Plenty to See & Do

Wildside, located centrally in the Highlands of Scotland means that both east and west coasts are easily accessible by road and there are many places to visit. Here is a taste of just some of the activities available to holidaymakers at Wildside. More detailed information can be found in the holiday lodges or at reception. Other Loch Ness information may be found here.

Our Winter Guide to the Scottish Highlands

If Autumn wasn’t busy enough up here in the Highlands, we’re gearing up for a wonderful winter full of activities, festivities, and beauty. Each year we get so excited for this time of year with the mountains hopefully getting a dumping of snow, that transform the highlands into a winter wonderland!

There’s something for everyone when travelling to the highlands, whether you’re here for an action-packed holiday, looking to visit a part of history or just coming for a relaxing getaway, we have it all!

What’s On?

December

Sleeping Beauty Pantomime – “The Spellbinding Family Panto”

6th December – 7th January 2024-  Eden Court

If you’re bringing the family up for a Christmas treat, then this is not one you want to miss. Throughout December and into the New Year is the magical family friendly showing of Sleeping Beauty! Taking place in the stunning Empire Theatre at Eden Court, it’s set to be hilarious, marvellously musical, and of course will have tons of slapstick fun. Tickets are available now!

Exclusively Highland Christmas fair at Eden Court 

1st, 2nd & 3rd December

This is the chance to get Christmas ready with a HUGE selection of Scottish producers and crafters. Visiting the Scottish Highlands gives you a real taste of what Scotland has to offer and there’s no better way to experience that then taking home some Scottish goodies.

Cawdor Christmas Market 

9th & 10th December

Another chance to get emersed within the Scottish culture is with a visit to the wonderful grounds of Cawdor castle for their Christmas Market. With live entertainment and hot food & drinks it’s set to be a fantastic festive occasion.

Christmas Fun at Cairngorm Reindeer Market

2/3rd, 9/10th, 16/17th and the 21st -24th December

Offering a true winter experience for all the family, we’re heading over to Cairngorm Mountain to their Reindeer Centre. You can take the herd on a 20-minute guided walk with chance to hand feed the reindeer and really get to know them. You’ll be amazed how friendly the animals are, as they nozzle into you, full of character and mischief.

Skating with Santa

23rd December

Now you’ve met the reindeers, it’s time to meet Santa and is there a better way to meet the bearded fella than on the ice? The Inverness Ice Centre are welcoming Mr Claus on Saturday 23rd December, he may even have some early presents for you! The Inverness Ice Centre also offer public skating which is available throughout the year so there’s plenty of chance to get your skates on.

New Year’s Eves (Hogmanay) 

The Highlands of Scotland are undoubtedly the spiritual of Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve), with many of its traits and traditions originating in the area. This is why, every year, people travel from across the world to enjoy Hogmanay in the Highlands.

Come and sing Auld Lang Syne with us and head to neighbouring Inverness for whatever they have in store this year, it will be full of action…

January

The Strathpuffer 

13th & 14th January 2024

Mountain-bike challenges don’t come much tougher or more rewarding than the Strathpuffer- the legendary 24-hour mountain-bike endurance event held every year in the Highlands of Scotland. With miles of gruelling terrain, it’s a challenge perfect for those travelling for an adrenaline fix. If you don’t fancy the task, why not come along and support those taking part!

Entries are open NOW! A 24-hour mountain bike endurance event that is ALWAYS a sell out!

Burns Night

25TH January 2024

Offering the ultimate Scottish experience, why not come up and visit us for Burns night! One of our favourite nights of the year, celebrating the life of Robert Burns. Full of dance, singing, great food and of course WHISKEY. With many places offering Burns celebrations over the highlands, a trip to Wildside in January might be the right call! Come and celebrate Scottish culture, in Scotland itself!

We’re really excited for what the winter months have to offer and can’t wait to welcome you to the Scottish Highlands. If you’re looking to dive into the fun and find out what the Highlands have to offer, come, and stay at Wildside, we’re also offering fantastic reductions off all phone bookings! Follow the links below to our socials to find out more about our Luxury Lodges!

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Walking

There are walks of all grades from Wildside, from bridle paths, way marked woodland pathways to hill walking on some of the remotest mountains in Scotland the Monadhliaths, backdrop to ‘Monarch of the Glen’. There are many rivers lochs and waterfalls to discover.

Cycling

Many guests bring their bikes; with no main road and little traffic on this side of Loch Ness, cycling particularly mountain biking is very popular over a network of unclassified roads and forest tracks.

Skiing

Nevis Range and Aviemore ski areas are both within an easy hours

Wildlife

Surrounded by rivers, lochs, woods and hills, the variety of wildlife is impressive. Otters pass along the river and pine martens and roe deer visit the grounds at Wildside. The red deer stag is abundant on the higher ground where golden eagles hunt. There is an R.S.P.B. reserve at Loch Ruthven (17miles) where in the summer months you may see the rare slavonian grebe nesting or ospreys fishing. Or, take a cruise on the Moray Firth to see the dolphins.

Fishing

Fishing in the river for brown trout is available free of charge to guests. Boats can be hired on many of the local lochs; or fish from the bank. A Gillie can be arranged if required.

Golf

Fort Augustus has a scenic 9-hole course and a friendly club where they welcome visitors. There are other challenging courses: three at Inverness, two at Nairn and one at Cawder Castle.

Cruises on Loch Ness

Cruises on Loch Ness available from Inverness through the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle with Jacobite Cruises. Other cruises may be taken from Fort Augustus.

Caledonian Canal

Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre, alongside the five locks which dominate the centre of Fort Augustus, gives a unique history of the canal. The busy locks are a popular attraction for visitors.

Castles and Battlefields within easy reach

Across the river at Wildside we have a fine example of a single span, high arched bridge, built by General Wade’s troops in 1732 as they created the military road network to link the garrisons of Fort William, Fort Augustus and Inverness. The purpose was to move troops and to break the isolation in the Highlands. This tended to sustain the Jacobite unrest which led to The Battle of Culloden 1746. This site of the last land battle in mainland Britain is well worth a visit; the visitor centre at Culloden explains the history of the Jacobite cause.(1 hour)

Urquhart Castle dominates the northern banks of Loch Ness; impressive new visitor centre.(1 hour)

Loch Ness Exhibition Centre . Originally the Official Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, the facility opened over 30 years ago. Now a hi-tech multi-media presentation leads you through 7 themed areas and 500 million years of history, natural mystery and legend revealing the unique environment of Loch Ness and the famous Nessie legend. Also here is the largest one stop shopping complex on Loch Ness featuring everything including, Heraldry KiltmakersTartansThe Nessie shop and our famous Whisky shop

Cawdor Castle, the 14th century stately home with links with Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton, has beautiful gardens. (1 ¼ hours)

Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich, a romantic setting and impressive interior. (1 ½ hours)

Gardens

Inverness Floral Hall features an indoor subtropical oasis.

Abriachan Nurseries 3 acres of vivid garden on the north shore of Loch Ness.