie when they got married in Dornoch, will also be making an appearance.
If you’re heading to Aviemore for North Hop, here’s a run-down of unmissable things to do.
Breakfast at The Mountain Cafe, Aviemore
Recently named one of the top places to have breakfast in the UK, this Kiwi-run cafe offers wholesome and healthy food with panache. It’s worth waiting in the inevitable queue as the pancakes and coffee will kick any hangover into touch. Visit mountaincafe-aviemore.co.uk
A tasting tour of Cairngorm Brewery
This local craft brewery is taking part in North Hop but if you want to see what their beers are all about then tours are held twice a day from Monday to Friday. Weekend tours can be arranged in advance. Visit cairngormbrewery. com
Visit Rothiemurcus Estate
The estate, with its woodland and stunning mountain vistas, has a host of activities. If you’re with a bunch of friends nothing beats
North Hop is at Macdonald Aviemore Resort on February 25 from noon until 5pm and 7pm until midnight. Tickets cost £17.50 plus booking fee per session. Visit northhop.co.uk for details and facebook. com/northhop for daily updates
a winter trek with Quad Bikes Aviemore. Book in advance as it’s perennially popular. Visit quadtreksaviemore.com
Go to the Green Loch
A walk to An Lochan Uaine in Glenmore Forest Park will burn off excess calories. The start of this one-hour stroll is seven miles outside Aviemore on the road to CairnGorm Mountain ski resort. The loch in question is actually green, and some say pixies once washed their clothes in it … Visit makeitsnow.co.uk/themysterious-green-loch
Go loco
Fall in love with a train journey by taking the vintage railcar service from Aviemore to Boat of Garten and back. Run by the not-for-profit Strathspey Railway Company, this charming journey will appeal to railway enthusiasts of all ages. Visit strathspeyrailway.cloudvenue.co.uk
And finally …
There’s more than one way to improve your swing in Aviemore. TreeZone at Rothiemurcus will bring out your inner monkey by letting you swing through the trees with the greatest of ease. More sedately, there are three golf courses: Macdonald Aviemore Resort, Carrbridge and Boat of Garten. All with stunning backdrops. Visit treezone.co.uk/aviemore