Skip to content

29 September 2023

A Winter Wonderland – Christmas Travel

Every festive season, the picturesque Highland town of Aviemore and its breathtaking mountain backdrop are magically transformed into a stunning Christmas haven for Scots

Decades of holiday memories confirm that Santa Claus’ home in Scotland is the town of Aviemore. The winter sports resort surrounded by Cairngorm National Park welcomes visiting families each year to the capital of Christmas in the Highlands.

The story of the mountain resort starts in 1961 with a chairlift. There has been a settlement at Aviemore since at least as far back as the 1600s and the stone circle in the town hints at a more ancient past. The arrival of the railway produced the first flutter of attention from Victorian holidaymakers. However, it wasn’t until the opening of The White Lady chairlift in December 1961 that the potential of Cairngorm for leisure was realised.

Skiers now had the first directly accessible piste close to Aviemore with reliable late-season snow. Enter department store magnate Lord Fraser of Allandale and brewer George McEwan Younger. The due envisaged Scotland’s answer to the Alpine resorts of Europe, designed to appeal to a new generation of holidaymakers.

They set out to create the first all-weather resort in the UK, leading to the construction of the Aviemore Centre in 1966. It quickly became a major Scottish tourist destination. There was a cinema, shops, restaurants, and a swimming pool – all surrounded by new chalets, hotels and lodges for the ultimate holiday experience in the Highlands. The kitsch Santa Claus Land and its go-kart track, set against the dramatic landscape, were a highlight for young visitors.

A new funicular railway in December 2001 signalled the beginning of a period of optimism which was enhanced by the creation of the Cairngorms National Park in August 2003.

The tradition of family holidays has endured – Aviemore is one of the best places in Scotland for a break with kids. Santa Weekends at Macdonald Aviemore Resort have brought festive traditions into a new era Part of the magic of the trip is when children have the chance to meet Santa in his woodland grotto, visiting the elves’ workshop before being introduced to real reindeer.

The Cairngorm reindeer herd, first introduced in 1952 by Swede Mikel Utsi, is the only free-ranging herd found in Britain, roaming the countryside around Aviemore. There are around 150 animals living on the nearby mountains or on the Glenlivet Estate. The centre that manages the herd partners with Aviemore Resort to introduce the reindeer to guests as part of their stay.

The festive entertainment continues with a live Christmas panto that’s produced each year within the resort. There’s a full Scottish breakfast each morning, Christmas film screenings, family discos and an opportunity to swim in the indoor lagoon pool with flumes and wave machine.

On Christmas Day itself, the resort offers a lunch menu that starts with dishes like ham hock terrine or spiced parsnip soup before continuing with roasted turkey crown, Scottish sirloin of beef in a red wine jus or monkfish fillet wrapped in pancetta. For dessert, Christmas pudding in brandy sauce or blackberry cranachan trifle with spiced oats, bramble fruit, Chantilly cream and almond praline.

Iain Miller, managing director at Macdonald Aviemore Resort, says: “We really are at the heart of everything here in the Cairngorms, and it’s a place where families have been coming to for generations. Traditions are easily forgotten about nowadays, but Aviemore has really stood the test of time as a place of celebration across Christmas and into the New Year.

Our WeeBox Clan Love Us

Join our 125,000 strong, global WeeBox clan on our channels for giveaways, exclusive peeks inside and all the blether!

Subscribe for WeeBox updates, exclusive promotions, and more.

By entering your email/phone number you consent to receive marketing messages via email and SMS.

© K-N Trading Limited, 2025. All Rights Reserved. This Site Is Protected By Recaptcha And The Google Privacy Policy And Terms Of Service Apply.

Close
0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is empty
      Calculate Shipping
      Apply Coupon
      Available Coupons
      amy20 Get £20.00 off
      difree Get £0.00 off
      freewillship Get £0.00 off
      Unavailable Coupons
      amy25 Get 25% off
      amy50 Get 50% off
      ancestor20 Get 20% off
      andy20 Get 20% off Andy the highlander discount
      baker10 Get 10% off Hebridean Baker Discount
      black30 Get 30% off
      cast10 Get 10% off Outlander Cast Discount Code
      chicago20 Get 20% off Chicago Scot’s discount
      clan15 Get 15% off Emporium Loyal Subscribers discount
      clan20 Get 20% off Clan 20 percent discount
      diaries15 Get 15% off Outlander Podcast Droughtlander Diaries
      fall50 Get £50.00 off
      freeshipcoo Get £0.00 off 1st Month free shipping then £10.95
      freeshipmagic Get £0.00 off
      harris20 Get 20% off Harris Gin
      hasteyeback20 Get 20% off Re-engagement campaign
      july4 Get 15% off 4th July email to lapsed users