January & February 2024 What's On Guide for the Cairngorms National Park

WHAT’S ON JANUARY/FEBRUARY2024 : EVENTS & INFORMATION : FREE

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ftiy www.visitcairngorms.com

Rowan Tree

Country Hotel & Restaurant

Award winning dining, cosy bar, real fire, just outside Aviemore Rowan Tree Hotel, by Loch Alvie, B9152, Aviemore, PH22 1QB 01479 810 207

www.rowantreehotel.com

Highland Cows

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VisitScotland Kenny Lam Loch Morlich Winter

WELCOME JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 on tle Simps phy - Myr Photogra ith Sm Ed

Welcome to the January/February edition of What’s On

Welcome to the first edition of Cairngorms National Park What’s On for 2024. This is the perfect place to kick off your year.

Whether you are a thrill seeker or a seeker of calm and comfort… (or a bit of both), the Cairngorms have you covered!

Check out the Loch Morlich Running Festival (Saturday 6th January) - a spectacular start to the running year, and the iconic Siberian Husky Aviemore Sled Dog Rally, both truly memorable events.

Storylands Sessions continue to celebrate our Highland heritage and the talented folk of the Cairngorms, while the Boat Hotel is hosting a series of wonderful crafting events - take a peek and feel inspired.

Parkrun on the Speyside Way continues to flourish - this has to be one of the most beautiful Parkruns going?! And if you are after something truly delicious check out FOOD ON FILM - Kingussie Annual Winter Food Festival on the 2nd, 3rd & 4th February, it is a real celebration of our wonderful local producers and talent.

There is lots going on. Come and celebrate our Cairngorms winter - wrap up warm, embrace the chill and take it all in. This is a magical place.

Wishing you all a very Happy & Prosperous New Year!

If you’re looking for inspiration while you’re here or even planning your next visit, make sure you check out www.visitcairngorms.com

contents Eat, Drink & Activities

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What’s On

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Map

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What’s the Story...

Where Winter Comes to Life

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This guide is available online visit visitcairngorms.com Published by and all advertising sales Cairngorms Business Partnership T: 01479 810200 info@visitcairngorms.com

www.visitcairngorms.com Produced by Landmark Press, Carrbridge T: 01479 841900 www.landmark-press.com Cover photo: Ed Smith BillSmith Glenshee

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WHAT’s ON You are in an all year round destination with lots going on. Check out what’s happening each day, for further information and details of new events added please visit: www.visitcairngorms.com/ whats-on

January/February 2024 Events 27th-28th January 2024 The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain 40th Aviemore Sled Dog Rally - Aviemore. www.siberianhuskyclub.org.uk

2nd, 3rd & 4th February FOOD ON FILM Kingussie Annual Winter Food Festival - Various locations in Kingussie. www.kingussie.co.uk/news-events/kingussie-food-film

30th December 2023 FREE. Chapel House Arts Christmas Exhibition -

Chapel House Arts, Kingussie. 1-5pm. www.fusedandlight.co.uk

Highland League Football Match - Seafield

Park, Heathfield Road, Grantown on Spey. 2-3.45pm. www.strathspeythistlefc.com Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark.digitickets.co.uk Festive Forest Bathing Under the Night Sky Meet at Loch Mallachie Car Park, Loch Garten, Boat of Garten. 7-8pm. www.highlandquietlife.co.uk Maggie Adamson and Friends Concert - Royal British Legion (Scotland), Grantown on Spey.

7.30-10.30pm. Tickets from The Bookmark, Grantown on Spey.

FREE. Live Music at The Winking Owl - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9pm. www.thewinkingowl.co FREE. Live Entertainment - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Sunday 31th December Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest

Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark. digitickets.co.uk

FREE. Nethy Bridge Hogmanay Torchlight Procession - Lynstock Crescent, Nethy Bridge.

6-7.30pm.

