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The Balavoulin

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A central Aviemore pub offering hearty meals, a dog-friendly atmosphere, and comfortable en-suite accommodation.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Outside

The Balavoulin

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A central Aviemore pub offering hearty meals, a dog-friendly atmosphere, and comfortable en-suite accommodation.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Friendly staff serving up great food with generous portions, perfect for adventurers in the Highlands."

TIP

Try the Sharing Nachos

Opt for the chicken sharing nachos or a vegetarian cauliflower steak for unique and satisfying starters.

Book Ahead for Peak Times

To avoid crowds, visit during off-peak hours or make a reservation, especially during busy periods.

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Quick Facts

Cuisine

Pub Food

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+44 1479 812255

Address

125 Grampian Rd, Aviemore, PH22 1RL, United Kingdom

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Hearty Pub Fare

Hearty Pub Fare

Indulge in generous portions of classic dishes like fish and chips, burgers, and sharing nachos that satisfy any craving.

Dog-Friendly Haven

Dog-Friendly Haven

Bring your furry friends along! This spot warmly welcomes dogs, making it a perfect stop for all members of the family.

Central Aviemore Location

Central Aviemore Location

Perfectly situated in the heart of Aviemore, it's an ideal base for exploring the stunning Cairngorms National Park.

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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Nice little overnight stay so we could do our exploring in the cairngorms. Spacious, clean room, a comfy bed and good facilities finished with a tasty meal from one of their several restaurants- a good find for the price in this area 🥰🌍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿. Have you visited Aviemore? #visitscotland #scotland #aviemore #cairngormsnationalpark #travel #beautifuldestinations #fyp #macdonaldhotels #morlichhotel #s...
@explorewithnatalie
153 likes • 19.2K views

Try the Sharing Nachos

Opt for the chicken sharing nachos or a vegetarian cauliflower steak for unique and satisfying starters.

Book Ahead for Peak Times

To avoid crowds, visit during off-peak hours or make a reservation, especially during busy periods.

We are going back this year but for actual Christmas in a @macdonaldaviemoreresort woodland lodge and I’m quite literally freaking out 😭😭😭🎄!! It’s your sign to book a family Christmas getaway to aviemore 🎄 ⛄️ #christmasobsessed #christmas2024 #christmascountdown #foryou #xmasfyp @Cairngorms National Park
@wellnesscoachlinzi
1.5K likes • 55.7K views
We are staying at the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel Resort this weekend and first thing we did when we got here was to check out the activities! So many things for the kids to do, they loved it!!! 💖💖💙💙 . . #thesullivanfamily #largefamilylife #familyof14 #12children #macdonaldaviemoreresort #funtimes #memories #aviemore #scotland
@mamalovescoffee
216 likes • 29.9K views

Complimentary Breakfast

If staying overnight in the hotel, enjoy a complimentary breakfast included with your room.

Dog-Friendly Welcomes

This spot is a great choice for travelers with pets, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for your canine companions.

Watch ‘til the end to find out where you should be spending all of yoor future Januarys ❄️ #scotlandtravel #scotlandtiktok #scotlandiscalling #roadtrip #uktravel #travelideas #aviemore #cairngorms #scottishhighlands #winterwonderland #paradise #snowy #adventure
@jendegnanphotography
69 likes • 7K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Try the Sharing Nachos

Opt for the chicken sharing nachos or a vegetarian cauliflower steak for unique and satisfying starters.

Book Ahead for Peak Times

To avoid crowds, visit during off-peak hours or make a reservation, especially during busy periods.

Complimentary Breakfast

If staying overnight in the hotel, enjoy a complimentary breakfast included with your room.

Dog-Friendly Welcomes

This spot is a great choice for travelers with pets, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for your canine companions.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Balavoulin generally receives praise for its friendly staff, comfortable rooms, and good value, especially considering its central location in Aviemore. Diners often highlight the generous portions of pub-style food and the welcoming atmosphere. However, some guests have noted issues with food quality on occasion, with specific dishes like tuna and mashed potatoes receiving negative feedback, and a few also found the prices, particularly for drinks, to be on the higher side.

"We spend three nights here during our Scotland hiking holiday. The room was nice and clean. Bed was comfortable and spacious and the shower tidy.
The breakfast menu offers a good choice of meals. We couldn't have breakfast on the last morning because we had to catch a train and the were nice enough to make us something to go.
Highly recommend. Great beer garden as well."

Niels Revers

"Friendly staff serving up great food. Our group of 10 enjoyed pizzas, nachos, burgers, toasties and more. Every plate was clean by the end. Good options for gluten free and vegan, too."

Eoin Smith

"A great place to stay. Fresh, clean and comfy rooms. Great breakfast and lovely staff! They were all very helpful and friendly. We got to Aviemore early and needed to use the restroom and they were kind enough to let us in even though they were closed.
Great trails around Aviemore. Recommended for 1-2 day trip to hike and stay comfortably!"

Amanda Maran

What People Like

Friendly and attentive staff
Generous food portions
Dog-friendly atmosphere

What People Dislike

Inconsistent food quality
High drink prices
Substandard vegetarian options sometimes

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, The Balavoulin is known for its dog-friendly atmosphere, welcoming both humans and their canine companions.

Popular dishes include sharing nachos, fish 'n' chips, burgers, and stick toffee pudding. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available.

Yes, The Balavoulin offers en-suite accommodation with comfortable rooms.

Yes, it's great for families, offering a welcoming environment and a menu with options for everyone.

To avoid crowds, it's recommended to visit during off-peak hours or book in advance for busy times.

Yes, the menu notes that everything can be made gluten-free, which is a great plus for diners with dietary needs.