Husky Experience at Glenmore

Few sounds in the Cairngorms are as exciting as a team of huskies about to run. The Cairngorm Sleddog Centre at Glenmore is a working kennel of sled dogs, and it welcomes visitors for kennel tours and dog-driven rides through the forest. The dogs are eager, vocal and friendly, and the sheer energy of a team straining at the harness is infectious. Depending on the season and conditions, the centre offers sled rides over snow, or wheeled rigs on forest tracks when the ground is bare, so the experience is available year-round in some form. A kennel visit lets you meet the dogs, learn about their breeds, training and care, and hear the stories of the mushers who work with them. The setting is a pine forest beneath the Cairngorm corries, which makes the whole outing feel like a small arctic adventure. It is aimed at families and animal lovers, and children are usually thrilled, especially if the dogs are allowed to come close for a cuddle.

Expect an experience that blends education and adrenaline. A typical session starts with a talk about the dogs, covering how sled dogs are trained, what they eat, how they keep warm and how a team is organised, with a leader, swing dogs, team dogs and wheel dogs each playing a role.

You may meet puppies in season, and be invited to help harness a team, which is more strenuous than it looks because the dogs are powerful and impatient. When the team runs, the noise suddenly stops, and the only sound is paws, breath and runners on the trail.

Weather and snow decide the format. In deep snow, sleds glide through the forest; on bare ground, the dogs pull wheeled carts or rigs, which is less romantic but just as lively. Operators decide each morning what is possible, and trips may be adapted, shortened or postponed if the dogs would overheat or the ground is unsafe. The dogs' welfare always comes first, so do not be surprised by cancellations in warm spells. Always check the current offering and book ahead, as places are limited and popular in school holidays.

Visitors should dress for the outdoors in all seasons. Wear sturdy shoes, warm layers and waterproofs, and gloves in winter. Bring a camera but keep it secured, because the ride can be bumpy. Children should be able to sit still and listen, and age and weight limits may apply to rides. If you have allergies or fears of dogs, the kennels may not suit you, though the staff are used to explaining how to behave around excited animals.

Glenmore makes a convenient base for the day. The Reindeer Centre, Loch Morlich and Cairngorm Mountain are all close, so you can combine animals, water and mountain in one outing. Allow two to three hours at the kennels, and be ready for muddy boots. It is a day that children remember long after they have forgotten the museums, and a good wet-weather alternative if the hills are in cloud.

Ask about the smaller details when you book, such as whether you will be sitting in the sled or helping to steer, how long the run lasts, and whether photographs are allowed during the ride. Many guests find the best moments are the quiet ones afterwards, when the dogs settle and the handlers share stories about racing, training and the individual personalities in the team.