Hogmanay Eight Course Tasting Menu - Rowan Tree Country Hotel, Loch Alvie, Aviemore. 7pm. www.rowantreehotel.com Hogmanay Gala Dinner - The Boat Country Inn, Boat of Garten. 7pm. www.boathotel.co.uk FREE. An Evening of Music - The Square, Grantown on Spey. 10-1pm. E: info@grantownonline.com Live Music at The Winking Owl - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. www.thewinkingowl.co FREE. Fireworks Display - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. Midnight. T: 01479 810233. Hogmanay Ceilidh at Braemar - Braemar Village Hall, Braemar.

Hogmanay Ceilidh - Boat of Garten Village Hall. 8pm.

Tickets from Post Office or Hall.

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Monday 1st January New Years Day Dip - Loch Insh Outdoor Centre,

Kincraig. Booking Essential. 10am. www.lochinsh.com FREE. Live Music @ The Boat - The Boat Country Inn, Boat of Garten. 6-9pm. www.boathotel.co.uk FREE. Live Music with Graeme Mackay Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com

Tuesday 2nd January Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark.digitickets.co.uk

Wednesday 3rd January Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark.digitickets.co.uk

Thursday 4th January Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark.digitickets.co.uk

FREE. Live Music with Chris Grant - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Friday 5th January Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark.digitickets.co.uk

FREE. Live Music with Fraser Gallacher Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Saturday 6th January Loch Morlich Running Festival - The Hayfield,

Glenmore, Aviemore. www.fitnessat58.co.uk Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark.digitickets.co.uk

Sunday 7th January Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark.digitickets.co.uk

Monday 8th January

FREE. Live Music with Graeme Mackay Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com Tuesday 9th January Storylands Sessions Early Show - Ptarmingan Dome, Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig. 6pm. www.badenochstorylands.com

Storylands Sessions, Open Mic Late Show -

Ptarmingan Dome, Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig.

8pm. www.badenochstorylands.com

Wednesday 10th January Stargazing at Glenlivet - Glenlivet Blairfindy Moor

Dark Sky Discovery Site, Glenlivet. 7pm. lydia@tgdt.org.uk

Rangers in the Cairngorms National Park Talk by Duncan Macdonald - Kincraig Church Hall. 7.30-9.30pm.

FREE. Live Music with Sons of the Soil Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Friday 12th January FREE. Live Music with Anne & Callum - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Saturday 13th January Strathspey Thistle v Nairn County Football Match - Seafield Park, Grantown on Spey. 2pm. \ www.strathspeythistlefc.com

Wirework Floral Blooms with Mhairi - The Boat

Country Inn, Boat of Garten. 2pm. info@boathotel.co.uk

Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest

Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark.digitickets.co.uk Stargazing In Tomintoul - The Field of Hope Car Park, Tomintoul. 7pm. lydia@tgdt.org.uk.

TOMS Concert with Alba Challah - Boat of Garten Community Hall, Boat of Garten. 7.30pm. T: 01479 831213.

FREE. Live Music with Tone Pirates - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Sunday 14th January Snowsport Scotland Futures Session - Glenshee

Ski Centre. 9.30-11.30am. Booking Essential: www. eventbrite.co.uk/o/snowsport-scotland-7056857621 Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark.digitickets.co.uk FREE. Live Music with Kevin Fraser - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 6-8pm. T: 01479 810233.

Saturday 27th January Strathspey Thistle v Brechin City - Seafield Park,

Grantown on Spey. 2pm. www.strathspeythistlefc.com Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark.digitickets.co.uk FREE. Live Music with Anne & Callum - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Sunday 28th January FREE. Repair Cafe Cairngorms - Boat of Garten

Community Hall, Boat of Garten. 2-5pm. repaircafe@boathall.org.uk Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark.digitickets.co.uk

Monday 29th January Boat Talks; A Virtual Spey Journey with David Craig - Boat of Garten Community Hall, Boat of Garten.

