Dalraddy Holiday Park Aviemore – Review
Dalraddy Holiday Park Aviemore, Review – We regularly visit Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park. This time we took the tent to Dalraddy, and discovered it’s WAY more than just a campsite.
Dalraddy Holiday Park is run by a forester laird, Jamie Williamson, which means that each pitch is situated in scenic Scottish woodland. The site itself is around 98 acres, so lots of room for little ones to stretch their legs. With electric hook ups, ample fresh drinking water, laundries, washing-up stations and clean, piping-hot showers and toilet facilities, it’s a winner. A shop sells camping essentials, from milk to marshmallows, and the staff are notably friendly and helpful. There’s a playground, plus, for younger visitors, trampolines, Alvie Express train (summer only), zombie archery, and a Magic Slide.
We also made good use of the heated communal Yurt. Not only is it super cosy on dreich days, with a wood-burning stove, it’s a great spot to eat, play board games (some are provided) or simply hang out and meet up.
The estate also sells its own meat in the Dalraddy shop, so grab your venison sausages and beef burgers here! The boys loved the sausages.
Pitches, Caravans & Chalets – Dalraddy Holiday Park Review
Dalraddy offers numerous pitches for motorhomes, campervans, and tents. Surrounded by greenery, the pitches are quite shaded and private. Groups can gang together on the Tent Field. And there are noticeably very few midges here. If canvas isn’t your things, onsite you can also find one glamping unit, 3 caravan holiday homes and 13 chalets for let. Read more here.
Self-Catering Cottages, Main Estate -Dalraddy Holiday Park Review
A series of smart self-catering cottages (many of them recently refurbished) are peppered around the main estate. This is slightly separate to the Holiday Park, but guests are welcome to tap into any of the park’s facilities. Properties sleeps 4, 6, 8 or 10 guests. Discover more at highlandsselfcatering.co.uk.
Activities at Dalraddy & Alvie
Aviemore has SO much to do but you don’t need to leave Dalraddy Holiday Park or the estate if you don’t want to.
Cairngorm Quad Treks – We tried the Cairngorm Quad Treks experience, which is one of the best activities we’ve ever experienced as a family. Family tours depart directly from Dalraddy – with junior quads available for little ones aged 9+. After a quick safety intro, the family takes a few trial laps round a training circuit. Then, when you’ve got the hang of stopping, starting and steering!, it’s off into the woods, up hill and down dale. Prices and booking info are here. It’s currently £47 but worth every penny. Beautiful scenery and a refreshing way to explore Alvie estate. Watch our quick high-octane Instagram video.
Discover Things to Do in Aviemore
Farm Tours – The estate has a Home Farm, managed by farmer James. James runs the tours and is obviously super knowledgeable and passionate about the land and livestock. The children bottle-fed the orphan lambs, fed the bulls hay and saw the newborn calves.
A highlight was being introduced to sheepdog Ben, and watching him round up the sheep. Then a tour in the farm truck takes in the scenery and viewpoints, including a paddock of triplet lambs and the paddock of twin lambs. James is a fount of knowledge about the 900 blackface sheep, shorthorn and Simmental cattle, the bull Alvie Jock, and the feed/cereals on the farm.
Other Activities to Try – Dalraddy & Alvie directly offer clay pigeon shooting, estate tours, stag shooting (prebooked only), deer feeding and photography (Winter only) and Red Squirrel photography (Winer only).
Partner activities on the estate include Zip Trek (this looks fab, and covers about 20 ziplines) and gorge walking with G2 Outdoor. Also look out for Aviemore Paintball, Alvie Stables for horseriding, Backcountry Survival for that Bear Grylls lifestyle, and archery with Cairngorm Quad Treks. Find more details here – Activities at Alvie.
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Food & Drink – Dalraddy Holiday Park Review
When camping, nothing beats that first meal under canvas – even if it is a simple bowl of pasta, a cup of tea and a glass of vino! But if you don’t want to cook every night Dalraddy Street Food Hub is bliss. On Saturday, after our quad trek, we grabbed a hot chocolate from the Coyote Cook House and chilled in the Yurt. Then, on Saturday night, the boys ordered pizza from G’s Pizza Box while the grown-ups enjoyed Thai food from NaNa’s Kitchen. It was all spot on.
Coyote Kitchen also serve up loaded fries, burgers and hot dogs. Some ventures are weekly pop-ups so check opening hours at reception. It also helps to pre-order, especially in high season. Cabin Coffee should hopefully be opening its doors in July 2025. Non-residents welcome.
Conclusion – We’d happily return to Dalraddy, and this time bring our mates. Happy Campers all round! For more ideas for things to do in the area visit VisitCairngorms.com.
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