Itinerary: Tour the Park

Britain’s largest National Park is a living, working landscape with wild land at its heart, where there is an unrivalled range of outdoor activities to enjoy and so much to see and do in a relatively small area.

Day 1

As you head up the main A9 road from the south, pull off at Dalwhinnie to tour Dalwhinnie Distillery before taking the A889 to Laggan, where much of the popular TV series, Monarch of the Glen, was filmed. Join the A86 north through Newtonmore and Kingussie home of many family favourite attractions and museums. Continue on the B970 to see wildlife at Kincraig before enjoying an evening in any of the local villages in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.

Day 2

Start your day with a trip to Alvie and Dalraddy Estate and Rothiemurchus Estate. Don’t miss out on Loch an Eilean voted the best picnic spot in the UK and then head over to visit the reindeers at Glenmore, relax by Loch Morlich or try one of the many outdoor activities on offer in the Rothiemurchus and Glenmore area. Carry on up the hill road to the multi award winning funicular railway for some stunning views. To round off day two head back down to Aviemore for a trip on the old steam train before heading north on the A95 to your accommodation and evening meal in Aviemore or as you head north in any of the villages nearby; Nethy Bridge, Boat of Garten, Dulnain Bridge or Carrbridge.

Day 3

Start your day at the famed RSPB Osprey Centre at Boat of Garten before heading over to the forest theme park at Carrbridge. Heading north don’t forget to pop into Grantown on Spey for morning coffee and a trip to the local museum. Now turn east on to the A939 until the B9136 to Glenlivet Distillery and the picturesque ruin of Drumin Castle. Take time to enjoy the spectacular scenery of Glenlivet Crown Estate before ending your day at Tomintoul with visits to the fascinating arts, crafts and local shops.

Day 4

Leave Tomintoul eastwards on the A939 over the Lecht, an area of wild hills and popular ski slopes from where you can admire the magnificent panoramas around Corgarff Castle. Cross the moors on the A939 to Ballater on Royal Deeside and visit The Old Royal Station, before exploring the many shops displaying Royal Warrant plaques.  Continue west along the A93 to Balmoral Castle and Estate and the adjacent Royal Lochnagar Distillery. Finally, visit Braemar Castle and Braemar Highland Heritage Centre and perhaps end the day amidst the spectacular scenery of Mar Lodge Estate and Linn of Dee.