the local area provides many exciting activities to participate in: visit the cairngorm mountains for skiing and take a trip on the funicular railway. take a trip on the steam railway, or visit the aviemore climbing wall. try out one of the many cycle paths or for something more challenging, why not try white water rafting or dog sledding.

local attractions include: strathspey railway: just across the road from the hotel, the strathspey railway operates a steam hauled service, reminiscent of those in the 1950’s and 1960’s, between aviemore and broomhill via boat of garten. broomhill is glenbogle station in bbc's "monarch of the glen" series. the railway operates from spring to autumn and runs specials during the season, such as thomas the tank engine and in december santa trains, mince pie specials (including 1st and 2nd january) and hogmanay special. winter sports: aviemore is renowned as scotland's top ski and boarding resort with a full range of facilities available for both sports. all types of equipment and clothing may be bought or hired locally at various outlets. in addition there are ski and boarding schools offering expert tuition to all levels of expertise. fishing: the spey offers some of the best salmon fishing beats to be found in scotland. the numerous lochs offer good trout and pike fishing. the cairngorm’s sister hotel, the garth hotel in grantown on spey, offers week long residential courses run by spinfish walking, wildlife-spotting and cycling: in the surrounding area there are routes to suit all abilities. there are also several excellent golf courses nearby. there are many guide books and leaflets available from outlets within aviemore.

the aviemore highland resort is in the centre of aviemore, opposite the railway station. the resort is close to the cairngorm mountains and is a great base for those enjoying the region’s great skiing and snowboarding from november to may (weather permitting). other local attractions include the highland wildlife park, the landmark forest theme park and the strathspey steam railway. the resort itself boasts extensive leisure facilities, as well as its own on-site retail outlet. the hotel can help you book a round of golf at the impressive spey valley championship golf course, which is also in aviemore.

when you choose to stay at the rowan tree country hotel, our aim is that you will enjoy your stay to the full. you can spend your day in and around the hotel, savouring the surroundings, strolling nearby or simply relaxing. the hotel benefits from views of the mountains to the east and the loch to the west. although in tranquil surroundings, we are located on the outskirts of aviemore and just minutes from the a9. the hotel - originally called the lynwilg mail and one of the oldest inns in the spey valley - was built in the 1700s as a coaching inn alongside the great north road. extended in the mid-1800s, it rapidly established an excellent reputation and received honourable mentions in a number of diaries and accounts of the time. in its time, a part of the hotel has served as the village store, the post office and the local pub. renamed the rowan tree in the early 90s, the hotel has been tastefully modernised and upgraded but always with an eye to retaining its essential character and features: timber beams, open fires and the stained-glass leaded window at the head of the splendid staircase.