The Cairngorms

The Cairngorm Mountains lie at the core of the Cairngorms National Park, established in 2003 and which at 3800 sq km (14000 sq miles), is the largest in Britain.

The Cairngorm National Park, covering virtually 10% of Scotland, stretches from Grantown-on-Spey in the north to the Angus Glens in the south and from Ballater in the east to Dalwhinnie and Laggan in the west. It is one of Europe’s last and enduringly beautiful wild places. It is also home to many rare plants and creatures, including 25% of UK’s threatened species. It is also a home to the ancient Caledonian pinewoods, which are recent descendants of the natural forests of ancient times. Landscape changes from high mountain tundra and rocky passes to moorlands and forests. There are also marshlands and lochs and visitors to the area can frequently spot the osprey, particularly around the Boat of Garten area.

The changing colours of the flora and fauna are spectacular. Heather moors and the sweeping glens are the haunt of red deer and golden eagle.

This area is also full of attractive little towns and villages, particularly along the river valley from Grantown on Spey to Dalwhinnie, and makes an excellent base for walking trips of all levels. Cairngorm is also famed for its winter skiing, watersports and golf in the summer, and a choice of excellent visitor attractions including Dalwhinnie whisky distillery and a steam railway

Must See and Do

• Dalwhinnie
• Laggan
• Newtonmore
• Kingussie
• Aviemore
• Carrbridge
• Boat of Garten
• Nethy Bridge
• Grantown on Spey
• Tomintoul
• Strathdon
• Ballater
• Braemar