A guide to shopping local this Christmas in the Cairngorms National Park.
20 inspiring ways to brighten up your Christmas and support local businesses around Aviemore.
Christmas shopping is one of the festive season’s most time honoured traditions. This year we are being urged to think a little harder about the gifts we’re buying and where we’re buying them from. Most of us will be doing most or possibly all of our Christmas shopping online this year. While it’s infinitely easier to shop with large companies like Amazon, if we want to support the economy here in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park, we need to support the independent businesses that make visiting this area so very special.
The team at Seasgair has pulled together 20 ideas to create a meaningful Christmas shopping guide which will hopefully inspire you. They all have online stores.
Foodie Gifts
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Bothy Bakery, formerly the renowned Mountain Cafe in Aviemore, they now run a wonderful bakery in Grantown and they deliver all sorts of wonderful treats from millionaires shortbread to gingerbread granola.
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Cairngorm Gin, a present for gin lovers, not only is this a wonderful gin but you can also buy high quality gin goodies including glasses, boards and jiggers!
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Cairngorm Leaf & Bean, a specialist small batch coffee roaster located here in the Cairngorms National Park, with 100% Arabica beans and can be delivered throughout the UK.
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Kilted Fudge Company, delicious fudge, truffles or Scottish tablet or a Christmas hamper bursting at the seams with festive delights, delivered all the way from Aviemore to your door.
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Rothiemurchus Estate Farm Shop, where you can order a hamper of local produce or other delightful goodies for Christmas.
Sport lovers Gifts
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Aviemore Bikes, formerly Mikes Bikes, a fabulous local bike shop in Aviemore with a great range of bikes and biking accessories. Bike lovers just can’t seem to ever have enough kit!
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Back Country, a perfect one stop shop for those who love the outdoors, anything from a camping stove to a packraft can be bought online here, all tried and tested by experienced outdoor enthusiasts.
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Bark + Ride, a brilliant wee business which is taking the Cairngorms by storm. Perfect gifts for mountain bikers who combine a love of biking with a love of their pooch, vouchers are also available.
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Bothy Bikes, another excellent independent bike shop in Aviemore with a wide range of bikes and biking kit. So much choice!
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Cairngorm Mountain Sports, part of Braemar Mountain Sports, their online shop has an extensive range of walking, climbing, skiing and ski touring equipment and clothes.
Creative Gifts
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Cairn Candle Co, handcrafted luxurious sustainable candles with a range of Cairngorm scents, local artist Ann Vastano even has her own scented candle which bears her beautiful artwork.
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Highland Wildscapes, David Russell is a local photographer who captures stunning images of Highland scenes, prints are available to purchase online.
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Rona Kant Artist, a well known and well loved local artist who paints iconic Cairngorm landmarks in vibrant colours, you can buy limited edition prints, cards and 2021 calendars online.
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Wooden Tom, original, ethically made and hand crafted wooden gifts including mugs, spoons and quaichs are available online.
Experiential Gifts
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Aviemore Kart Raceway, gift vouchers available online for outdoor go karting on their 550 metre track, great for kids and adults who enjoy some speed!
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Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, help keep the reindeer herd afloat in these tricky times by adopting a reindeer and receiving an adoption pack in return, other lovely reindeer gifts are also available to buy on their online shop.
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Highland Wildlife Park, for animal lovers, give the unique gift of a donation to the feeding and looking after of one of the much loved animals in the park, needed more than ever after the challenging year they have had.
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Strathspey Railway, gift vouchers available online for a memorable Afternoon Tea aboard the Strathspey Steam Train, perfect for all ages.
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TreeZone, gift vouchers available online for the ultimate aerial adventure high ropes course in Aviemore, perfect for little or big kids who like to get their adrenaline pumping!
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Zip Wire Adventure, gift vouchers available online for an exhilarating aerial ride zip lining through the Caledonian Pine Forest on the Alvie Estate, can be done by day or by floodlit night!
