Cairngorms
3
Day Itinerary •
UK
Three days in the Cairngorms covers the essential highlights of Britain's largest national park: the extraordinary sub-Arctic plateau reached by the mountain railway, the ancient Caledonian pinewoods of Rothiemurchus with their red squirrels and the remarkable Loch an Eilein circuit, and a day in the Speyside whisky heartland at the finest family distillery in Scotland. This route is based in Aviemore, the perfect base for the national park. Three days explores the Cairngorm mountains from above and below, the extraordinary ancient forests that give the park its character, and the remarkable whisky and wildlife that make the Cairngorms unlike any other national park in Britain.
Best Time To Visit
May to September, or January for snow
Getting There
Train to Aviemore from Inverness or Edinburgh
Getting Around
Rental car useful, many walks from Aviemore
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 170 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, some mountain walking
DAY 1
CAIRNGORM MOUNTAINS
MORNING
CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN RAILWAY AND THE SUB-ARCTIC PLATEAU
The Cairngorm Mountain Railway rises to the Ptarmigan restaurant at 1,097 metres, the highest railway terminus in Britain. The walk from the top station to the Cairn Gorm summit at 1,245 metres passes through the most extraordinary sub-Arctic landscape in the UK. The plateau flora of woolly fringe moss and three-leaved rush, the extraordinary granite boulder fields and the ptarmigan on the ridge above are all remarkable. Entry railway approx 15 GBP. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
THE CAIRNGORM REINDEER HERD
The Cairngorm reindeer, the only free-ranging reindeer in Britain, live on the sub-Arctic plateau. The daily guided walks from the Reindeer Centre at Glenmore lead to the herd on the hillside and allow close interaction with the remarkable animals in their extraordinary Highland setting. The view of the Cairngorm massif from the hillside as you walk among the reindeer is one of the most extraordinary experiences in the national park. Entry approx 18 GBP. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
LOCH MORLICH AND THE HIGHLAND BEACH
Loch Morlich, at the foot of the Cairngorm ski area, has the highest beach in Britain. The extraordinary sandy shore with the Cairngorm peaks rising directly above and the ancient Caledonian pines around gives one of the most remarkable mountain-beach combinations anywhere in Scotland. The waymarked forest trail from the beach through the Glenmore pines is outstanding in the late afternoon light. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lairig Ghru viewpoint walk from the Sugarbowl car park takes 90 minutes return and gives the finest accessible view of the most dramatic mountain pass in Scotland. The ancient glacial through-valley disappears into the heart of the Cairngorm massif. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Aviemore Porridge and coffee before the mountain railway. | Lunch: Ptarmigan Restaurant, Cairngorm The highest restaurant in Britain. Hot food at 1097 metres. | Dinner: The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore The finest pub in Aviemore. Local venison and Highland beef.
DAY 2
ROTHIEMURCHUS AND ANCIENT PINEWOODS
MORNING
LOCH AN EILEIN CIRCUIT
Loch an Eilein is the most beautiful loch in the Cairngorms, its extraordinary 13th-century castle island reflected in crystal-clear water and the ancient Caledonian pine forest surrounding it. The 5km circuit walk takes about 90 minutes and is one of the finest woodland walks in Scotland. Go in the early morning for the mist on the water and the forest entirely to yourself. The red squirrels are most visible in the first hour of daylight. Entry car park approx 3 GBP. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
LOCH GARTEN OSPREYS
The Loch Garten Abernethy RSPB reserve has the most famous osprey nest in Scotland, the pair that returned to Speyside in 1959 after a 40-year absence. The hide gives extraordinary close-up views of the nest and the birds fishing on the loch from April to August. The remarkable Abernethy forest around the loch is the finest Caledonian pine habitat in Scotland. The red squirrel walk from the hide is outstanding. Entry approx 5 GBP. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
ROTHIEMURCHUS AND RED SQUIRREL WALK
The Rothiemurchus estate feeders have the finest red squirrel viewing in Scotland. The woodland walk between Loch an Eilein and Loch Morlich passes the best feeding stations. Red squirrels are most active in late afternoon and the extraordinary ancient Caledonian pines they inhabit are remarkable in any light. The Rothiemurchus farm shop has outstanding local produce and the best deli in the national park. Free walk.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Craigellachie National Nature Reserve immediately above Aviemore has the finest birch woodland in Strathspey and is the best place in the park to see peregrine falcons. The 2km walk from the town takes 30 minutes. Almost always quiet. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Aviemore cafe Early start for the Loch an Eilein morning mist. | Lunch: Rothiemurchus Farm Shop The finest deli lunch in the Cairngorms. | Dinner: The Boathouse, Kincraig Outstanding lochside restaurant near Aviemore. Book ahead.
DAY 3
SPEYSIDE WHISKY AND ROYAL DEESIDE
MORNING
GLENFARCLAS DISTILLERY
Glenfarclas is the finest family-owned distillery in Speyside, its extraordinary 150-year tradition of making richly sherried malt entirely unchanged. The tour passes through the traditional copper pot stills and remarkable sherry cask warehouses. The tasting includes the extraordinary 105 cask strength, the finest distillery experience in Scotland. Glenfarclas is the only major Speyside distillery still owned by the family that built it. Entry approx 10 GBP. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THE LINN OF DEE AND BRAEMAR
The Linn of Dee near Braemar, where the River Dee rushes through an extraordinary narrow rock gorge, is one of the finest natural features in the Cairngorms. The walk upstream into the beginning of the Lairig Ghru gives the finest view of the extraordinary southern Cairngorm massif. Braemar, the highest village in Scotland at 339 metres, has the finest Highland games in Scotland each September and a remarkable Victorian castle. Free linn. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
ROYAL DEESIDE AND BALMORAL
Balmoral Castle, the Scottish home of the Royal Family since 1852, has extraordinary grounds and gardens open from April to July. The remarkable Deeside scenery with the Cairngorm peaks behind, the extraordinary Royal Lochnagar distillery nearby which holds the Royal Warrant, and the remarkable Victorian villages of Ballater and Braemar make Royal Deeside one of the finest landscapes in Scotland. Entry Balmoral approx 15 GBP.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Abernethy Forest walk from Nethy Bridge to Loch Garten through the finest ancient pine forest in Scotland passes the remarkable Craigmore ridge and the extraordinary Loch a Chnuic hidden in the forest. Almost always quiet. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Aviemore hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the Speyside and Deeside drive. | Lunch: Braemar tearoom or Deeside cafe Simple lunch in the Royal Deeside village. | Dinner: Farewell dinner, Aviemore The Old Bridge Inn for a final Highland evening.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Aviemore, all 3 nights Central for everything. Hotel, B and B or self-catering. Approx 80 to 160 GBP. Rothiemurchus cabins Self-catering in the ancient pinewoods near Loch an Eilein. Book ahead. Booking tip Aviemore fills quickly at weekends and school holidays. Reserve well in advance.
Top Tips
1. Weather on the Cairngorm plateau is genuinely Arctic even in summer. Always carry full mountain gear.
2. Loch an Eilein in the early morning with mist on the loch is one of Scotland's finest walks.
3. Red squirrels at the Rothiemurchus feeders are most active in early morning and late afternoon.
4. Glenfarclas distillery is family-owned and offers the most authentic whisky tour in Speyside.
5. Loch Garten ospreys visible from the hide April to August. Check RSPB for current nest activity.
6. Check the Cairngorm Mountain Railway operating schedule before planning your summit day.
Total Budget
150 to 275 GBP/day