Remains of Santa Claus Land, Aviemore

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lost

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I wish I'd caught this sooner! I think the bulk (75%) of it got demolished in around 2002 - it would have been an interesting place to explore, along with the other parts of the grim Aviemore resort which were abandoned (cinema and ice rink).
Only 3 buildings are left now, all heavily vandalised or stripped.
I visited Santa Claus Land once on a school visit, it was pretty dreadful... But we did get to meet some of the Gladiators.:lol:

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Play area

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Not sure what was here, possibly a restaurant

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Osprey catching a salmon
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Raar!

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Some kind of dinosaur ride, not sure what this has to do with Santa Claus

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Virtual reality machine from the early 1990s

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Controls

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GOL(F)

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Happily I didn't bump into Santa Claus, he looks quite terrifying

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Quality! I thought this place has been totally demolished as part of the rejuvenation work...
 
I thought all of this had been flattened, no idea there was still a bit left behind.

If I am remembering it correctly, the main entrance was where there is now the entrance to the MacDonald hotels across from the train station? This bit behind that?
 
You can see the main building from the road, I was never bored enough to explore it until the other day - I didn't realise anything was left apart from it.

The main entrance was the one into what's now the MacDonald Resort, yep.
 
Why cant I find cool places like that?!
 
This must be the worst thought out business idea ever. Busy one month in every year; no wonder it closed :)
 
This must be the worst thought out business idea ever. Busy one month in every year; no wonder it closed :)

It lasted for years, it was a jumped up toy shop and mini zoo if I remember correctly. Next door was a cinema, ice rink, go-karts, etc. It always seemed to be heaving when I was a kid. They had some massive Lego sculptures that were amazing as a kid...
 
Yeah, it was pretty popular in its day. When I visited it in the '90s it was obviously going downhill though, and had become quite rundown.
 
Cheers for posting, Lost - I remember visiting in the mid-80's ... when a visit to Aviemore was a "special treat"! ;)

In retrospect it was a bit tacky, but parts were interesting. The thing that sticks in my mind was a giant outdoor icicle ... it was the middle of summer, but it was cold to the touch, coated in ice, so must have had refridgeration coils inside it!
 
cool report-heading back up to Inverness soon so will have a look

cheers
 
Santa Claus Land - did you ever go there????

Hi all

Santa Claus Land - did you ever go there????

See our website please and look at the photos that loads of people have sent in... all about the old Aviemore Centre in it's heyday... and it was around for over 30 years !!!

Santa Claus Land was just a small piece of what was a year 'round tourist resort "The Aviemore Centre", - sadly no more.

It was the scene of IT'S A KNOCKOUT on two occasions, and was especially wonderful in the snow.

My wife is the girl on the right of Santa in the picture, who used to live in Santa Claus Land 365 days a year - when he wasn't delivering presents to girls and boys, that is.........

If you ever visited the Centre and maybe Santa Claus Land - and if you have any photos or memories you'd like to share PLEASE visit us at... WWW.AULDAVIEMORE.CO.UK

It's full of wonderful photos, memories and special times had by all who were once part of such a fabulous place

All the best

David and Julie Carman
:):):):):):):):):):):):):)
 

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