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Activity Centres
The Scottish Highlands are incredibly diverse and are ideal for a wide range of activities. Because of this, there are activity centres dotted all about. Activity centres are sort of like one-stop shopping if you are looking for things to do in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. Perhaps you have booked a stay in the Highlands and know you want an active holiday, but you’re unsure what’s available. An activity centre is the place to start. Whether you want to experience an extreme sport or simply want to enjoy some of the more traditional Highland activities, there are any number of activity centres which can accommodate your needs.
Activity centres are generally very flexible in their offerings, striving to accommodate both individuals and groups. They are a great option for those traveling in groups, for large families, for stag and hen groups, for charity events, and for corporate and business outings. Youth groups, schools, guides and scouts, and universities often find that activity centres are well-suited for their particular needs, as well. Nevertheless, an activity centre is also an excellent place for individuals and couples to get their active holiday off the ground.
Some activity centres will offer a wide variety of training in different sports and activities, whether for a day, a weekend, or a full week. Highland Adventure Centre in Blairgowrie provides all of these things, along with meal options and necessary equipment. Consider a team building course for groups and businesses, complete with certificates and training. Hillwalking and survival skills provide the opportunity to learn something valuable while enjoying magnificent scenery and a little exercise.
For milder activity centre options, try a course in archery, clay pigeon shooting, or canoeing. Step it up a notch a go wall- or tree-climbing, kayaking, or abseiling. Mountain biking and hiking are popular, more strenuous activities taking place in the most breath-taking locales. Other popular activities include quad biking, gorge walking (not for the faint-hearted!) and canyoning (which involves ropes, harnesses, and jumps), paintballing, and even zorbing (rolling down a hill in a huge, inflatable ball).
Water sports are very prevalent in the Scottish Highlands, both inland on lochs and rivers, and all along the amazing and diverse Highland coastline. Surfing is gaining in popularity, and Thurso is a world-renowned destination for many surfers. White water rafting is an exhilarating way to experience a river, and centres like Nae Limits in Ballinluig offer some great packages, and training, for a white water rafting adventure. They also offer cliff jumping in the summer, for those looking for the ultimate adrenalin rush. Currently, Nae Limits is also the only activity centre in Scotland to offer river tubing, as well. Boating and sailing are good three-season water sports when the weather is clear. Some of the lochs in the Scottish Highlands are so large, they easily support boaters and sailors while still remaining serene and remote.
Country sports remain very popular in the Scottish Highlands, as well as fly fishing and angling, and there are several activity centres which accommodate these traditional outings. Fishing Scotland is located all throughout the Highlands and will take experienced anglers or first-time fishermen, teaching the art of fly fishing. The Highland Estate Experience in Morayshire provides an excellent venue for clay pigeon shooting, off-road driving, fishing, and wildlife photography. They also offer barbeques. Craggan Outdoors in Grantown-on-Spey has both the country sports of clay pigeon shooting, archery, and fishing as well as golf, and the more extreme sports of abseiling, gorge walking, high ropes, zip line, and kayak trips.
Horseback riding and pony trekking are extremely popular in the Scottish Highlands and there are any number of outdoor centres which cater for this adventure. Imagine experiencing a ride along beautiful, unspoilt beaches, or following a trail up through the heather-covered hills. In the northern Highlands, you can ride coast to coast with the guidance of Highlands Unbridled, a trail riding and trekking centre near Brora. Horse riding and pony trekking is not merely for the experienced rider, either. Many centres will offer options for the complete beginner, as Highlands Unbridled does, with well-behaved horses and shorter rides.
Are you a Boglie? If so, be sure to visit Highland Activities in Kinloch Laggan, located on Arverikie Estate (the “real” Glenbogle). This centre offers a wide range of excellent activities including scenic 4 x 4 safaris and scenic river rafting safaris. They also run quad biking, mountain biking, paintballing, and even tomahawk throwing activities. You can book archery lessons and clay pigeon shooting with them, as well.
Activity centres offer a wealth of fun and exciting things to do while you are up in the Scottish Highlands. Whether you are a dyed-in-the-wool adventurer or just starting out, there is sure to be something for you. Choose from a morning or afternoon, an all-day adventure, a weekend package, or a week-long experience at one of the many activity centres located throughout the Highlands of Scotland. Get outdoors and have yourself an adventure, with the backdrop of the majestic and mysterious Scottish Highlands!
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