Why Braemar?
As a Lake District based company, most of our events are within the local area. But for somethings we like to venture a little further afield. This is both for reasons of personal choice but also to make some things a little easier. It’s much simpler to plan a wild camping trip in Scotland for example and also, we can obtain more reliable winter conditions in the Cairngorms area.
You will see from the calendar of events that we have a variety of events happening in the Braemar area this year – a Winter Skills course at the end of this month and a weeklong walking holiday in May.
So why Braemar?
The Cairngorms are one of my favourite areas of the UK, but a lot of people when they think of the Cairngorms think of Aviemore. Aviemore is a great town, and the Northern Cairngorms have a lot to offer, but it’s also super busy, highly visited, and a little bit predictable.
Braemar on the other hand (if you avoid the week of the Gathering) is a whole lot quieter but still has everything we need. There are Munros, Corbetts and Grahams, there are wonderful Glens with grannie pines and fast flowing rivers. The forests are outstanding for birds and quiet space. You could lose a day chasing butterflies in the woods, or you could visit 3 Munro summits! There are so many options here. There’s loads of conservation and rewilding work ongoing too. There is wildlife to be seen and adventures to be had. Beyond the days out, the facilities are also exactly what we need – accommodation options from the most excellent Braemar Caravan Park campsite, where the facilities are superb and the staff equally so. There is a youth hostel, various self-catering options, and if you are feeling flush the Fyfe Arms.
The town has a wonderful café and outdoors shop combined the Bothy and Braemar Mountain Sports– I mean cake and outdoor kit; I am in heaven!
And the pub too, Farquharsons Bar and Kitchen, wonderful food and a warm welcome.
There is a huge amount going for this area and I’d like to share it with you.
Winter Skills 31 Feb – 1 March