Category: Explore

Planning a family holiday in the Scottish Highlands is all about finding activities that everyone can enjoy, from energetic youngsters to grandparents. Thankfully, Braemar is perfect for exactly that.

Surrounded by the spectacular Cairngorms National Park, this charming village offers a fantastic mix of outdoor adventure, history, and wildlife, along with cosy indoor attractions. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or enjoying a longer break, you’ll discover plenty of family-friendly activities near Braemar for every generation.

Step Back in Time with Castles & Highland Heritage

Visiting Braemar Castle is the best introduction to Scotland’s fascinating past. The castle brings centuries of Highland stories to life through its architecture and events. Children, particularly, love imagining life inside the castle walls, while adults can dive into the Scottish clans and royal history of the area.

A short distance away, you can head to the Braemar Highland Game Centre, which makes a great introduction to the local culture. Even if you’re not visiting during the Braemar Gathering (in September), the centre provides an engaging introduction to Highland traditions, including the iconic caber toss, Highland dancing, and, of course, pipe bands. It’s a fun stop to understand why Braemar holds such an important place in Scottish heritage.

Enjoy Easy Outdoor Adventures Together

Let’s get this one out now: You don’t have to tackle mountain trails to enjoy of the beauty of the Cairngorms.

The Mar Lodge Estate is a fantastic choice for families, offering peaceful walking routes through ancient pine forests, open glens, and alongside rivers. Many of the lower-level paths are suitable for younger children too.

The village itself also offers lovely riverside walks along the River Dee, where children can paddle safely in shallow areas during warmer weather and observe ducks and other wildlife. We recommend packing a picnic to enjoy one of the many scenic spots over the spectacular Highland scenery.

If your family enjoys a little adventure, this is your call to try geocaching. The Cairngorms has numerous family-friendly geocaches hidden throughout the area, which can turn an ordinary walk into an exciting treasure hunt that older children and teens will enjoy.

Discover Nature’s Most Impressive Landmarks

Some of the area’s natural attractions feel like they’ve been lifted straight from the pages of a storybook.

The Burn O’Vat, within the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, is one of the most unique places to visit near Braemar. The enormous natural rock chamber was formed during the Ice Age. You can reach it via a short woodland walk. It has a narrow entrance that many children visiting tend to describe as a secret cave.

Another favourite is the Linn of Dee, where the River Dee rushes dramatically through a narrow rocky gorge. There are viewing platforms available that make it easy to observe the water, and nearby walking trails allow families to explore the surrounding forest.

Families with younger children can also enjoy wandering through Morrone Birkwood Nature Reserve, with peaceful woodland paths that give many opportunities to spot woodland birds, wildflowers, and red squirrels, depending on the season.

Finally, as evening arrives, remember to look up. The Cairngorms National Park is recognised as an International Dark Sky Park, so this is one of the UK’s best spots for stargazing.

Keep Active Throughout the Year

During spring, summer, and autumn, the cycling routes around the village are an enjoyable way to explore together. Families with older children can also enjoy beginner-friendly mountain biking trails nearby.

In winter, Glenshee Ski Centre is one of Scotland’s most popular family destinations. Beginners can take lessons and hire equipment to enjoy easy slopes. More experienced skiers can tackle longer runs across Scotland’s largest ski area.

Throughout the year, keep an eye out for seasonal ranger-led events within the Cairgorms National Park.

 

Relax When the Weather Has Other Plans

Scottish weather can change quickly, but thankfully, there’s plenty in Braemar to keep you occupied.

The independent gift shops, local galleries, and visitor attractions are a great way to kill time. You can also settle into one of the village’s welcoming cafes for homemade cakes. The Braemar Gallery regularly showcases local artists, while the visitor information centre can recommend seasonal family-friendly activities near Braemar during your stay.

Sometimes, the simplest moments become favourite holiday memories, so don’t be afraid to explore.

Making Braemar Your Family Base

With so many attractions within easy reach, Braemar is an ideal destination for families looking to balance adventure with relaxation. There are always family-friendly activities near Braemar, no matter what you enjoy doing.

Choosing self-catering accommodations in Braemar gives your family the flexibility to enjoy each day at your own pace. Whether you’re planning your first Highland escape or returning for another unforgettable holiday, Braemar Accommodation provides the perfect base for making memories that will last for years to come.

