What an Amazing experience this was. The staff were all so great and friendly. Full of information and spent tons of time with the kids ensuring they had plenty of opportunity to ask questions and feed the reindeer. The natural surrounding is breathtaking as well. Just come prepared as the winds can get intense and weather changes quickly on the range. read more

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To get to the reindeer is a muti step process, that is well worth the effort. First stop is the reindeer center itself, where you pay and can rent "Wellies" (waterproof rubber boots) for £.50. I would definitely recommend it if your only footwear is a pair of sneakers, as it can get quite muddy on the mountain. Also, would recommend wearing thick socks if you need to rent the Wellies as they are not insulated at all. After you pay, (about £32 for a family package) follow your guide in your car to a location about a mile or so from the center, where you pull over for a one mile easy hike to a fenced off area where there are about 60 or so reindeer. Once inside the gated area you have full access to the reindeer and are able to photo, pet and even feed these majestic creatures. They are surprisingly gentle and obviously used to being around humans. The guides are very nice and provide information about the reindeer, the center and the surrounding areas. Dress appropriately for all types of weather conditions for the season. Even if you are only about a mile or so from your vehicle, the weather can quickly change. This was our second visit to the center and regardless whether it was in a small or a large group of fellow hikers, we felt we had great access to the animals. read more

Cairngorm Reindeer Centre - Zoos Near Me - Aviemore, HLD

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I now have a new favourite animal.. I didn't realise how calm, friendly and gentle reindeers were until my visit today. The tour guide said at the start, if you haven't met a reindeer before you will leave loving them, she couldn't be more right. The tours are daily at 11am and costs £13 per adult. You meet at the reindeer centre pay and then wait for the convoy up to the car park to start the short beautiful trek to where the reindeer are. Tours are weather dependent so if the weather is bad call ahead to check is still going ahead. I had tried to go a couple of years ago but it was cancelled as the reindeers were snowed in. The reindeer centre has a small reasonbly priced gift shop and attached is what they call Base Camp which is where there are a few reindeers and an information centre. This is great for kids to get a closer look and to make some reindeer related arts and crafts. This is also suitable for the under 5's as the trek to the reindeer is a little tough for them. Once at the car park you all start the short trek, you need a certain level of fitness as it's a bit up and down with loose ground. The guide stops at certain points to tell you info about the reindeer. I think this is also to allow people to catch there breath. The walk is beautiful and picturesque and you can see the Cairngorms in the distance, well as long as it's not covered in clouds like when we were there. Wrap up warm, layers are a good idea as you can never tell what the weather is going to be like and it can change quickly, it became very windy once we were up. The reindeers have a vast area to roam, a few rangers go up before you to get some of the herd in to a pen to give you the chance to get close enough to pat them and feed them. I was surprised at how calm the reindeer were and how gentle they are. We were able to pet them, feed them, take photos and wander amongst them, we were even lucky enough to see a couple of week old babies. Once we began to head back the rangers let the reindeer out of the pen to roam wherever they want. It was such a magical experience and I left feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Highly recommended. read more

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