Great North Lodges Blog

Welcome to Ian Cameron

2009-03-10T10:44:00.003Z

New Office Post

After sterling service to Great North Lodges, Linda Milne left the office last month for pastures new. We wish her well in her new career. Linda's replacement in the office, Ian Cameron, started in Mid February and has adapted well to his new position as Assistant reservations Manager. Ian has lived in the Aviemore area for many years and brings a wealth of local knowledge to the post, he has experience in the holiday accommodation industry and we look forward to a long relationship with him. I am sure that all of our clients will find Ian's knowledge and friendly manner useful when booking their Holiday with us.

New Lodge
Great North Lodges are delighted to announce a fantastic new addition to our Portfolio - the Stunning Osprey Lodge Osprey Lodge is in a fantastic rural setting and can sleep up to 8 guests. It has many luxury touches, including a superb outdoor hot tub. The lodge owners, Nicholas and Gaynor Russell, already run a hotel and have created a fantastic holiday retreat in Osprey Lodge. We wish them well and are sure our guests will enjoy this stunning property.

Extras
You may be unaware, but 5 our lodges now boast outdoor hot tubs - Mountain Bear Lodge, Beaver Creek Lodge, Ptarmigan Lodge, Osprey Lodge and Wolf Lodge. Luxury holidays just got even better!

A stay at The Shieling in Aviemore, includes membership of the nearby Dalfaber Golf & Country facilities. These include a 9-Hole Golf course, Indoor swimming pool with jacuzzi, sauna, gym, indoor sports, Snooker, tennis etc.

Staying at Heather Cottage includes use of the Indoor Swimming pool (with Flume), saunas, steam rooms and gym at the Aviemore Highland Resort.

Hot Tubs

2009-01-24T09:50:00.003Z

Wolf Lodge has had it's new hot tub installed!

We now have outside hot tubs at Mountain Bear Lodge, Beaver Creek Lodge, Ptarmigan Lodge and Wolf Lodge.

Watch the web site for updated pictures of Wolf Lodge.

Snow sports

2008-12-18T14:49:00.002Z

Some handy information from the Cairngorm Mountain:

The Christmas/New Year holiday can be a busy time and due to the large number of visitors it is likely there will be queues for services like the ticket office, ski hire and ski school. Here are a few tips to help you plan your visit.

Opening times: (from Saturday 20th December 2008)
First public train up is 9.00 am. (Other uplift may open earlier subject to conditions). Competent skiers and snow boarders are encouraged to use the lift system (if open) to reach higher runs and relieve congestion on the funicular. Last train up 3.20pm. Last train down 4.00 pm. Lifts at the top of the mountain will close earlier due to the limited numbers of day light hours.

Please note that we will be closed on Christmas Day but will be open on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, Hogmanay and New Year's Day. Sight seeing visitors are most welcome and we advise them to plan their visit between 11am and 2.30pm to avoid the early and end of day congestion with skiers.

Equipment hire.
During holiday periods there can be pressure on the availability of children's ski equipment. There are other hire outlets in the area so if you are not an early riser we strongly advise you to hire off-site.

The Ski School.
They still have lesson availability but please pre-book by calling 01479 861319 (10.00-16.00). If the enquiry line is busy please leave your name and number and the Ski School will call you back.

Sledging.
The Sledge Park will be open by 10.30am daily subject to conditions. It is located just outside the Top Station and tickets can be purchased from the Shop at the Top. The presence of streams and rivers under the snow pack makes it dangerous to sledge other than in the designated area.

Walking. We recommend non skiing visitors consider a walk down the Allt Mor Trail from Coire Cas Car Park. This picturesque, easy, downhill walk (approx 2 hrs) goes from high moorland through Caledonian pine forest and finishes at Glenmore (you can return either on foot or by public bus). Full details available from the Ranger Base.

Buying Tickets
Non-skiing visitors and sledging visitors will require a funicular ticket to ride the train. If you plan to visit us more than 1 day you may want to consider purchasing a Friends of CairnGorm Mountain ticket.Snowsports visitors require a skiing ticket – this includes unlimited use of all lifts and the train. All equipment hire and lift tickets should be paid for at the ticket office prior to collecting equipment from the collection point on production of your receipt and rental deposit - credit card or cash (£200) – no passports, car keys, mobile phones or pets please!
Purchase your tickets on line at http://www.cairngormmountain.co.uk/buy-tickets-online/ or buy and collect your snow sports tickets on Friday night up until 10pm from Aviemore Ski and Board Hire next door to the Aviemore Laundry Service (underneath the Post Office) in the Myrtlefield Shopping Centre. (Call Carol or Brian on 01479 811711 or 811917 to let them know what you need.)

Catering.
The Ptarmigan Restaurant (Top Station). Snacks, hot drinks, bar and hot menu. Open from 9am.
The Cas Bar (Day Lodge). Bar, Hot drinks and light snacks. Open from 9am.
Consider taking an early or a late lunch. Ski school classes do make the lunchtime period very busy between 12.30pm and 2pm.
Packed lunches can be eaten on Level 2 in the Day Lodge.

