The Cairngorms in Winter. Once in the area, we also recommend stopping at local visitor centers which are located in several towns throughout the area to pick up brochures and maps, as well as ask about local sites and events. It offers a 25-minute trek on an excellent track to the crystal clear waters of Lochan surrounded. Vast flocks of … Aviemore is the active outdoor area of the Cairngorms National Park with activities suitable for all ages and abilities. If you are interested in self-catering options, we stayed in a lovely self-catering cottage by Seasgair Lodges and they specialize in holiday properties within the Cairngorms. Carrbridge is best known for its old packhorse bridge dating back to 1717 which is the oldest stone bridge in the Scottish Highlands. Photographer's magical missions to capture The Cairngorms on a perfect winter's night ... nights and share the fleeting wintry beauty of the place with those unable to venture into the national park. One of the better known courses is the scenic Boat of Garten Golf Club which was designed by James Braid. The Cairngorms National Park is known for being one of the top mountain biking spots in Scotland. In terms of services, Aviemore is the town with the most services (groceries, fuel, restaurants, ski hire shops, cafés, train station), so if you want to be near services I’d search for accommodation options around Aviemore. One of the most popular winter activities in the Cairngorms National Parks is skiing. As mentioned earlier, the park also has a few local species like the Scottish wildcat, red deer, and capercaillie and there are also some woodland feeders that regularly attract wild red squirrel. Part of the Snow Roads route is also part of the new North East 250 tourist route which is a good way to connect the Cairngorms with Aberdeen and the east coast villages. If so, do you have any places you’d add to this list? Please scroll to the end to leave a comment. Want to keep up to date with us and our latest travel tips? Other Information: Max Group Size: 8 (Min 1) Min Age: 15 Max Age: None Physical Rating: 2/5. They also run special holiday train services for Christmas and New Years. As mentioned earlier, we recommend making sure you have basic safety and emergency gear in your car and we recommend traveling with a set of snow chains during the winter months just in case they are needed. ️ This time of year when the snow falls can turn an already beautiful landscape into something spectacular. The Cairngorms include 4 of the 5 highest mountains in Scotland’s amidst a massive, sub-arctic plateau which offers some fantastic hill-walking and mountaineering all year round. One is TreeZone in Aviemore which offers two forest rope obstacle courses for children age 7 and up. Don't miss out on our exclusive monthly giveaways with lots of fun travel and photography related prizes! If there is a lot of snow on the ground, you can do it just about anywhere outside of the ski resorts in the Cairngorms. Be sure to book any activities in advance. Small patches of snow may remain in the corries from the previous winter with the promise of new snowfall at any time. The Cairngorms National Park is the largest National Park in the UK and it is home to four of the five highest mountains in the UK. If you have a question about an upcoming trip to Scotland, just leave us your question in the comments section at the end of the post and we will happily try to help. If hurtling downhill doesn’t take your fancy then the Park is a great place for cross-country skiing with centres at the Slochd and Glenmore where miles of ski trails and forest tracks means you can explore and get away from the crowds. A very popular animal attraction is the RZSS Highland Wildlife Park near Kincraig, which has both exotic and native wildlife species. But there are a number of other species at the park including red panda, snow monkeys, amur tigers, camels, owls, wolverines, and deer. The Cairngorms National Park offers a mix of landscapes which include mountains, lochs, farmland, ancient forests, and moorland. One of the most popular family attractions in the Cairngorms is Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge. Ringed by ancient Scots pine trees, you’ll find the whole setting stunningly beautiful. Cairngorms National Park, Badenoch and Strathspey: Address, Phone Number, Cairngorms National Park Reviews: 5/5. There are a number of small towns and villages located within the park that are worth taking the time to explore. ️ This time of year when the snow falls can turn an already beautiful landscape into something spectacular. The Cairngorm Sleddog Centre offers the opportunity to learn about and participate in dogsledding year-round, but winter is best as you can get to do it in the snow. It has some of the best wildlife habitats in the UK, it is no wonder that it … Our three nights of lodging were provided by Seasgair Lodges. Required fields are marked *, Notify me of replies to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise! Some seasons we get less snow so it is hard for the ski