Spey Valley Cinema & Auditoium

The Spey Valley Cinema & Auditorium sits in Aviemore, right in the heart of the Cairngorms, and it's the sort of place you'd stumble into during a rainy afternoon when the mountains have disappeared behind cloud. This isn't some glossy multiplex - it's a proper community cinema with a small but decent screen and an auditorium that hosts everything from film nights to local theatre productions and live events. The programming leans toward mainstream releases alongside the odd art-house offering, which means you might catch a Hollywood blockbuster one week and something more adventurous the next.

It's brilliant if you're spending a week at Dalraddy Holiday Park, just a few miles away, and the weather turns grim. Kids won't complain about an afternoon matinee when a mountain walk isn't on the cards, and if you're travelling without children, evening shows can be a decent alternative to yet another pub meal. The auditorium side means you'll occasionally get touring theatre companies and comedy acts too, though you'd need to check what's on during your visit.

I'd allow a couple of hours total, including time to grab a drink and browse the lobby. Admission is ticketed - you pay per screening - and it's worth ringing ahead or checking online to see what's showing and book seats if they're busy. For a Highland holiday base like Dalraddy, having this option within reach takes the pressure off relying purely on outdoor activities. Nothing fancy, but genuinely useful.