Are you considering a holiday in the Aberdeenshire area of Braemar, nestled deep within the Cairngorms National Park? If so, you’re in for a treat. In this post, we explore the charming village itself, its clan history, deep-rooted royal traditions, and the surrounding Highland landscapes. By the end, you’ll have all of the information you’ll need for planning your trip, whether you want to go hiking through Caledonian pine forests or hit the local ski slopes.

Take a step back in time at Braemar Castle

One of the most impressive historical structures in the Braemar area is Braemar Castle, among the finest castles in Scotland. This castle dates back to 1628, though it has undergone significant structural changes, including renovations after the Jacobite Risings.

Over the years, its character has developed, and it’s now home to a host of ghost stories and Jacobite rebellions. Braemar Castle stands out compared to other castles in the area because of its architectural silhouettes. The backdrop to the castle is a beautiful, dense woodland, and the castle itself features many attractive turrets and crenellations with spiral staircases inside. It’s well worth visiting some of its 12 history-steeped and furnished rooms and climbing to the top of the tower to see views over the surrounding farmland.

Soak in Highland culture with the Braemar Highland Games Centre

Another option is to soak in Highland culture at the Braemar Highland Games Centre. This location, housed inside the Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion, is where you can experience the living tradition of these games. The exhibition has piping and dancing, and various heavy events, all done in full costume and regalia.

Braemar is also famous for the Braemar Gathering, which you might be able to catch if you go to the village in September. It’s often frequented by members of the royal family and features a host of traditional games that you can watch and enjoy.

Make sure while you are spending time at the Braemar Highland Games Centre that you go for coffee at the Pavilion Cafe. It has some of the most delicious traditional British scones you’ve ever tasted!

Hike through the untamed Linn of Dee and Mar Lodge Estate

If you’re the sort of person who loves being outside, then you might want to take a jaunt through the Linn of Dee, with its dramatic river valley views and the surrounding Mar Lodge Estate. These areas are close to the village of Braemar and comprise around 7% of the entire Cairngorms National Park, featuring some of the wildest and remotest lands in Britain, including four of Britain’s five tallest mountains.

We recommend going on the Linn of Dee walk first. This is a flat favourite for beginner walkers who simply want to soak in the majesty and glory of the surrounding landscape. Cars can be parked at the nearby National Trust Linn of Dee car park, with paths leading directly from the car park up the glen and into the wild country. The best time of year to go is autumn, when the leaves are changing colour.

Go to Braemar Bridge and Kindrochit Castle

For those of you who love culture, you may want to pay a visit to Braemar Bridge. This bridge, right in the heart of the village, is the reason for its existence. The small community grew around the bridge, which spans the Clunie Water, a peat-coloured waterway.

In this area, you’ll find the fragmented remains of the 14th-century Kindrochit Castle. Originally commissioned by King Robert III, it is believed to be built on top of an even older 11th-century timber fort built by King Malcolm III himself to protect the river crossing in the area.

Nearby, you can find several war memorials and a Celtic cross made from granite, dedicated to local soldiers while also honouring the fallen Wellington Bomber air crew.

Hit the ski slopes at Glenshee Ski Centre

You don’t have to travel all the way to Austria or Switzerland to go skiing. You can also go to the Glenshee Ski Centre if you’re travelling to Braemar during the winter months.

This area is a fantastic playground for people who want to put on their skis but don’t want to travel abroad for the experience. Skiers can spend the day mastering the green runs, while more experienced skiers can head for the red or black runs.

It’s worth noting that Glenshee Ski Centre’s pistes are known for their rugged, natural terrain and exposure to the elements, which can result in varied snow conditions. Even so, you can still take a chairlift up the mountain for panoramic views and get delicious food to eat at the nearby mountain cafe. It is also a good location to get ski instruction. There are multiple trainers in the area who can show you the basics and perhaps make you feel more confident if you are planning a bigger ski trip overseas.

Play a round of golf at the historic Braemar Golf Club

Lastly, you might want to visit Braemar Golf Club if you’re the type of person who loves spending a relaxed morning on the putting green. The club is around 1,200 ft. above sea level, and it is considered the highest 18-hole golf course in Scotland. It is a challenging course that rewards accuracy and is framed by various imposing pine trees, rolling heather hills, and the Clunie River.

Many golfers love going to this part of the world because it’s a scenic wildlife area. You can see deer, birds of prey, and other protected species while playing your favourite sport.

Is it time you visited Braemar?

Is it time you visited Braemar? If so, explore our accommodation in the Braemar area. We look forward to welcoming you to the heart of the Cairngorms soon. It’s one of the most exciting but least explored parts of the country.