Sleddog racing.  Not necessarily the first winter sport that comes to mind, but the Stewart family, and the Cairngorm Sleddog Centre are a major attraction, and frankly, are putting Sleddog racing on the map, not only in the UK.

Alan Stewart started sleddog racing nearly 20 years ago, and having raced throughout North and South America, as well as Europe decided to end his 28 year career as a Saturation Diver in the North Sea to set up Cairngorm Sleddog Centre, what was to be the first and only daily working sleddog centre in the UK.  He sold his home and moved to a derelict highland cottage, built a dog yard, and cut the trials himself.

Now an award winning destination, Alan put’s the centre’s success down to “hard work, dedication from family, and awesome dogs.”

Such is Alan’s passion for dog sledding, he was prepared to go out on a limb to train the first and only Jamaican sleddog team, and help their first official sleddog competitor, Newton Marshal, to reach finish 13th in the 1200 mile Yukon Quest race.  The team have been the subjects of a feature length film, have worldwide press attention, and are backed by US singer Jimmy Buffett.

The passion for sled racing runs through the Stewart family, and Alan’s son John is soon to be competing in the Iditarod – one of the most grueling long distance races in the world.  Having run sleddogs since the age of 6, John Stewart has been all over the world racing and training, with world class training from former Iditarod trainers.  You can follow John’s progress and find out more on his website.

So, for something that is energetic, adventurous, and pretty unique, we’d point you in the direction of the Stewarts, and their now rather famous Sleddog Centre.  Don’t be fooled, though, as Alan assures, “What we don’t do here is a circus act…its a real adventure every time we hook the team up.”

Find out more and book here.