Cairngorm Alpacas- Lochbuie Croft

You'll find a working croft with alpacas grazing across the Highland landscape near Newtonmore - the sort of place that makes you slow down and actually notice things. Cairngorm Alpacas at Lochbuie Croft is straightforward: you're there to meet the animals, watch them potter about, and if you're lucky, hand-feed them. The alpacas are genuinely friendly, which matters because kids will either love this for ten minutes or stay for an hour depending on their patience for animals that mainly eat and spit at the right moments.

It's perfect for families staying at Invernahavon Caravan Park (3.6 miles away) or Laggan Glamping if you need a proper break from driving around. The Cairngorms themselves dominate the views - proper mountain scenery - so even if the alpacas don't grab you, the setting does. Winter can be wet and muddy, so bring wellies. Summer's when the croft's at its best, when the light's decent and the animals are more active.

How long you stay depends entirely on your crew. Half an hour's enough to meet the animals and take photos. An hour if someone's keen. It's low-key, no pretence, just a working farm letting visitors in. Check opening hours before you drive over - small operations like this can be seasonal or irregular. Worth the detour if you've got under-tens in the car and need something real that isn't a theme park.