Monday 15th January Boat Talks; Solo to the South Pole with Ben Weber - Boat of Garten Community Hall, Boat of

7.30pm. info@boathall.org.uk

FREE. Live Music with Graeme Mackay Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com

Wednesday 31st January FREE. Live Music with Chris Grant - Cairngorm

Friday 19th January FREE. Moon in the Square Telescope Session

Thursday 1st February FREE. Live Entertainment - Cairngorm Hotel,

Garten. 7.30-9pm. T: 01479 831123.

- Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre, Tomintoul.

7-8.30pm.

FREE. Live Music with Sons of the Soil Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Saturday 20th January Up-Cycled Fabric Flowers and Corsages with Mhairi - The Boat Country Inn, Boat of Garten. 2-4pm. info@boathotel.co.uk

Cinema Showing | The Great Escape (PG) -

Grantown YMCA Community Centre, Grantown on Spey.

3pm. www.grantowncinema.co.uk Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark.digitickets.co.uk Cinema Showing | The Wonder (15) - Grantown YMCA Community Centre, Grantown on Spey. 7pm. www.grantowncinema.co.uk FREE. Live Music with Anne & Callum - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Sunday 21st January Snowsport Scotland Futures Session -

Cairngorm Mountain, Aviemore. 10am-12pm. Booking Essential: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/snowsportscotland-7056857621 Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 4-6pm. www.landmarkpark.digitickets.co.uk FREE. Live Music with Kevin Fraser - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Monday 22nd January FREE. Live Music with Graeme Mackay -

Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com

Wednesday 24th January FREE. Live Music with Sons of the Soil -

Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Friday 26th January FREE. Live Music with Dave Rudge - Cairngorm

Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

FREE. Live Music with Graeme Mackay Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Friday 2nd February FREE. Live Music with Fraser Gallacher -

Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com

Saturday 3rd February Introduction To Jewellery Making with Mhairi -

The Boat Country Inn, Boat of Garten. 2-4pm. info@boathotel.co.uk FREE. Live Music with Sons of the Soil Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Wednesday 7th February FREE. Live Music with Sons of the Soil -

Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Thursday 8th February FREE. Live Music - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm.

T: 01479 810233.

Friday 9th February FREE. Live Music with Anne & Callum - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Saturday 10th February Warren Miller Ski Film - Boat of Garten Community

Hall. 8pm. facebook.com/BoatofGartenCommunityHall

Sunday 11th February FREE. Live Music with Scott Ramsey - Cairngorm

Hotel, Aviemore. 6-8pm. T: 01479 810233.

Monday 12th February Snowsport Scotland Futures Session - The Lecht

Ski Centre. 9.30-11.30am. Booking Essential: eventbrite.co.uk/o/snowsport-scotland-7056857621

Boat Talks SCOTLAND: A Rewilding Story with Peter Cairns - Boat of Garten Community Hall, Boat of Garten. 7.30-9pm. info@boathall.org.uk

Tuesday 13th February Storylands Sessions Early Show - Ptarmingan Dome, Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig. 6pm. www.badenochstorylands.com

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Storylands Sessions, Open Mic Late Show -

Ptarmingan Dome, Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig.

8pm. www.badenochstorylands.com

Clubbercise with Louize - Kincraig Community Hall,

Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Kincraig. 6-7pm. Fun fitness class (disco in the dark) for all levels of fitness. T: 07740 984247. www.facebook.com/fitnesswithlouize FREE. Live Entertainment - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com.

Thursday 15th February FREE. Live Music - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm.

Every Tuesday FREE. Grantown on Spey Health Walk - Anagach

Wednesday 14th February FREE. Live Music with Chris Grant - Cairngorm

T: 01479 810233.