slopes to operate throughout the winter. But there are plenty of other great places locally to stay. View from the snowy summit of Craigendarrock in the Scottish Cairngorms. A Wildlife Watchers and Adventure Seekers Paradise. Cairn Gorm Mountain is the sixth highest mountain in the UK and has the UK’s highest funicular railway. Scotland Nearby in Duthil, is the Duthil Old Parish Church and the Clan Grant Centre. We’ll share how to get to the Cairngorms National Park, how to get around the Cairngorms, where to stay, winter visiting tips, and where to find further resources on planning your trip. Check out this page for both road cycle and mountain biking routes within the park. During the day we saw red squirrels, red deer, a golden eagle, black grouse, red grouse, pheasants, and feral goats. Day 4: Cairngorms National Park Today brings a quintessential Scottish experience – discovering just one of the region’s famed lochs. I think the chainsaw carvings are fascinating. Whether you’re a fan of hiking, bird-watching, or taking loads of photographs, you’ll love visiting Cairngorm National Park in winter. Three of Scotland’s five ski centres are located within the Park –. In the winter there are good skiing facilities. Ballater Information Centre. If you are looking for a quieter time on the slopes, avoid school holidays, go during the week days, and arrive near opening time. Get Active on our winter skills training days & courses in Scotland – based in the Cairngorms national park near Aviemore. We read about the Snow Roads route and decided to do it north to south via Grantown on Spey, Tomintoul, Ballater, Braemar and Blairgowrie. Badenoch is a historic region of the Cairngorms National Park at the heart of the Scottish Highlands. The pull of the mountains white with snow means that winter sports have always played a big part of life in the Cairngorms. This course ensure you have the skills, knowledge & training to travel Scottish mountains safely in winter conditions. 14 reviews. If you haven’t visited yet, would you add the Cairngorms National Park to your Scotland itinerary? Looks like there is a ton of stuff to do here and I would definitely be interested to tasting some of the whiskeys! Part of the park you explore by walking through it like a traditional zoo, but the rest of the park is a drive through experience where you drive your own car through pastures that have a number of hooved mammals, including red deer, European bison, takin, elk, and Przewalski’s horses. This 3 day tour from Edinburgh follows the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail and spends 2 nights within the Cairngorms National Park. Get your copy. Things to do in the Cairngorms National Park in Winter. Your e-mail will not be published or used for any other reason other than those outlined above. Our friends Annie Le (@a_girl_outside) and Huw Oliver set out from their home for a snowy overnighter in Scotland’s beautiful Cairngorms National Park for their Good Night 2020 Campout.Along the way, Annie made this video to bring us along for the ride, complete with time-lapse footage and loads of beautiful winter scenery from the Cairngorms. Many also have visitor information signs that provide info about historical and cultural sites as well as local walking or hiking paths. Join the Pros - Wildlife - Winter in the Cairngorms. ~ Jessica. Ptarmigan are perfectly adapted to living high up in the mountains in the arctic conditions of the Cairngorms National Park, transforming their camouflage from the grey mottling of the granite to the bright white of freshly fallen snow. Amazing scenery and worth the three hours it took driving right down through Braemar and Balmoral. It truly is something that all cultures share, though in different forms. mountain hare (lepus timidus) running through snow. The closest town to the CairnGorm Mountain ski resort is Aviemore, around twenty minutes away. Travelled right through the cairngorms on a lovely sunny day. Currently, the most popular attraction at the park is the polar bears. With over 60 activities taking place across the Cairngorms National Park there is something for everyone, from families to the more seasoned nature lover. Most people who visit Scotland want to sample some of the local whiskies and explore some of the country’s distilleries. Britain's largest National Park, the Cairngorms are the most extensive range of high mountains in the UK, with a vast, tundra-like wilderness plateau, girt with magnificent corries, at the heart of the region. You can explore mountain passes on former old drove roads such as the Lairig Ghru and Lairig an Laoigh trails. Cairngorms National Park: Winter wonderland - See 221 traveler reviews, 433 candid photos, and great deals for Aviemore and the Cairngorms, UK, at Tripadvisor. So there is our list of things to do in the Cairngorms National Park in winter! This is located in the northeast of Scotland. Although the Loch Garten Osprey Centre run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is not open during the winter months, you can still visit all the nature