|
|
Print-friendly version
Karting
According to the BBC, karting is the first step on the road to auto racing. What better place to have your karting adventure than in the beautiful and scenic Scottish Highlands. Extreme sports and outdoor activities prevail in the Highlands of Scotland, and karting is not to be left behind! Imagine whizzing around the track with the backdrop of the Highland mountains. Karting has taken the Highlands by storm, and there are many places you can experience the fun and exciting sport of karting here in the north.
What is karting? Karting is available to anyone from the age of 8 on up. It involves driving open-wheeled vehicles around a circuit, and as there are only two pedals—one to accelerate and one to brake—it is very easy to learn to drive a kart. Karts are also called go-karts, and have been around a relatively long time. These little karts sit very close to the ground and are completely open to the elements. There is no protection, other than the helmet you will wear. However, they have a low centre of gravity, which means they will likely spin rather than flip over in an extreme situation. Therefore, they are not actually very dangerous. When you go karting, you will be given a safety briefing and an opportunity to practice before getting out on the track. Karts can go all kinds of speeds, with some reaching 160 miles per hour. However, those who are karting just for fun will not be in a kart than can go that fast. Most karting centres that specialize in holiday experiences have their karts set to reach a much lower maximum speed. Karting as a sport generally means racing other drivers and is very competitive. However, karting for casual drivers is an exciting, fun way to let off some steam!
The Raceway Karting Centre in Lochaber, near Fort William, offers a tarmac track and caters for all ages. Bogbain Adventure Centre just south of Inverness of the A9 offers go-karting for kids, and they also specialize in outdoor pursuits like archery, clay pigeon shooting, and quad-biking. Deeside Activity Park in Aboyne has a 375m asphalt circuit as part of its multi-activity centre. You will get full instruction, helmets, a track walk, and flag recognition before you start, as well as a few practice laps. This kart track even offers special 2-seater karts in which experienced instructors will take children as young as 3-years-old on a spin around the track. You can also try your hand at quad-biking, paintballing, shooting sports, rock climbing, and mountaineering to name a few of the activities at this park.
For something a little different with a lot of speed, give karting a try. Go-kart tracks are popping up in the more tourist-oriented towns of the Highlands, so the next time you are in Fort William, Aviemore, or Inverness, check out the local go-karting facilities and have a spin. You may even discover this is a sport you would like to pursue further. The good news is that karting is popular all throughout the UK, and karting clubs are prevalent. Inverbreakie Raceway in Invergordon is a combination club and karting centre for enthusiasts at all levels. The North of Scotland Kart Club in Golspie races on the last Sunday of the month, and is a good opportunity for observers to take in the sport of karting. The Golspie Golf Club is just down the road, too, if you would enjoy a round after the karting. The Grampian Kart Club races on the second Sunday of the month, and is set in the beautiful Grampian Mountains. There are myriad opportunities for kart enthusiasts and beginners here in the Scottish Highlands. Whether you want to drive a kart, put together a karting group activity—perfect for hen and stag outings—or just observe, you can find a wide variety of karting choices here in the Highlands. Enjoy the adventure; get an adrenalin rush from the speed; or just have a great family day out. Book your karting activity today in the beautiful Scottish Highlands.
| You are viewing results 1 to 2 of 2 |
| You are viewing results 1 to 2 of 2 |
|
|
