Overview

Making adventure accessible with well thought out accomodation. This is a new venture for Glenmore Lodge, who are working with a local accessible adventure charity, Able2Adventure to improve accessibility in general around the building. The best thing about Glenmore Lodge is they want feedback and want to learn how to make everything better! They serve breakfast and evening meals onsite and, whilst a very limited menu, they make sure there is always a meat free option, as well as gluten free and will cater for other dietary requirements. This is very helpful as Aviemore is incredibly busy, especially during summer months. Parking is a nightmare and disabled parking is minimal, as are accessible shops, cafes, restaurants etc, so staying on site saves a lot of extra hassle. They also provide packed lunches (fairly expensive) but again, this is helpful as you don't need to fight the crowds at the local Tesco! The bar and restaurant are upstairs and acccessed by a small lift (room for one mobility scooter). General public areas (bar, restaurant etc) are well spaced out and staff will happily move furniture if necessary (there's always plenty of people around as it's an outdoor adventure training centre). Corridors are nice and wide, although doors aren't powered. Their accessible rooms aren't listed on AirBnB (they have only just joined) but they are looking to edit their listing to have an 'accessible room needed' or similar, so when you book online, your booking should be automatically upgraded to accessible room. Either way, they are a small organisation and getting through on the phone is very easy 7 days a week. There are local charities providing accessible adventure, so it's the perfect venue to stay and try out kayaking, canoeing, climbing, biking etc. Staff are incredibly friendly and proud of what they are trying to achieve.

Transport & Parking

There's currently two disabled spaces by the main access to the front of the building. We drove, but Aviemore has a train station and Stagecoach run a bus service to Glenmore. The bus stop is on the ski centre road, near the Glenmore visitor centre, and it's approx 0.8 miles to Glenmore Lodge, along a paved road.

Access

There's ramp access and powered doors to the main access for the building, as well as a ramped, shorter route between disabled parking and accessible rooms. There's not a lot of signage, particularly to accessible rooms, but it's a small building. The corridors are nice and wide, although internal doors aren't powered. There's seating in reception and a small lift to upper floor (room for one mobility scooter). They are learning BSL (as well as running courses) and have a hearing loop, plus two Deafgard bedside fire alarm monitors. There is a virtual tour of their building on the website https://www.glenmorelodge.org.uk/the-lodge/accommodation/

Toilets

Toilets in acccessible rooms are in wet room. I didn't use their public accessible toilets, so can't comment but they looked good.

Staff

The Glenmore Lodge team of staff are all incredibly friendly, helpful and willing to learn how to improve accessibility, so don't be afraid to give feedback on your visit.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

As this is an outdoor centre, staff are there most of the day (until 10pm). There is an out of hours alarm for emergencies at reception. There are phones in the accessible rooms, so you can call for assistance/support (as well as emergency cords).

Photos