Santa weekend breaks return to Macdonald Aviemore Resort

Surrounded by majestic mountains, picturesque lochs and lush wooded hillsides, Macdonald Aviemore Resort offers a family- friendly escape at the heart of the Cairngorms. Decades of holiday memories confirm that Santa Claus’ home in Scotland is Aviemore, the winter sports resort surrounded by Cairngorm National Park which welcomes visiting families each year to the capital of Christmas in the Highlands.

The story of the mountain resort starts in 1961 with a chairlift. There has been a settlement at Aviemore since at least as far back as the 1600s and the stone circle in the town hints at a more ancient past. The arrival of the railway produced the first rise in attention from Victorian holidaymakers. However, it wasn’t until the opening of The White Lady chairlift in December 1961 that the potential of Cairngorm for leisure was realised.

Skiers now had the first directly accessible piste close to Aviemore with reliable late season snow. Enter department store magnate Lord Fraser of Allander and brewer George McEwan Younger. The duo envisaged Scotland’s answer to the Alpine resorts of Europe, designed to appeal to a new generation of holidaymaker.They set out to create the first all-weather resort in the UK, leading to the construction of the Aviemore Centre in 1966. Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort opened that same year and continues to welcome guests with three hotels and woodland lodges.

Aviemore quickly became a major Scottish tourist destination. There was a cinema, shops, restaurants, a swimming pool – all surrounded by new chalets, hotels and lodges for the ultimate holiday experience in the Highlands. The kitsch Santa Claus Land and its go-kart track, set against the dramatic landscape, were a highlight for young visitors.

By the late 1990s, a large part of The Aviemore Centre had been demolished and a period of reinvention followed. A new funicular railway in December 2001 signalled the beginning of a period of optimism which was enhanced by the creation of the Cairngorms National Park in August 2003.

Winter sports continued to attract like-minded individuals to the town, bringing with them a new sense of community and the spark for small businesses to grow including new restaurants and cafes.

The tradition of family holidays has endured – Aviemore is still one of the best places in Scotland for a break with kids. Santa Weekends at Macdonald Aviemore Resort have brought festive traditions into a new era.

Part of the magic of the trip is when children have the chance to meet Santa in his woodland grotto, visiting the elves workshop before being introduced to real reindeer.

The Cairngorm reindeer herd, first introduced in 1952 by Swede Mikel Utsi, is the only free-ranging herd found in Britain, roaming the countryside around Aviemore.

There are around 150 animals living on the nearby mountains or on the Glenlivet Estate. The centre that manages the herd partner with Aviemore Resort to introduce the reindeer to guests as part of their stay.

The festive entertainment continues with a live Christmas panto that’s produced each year within the resort. There’s full Scottish breakfast each morning, Christmas film screenings, family discos and an opportunity to swim in the indoor lagoon pool with flumes and wave machine.

Santa Breaks in Aviemore

An experience for the whole family, imagine walking into a winter wonderland with snow-covered mountains, festive treats and indulgent hot chocolate to hand, and Santa's grotto to discover in a woodland setting.

Soak up the festive atmosphere of Aviemore with an extensive live family entertainment programme including festive movies, an ice rink, pantomime performances and a range of special festive dining experiences. 

Santa weekend breaks are available for two or three night stays running on 29th November, 6th December, 13th December and 20th December. You can find more details and book your stay here.

Macdonald Aviemore Resort, Aviemore PH22 1PN.