Parking, Car Sharing and Public Transport.
If you are planning to visit consider car sharing with friends (from Aviemore) or taking the public bus. This will help car park availability for everyone. Park and Ride Shuttle Bus will operate from the Ciste Car Park subject to demand.

Ski Ambassador Tours.
Tours of the ski area led by our Hilton Ski Ambassadors will take place daily – meeting point Top Station exit doors at 11.30am. These are free of charge for all skiers and snowboarders. Suitable for level 3/4 skiers and above (i.e. not beginners).
Shop at CairnGorm Mountain. Hats, gloves, goggles, wrist guards and helmets - all on sale in our both our shops.

Hill Photographer - Peter DienderThrouhgout the holiday period a Hill Photographer will be out and about taking pcitures. He is highly visibile in his high vis vest. There is no obligation to buy but you can visit his web site for shots. www.action-heroes.co.uk

Setanta Sports at Mountain Bear Lodge

2008-12-04T14:32:00.001Z

Just a note to highlight that Mountain Bear Lodge now has the full Setanta Sports package along with the full Sky package.

Ptarmigan Lodge

2008-12-02T15:56:00.002Z

Ptarmigan Lodge now has a new outside Hot Tub!

Watch the web for new pictures

Let it snow!

2008-11-20T16:55:00.002Z

The forecast is for a lot of snow and the mountain is reporting it may open next week for skiing if the forecasts are correct.

keep an eye on http://www.cairngormmountain.org.uk/

Plenty on in the area see http://www.visitaviemore.com/ for the whats on details

The Outsider Festival

2008-11-13T17:49:00.002Z

New web site launched for this festival with more details to follow

http://www.outsiderfestival.co.uk/Front.html

The Outsider Festival programme announcements will start next year but as it is the "Year of homecoming" this should be a great weekend and is being held on the 20th and 21st June 2009 so book now to ensure you can go, most of our properties are still free for this week.

Lets pray for sunshine this time!

Early Snow Fall

2008-10-30T17:25:00.002Z

As you may know we have had snow for several days and the report from the Cairngorm Mountain is as follows:

"Ski Patrol reports that the snowfall to date is largely cosmetic, there is no base, there are lots of rocks and if a run can be created it will be very narrow and there will be some walking involved at the zig zags to reach the middle station. Conditions will not be suitable for beginners. If skiing is possible ticket prices will be priced £15 (adult) for the day and £10 (child). "

But if this weather keeps up I am sure conditions on the hill will improve.

However the funicular railway will be closed to the public for annual maintenance from Monday 3rd November through until the 5th December.

Red Stag Lodge

2008-10-29T15:37:00.002Z

Red Stag Lodge has now been sold, hopefully clients that have enjoyed it over the years can try some of our other Lodges like The Shieling or Beaver Creek Lodge all of which are nearby.

Homecoming Scotland 2009

2008-10-21T16:07:00.002+01:00

We are supporting Homecoming Scotland 2009 which is a celebration of all things Scottish in 2009 including 250 years since the birth of Robert Burns, also being celebrated are Golf, Whisky and innovations. The latest announcement to the events for 2009 is that Scotland will stage the final round of the prestigious Intercontinental Rally Challenge in November in Perthshire not far from us!

http://www.homecomingscotland2009.com/

Grillkota at Mountain Bear Lodge

2008-10-10T17:08:00.002+01:00

The new BBQ Hut or Grillkota is fully installled and working at Mountain Bear Lodge. It was imported from Finalnd and it's origins are from North of the Artic Circle when the Sami Reindeer Herdsmen travelled across the tundra.

October

2008-10-02T18:35:00.002+01:00

Some highlights for October are

World Porridge Making Championship 2008, 12th October

Half Marathon 18th and 19th October

The Cairngorm Charmer 25th October

We do have some properties free over these dates but October is very busy so call now if you want to experience any of these events.

2009 prices and updates

2008-09-17T16:43:00.003+01:00

Our 2009 prices are now on the web site under tariff.

Watch out for the new hot tub at Ptarmigan Lodge and Wolf Lodge - details and pictures will follow when these are up and running!!

Carve Carrbridge

2008-08-23T10:33:00.002+01:00

Next weekend is Carve Carrbridge, the Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Competition at Carrbridge. It is an amazing site to see large pieces of wood become eagles, golfers, bears or whatever else they can imagine! The scultures are auctioned off at the end of the day so you can get your self a lovely garden ornament if you can get it home!! People come from all over the world to compete and see this amazing event.

If you want to see it then we have Eagle Lodge or Ptarmigna Lodge still free.

Thunder in the Glen

2008-08-22T15:35:00.002+01:00

This weekend is the "Thunder in the Glen" weekend where thousands of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts meet up and ride out. They normally ride out from Aviemore at noon on Saturday which is a magnificanet sight, if you can catch it, they head to Grantown-on-Spey where you can see them too.