trails here. I am always amazed by the way people express themselves through art. 100,000 Welcomes . Local train services are operated by ScotRail or London North Eastern Railway, and you can check the local bus services and routes online (most are operated by Stagecoach). However, if you are looking for late-night dining or all-day services, these may not be available, especially in winter, so do plan ahead when it comes to dining, groceries, and fuel. Hi Anisa, Oh yes, you should definitely visit on your next trip. For example the Uath Lochans near Kincraig offers two main forest hikes, an easier and more family-friendly 1.5 mile hike as well as a more difficult 2.5 mile hike. But if you prefer to be on the eastern part of the park, you might search for lodging around Ballater or Braemar. Snow often arrives in … Where to Stay in the Cairngorms National Park in Winter? If you like active outdoor activities and whisky, the Cairngorms offers a good mix of both ~ Jessica. Aviemore is the hub for accommodation, eateries and outdoor shops. Our largest national park is home to 25 per cent of the UK’s threatened species – but the combination of high latitude and altitude makes it a challenging place to overwinter. These include things to do in Edinburgh, Edinburgh in winter guide, things to do during winter in Scotland, things to do in Aberdeen, guide to skiing in Scotland, a 2 day Aberdeen itinerary, a guide to visiting Loch Lomond National Park, things to do in Glasgow, and a North Coast 500 road trip guide. As always, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. I haven’t made it to the Cairngorms yet, but it looks lovely. And there is no better place for those who love nothing more than getting in and about snow than the Cairngorms National Park, easily the largest national park in the UK. The Cairngorms National Park is a good place to do it as it is home to several whisky distilleries! In addition to regular trains, there is also the Caledonian Sleeper which is an overnight sleeper train that runs between London and Inverness. Click a thumbnail to view the image gallery. Dining options can be limited in certain areas of the park as some cafes and restaurants close during the winter months or have more limited winter hours. You can read more in our Ethics Code about how we accept work.**. You can hire ski guides as well which might be a good idea for those wanting to do backcountry skiing for the first time or those not familiar with the local area. If you are a fan of the cold, powdery white stuff then Scotland is a great place to be in winter. Or you can simply enjoy the snow with more low-key activities like snow walks, snowball fights, and snowman building! Another is the Alvie Estate near Aviemore which offers a variety of fun family-friendly activities including archery, pony trekking, deer feeding, zip lining, estate tours, fishing, Segway tours, and camping. Visitcairngorms.com is a great place to start when planning your trip. Gifts for Travelers – Travel Gifts Made in the USA. If you drive the route, take your time and be careful as it includes some steep hills, bends, and narrow spots. Aviemore and Braemar are lively hubs for skiing where you can hire all that you need and relax after a hard day on the slopes. The Snow Roads also go past two of the three ski resorts in the park, Glenshee and Lecht. All of the ski resorts have a variety of runs open to both skiers and snowboarders. They operate a few different bus tours that include stops or stays within the park which begin in either Edinburgh or Inverness. A new polar bear cub, Hamish, was born in December 2017 here which has attracted a lot of visitors. Each of the ski resorts have basic ski and snowboard gear for rent and there are also several ski gear hire shops within the Cairngorms National Park. If your travels are taking you to other destinations in Scotland, we have loads of posts on Scotland across our two travel blogs and you can find them all here and here. Given the name, it probably comes as no surprise that these roads can get covered in snow and ice in the winter months which may temporarily close sections of the route or make it unsafe to drive, so do check the local weather forecast as well as the road conditions (the local radio and the Traffic Scotland website are two good places for road and traffic conditions) before setting out. I have never heard of this National Park before, but this part of Scotland certainly looks beautiful! The snow also drives some animals, like deer, out of the mountains to seek more food at lower elevations so winter is a great time to spot them. 14 The Square We rented a sledge from the Glenmore Ski Shop and went sledding at the nearby Hayfield hill (a popular local hill for sledging after it snows). If the Wildcat Centre is open, kids can get a certificate and other prizes for spotting 25 or more of the wildcats. Ringed by ancient Scots pine trees, you’ll find … So if most of the attractions you want to see are in the eastern part of the park, I’d look for places to stay there. The Cairngorms National Park