A trip on the Strathspey Steam Railway..

Fancy a day out in the Highlands, come and enjoy a train journey with a difference in spectacular Strathspey. SCOTLAND'S STEAM RAILWAY IN THE HIGHLANDS www.strathspeyrailway.net

Well last week saw our invitation for a trip on the Strathspey Steam Railway near Aviemore arrive. It was very exciting! We left Highland Holiday Cottages in Newtonmore for the short drive to Aviemore very excited at the prospect of going on the Steam Railway... for FREE!!

 

When we arrived in Aviemore at the platform there were free glasses of wine and orange juice and a lovely atmosphere of everyone enjoying themselves. There was a short speech about where the train currently goes to – Broomhill – and where it will be going when the line is completed.

Then the piper played us on to the carriages – the Crubenbeg contingent all very excited! The engine had been at the end of the platform where we all arrived, so that we could see it close up, but it was needed at the other end to pull us to Broomhill, so it chugged off whilst we were seated in luxury! The coaches are a little dated, but not dirty, in fact they hold a certain style and class which is long forgotten in today’s modern pace of life!

As soon as the train started moving out of the station (at exactly 12.30 – as advertised!) we were served our fist course by the friendly staff from Cairngorms Hotel in Aviemore. Lentil Broth followed by chicken wrapped in bacon. The views were amazing out of the window. Aviemore soon disappeared and soon Boat of Garten could be seen. The moors of heather looking specatular in the beautiful spring sunshine.  After arriving at Broomhill Highland Holiday Cottages alighted and went in to the station. On the way back I bumped into the gentleman who had welcomed us at the start. Not only are they ALL volunteers, but he offered my to see the engine carriage. I was up there like a shot! It was fabulous, VERY hot though!

Our journey back brought us dessert and coffee, the perfect end to a fabulous trip. Aviemore was beautiful at that speed! I will definitely be recommending to the visitors to the Cairngorms National Park that they take the trip. Thanks to the Strathspey Railway team and Cairngorm Hotel.

For other attractions in the national park and info on the Aviemore Steam Railway ..click here

Monarch Of The Glen Ardverikie House - Open Day 6th June 2010

After the very successful BBC TV was filmed in and around the Cairngorms National Park, with locations around Laggan, Newtonmore, Kingussie and Aviemore. Ardverikie House, just south of Laggan achieved fame as Glenbogle House, whilst the steam trains of the Strathspey Steam Railway in Aveimore, regularly haul in to Glenbogle Station - in real life better known as Broomhill near Boat Of Garten.

Glenbogle Castle in Monarch of the Glen is in fact Ardverikie House, on the shores of Loch Laggan in the Cairngorms National Park. The house and grounds are private, except for one day per year, when the grounds are open under Scotland's garden scheme (www.gardensofscotland.org), to take your car along the private estate road to the house.  This year 2010 it is open from 2.00pm on Sunday June 6th.

If you have kids, why not drop them at the beach while you oldies go have a look around the gardens and house.  Laggan beach on a summer's day gives Loch Morlich in Aviemore a run for its money. Loch Laggan is a freshwater loch that boasts the largest freshwater beach in the British Isles.

It's located within the grounds of Ardverikie Estate. To get to it you need to park on the main road (unless on the open day) and walk over the bridge past the Gate Lodge by the main entrance to Ardverikie. There is a barrier but don't be put off; it's only there to prevent hundreds of people driving up to the Ardverikie Castle (aka Glenbogle House), made famous by the BBC's Monarch of the Glen. Walk up the road for about half a mile and you'll find one of the Cairngorms Park's best-kept secrets....more info

Four things to do this weekend (in and Around) the Cairngorms National Park

Ballater Royal Deeside Walking Festival -Saturday, 15th May 2010 - A daily program of guided walks with Easy, Moderate and Strenuous options. Full accompanying social program of talks and an end of week ceilidh.Details from: www.royal-deeside.org.uk/RDnews/walkweek.htm

Deeside Activity Park, Dess, near Aboyne. Macbethfest (www.macbethfest.com for further details). Beer Festival, 3-11pm, Friday /Saturday; Ceilidh with dancing to Hogtie, 8pm-midnight, Saturday.


Aviemore Village Hall Sat 15th – Ceilidh Dance to Alasdair MacLeod, 8pm-Midnight.  £4 with refreshments.

I know this is well out the park...but looks great and worth the trip if you ahve kids!

Inverness Museum and Art Gallery. Invasion – bringing together an army of famous and infamous aliens and monsters from Hollywood’s biggest sci-fi blockbusters, this collection of fabulous movie props and costumes is guaranteed to scare and thrill, 10am-5pm, today, Saturday and Monday until Wednesday.