Cairngorms
5
Day Itinerary •
UK
Five days in the Cairngorms gives you time to explore the largest national park in Britain properly. The Cairngorm plateau is the highest and most Arctic landscape in the UK, its extraordinary sub-Arctic flora, the ancient Caledonian pine forests of Rothiemurchus and the Abernethy, the remarkable red squirrels and ospreys, the finest whisky distilleries in Scotland and the extraordinary Royal Deeside all within the park boundary. This route covers the complete Cairngorms experience. The Cairngorm summit plateau and the extraordinary Lairig Ghru pass, the ancient pinewoods of Rothiemurchus and Loch an Eilein, the remarkable Speyside Way and whisky trail, Balmoral and Royal Deeside, the extraordinary Linn of Dee and the wild Mar Lodge estate, and the remarkable wildlife of the Abernethy forest.
Best Time To Visit
May to September, or January for snow
Getting There
Train to Aviemore from Inverness or Edinburgh
Getting Around
Rental car or base in Aviemore, some paths walkable
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 170 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, some serious mountain walking
DAY 1
CAIRNGORM PLATEAU AND REINDEER
MORNING
CAIRNGORM SUMMIT PLATEAU AND THE MOUNTAIN RAILWAY
The Cairngorm Mountain Railway rises to the Ptarmigan restaurant at 1,097 metres, the highest railway terminus in Britain. The short walk from the top station to the summit of Cairn Gorm at 1,245 metres gives access to the most remarkable sub-Arctic landscape in the UK. The extraordinary plateau stretching south toward Ben Macdui, the second highest peak in Britain, is unlike anywhere else in Scotland. Ptarmigan are frequently visible. Entry railway approx 15 GBP. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
THE LAIRIG GHRU PASS VIEWPOINT
The Lairig Ghru is the most extraordinary mountain pass in Scotland, a glacial through valley cutting 28km through the heart of the Cairngorm massif between Aviemore and Braemar. The walk from the Sugarbowl car park to the viewpoint at the entrance to the pass takes about 90 minutes return and gives the finest accessible view of the extraordinary rocky defile disappearing into the mountains. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE CAIRNGORM REINDEER HERD
The Cairngorm reindeer herd, the only free-ranging reindeer in Britain, lives on the sub-Arctic plateau of the Cairngorms. Daily guided walks from the Reindeer Centre at Glenmore lead to the herd on the hillside and allow visitors to feed and interact with the animals in their extraordinary highland setting. The reindeer are remarkably approachable and the landscape setting is outstanding. Entry approx 18 GBP.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Cairngorm plateau walk from the summit to Ben Macdui, the second highest mountain in Britain, is one of the finest high mountain walks in Scotland. The vast plateau with its extraordinary Arctic flora, the remarkable summit cairn and the views to every Highland range on a clear day are outstanding. Allow a full day. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Aviemore Porridge and coffee before the mountain railway. | Lunch: Ptarmigan Restaurant, Cairngorm The highest restaurant in Britain. Simple hot food at 1097m. | Dinner: The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore The finest pub in Aviemore. Local venison and Highland beef.
DAY 2
ROTHIEMURCHUS ANCIENT PINEWOODS
MORNING
LOCH AN EILEIN AND THE ROTHIEMURCHUS FOREST
Loch an Eilein is the most beautiful loch in the Cairngorms, its extraordinary 13th-century castle ruin on an island reflected in the crystal-clear water and the ancient Caledonian pine forest surrounding it on three sides. The 5km circuit walk around the loch takes about 90 minutes and is one of the finest woodland walks in Scotland. Go in the early morning when the mist lies on the water and the forest is entirely quiet. Entry car park approx 3 GBP. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
RED SQUIRREL WATCHING AT ROTHIEMURCHUS
The Rothiemurchus estate has the finest red squirrel population in Scotland, the extraordinary ancient Caledonian pines providing the perfect habitat for these remarkable animals. The feeders at the Rothiemurchus visitor centre and the woodland walk between Loch an Eilein and Loch Morlich are the finest places to watch them. Red squirrels are most active in early morning and late afternoon. The extraordinary native pine forest around them is outstanding. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
LOCH MORLICH AND THE GLENMORE FOREST
Loch Morlich, at the foot of the Cairngorm ski area, is the highest beach in Britain, its extraordinary sandy shore with the Cairngorm peaks rising directly above giving one of the most remarkable mountain-beach combinations anywhere. The Glenmore Forest Park around it has extraordinary waymarked trails through native pine forest. Capercaillie, the extraordinary giant grouse, inhabit this forest. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Loch Insh, 10km south of Aviemore, has the finest view of the Cairngorm massif from any loch in Strathspey. The watersports centre offers kayaking and paddleboarding with the extraordinary mountain backdrop. The osprey fishing on the loch in summer is remarkable. Free to walk.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Aviemore cafe Early start for the Loch an Eilein morning mist walk. | Lunch: Rothiemurchus Farm Shop Excellent deli lunch with outstanding local produce. | Dinner: The Boathouse, Kincraig Outstanding lochside restaurant near Aviemore. Book ahead.