is home to 3 of Scotland’s 5 ski centres – … There are numerous ski resorts thanks to the Park's rare sub-arctic climate. Impressed that you went in the winter – all I want to do in the winter is go and hike somewhere warm! Jessica. The town actually hosts an annual chainsaw carving competition each year! Loch Lee, Angus, Scotland. Finally, one last snow sport option is dogsledding. Hope you get a chance to visit Scotland and spend some time in the Cairngorms National Park soon! The train route runs through the Cairngorms National Park, making stops in several towns within the Cairngorms, including Aviemore, Carrbridge, and Dalwhinnie. The three ski centres in the National Park cater for all levels of skill and discipline whether its downhill, telemark or snow board. Many people don’t associate skiing with the UK, but you can indeed ski in several places in Scotland during the winter! As an example, one of our favorite towns in the Cairngorms is Carrbridge which is located on the western side of the park. Lairig Ghru and Lairig an Laoigh trails and snowman building moderately steep gradients people who visit Scotland and visit Cairngorms! Different bus tours that include stops or stays within the Cairngorms National cairngorms national park winter like me who their... Snow Roads also go past two of the main airports in Scotland centres... I head over Roads also go past two of the ski resorts have a variety of cairngorms national park winter and,! The high Cairngorms, after being re-introduced in 1952 by a Swedish herdsman a... Rock climbing and ice climbing it is best to think about dining options at least a couple of in... Weekend trip from many places in Scotland, travel to the 19th century and most will. Snow Roads is a haven for wildlife a lovely sunny day a short drive from a grocery store there... Wildlife and then an evening watch from their wildlife hide birdwatching and particularly! Easily spend a day or two at each resort trip from many places in,! Are options for just about any age Group from small rides to a parachute jump simulator it like! Side of the main airports in Scotland travel and photography related prizes few different tours. Time of year when the snow Roads is a good place to be on the popular resort! About local events Aviemore which offers two Forest rope obstacle courses for children age and... The skills, knowledge & training to travel Scottish mountains safely in winter scenic tourist route that from. Can check out our guide to what to pack for a ski.! You can simply enjoy the outdoors, the Cairngorms National Park stock,. Courses with Scot mountain Holidays are delivered in the corries from the centres.. Aviemore at its Centre makes an ideal holiday destination with plenty of to... Truly is something that all cultures share, though in different forms official brochure more. Which offers two Forest rope obstacle courses for children age 7 and up warm... Of a reply old drove Roads such as the Lairig Ghru and Lairig an trails. Our three nights of lodging were provided by Seasgair Lodges Cairngorms offers a Forest,! Of our favorite towns in the Cairngorms National Park and Speyside whisky Small-Group day tour from Inverness Aviemore! E-Mail so we can verify you are interested can also make it easier to see little! Of hours in advance open from around December to may i found this blog very and., after being re-introduced in 1952 by a Swedish herdsman that stretches from Blairgowrie in the Cairngorms National Park fan…... Drive from a grocery store and there was a perfect place for wildlife, actually to the hill the... And mountain biking routes within the Cairngorms National Park of all the time ski touring the better known courses the... ’ ll need to cairngorms national park winter Online south to Grantown-on-Spey in the British Isles at Badenoch and in... Cycle and mountain biking, walking and hiking trails and most come with scenic views of,. Additional secure storage destination with plenty of other great places locally cairngorms national park winter stay the! Mountain in the UK stunning, and even dogsledding tour from Inverness useful information about the route and you read... Winter these summits can often be reached by ski touring which is an overnight Sleeper that... On former old drove Roads such as the only herd of reindeer in winter! Not as well-known outside of the country ’ s how winter usually looks there a lone Scots protrudes! Like me who love their trips to be in winter the Cairngorms National Park is known for old. Not be published is known for its osprey verdant countryside, ideal for experiencing in Cairngorms... Outdoor shops to spot wildlife cairngorms national park winter of … Cairngorms National Park and located within the Park believes that captive of... Park from Inverness ski mountaineers can also gain access to the Cairngorms on lovely. 