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PICTURES: What do visitors really think about Aviemore?





The floral baskets on Grampian Road are looking great again this summer.
The floral baskets on Grampian Road are looking great again this summer.

Aviemore attracts more than one million visitors a year with many using the village as a base to explore the surrounding area.

I spoke to some of these visitors to gather some views on what has drawn them to the capital of the Cairngorms.

Tourists and visitors alike said Aviemore was a great way to connect with the outdoors and with nature, while offering a friendly and varied base.

However, plans for an incoming McDonald’s were not met with the same support.

Mark and Tracey Delisser were visiting from South London and Aviemore and the Highlands have made a big positive impression.
Mark and Tracey Delisser were visiting from South London and Aviemore and the Highlands have made a big positive impression.

Mark and Tracey Delisser, from South London, were enjoying what Aviemore has to offer despite the grim weather.

Mark said: “We love the view of the mountains, we love the feel of it. This could be Scandinavia!”

Tracey said: “It’s a beautiful place, the people are very friendly. We got lost yesterday… and people were very helpful. We’re from South London, it’s very different.

“It’s a pleasure to run around and do your chores surrounded by mountains.”

Peter and Janice Hellens, from Yorkshire, stopped in Aviemore on their way home from Wick.

Janice said: “It’s lovely every time we come.”

Peter said: “It’s the walking, hiking and mountaineering centre of Scotland. You expect all of the camping shops and everything like that.

“People come here because they want to be in the Cairngorms.”

Earlier, locals had raised the issue of litter and lack of bins around the village but Mr and Mrs Hellens did not see the same problem.

Janice said: “We’ve never noticed it.”

Peter said: “Scotland’s far cleaner than what England is. Where we come from there’s not an awful lot going on to look after the streets.”

Harold Evan arrived in the village by bike after a rather long cycle.
Harold Evan arrived in the village by bike after a rather long cycle.

Harold Even, who has cycled to Aviemore from Rennes in France, is loving his first time in the Highlands.

“The landscape is very beautiful and I like how the city drops into the mountains.

“I’ve talked to quite a few people and they say it’s a lovely place to live in. It’s great.”

Harold had previously been in Edinburgh, and remarked on the stark differences further north.

“There is more nature and it’s more peaceful.”

Tracey Bent is a big supporter of independent retailers and does not want to see big chains in Aviemore.
Tracey Bent is a big supporter of independent retailers and does not want to see big chains in Aviemore.

Hitchhiker from Edinburgh, Tracey Bent, is fresh off the mountain and called her stay in the Aviemore Youth Hostel ‘brilliant’.

She said: “[Aviemore]’s got lots of amenities and things that would suit us because we are backpacking, it’s got all the camping shops and food restock places.

“We are coming from a low level of camping and bothies, so it feels like there is a lot here.”

Visitors from the Czech Republic Karolina Stupková and Jana Šaňáková said Aviemore has great connections despite looking a little dated.

Karolina Stupková and Jana Šaňáková thought Aviemore looked a 'little dated'.
Karolina Stupková and Jana Šaňáková thought Aviemore looked a 'little dated'.

Karolina said: “It feels a little like going back in time. Which is also nice, as we are a bit older but for young people it might not be that attractive.

“The people are very friendly and we feel welcomed.”

Jana said: “We are travelling by public transport, and so Aviemore is very well placed.

“We took the first bus at 7am, we were alone at the summit of Cairn Gorm and the view was spectacular.”

James and Catherine Escott are regular visitors to the Aviemore area.
James and Catherine Escott are regular visitors to the Aviemore area.

James and Catherine Escott, from Scone, are regular visitors to Aviemore.

Catherine said: “We love coming up, it’s where we had our wedding anniversary. We love the mountains, the lochs, kayaking, wild swimming, [Aviemore] is a gateway to accessing nature in a profound way.

“It’s been wet this morning but there’s a lovely little selection of coffee shops and shops to look in.”

Visitors were also asked what the presence a McDonald’s would bring to the town.

Plans were approved by Highland councillors earlier in the year.

James Escott said: “It might be difficult for some of the local cafés around here, lots of families will go there.”

Tracey Bent said: “I don’t think people really want to come to Aviemore for big chains, people want to get something local or home made, or visit local coffee shops.

“They don’t want to go to a McDonald’s or a Costa Coffee.

“You can go to any shopping centre outside any city for that. I don’t know why you’d bring that here.”

Plans have been lined up for a new McDonald's but nothing has happened yet and the company is not responding to queries from the Strathy.
Plans have been lined up for a new McDonald's but nothing has happened yet and the company is not responding to queries from the Strathy.

Tracey Delisser suggested: “If Aviemore had a McDonald’s from a Scottish person, serving haggis, shortbread and whisky – not as combo meal!

“But something like that – yes.”

Mark Delisser added: “That would be much better. Definitely.”


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