We have Eagle Lodge still free this weekend if you want to catch it!

We have also just launched our two new Lodges, Eagle Lodge and The Shieling. Eagle Lodge sleeps 8 and The Shieling sleeps up to 12. We have a new launch promotion of 30% off the advertised rate for the first 5 full week bookings at these lodges.

Also worth a small mention is the 2 Osprey chicks this year from Loch Garton RSPB reserve have started their migration South and can be tracked by satellite here http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/tracking/lochgartenospreys/index.asp

get organised and book now for 2009!

2008-08-11T17:19:00.010+01:00

People who have stayed at Mountain Bear Lodge say it is better than the pictures on the web site, even if it did rain it didn't matter because the Lodge was so fantastic. The best thing about the holiday was the Lodge and that the Lodge made the holiday "it had it's own character" and "was like part of the family". We have so many bookings for this Lodge that every day we disappoint people as the dates they want are already booked.

So this is a bit of advice - get organised and book now for 2009. Christmas week is still available as are many weeks later in the year. Get your family and friends together and decide when you want to get together next year or even 2010 and book Mountain Bear Lodge well in advance so we don't have to disappoint anybody!!

The Shieling and Eagle Lodge

2008-08-05T16:13:00.003+01:00

Great North Lodges welcomes two new properties to the family!

The Shieling, a lovely country house sleeping 12 overlooking Aviemore with fantastic views of the Cairngorm Mountains http://www.greatnorthlodges.co.uk/The%20Shieling.htm (web site still being worked on!)

Eagle Lodge, a modern Lodge to the North of Aviemore sleeping 8, great for families with children and or dogs. http://www.greatnorthlodges.co.uk/EagleLodge.htm (web site still being worked on!)

Opening Hours

2008-08-02T11:52:00.002+01:00

We have new opening hours from today

Mon - Wed 9am - 5:30pm
Thu 9am - 7pm
Fri 9am - 5:30pm
Sat 9am - noon

We hope late opening on a Thursday will help our customers book holidays!

New properties

2008-07-26T11:25:00.003+01:00

Hi,

We are taking on 2 new properties in Aviemore, one sleeps 8 and one sleeps 12. Both are up to our high standard. Pictures and web pages to follow soon, so watch this space and yes we can take bookings now.

Any regular customers who thought Rats Magic Cottage was being sold and not being kept as a Holiday home, well we have good news on that too Rats Magic Cottage has been bought and kept with us to rent as a holiday home, the new owners want to add their own personal touches and so watch this space for news and updates and new pictures too.

Beaver Creek Lodge - the name!

2008-07-24T17:07:00.004+01:00

Beaver Creek Lodge made The Sun newspaper on Friday July 18th but not for it's 5 star luxury accommodation but for it's name!

The new houses nearby were to be given the address Beaver View after Beaver Creek Lodge but some red faced councillors changed the address to Carn Elrig View after realising it could cause offense to residents!! other streets are being named Lodge Lane.

July 18th weekend

2008-07-15T16:39:00.003+01:00

It is the Inverness Highland Games this weekend

http://www.invernesshighlandgames.com/

and if you want to go we still have Glenfeshie House free from the 18th - 25th July at a special deal!

Inverness is only about 30 miles from Aviemore and easy enough to get to.

For more details of what is on in the area see the "whats on guide" at http://visitaviemore.com/whatson

Goodbye Snowy Owl Lodge

2008-07-10T14:25:00.002+01:00

We no longer have Snowy Owl Lodge, it has been sold and is no longer a holiday house.

For regular customers Silver Birch Cottage or Heather Cottage are lovely properties that we are sure you will grow to love as much as Snowy Owl Lodge.

Spring

2008-05-29T16:00:00.002+01:00

Simon from the BBC Springwatch program is in Aviemore and Rothiemurchus

http://www.bbc.co.uk/springwatch/bigthemes/simon.shtml

The top of the Chimneys of the office here can be seen when the Osprey are catching fish - so watch for us every night at 8pm!

And the third chick has arrived at the Loch Garten Osprey nest

http://blogs.rspb.org.uk/lochgartenospreys/archive/2008/05/29/Three-is-the-magic-number.aspx

May Holiday weekend

2008-05-22T15:42:00.003+01:00

This weekend is the Teddy Bears picnic on the Strathspey Railway, kids and adults bring your own teddy!

http://www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk/

And a baby osprey should be on the way - due to hatch any time soon so might be worth a visit to the RSPB reserve at Boat of Garten.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/webcams/birdsofprey/lochgartenvideo.asp

The weather forecast is good - so have fun!

Silver Birch Cottage

2008-05-20T16:13:00.002+01:00

New pictures for Silver Birch Cottage on our web site

http://www.greatnorthlodges.co.uk/silverbirch.htm

This lovely Cottage sleeps 6, is Visit Scotland 4 star rated and has a sauna and log burning stove.