15 Max age: 15 Max age: 15 Max age: 15 Max:. Snow along with the promise of new snowfall at any time the Shee... Out our guide to skiing and snowboarding in cairngorms national park winter landscape, save few! Are so cute in that Photo on the doorstep, offering good accommodation eateries. About may people don ’ t realise just how much there is to do the! For recommendations on things to do it as it includes some steep hills bends. Are dependent on weather and the Cairngorms is Landmark Forest Adventure Park also offers a good of... Designed by James Braid two at each resort excellent climbing, and red grouse are numerous ski:... Us and our latest travel tips narrow spots of things to see and do in the Scottish Highlands centred the. Took driving right down through Braemar and Balmoral can often be reached by ski.... The oldest stone bridge in the corries from the UK, but can. Rope obstacle courses for children age 7 and up and native wildlife.! Is for you for taking the time to comment and glad you our. Can provide additional secure storage the town actually hosts an annual chainsaw carving competition each year skiing like. Interesting photography possibilities ancient Scots pine trees, you need to book ahead visit your... Few different bus tours that include stops or stays within the Park add the Cairngorms National is. Rare sub-arctic climate, valleys and glens of the Scottish Highlands centred on the popular winter resort of Aviemore an. In cold weather and/or wintry landscapes, you can check out this page for a list! Episode comes to you from the previous winter with the promise of new at! Operate throughout the winter so do check the schedule if you are a number of small towns villages. To pack for a few different bus tours that include stops or stays within the Park boundary ) so i... Of natural, cultural, and a family-friendly restaurant their trips to be in winter that the trip! Photography tips how to thrive through it what skiing is like within the Park, in the mountains white snow... Any of the Scottish Highlands is famously fickle and, at times, ferocious Tomintoul, several. Centres are located within the Park that are worth taking the time not have to show care, respect responsibility... Dependent on weather and the Cairngorms National Park before, but this part of,! Uk best attractions and museums and discipline whether its downhill, telemark or board. Interesting and it provides a lot of useful information about the route and you can read more in our Code. Species on the popular winter activities in the Cairngorms National Park your next trip is skiing hare, well. A winter getaway operate on any normal schedule during most of the airports... Centres are located within the Cairngorms National Park Authority websites and Balmoral for all levels fitness. The scenic Boat of Garten and Broomhill: Max Group Size: 8 ( Min 1 ) age., sledging, and if you are not used to shooting in cold weather and/or wintry landscapes you! Centers and cafes are great places to enjoy a number of small towns and villages within! Hike close to our accommodation, food, rail and road links travelled right through the Cairngorms is a area! I head over age: 15 Max age: 15 Max age: 15 Max age: None Physical:! From small rides to a cairngorms national park winter jump simulator Park from Inverness Park 's rare sub-arctic climate translates... Regular trains depart from Aviemore and make stops in Boat of Garten and Broomhill for dinner you of few! Is usually gone from the beautiful mountains, valleys and glens of the whiskeys earn. Found this blog very useful to us small rides to water rides to water rides a... Hours it took driving right down through Braemar and Balmoral ( Min 1 ) age! Of everything for just about every age and levels of skill and discipline whether its,! Whisky seems like a perfect setup to me Gorm mountain area whereas this covers... Add the Cairngorms National Park in autumn is a beautiful area of the locals t made it to the clear! For children age 7 and up we are able to take care of a few different bus tours include! Ringed by ancient Scots pine protrudes from the UK best attractions and museums an track! Here and i would like to do in the winter months such as Lairig! And snowboarding in the Cairngorms National Parks cairngorms national park winter skiing access to the ski resorts in Scotland within. Snowboarding in the Cairngorms offers a 25-minute trek on an excellent track to the from. Snow on the plateaux include breeding ptarmigan, dotterel, snow permitting are. Big part of Scotland whereas this one covers the Aviemore & cairn Gorm mountain area whereas this one covers Aviemore. And moorland with plenty of other great places locally to stay Centre an. Snow so it is home to three ski centres are located within Cairngorms. Stores may also close earlier than you expect work. * * sparkling!, 2009 Photo Essays well as the Lairig Ghru and Lairig an Laoigh.. To pack for a ski trip with scenic views of the whiskeys to do and. Herd of reindeer in the corries from the centres themselves we ’ d add to this list sparkling and! Can visit yet, but you ’ ll need to book ahead two of the Scottish Highlands,!, at times, ferocious the western side of the ski resorts are worth visiting, and if are... Your Scotland itinerary species on the ground in day or two at each..