Cairngorms National Park

The CairnGorm Mountain Centre is an essential part of any visit to the park, no matter what time of year.

CairnGorm Mountain car park is 9 miles south east of Aviemore.  From Aviemore, take the B970 and follow the signs to CairnGorm Mountain past Glenmore.

In the winter season, CairnGorm Mountain is Scotland’s most popular ski resort and offers a variety of runs for skiing, snowboarding and sledging. You can check out the snowboard park or ski down the seven green, six blue and eight red runs or test your skills on the black piste.

Getting to the top of the mountain couldn’t be easier. A funicular railway runs to the top of the mountain all year round, meaning you can take to the slopes without difficulty or simply admire the view.

To warm yourself up, pop into the Cas Bar at the summit and try a reviving hot chocolate or a glass of mulled wine or grab something to eat in the Ptarmigan Restaurant, which, at 1,097 m above sea level, is the UK’s highest restaurant.

If you visit CairnGorm Mountain during the milder months, there is a range of walks on offer to suit everyone. The guided Northern Corries Walk is a 4- to 5-hour walk which lets you explore many areas of the park.

For a quicker walk, head up the mountain for the 90-minute Walk at the Top, while at the bottom of the mountain there is the All Abilities Trail which has picnic spots, view points and wheelchair access.

While walking around CairnGorm Mountain, be suret to have your camera at the ready as the park is home to many fascinating and rare animals including capercaillies, mountain hares and pine martins. 

Visit the Highland Folk Museum at Newtonmore, an ideal place to spend a morning.  This interactive museum provides a fascinating glimpse into a way of life once common throughout the Highlands.

One of the major attractions is the reconstructed Aultlarie Farm which shows rural Highland life in the 1930s. Another highlight is the townstead which recreates the Highlands in the 1700s. There are also glimpses of more recent Highland life with a school, post office, traveller’s tent and church, all from the early 20th century. These buildings, and much more, can be explored at this wonderful free museum. 

Later in the day, why not head to Dalwhinnie Distillery, only a 20-minute drive south from the Highland Folk Museum along the A9/A889. Dalwhinnie is in a stunning location and is one of the highest distilleries in the country. Take a tour of the distillery to find out about its history from its opening in 1897, and about the traditional whisky-making techniques still used today. There are opportunities to sample the whisky, and you can also purchase a bottle to take home from the distillery shop.

For a great day out for all the family, the Highland Wildlife Park is a popular choice. The park is only 7 miles south of Aviemore on the A9/B9152 at Kincraig.

The park boasts a wide range of species in a spectacular setting including native Scottish wildlife and endangered animals from the world's mountains and tundra. Look out for wildcats, red deer and beavers and especially the musk oxen, tigers and ploar bears. You can relax in the café and visitor centre, but if you would like a more hands-on experience, over-18s can participate in the Keeper for a Day scheme to get up close to the animals.

On leaving the wildlife park, it is only a short 10-minute drive to the historic Ruthven Barracks. These ruined barracks are now peaceful but since the first fortified structure stood on this spot in the 13th century, the site has been at the heart of many conflicts. The barracks were built in 1721 and later captured by Jacobite forces. The day after the Battle of Culloden, which took place south east of Inverness, the Jacobites fled from the barracks and set fire to the building as they left. The structure, as it now stands, is as the Jacobites abandoned it in 1746 and gives a real taste of Scotland’s dramatic history.

There are many grand homes and castles in this part of the world and as Braemar Castle and Balmoral Castle are only separated by a 15-minute drive along the A93, exploring them both makes for the perfect day out.

Located in a beautiful mountain setting, Braemar Castle has sat here since the 17th century. Visit the castle to find out about its tempestuous history including the effect of the Jacobite uprisings. Braemar Castle has been leased to a charitable trust by the Farquharsons, and volunteers will be delighted to give you a tour of the castle.

The nearby Balmoral Castle and Estate was purchased by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria and it is still used as a royal residence today. You can see selected rooms inside the castle such as the ballroom and take a guided tour of the extensive grounds. For a tour with a difference, try a luxury Land Rover safari where you may well see some of the area’s fascinating wildlife and plantlife. The gardens, exhibitions and grounds will be open every day from 29 March until 31 July 2013.

Even if the estate is closed, why not grab your binoculars and discover the wildlife in Cairngorms National Park for yourself? You will have a chance to see an unrivalled range of wildlife including red deer, golden eagles, crossbills and ospreys in this stunning natural environment.

Find out more about Scotland's National Parks.