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Looking straight down on the Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre: the lodge, the white dry slope and the loop of the roller-ski track among autumn trees, the tubing lanes at the top.
Aberdeenshire

Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre

A centre for cross-country skiing and roller skiing on the Hill of Haugh in Huntly, with family tubing and ski and bike hire.

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Welcome

Cross-country skiing in Huntly, whatever the weather, is one of the nicest surprises in the north east.

Aberdeenshire Council, which runs the centre, calls it Britain's only purpose-built all-weather facility for cross-country skiing and roller skiing. There's an all-weather ski mat and a roller-ski track to practise on, and the council's instructors teach everyone from complete beginners up to recreational skiers. Family sessions start with a lesson together and finish with an hour of tubing. Tubing is the big hit with children: you ride a tube down the outdoor ski slope, and the little ones can sit on a grown-up's knee. Mountain and trail bikes for adults and children can be hired by the day or half day, and you can set off on them from the centre itself. There's a café for a hot drink when you're done.

Close byHuntly Castle2 min by roadSee itHuntly Castle
Before you go

Book tubing ahead, online or by telephone.

Open
Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm.
Tubing
Hourly at 12, 1, 2 and 3pm at weekends, on public holidays and on in-service days, for up to five people.
What to bring
A cycle helmet for anyone under 16 (the centre has a few to hire), and waterproofs and gloves on a cold day: the slope has sprinklers and the tubes can be damp.
Ski hire
Cross-country skis and roller skis, with boots and poles, by the hour. Roller skis are for competent skiers aged over 8.
When it snows
Skis can be hired by the day or half day for the trails in the Clashindarroch Forest, between Rhynie and the Cabrach.
Parking
In Deveron Park, three minutes' walk away. Only disabled visitors drive up to the centre.
Access
Accessible changing rooms.
Telephone
01466 794428

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
9am–4pm
Tuesday
9am–4pm
Wednesday
9am–4pm
Thursday
9am–4pm
Friday
9am–4pm
Saturday
9am–5pm
Sunday
9am–5pm

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Where it is

On the northern edge of Huntly near Huntly Castle, AB54 4SH.

Close byHuntly and round about.
  1. The red front of the Dean's building on Depot Road in Huntly under its name.Dean's of HuntlyThe home of Dean's shortbread, with a bright bistro and a shop beside the bakery.1 mile 6 min by road
  2. Close-up of a bald eagle's white head and hooked yellow beakHuntly Falconry CentreA bird of prey centre in the hills west of Huntly, where owls, hawks, falcons and eagles fly in demonstrations from April to October.4 miles 11 min by road
  3. Tall copper pot stills in the stillhouse at the GlenDronach Distillery.The GlenDronach DistilleryA distillery of two hundred years in a quiet glen near Huntly, known for richly sherried malts.10 miles 17 min by road
  4. The Picardy Stone standing in its field near Insch, a rough whinstone slab.The Picardy StoneA Pictish symbol stone still standing where it was raised, over a grave, outside Insch.10 miles 24 min by road
  5. A Pictish stone at Rhynie, its incised symbols faint on the pink granite.Rhynie Pictish StonesThree carved Pictish stones by the old kirkyard at Rhynie, under Tap o' Noth.10 miles 17 min by road
  6. The broken tower of Dunnideer Castle, a great window through it, on the grassy top of the hill.Dunnideer CastleA broken castle wall of around 1260 on a hilltop ringed by a fort of fused stone.11 miles 25 min by road
Directions
Ruined stone castle towers rise above autumn trees and a grassy pathAttractionsHuntly Castle0.3 miles
The dining room at The Bank in Huntly, a wall of lit shelves of whisky above tables laid with linen.RestaurantsThe Bank Café & Restaurant0.5 miles
The great recumbent stone at Rothiemay, packing stones at its foot and three standing stones of the circle in the field behind.AttractionsRothiemay Stone Circle5.1 miles
The bank of grey rubble that was the fort's wall on the summit of Tap o' Noth, with heather slopes and patchwork farmland running to distant hills below.WalksTap o' Noth7.7 miles
Leith Hall, pale harled walls and turrets, above its gravel drive.AttractionsLeith Hall8.5 miles
The Auld Brig's single stone arch over the slow, clear River Isla in Keith, between grassy banks and trees in leaf.AttractionsThe Auld Brig, Keith8.8 miles
Strathisla's twin pagoda-roofed kilns and tall chimney behind a sunlit lawn, with purple heather in front and trees in leaf.AttractionsStrathisla Distillery8.9 miles
A single-storey lodge with a slated roof sits behind a stone wall and clipped hedge, mature trees shading the curving drive.RothiemayGate LodgeSleeps 2 · 9.8 miles
A triangular timber cabin stands behind a wooden gate and post-and-rail fence, bare trees framing the entrance.RothiemayMidparkSleeps 2 · 9.8 miles

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The Daily for 23 October, from Scotland with love. Aerial view of a concrete road bridge with angled supports spanning a sea loch, twin cloud-wrapped mountain peaks rising behind autumn-coloured hills.

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Arrives at 5am every day.

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the centre, and when each is next free.

A single-storey lodge with a slated roof sits behind a stone wall and clipped hedge, mature trees shading the curving drive.Gate Lodge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Rothiemay
  • 5 miles from the Nordic centre
Check datesA triangular timber cabin stands behind a wooden gate and post-and-rail fence, bare trees framing the entrance.Midpark
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Rothiemay
  • 5 miles from the Nordic centre
Free 30 Oct – 1 NovA stone cottage with a slated roof and a blue front door, climbing roses in pink and white flanking the porch.Butlers Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Rothiemay
  • 5 miles from the Nordic centre
Free 9–12 NovA grey stone cottage with dormer windows and a black front door, climbing roses either side, set behind a lawn.Bailies Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Rothiemay
  • 5 miles from the Nordic centre
Free 31 Oct – 3 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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