Spey Valley Retail is a hidden gem, shining with festive shopping ideas

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I’m back at Spey Valley Retail, the ‘hidden-gem’ of a shopping destination in the Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort, in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.

Having been blown away by the amazing variety of luxury brands stocked by this mini-department store, just off the A9, I’d got a little carried away on my last visit. Instead of ticking off my Christmas list, I fulfilled my own wish-list of cosy winter clothes, treats for my festive drinks’ cabinet, and jars of pâtés, tins of shortbread, and boxes of chocolates for emergency gifting, easy entertaining, and sheer festive indulgence.

Time to return to get on with the serious business of Christmas shopping before the date is upon us, and I end up battling my way bad-temperedly up freezing cold high streets again.

The whole Spey Valley retail store, upstairs and down, is beautifully decorated for Christmas, and is generously laid out, making everything easy to find. There’s even a Coffee Stop just inside the door, which serves one of the best flat whites I’ve had in years – the baking is all made in-house.

Caffeinated, I start in homeware, and choose a beautiful green Chelsea Collection teapot from Portmeirion Fine China (no – I’m not telling you who it’s for!) that I regretted not buying when I visited Wales in March. I’m glad I waited – it was a better price here then there. Result.

And I know exactly who will love that beautiful Highland Cow cushion by Voyage – it will go on the settee in their brand new flat. But shhhh!

Aren’t men just the toughest creatures to shop for? But to be honest, jumpers and shirts never go wrong, and I was delighted to find such a great range, not just from Barbour (I loved that heavy dark grey chunky pullover) but colourful, contemporary knits from Scottish brand Eribé too.

I couldn’t resist trying on a flat cap from Dubarry – a good idea for our family’s adopted Yorkshireman, do you think? Maybe he’d let me borrow it occasionally…

Which shirt? Irish brands Douglas and Graham and Remus Uno competed for my attentions – I think I’ve found the perfect one for my brother – and another for my brother-in-law.

• Read Nicky Marr's article about her last visit here

The thing about this time of year is that it’s busy. Much as we’d love to, there isn’t always time to cook from scratch. But Spey Valley can even help with that too.

Stock up on the brand-new range of delicious and nutritious Cook dishes, straight from their freezer to yours. Choose from a huge selection of meals, including steak and red wine pie, or haddock leek risotto; they do kiddy-sized portions too. Your future self will thank you when you are too frazzled to start chopping onions, and they’re a fabulous option if you are staying in one of the resort’s spacious woodland lodges and fancy a night by the fire.

I know I was (supposedly) shopping for others this time, but what do you think of this two-piece Herringbone waistcoat and jacket combo from Part Two? It’s another Danish brand stocked by Spey Valley – the feel and quality were luscious, and it would last for years. Think cost-per-wear; down to pennies in no time.

I couldn’t leave without a browse among the baubles of the Christmas shop – and I may have fallen a little in love… with a reindeer. What a cutie! At least he won’t argue with me on Christmas Day…

However you choose to celebrate this Christmas, I hope you have a fantastic time. Spey Valley Retail can help you ease the strain – tell them I sent you.

Spey Valley Shopping at Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort is open 10-5, Monday-Saturday, and on Sundays from 17th November to end December. Free parking.

Spey Valley Shopping – make a weekend of it!

Just 40 minutes from Inverness, and an hour or so from Elgin, Spey Valley Retail is a brilliant day out. But why not make a weekend of it?

Combine a couple of days of retail with a family, friends, or couples overnight stay. Hotel and lodge residents get use of the pool too, there’s an on-site cinema with seasonal films, and Giovanni’s makes amazing wood-fired pizzas. Use the time to explore the wider Aviemore area or hunker down and enjoy the delights of the resort.

And if your Christmas party is at Macdonald Aviemore Resort, you’re already in pole position to shop!

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