Visit the Scottish Highlands for breathtaking views and a land rich in history
With awe-inspiring scenery and amazing wildlife, a trip to Scotland makes it the perfect family getaway
IT is tempting to describe the Highland village of Braemar as the Great Outdoors, but that just doesn’t do it justice.
Instead, think awe-inspiring scenery, amazing wildlife and adrenaline rush-inducing activities and you will be a wee bit closer.
My family — wife Annabelle; daughters Molly, six; Maisie, two, and Dizzy the dog — enjoyed a break that was literally a breath of fresh air.
Occasionally it was a bit too fresh for our youngest (more on that later) but the rest of us loved it.
The drive from Glasgow took less than two-and-a-half hours, culminating in the spectacular Glenshee Road.
If you haven’t done the route before, it is like being on Top Gear — except that the mountains are so stunning I had to keep slowing down to admire them.
Having checked in to our cabin, handily located in the centre of the village, we headed out to explore the nearby pine forest.
The following morning, after a hearty breakfast at The Bothy coffee shop next door, we set off to conquer the nearest hill, Creag Choinnich, with mountaineer and local resident Sue Harper Todd.
She was the first British woman to lead an expedition to the summit of Mount Everest in 2004, and helps organise the Braemar Mountain Festival.
Unfortunately we didn’t make our own summit together due to high winds.
MOST READ IN TRAVEL
The sight of Dizzy being blown a bit too close to the edge for comfort and the sound of Maisie wailing despite, or perhaps because of, the hat we fashioned from her spare knickers meant we had to turn back.
A knicker-blocker-story, if you will.
That afternoon Neil Bain, who runs Braemar Highland Safaris, drove us out to the abandoned farmstead of Auchtavan and the Queen Mother’s Cottage — a small house where the Queen Mum used to picnic and occasionally invite walkers to join her for a G&T.
Neil is hugely knowledgeable about the area and its wildlife, which includes red and roe deer, red squirrels and golden eagles.
After an adventure-filled day, we headed back to our two-bed larch-clad cabin on the banks of the River Clunie.
Underfloor heating keeps the whole place warm and cosy and the living areas are light and airy, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows.
All four of the units at Braemar Cabins are wheelchair accessible and dogs are welcome too.
The village hosts the world-famous Braemar Gathering every September and is a great base from which to explore Deeside and the Cairngorms National Park.
There are plenty of places to visit nearby, including Balmoral Castle, the Royal Family’s Scottish home, and the nearby Royal Lochnagar Distillery.
Less than 60 miles from Aberdeen Airport, the whole area is also accessible if you live south of the border, too.
We missed out on the snow but the Cairnwell chairlift at Glenshee — Scotland’s largest ski resort — runs in summer too, offering access to nine Munros (hills more than 3,000ft high) and a 3km mountain bike track.
All too soon it was time to head home, but the Great Outdoors turned out to be so great, we can’t wait to go back.
GO: SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
STAYING THERE: A four-person cabin at Braemar is from £475 for a week in low season and up to £695 per week in high season.
Long weekends are from £285 to £345.
For more information or to book a break, see braemarcabins.com or call 01339 741242.