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Cairngorms National Park – Pitlochry – Guide to Aviemore
Aviemore Area
Badenoch and Strathspey is one of the main tourist areas in Scotland and the busy and popular holiday destination Aviemore, in the center of Badenoch and Strathspey, is the gateway to the Grampian mountains. Climbing over the 1000m and higher Cairngorm plateau, the highest and most extensive range of arctic mountain landscape anywhere in the British Isles, is an unforgettable experience. Glaciers have gouged deep, high altitude valleys and corries on the plateau; and the altitude and exposure, plus poor soils, produce their own rich eco-system of vegetation, insects and animals. At the foothills of the range is one of the UK’s biggest tracts of natural and largely untouched woodland. They contain fragments of the ancient Caledonian pine forest which is home to a variety of animals, including the rare and protected capercaillie. Activities are widely available from the town of Aviemore and in the area, such as ski and snowboarding, fishing, walking, cycling, wildlife cruises, pony trekking, climbing, rafting and other water sports. Read more in our Guide to Aviemore
Strathspey Railway
Another well knows attraction is the Strathspey steam railway. From its base at Aviemore through Boat of Garten and on to Broomhill, the railway takes you on a nostalgic 20 mile round trip along part of the original Highland Railway. As the train passes over Moorland, through woodlands and by great sweeps of the River Spey, the Cairngorm Mountains provide a backcloth to the scenery.

Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park was established in 2003. It was the second of two national parks established by the Scottish Parliament, after Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, set up in 2002. The park covers the Cairngorms range of mountains, and surrounding hills. The Cairngorms National Park covers an area of 3,800 km² in Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland and Angus Regions and covers most of the Badenoch and Strathspey area. The Cairngorm Mountains are a spectacular and unique wilderness. Recognised as a Special Area of Conservation, the area is managed to protect the natural environment while encouraging enjoyment through activities and family attractions. Read more about Cairngorms National Park
Dalwhinnie Distillery
Driving north over the A9 from Perth, Dalwhinnie Distillery is a stunning view as it’s located in some amazing mountain scenery. The distillery is the highest one in Scotland at 355 metres above sea level, that’s 1164 feet. The name Dalwhinnie originates from Gaelic and refers to the ancient drovers routes that passed here. The distillery recently won an award for their outstanding tour and you can enjoy one yourself every day of the year.

Kingussie and Grantown on Spey
Other highlights in the area are Carrbridge, known from its ancient packhorse bridge – the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands built in 1717. Newtonmore is a traditional and attractive highland village which is welcoming and friendly, offers many facilities, and, although further south as Grantown on Spey, can be just as good a base to discover this part of the Highlands.
Further Information:
- Hotels in Highlands
- Nethy Bridge and Loch Garten Ospreys
- Cairngorms National Park
- A Guide to Aviemore
- Tourist Information for Aviemore and Cairngorms
- Scottish Landscapes Image Gallery
- Abbeys and Castles Image Gallery
The video below gives a good impression of the beauty of the Cairngorms and has some great music to go.
image cairngorms by Peter Mulligan cc license
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