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Mountain railway and resort
Cairngorm Mountain
Mountain resort in the northern corries of the Cairngorms, with a mountain railway and a bike park.
A mini guide to
The Cairngorms: Aviemore & Grantown-on-Spey
Mountains, ancient pine forest, steam trains and wildlife around Strathspey
Photos
1 / 8Welcome to the area
Mountains, ancient pine forest, steam trains and wildlife around Strathspey
Aviemore is the main visitor town in the Cairngorms National Park. Loch Morlich and Cairngorm Mountain lie to the east, Rothiemurchus Forest, a remnant of the Caledonian Forest, and Loch an Eilein are just south, and the Strathspey Railway runs from Aviemore to Broomhill.
Grantown-on-Spey, about 32 km south-east of Inverness according to Wikipedia, sits on the River Spey at the northern edge of the Cairngorms. Carrbridge has the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands, and the Highland Wildlife Park, Ruthven Barracks and the Highland Folk Museum are further south-west in Badenoch.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Loch and beach
Loch Morlich
Freshwater loch at the foot of the Cairngorms, a few miles from Aviemore, with a watersports centre.
Reindeer herd
Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
Britain's only free-ranging reindeer herd, here since 1952, with visits to the paddock and hill trips.
Directions Website Report a problem with Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
Forest estate
Rothiemurchus
Estate around Rothiemurchus Forest, a remnant of the Caledonian Forest near Aviemore.
Loch
Loch an Eilein
Small loch in Rothiemurchus Forest about 5 km south of Aviemore, with a popular walk around the shore.
Heritage railway
Strathspey Railway
Preserved railway running from Aviemore to Broomhill.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows The Cairngorms: Aviemore & Grantown-on-Spey and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Check conditions on the hill
The Mountain Weather Information Service publishes a Cairngorms forecast, and the Scottish Avalanche Information Service reports on winter hazards.
2
Watch for weather closures
Cairngorm Mountain posts weather warnings and can close its railway and facilities. Check the website before travelling up.
3
Midges in summer
Highland midges are most active just before dawn and sunset and are less active in wind. Carry repellent or a head net in summer.
4
Ospreys at Loch Garten
Loch Garten is known for breeding ospreys. Check the RSPB reserve page for opening details.
Tips from the Britlens editors
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- The Cairngorms: Aviemore & Grantown-on-Spey (area photo): dave conner, CC BY 2.0, source
- Cairngorm Mountain: Hugh Venables, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Loch Morlich: Stijndg, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Cairngorm Reindeer Centre: Ralph Greig, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Rothiemurchus: User ML5, Public domain, source
- Loch an Eilein: chris lovelock, CC BY 2.0, source
- Strathspey Railway: Peter Trimming, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Craigellachie National Nature Reserve: Peter S, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Loch Garten: Twosugars47040, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Landmark Forest Adventure Park: Mike Pennington, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Carrbridge Packhorse Bridge: Darrin Antrobus, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Highland Wildlife Park: Peter Bond, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ruthven Barracks: Vclaw, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Highland Folk Museum: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Grantown Museum: valenta, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Oban, Argyll & the Mull ferry: Mike Hudson, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- The Black Isle & Easter Ross: Vcarceler, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Inverness & Loch Ness: dave conner from Inverness, Scotland, CC BY 2.0, source
- Fort William, Glencoe & Ben Nevis: Viewfinder at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source
- Isle of Skye: Portree & Dunvegan: Lauwz The Kiwistralian, CC0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring the Scottish Highlands