Camping in Glenmore, Scotland

We wanted to catch the last of the snowboarding season in Scotland, so we headed north after the Easter weekend. It proved to be a smart choice — there were fewer campers and much smaller crowds. We drove up to Aviemore, took a right at the roundabout, passing High Range Campsite, another of our favourites, and continued up the winding mountain road. On the right, about 300 m above sea level and tucked away between the pines of Glenmore Forest Park, sits Glenmore Campsite. The site offers 206 pitches that are suitable for tents, caravans and motorhomes. We reserved a sandy pitch on the tree line, with a lovely view of Loch Morlich framed by the trees. The kids ran straight to the loch, where, from the water’s edge, they could enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Glenmore Campsite is around a 15‑minute drive from Aviemore town centre and about a ten‑minute drive to the Cairngorm Mountain Railway. It is ideally placed for other local attractions, including the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd and the watersports on Loch Morlich. There is also a circuit walk around the lake, taking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, which can be accessed from the beach and is waymarked by red posts.

When we arrived, it was rather chilly between the trees, and the water was very cold for a swim or the paddleboards, but the kids were happily playing with their fishing nets and eagerly exploring the surrounding forest area as we set up camp. Due to limited space with the snowboards, and not knowing what our plans were for the following days, we left the awning at home and took the lighter summer canopy instead. In hindsight it was perhaps not the best choice — it turned out to be chilly eating outside — but the kids seemed to enjoy being bundled up in their coats and blankets, and when the time came for bed they were happy and eager to climb back into the van.

The forecast was amazing for the Friday, with clear skies with some snowfall later in the day. We got ourselves ready and collected our tickets from reception. It is recommended to check the weather forecast and book in advance if possible, as tickets sell out quickly during peak times, or when the snow is good! Tickets are £39 per adult for access to snowsports and the funicular railway. A family ticket for two adults and one child is £93. Luckily, children under the age of five are free, but a ticket is still required for access.

We had a great first day snowboarding from the top down to the mid station, with the railway making convenient mid‑station stops. Esme had some fun at the summit of the mountain, even though the slopes were rather steep for her to practise on. Sam enjoyed several full runs, and we took it in turns to stay with Esme, either up on the top slopes or in the Ptarmigan Station. At the Ptarmigan Top Station you will find the UK’s highest restaurant and the Cairngorm Gin Bar, both offering panoramic views across Strathspey. We made ourselves comfy near the bar for a relaxed lunch, including soup of the day, macaroni cheese and homemade chips. Esme enjoyed playing a few card games while the boys squeezed in a few more runs on the slopes. Accessed directly from the bar is the outdoor viewing terrace, perfect for photographs. On the lower levels you’ll find the Shop at the Top, which offers a wide range of gifts, clothing and local products, along with the Cairngorm interactive zone — complete with sand pits and projected games — and the immersive 270° “Cairngorm Story” exhibition.

After a full day on the slopes, we headed back to the car park and took a closer look at the new adventure play park situated near the base station. We promised the kids we’d let them play there the next day, then drove back to Aviemore to meet some new friends at Speyside Distillery Snug. The Snug includes a SPEY heritage corner with distillery film footage, Single Malts and Gins tasting, and the latest art collection from Speyside Distillery’s artist in residence, Joanna McDonough. Displayed and available to buy are a range of stunning artworks and prints, alongside handcrafted candles and other gifts. Sam got to meet his favourite artist, and we enjoyed a long chat while sampling whisky and tucking into biscuits (to Esme’s delight). Steve discovered a fondness for Speyside Tenné, recommended by the expert, and ended up coming home with two bottles by the end of our trip — he’s a whisky drinker in the making. After reaching the campsite, we treated ourselves to hot showers and a relaxed, cosy dinner.

Glenmore Campsite has two blocks of facilities. There were plenty of toilets and sinks available, with showers located toward the rear. We never had to wait for a shower. They were operated by a simple push button and felt fairly powerful, offering an abundance of hot water for a comfortable wash. The shower blocks are heated, although the temperature could be turned up a touch during the winter months. Maybe we noticed it more because we’d spent the whole day out in the snow.

After a good sleep in the van we woke to a slightly cloudier morning with a light wind whispering through the trees. We decided to head up the mountain despite strong winds being forecast — all part of the usual Scottish snowsports experience. By the time we reached the top station the wind had picked up considerably, but we pressed on, keen to get Sam down at least one run before conditions were expected to worsen later in the day. That proved to be a huge mistake: the wind hitting the Coire Cas side of the mountain was incredibly strong even on the easier runs, whipping up snowdrifts that badly affected visibility. Sam panicked and we ended up walking down to the mid station and agreeing to call an early end to his snowboarding for the day. Steve and an old friend managed to squeeze in several more runs before one side of the mountain was closed and the remaining runs were left open only to intermediate and above skiers and snowboarders.

Nevertheless, the kids had a great time exploring the interactive stations and sipping hot chocolate in the cafe. We treated ourselves to dinner at the italian buffet at La Taverna, in Aviemore and visited a few shops before heading back to the campsite for games in the van.

With poor weather still forecast and the mountain uplifts suspended, we were recommended to visit Colyumbridge Resort. The resort offers lots of activities for children, whatever the weather. As you drive in, to the right is the Funhouse and the dinosaur walk. We parked up and strolled around the interactive dinosaurs, Esme rolling her eyes at Sam’s obvious delight. Inside the Funhouse there’s a three‑storey soft play, a castle‑themed 18‑hole mini golf course with exciting obstacles like waterfalls, rocks and bridges, and an arcade. We missed entry to the soft play but still had a great time in the arcade. There’s also an American diner for a bite to eat. Outdoors, further down the road through the resort, you’ll find an outdoor play park, high ropes and a dry slope. It’s an ideal option for a rainy day in Aviemore!

We headed home the next day and made a small, unplanned stop at an ice cream parlour on the way. It felt too much of a little gem not to mention. Stewart Tower Dairy ice cream is all made on site using an Italian gelato–style recipe with fresh Stewart Tower milk, scottish cream and British sugar. The roundhouse, dating from around 1840, was originally a horse engine house and has been beautifully restored into the café and ice cream parlour, where you can sit comfortably, eat fresh food and take in the stunning views of the surrounding Perthshire hills. We ordered lunch and enjoyed a leisurely rest stop, wandering to visit the pigs and goats before setting off and driving home.