The Cairngorms are a fantastic staycation location. With pet-friendly accommodation in abundance and an endless array of activities to enjoy there is no better place to spend a staycation this year. Here we explore seven reasons why you should visit the Cairngorms this year.
1 – Loch Morlich
Loch Morlich is one of the most beautiful lochs in Scotland and one of the world’s most picture perfect locations. With a water sports centre on hand, you can truly make the most of this epic location too. Whether you walk around the loch, paddle-board over it, swim in it or hire a kayak, this peaceful and tranquil loch will transport you to another world with its postcard-perfect backdrop.
2 – Ben Macdui
Ben Macdui is the second highest mountain in Britain, but it is just one of more than 50 Munros in the national park. If you like walking and getting high in the hills then the Cairngorms is the place to go. Ben Macdui and the other Cairngorm Munros benefit over Ben Nevis in that you can start the ascent from higher up, making them easier to climb and enabling you to spend more time up high and less time walking in the foothills. You will get some of the best possible views of Scotland from up in the Cairngorms national park.
3 – Speyside Whisky Trail
The Speyside region is covered with fantastic whisky distilleries and produces an amazing half of all whiskies in Scotland. Whisky is all about the quality of the water and this is clear in the abundance of distilleries in this plentiful valley. With Glenlivet, Glen Grant and Glenfiddic on your doorstep you’ll be able to enjoy a wonderful tipple and have fun exploring the whiskies too. The whisky trail is a great experience that will let you clink your glasses in style and make the most of this fantastic landscape.
4 – Speyside Way
The Speyside way is a walker’s paradise offering a whopping 65 miles of serene and beautiful walking terrain. The final section from Grantown-on-Spey to Aviemore makes up 17 miles of this 65 and gives you a great taste of what the Cairngorms has to offer. It’s also a great route for mountain biking if you want to try something a little different and see the sights at a greater pace.
5 – Wildlife that is out of this world
Exotic animals aren’t just confined to the plains of Africa and you’ll often see some zoological treats in the Cairngorms National Park. Enjoy seeing Arctic reindeer that are left to roam the park when they aren’t being used to assist Santa and look out for the Scottish Wildcat. The Cairngorms National Park is home to some of the rarest and most threatened species in the world including the mighty golden eagle. Keep your eyes peeled and you could just see one of these fantastic animals in their natural habitat.
6 – CarinGorm Mountain
The CairnGorm is a mountain in itself and it is a great place to take family members who are less able to walk, hike and climb. The funicular railway can pull you up high to show you a great view of the surrounding park and there is even a high altitude café to enjoy at the top. In the winter this mountain also offers skiing and has a fantastic café as a base where you can regroup between runs.
7 – Aviemore
Aviemore is a great location among many places to stay on your visit to the Cairngorms National Park and it is worth a visit whether you are staying there or not. Aviemore is a quaint town with an abundance of great accommodation, fantastic shops and out of this world cafes. The Mountain Café even has a buzzer queuing system that allows you to continue shopping in the town while you wait for a table because it is so popular. (It is so popular because of the cakes…) You’ll also be able to find everything you need for a mountain adventure of all kinds in Aviemore whether you are looking to hire kit or treat yourself to some new adventure gear.
There are so many reasons to visit the Cairngorms and enjoy natural beauty in your home country this year. Consider a self-catering break in Scotland in 2018 and book your staycation today.
