February Thursday 10th – Monday 14th
Experience the majesty and grandeur of the Scottish Highlands, authentic rugged adventure on your doorstep. Immerse yourself in the heather clad hills, whisky and roaring log fires during a long weekend ski adventure you won’t soon forget
This luxury 5 star, 4 night trip is based in two locations (Braemar and Kingussie) offering the opportunity to ski three of Scotland’s five resorts while offering the opportunity for non-skiing activities should the snow cover not be on your side.
Itinerary Plan
Drive from the airport in Aberdeen to Braemar, Aberdeenshire, this will be the base for the first 2 nights. Enjoy skiing in Glenshee, activities in Braemar in the evening.
Next stop 2 nights in Kingussie – Drive over the famous ‘snow road’ to The Lecht Ski Resort for a half day on the slopes before continuing on the Kingussie. Ski Cairngorm Mountain.
The drive back to Aberdeen airport is one of the most scenic in Scotland, passing through the Cairngorm National Park.
Braemar (Glenshee) (2 Nights)
The drive from Aberdeen airport to Braemar takes you along Royal Deeside, one of the prettiest parts of Aberdeenshire and home to the Queen’s Highland residence Balmoral Castle. Leaving the airport to travel to Braemar you’ll stop at Tarmachan cafe near Crathie for lunch before exploring the famous Balmoral Cairns and Balmoral Estate. You then continue on to Braemar.
The Fife Arms Hotel is a striking and luxurious reimagining of a traditional Highland hostelry, no expense has been spared and the result is a warm, quirky and unique stop.
After dinner (and some of the comfiest beds you’ll ever sleep in) at the Fife Arms, you will wake up refreshed and ready to explore on Thursday, with Glenshee Ski Resort just a 15 minute drive away. Day passes are just £32. For the more intrepid skier a private mountain guide can be hired to explore the backcountry areas served by Glenshee’s lift network.
Accommodation:
- Fife Arms Hotel – Braemar. Rooms from £324.80 per night.
- Recommended things to do/ places to eat:
- Taramchan Cafe – Crathie. Incredible sandwiches and cakes right next door to Balmoral Estate
- Fife Arms Hotel – Enjoy a pint and a pie in the Flying Stag or a more formal sit down dinner in the Clunie Dining Room. Local seasonal produce is featured heavily.
- Hazelnut Patisserie – Bramear. Offers incredible high quality cakes and pastries to take away, ideal for that mid morning coffee break on the hill
Kingussie (2 Nights)
Kingussie is ideally located to enjoy the Cairngorm Mountain ski area, and also to offer plenty of alternatives for non skiing travellers.
It’s Approx 2 hours to Kingussie from Braemar, passing over the famous Snow Road. Leaving Braemar just after breakfast on Friday you will reach the Lecht Ski Centre after around an hour’s drive. A pleasant half day can be spent skiing here for only £25. Although not a large resort the Lecht offers some accessible fun among the hills of the Mondalhiath.
You will leave The Lecht and carry on through to Aviemore, and then on to your accommodation at Kingussie.
Accommodation:
- 4 star self catering accommodation at Killiehuntly. From £300 per night
- Recommended things to do/ places to eat:
- Old Bridge Inn Aviemore – lovely riverside setting to enjoy hearty pub food and local beers.
- Alternatively you can pick up incredible street-food style offerings on the way to your accommodation at Alvie Forest Food
- Pre prepared meals and treats can be arranged from Speyside Kitchen
Saturday can be spent enjoying the open bowls and stunning vistas of the Cairngorm Mountain resort, just a 30 minute drive from Killiehuntly. Day passes are available for £30
After another night at Killiehuntly you will enjoy a scenic drive back to Aberdeen airport through Aberdeenshire, including the famous Distillery villages of Dufftown and Aberlour.
Non Skiing Activities:
- Braemar
- Wildlife safaris and trout fishing on Invercauld Estate
- Balmoral Castle and Estate
- Scenic walks at Marr Lodge estate and The Punchbowl at Linn of Quoich
- Distillery tours at Royal Lochnagar
- Kingussie
- Ruthven Barracks
- Zip lining at Zip Trek Park
- Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