DAY 3
ROYAL DEESIDE
MORNING
BALMORAL CASTLE AND ROYAL DEESIDE
Balmoral Castle, the Scottish home of the Royal Family since 1852, sits in an extraordinary setting on the River Dee with the Cairngorm peaks behind. The castle grounds and ballroom are open to visitors from April to July. The extraordinary Queen Victoria memorial statue, the remarkable walled garden and the stunning Deeside scenery make it the finest royal estate open to the public in Scotland. Entry approx 15 GBP. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
BRAEMAR AND THE LINN OF DEE
Braemar, the highest village in Scotland at 339 metres, is the gateway to the wild Mar Lodge estate and the southern Cairngorms. The Linn of Dee, where the River Dee rushes through an extraordinary narrow rock gorge 10km west of Braemar, is one of the finest natural features in the Cairngorms. The walk from the Linn upstream into the Lairig Ghru gives the finest view of the extraordinary mountain massif from the south. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CRATHIE KIRK AND THE DEESIDE VILLAGES
Crathie Kirk, the small parish church used by the Royal Family when at Balmoral, has extraordinary royal connections and a remarkable collection of royal memorial windows. The Deeside villages of Ballater and Aboyne have extraordinary Victorian architecture built for the royal visits and the remarkable food and crafts of Royal Deeside. Ballater in particular has the finest independent shops in Deeside. Entry kirk free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Pools of Dee at the head of the Lairig Ghru, the highest lochan in Britain at 1,050 metres, are the source of the River Dee. The walk from Linn of Dee takes about 4 hours return through extraordinary mountain scenery. The pools in their high plateau setting are remarkable. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Aviemore hotel breakfast Early start for the Royal Deeside drive south. | Lunch: Balmoral cafe or Braemar tearoom Simple lunch in the remarkable Royal Deeside village. | Dinner: Callater Lodge or Braemar hotel Local venison and Highland beef in Royal Deeside.
DAY 4
SPEYSIDE WHISKY TRAIL
MORNING
GLENFARCLAS DISTILLERY, THE FINEST SPEYSIDE TOUR
Glenfarclas is the finest family-owned distillery in Speyside, its extraordinary 150-year family tradition of making the most richly sherried malt in Scotland entirely unchanged. The tour takes visitors through the extraordinary traditional copper pot stills and the remarkable sherry cask warehouses. The tasting of multiple expressions including the extraordinary 105 cask strength is the finest distillery experience in Scotland. Entry approx 10 GBP. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
THE SPEYSIDE WAY RIVER WALK
The Speyside Way follows the River Spey for 98km from the Cairngorms to the coast, passing through the heart of the whisky country. The section between Craigellachie and Aberlour is the finest, following the extraordinary river through a remarkable woodland gorge past the Telford bridge and through the finest whisky village in Scotland. The extraordinary Speyside cooperage at Craigellachie is the last working barrel cooperage in Scotland. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CARDHU DISTILLERY AND GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY
Cardhu, the only distillery founded by a woman in Scotland and the original home of Johnnie Walker, gives an extraordinary tour of the historic distillery in its remarkable setting above the Spey valley. The extraordinary Knockando Woolmill nearby, a working 18th-century mill producing the finest Harris Tweed-quality fabric in Scotland, is equally remarkable. Grantown-on-Spey has the finest Georgian planned town architecture in the Highlands. Entry distillery approx 8 GBP.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Aberlour distillery in the village of the same name offers the finest self-guided distillery experience in Speyside. The remarkable tasting room in the old mash house and the outstanding single malt expressions make it the hidden highlight of the whisky trail. Entry approx 15 GBP.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast, Aviemore or Braemar Good breakfast before the whisky trail. | Lunch: Speyside Way riverside bench Packed lunch by the extraordinary River Spey. | Dinner: Craigellachie Hotel The finest whisky bar in Scotland. Outstanding Highland dinner.
DAY 5
ABERNETHY FOREST AND STRATHSPEY
MORNING
THE ABERNETHY FOREST AND LOCH GARTEN OSPREYS
The Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve is the finest Caledonian pine forest in Scotland, its extraordinary ancient trees home to red squirrels, pine martens, Scottish crossbills and the remarkable osprey pair that has nested at Loch Garten since the 1950s. The RSPB osprey centre at Loch Garten is open April to August and the hide gives extraordinary close-up views of the nest. The forest walk from the centre is outstanding. Entry hide approx 5 GBP. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY AND THE STRATHSPEY STEAM RAILWAY
The Strathspey Steam Railway runs between Aviemore and Broomhill through the extraordinary Cairngorm scenery, its vintage locomotives and carriages crossing the Dulnain river and passing through the remarkable Highland landscape. The 14km journey takes about 45 minutes each way. Grantown-on-Spey, the finest Georgian planned town in the Highlands, is the perfect endpoint for a final afternoon in the national park. Entry train approx 18 GBP. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
LOCH MORLICH FINAL WALK AND FAREWELL
A final afternoon at Loch Morlich, the highest beach in Britain, with the Cairngorm peaks above and the ancient pines around, is the finest way to end the visit to the national park. The evening light on the Cairngorm massif from the loch shore, the extraordinary reflections in the still water and the calls of the birds in the surrounding forest make it one of the most remarkable farewell views in Scotland. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Craigellachie National Nature Reserve, immediately above Aviemore, has the finest birch woodland and rocky crags 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 Final Cairngorms breakfast before the osprey walk. | Lunch: Grantown-on-Spey cafe Simple lunch in the finest Georgian Highland town. | Dinner: Final dinner, Aviemore or Grantown Farewell to the largest national park in Britain.
Where To Stay
Aviemore, Nights 1 to 3 Central for Cairngorm, Rothiemurchus and Speyside. Approx 80 to 160 GBP. Braemar or Ballater, Nights 4 to 5 Royal Deeside base. Approx 80 to 150 GBP per night. Rothiemurchus tip Self-catering cabins in the pinewoods near Loch an Eilein are outstanding.
Top Tips
1. Weather on the Cairngorm plateau is genuinely Arctic. Always carry full mountain gear.
2. Loch an Eilein circuit 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 are visible from the hide April to August. Arrive early for the best views.
6. The Linn of Dee walk into the Lairig Ghru is extraordinary. Allow a full day for the longer circuit.
Total Budget
150 to 275 GBP/day