Thunder in the Glens (Harley Davidson Weekend in Aviemore)

If you are lucky enough to be staying around the area on the last weekend of August you are in for a treat. For one weekend a year the usual peaceful countryside is disturbed by the roar of mighty motorbikes.

The annual Harley-Davidson festival sees thousands of motor bike enthusiasts descend on Aviemore and surrounding villages for a unique and spectacular weekend. This 3 day extravaganza isn’t only for bike fans, oh no! As well as the shiny bikes to ogle, there is entertainment in abundance seeing hotel and pub carparks tun into concert stages, areas with stalls, displays and of course the ‘ride out’ which sees thousands of bikes leave from the Aviemore Centre on Saturday at midday and roar through the high street where the streets are lined with spectators.

There is a real festival feel for the whole weekend where you can wander around and marvel at the bikes, the people and just soak up the atmosphere.

The festival started in 1996 with only a few hundred attending however this has grown to be the largest Harley-Davidson rally in the UK and Europe with over 4000 registered riders in 2019. The event is run by Dunedin Chapter who are based in Edinburgh.

The Entertainment

Live bands play every night from Friday to Sunday. Check out this years line up of acts.

Thunder in the Glens is an event not to be missed!!