Undiscovered Scotland

 

The town of Aviemore has existed since at least as far back as the 1600s, but it didn't really begin to grow until the arrival of the railway in 1862. By 1892 it was an important junction with lines to Perth, Inverness and Forres. Hotels followed, and though the phrase would take a while to catch on, Aviemore started its evolution into a mountain resort.

The second major period of growth followed the development of the Cairn Gorm ski areas from 1961. This led in 1964 to the development of the Aviemore Centre, providing a wide range of services for visitors and residents alike. Unfortunately, Scottish architecture in the 1960s tended to view concrete as the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything. As a result, what emerged in Aviemore was more than a little reminiscent of structures going up in peripheral estates around Scotland's larger cities at the time. (Continues below images...)

 

Aviemore has spent much of the intervening time trying to live down the reputation given it by the Aviemore Centre, with some success. Today's Aviemore has all the services you'd expect of the main town serving a very large area, plus the theatre, swimming pool, dry ski slope, and go-karting track you might not expect.

The town still has a railway station on the main Perth to Inverness line, and for enthusiasts and visitors, steam trains of the Strathspey Railway run a regular service on a restored branch line from Aviemore to Boat of Garten and beyond. Closely following the route of the restored line is part of the Speyside Way long distance path.

The focus of Aviemore's recent development continues to lie with the Cairn Gorm ski area, eight miles into the mountains that form the south-east skyline for the town. This continuing development as a year-round resort helps explain the very large choice of accommodation available in Aviemore, from the large and traditional to the large and modern, and taking in a wide range of smaller hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, hostels and camping and caravan facilities; plus a large amount of self catering accommodation. You can read our review of the popular Coylumbridge Hotel here.

Aviemore also offers plenty of shopping opportunities. If you are looking for a supermarket you will find one. If you want outdoor or skiing clothing or equipment, you will find plenty of outlets to choose from. And you will also find no shortage of shops appealing to passing tourists. At the southern end of the town is St Aidan's RC Church, and Aviemore also has a Church of Scotland Church.