Summer or winter, the Aviemore area offers an unequalled variety of activities.

With something to suit all tastes and abilities, The Rowan Tree is ideally situated with our central location allowing easy access to everything that is going on.

You can find links to other sites of interest here.

Walking, Climbing & Mountaineering
There is a good selection of Munros, Corbetts & Donalds in the area, achievable in a day's outing from the hotel, together with a whole host of very fine, lower level walks and forest trails.We're more than happy to provide you with maps, routes and guidance. If you wish, we can also arrange for the services of an experienced guide for the more adventurous routes.

The hotel is used as a base by a number of well established instructors & guides who offer small group or individual tuition in Mountaineering, Winter Skills, Climbing & Ice Climbing. If you’d like us to, we can make the arrangements with them for you.

Drying out and storing your kit at the end of each day is no problem; we have good facilities for both.

Skiing and Snowboarding
Just 20 minutes drive away, the Cairngorms are Scotland's premier ski area, with Downhill, Snowboarding, Telemark and Nordic all well catered for.

Our location also means that you can easily get round to The Lecht Ski Area or down to Aonach Moor. Great options for a change of scenery and for some different challenges.

The Cairngorm Funicular Railway.
This exciting journey really is a wonderful experience, winter or summer. The views from the top are superb, weather permitting, the breezes on the viewing patio bracing, and the Mountain Experience Visitor Centre is great fun. You can also enjoy a snack or a cup of coffee in the highest restaurant in the land!!

Watersports
Watersports abound close at hand with Loch Insh Watersports just 10 minutes away, offering equipment hire and tuition for sailing, canoeing & windsurfing, together with kayak safaris on the River Spey. Loch Morlich is a similar distance in the other direction, offering similar facilities, again in stunning surroundings.

Fishing
Some of Scotland's renowned fishing, for Salmon, Trout & Pike is available locally on the River Spey and on various Lochs nearby. We are happy to arrange permits for you and can usually secure the services of a ghillie if you wish.For something a little different why not try your hand at pike fishing.

Golf
Within an hour's drive of the hotel, there are numerous courses; all offering different levels of challenge and all surrounded by magnificent scenery. Whether it is championship standard golf or a more leisurely recreational round that you are looking for, just let us know what you are looking to do and we'll be happy to take care of the arrangements for you.

Equestrian
Working closely with Alvie Stables, we can arrange riding of all standards, from pony trekking for the relative novice to more challenging adventures for the more experienced rider.The hotel is also a featured "overnight stop" on a number of the superb rides offered by Highland Horseback. The holidays offered by Ken & Fiona have been independently rated as one of "The Top 10 Equestrian Holidays" in Britain.

Wildlife
We are surrounded by thousands of acres of moorland and forest, teeming with wildlife. The RSPB owns the nearby Loch Garten Nature Reserve, home of the world famous Ospreys. The Landmark Centre and The Highland Wildlife Park are both just a few minutes away.

Neil MacIntyre, our next door neighbour, conducts excellent Wildlife Photography Courses and Workshops.

History
Within a short drive of the hotel you can soak up the deep-rooted history of this wonderful land and its people.

Just 35 to 40 minutes away are Ballindalloch Castle (A stunning building & gardens and home of the only Lady Laird in Scotland), Cawdor Castle (Again well worth a visit) and Culloden Battlefield (The site of the last battle fought on British soil and a very special place indeed).

Closer to home, get to know how the Highlander lived in times gone by at the Highland Folk Museum. And, of course, we mustn’t forget Nessie. Just an hour’s drive from here via a fabulous scenic route we’re happy to show you.

Whisky & Beer
The Speyside Whisky Trail, with its excellent selection of distilleries, makes an interesting and easy day out. The Speyside Cooperage is something that you should not miss – watching the craftsmen hand making the oak casks in the centuries old traditional way. You might also want to consider taking a tour round the Cairngorm Brewery, an enlightening trip, right here in Aviemore.

Other Activities:
Also in the area, just a short drive from the hotel, you can try your hand at Clay Pigeon Shooting, Archery, Gliding, & 4x4 Off Road driving, all of which we can arrange for you. You can also travel to see Ardverikie House and other locations used in the making of Monarch of the Glen, taking a journey back in time on the Strathspey Steam Railway, which now goes all the way to “Glenbogle Station”.

All photos in this section, copyright Dave Fallows, except the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, copyright Cairngorm Mountain.

Here at The Rowan Tree, we pride ourselves in taking care of the details, doing the organising for you, leaving you to do the important thing - relax and enjoy yourself!