Friday 16th February FREE. Live Music with Sons of the Soil -

Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Saturday 17th February Strathspey Thistle v Inverurie Loco Works -

Seafield Park, Grantown on Spey. 2pm. www.strathspeythistlefc.com Lampshade Making with Mhairi - The Boat Country Inn, Boat of Garten. 2-4pm. T: 01479 831258. info@boathotel.co.uk FREE. Live Music with Anne & Callum - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

TOMS Concert with Broen Ensemble - Boat of Garten Community Hall, Boat of Garten. 7.30pm.

T: 01479 831213.

Wood, Curling Rink Car Park, Grantown on Spey. 10.30am.

FREE. Nethy Bridge Health Walk - Meet by Nethy Bridge Community Centre, Nethy Bridge. 1.30pm.

FREE. Ballater Health Walk - Meet at Glenmuick Church Hall, Ballater. 1.30pm.

Quiz Night - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 8.45pm.

T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com.

Every Wednesday FREE. Newtonmore Health Walk - Outside Wildcat

Centre, Newtonmore. 10.30am.

FREE. Boat of Garten Health Walk – Meet outside Boat of Garten Community Hall, Boat of Garten. 1.30pm.

Every Wednesday Beginner Line Dancing - Grantown British Legion.

Wednesday 21st February FREE. Live Music with Chris Grant - Cairngorm

6-6.45pm. T: 07541 372524.

Line Dancing - Grantown British Legion. 6.30-8pm.

T: 07541 372524.

Thursday 22nd February FREE. Live Music - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm.

Spey Street, Kingussie. 10.30am.

Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

T: 01479 810233.

Friday 23rd February FREE. Live Music with Tone Pirates - Cairngorm

Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Saturday 24th February Floral Crowns with Maria - The Boat Country Inn, Boat of Garten. 2-4pm. info@boathotel.co.uk

FREE. Live Music with Anne & Callum - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Sunday 25th February FREE. Repair Cafe Cairngorms - Boat of Garten

Community Hall, Boat of Garten. 2-5pm. repaircafe@boathall.org.uk

Monday 26th February Boat Talks; Bringing Beaver back to the Park with Jonathan Willet - Boat of Garten Community Hall, Boat of Garten. 7.30pm. info@boathall.org.uk

Wednesday 28th February FREE. Live Music with Chris Grant - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Thursday 29th February FREE. Live Entertainment - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Every Thursday FREE. Kingussie Health Walk - Badenoch Centre, FREE. Cromdale Health Walk - In front of the Kirk,

10.30am.

FREE. Craft and Chat Group - Grantown Library, Grantown on Spey. 10.30am-12.30pm. T: 01349 781630.

FREE. Carrbridge Health Walk - Meet by the Old Bridge. 11am.

Clubbercise with Louize - Boat of Garten Community Hall, Boat of Garten. 6-7pm. Fun fitness class (disco in the dark) for all levels of fitness.

T: 07740 984247. www.facebook.com/fitnesswithlouize FREE. Aviemore Chess Club - Aviemore Community Centre Library. 7-10pm. T: 07415 892669.

Every Friday FREE. Glen Tanar Health Walk - Meet in Visitor

Centre Car Park, Glen Tanar, 10am. FREE. Tomintoul Health Walk - Bowling Club, Tomintoul. 10am.

FREE. Ballater Health Walk - Meet at Glenmuick Church Hall, Ballater. 10.30am FREE. Live Music - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore.

9pm. T: 01479 812368.

FREE. Live Entertainment - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com

Every Saturday FREE. Parkrun - Speyside Way, Dalfaber Drive. www.parkrun.org.uk/aviemore

Weekly Events Every Monday FREE. Braemar Health Walk - Under the Mews, Braemar. 10am. Every other Monday, please check.

Ultra Slow Line Dancing - Grantown British Legion.

10.30am. T: 07541 372524.

Beginner Line Dancing - Grantown British Legion.

11.35am. T: 07541 372524.

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FREE. Live Entertainment - Cairngorm Hotel,

Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com.

FREE. Live music - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore.

9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Every Sunday FREE. Entertainment - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

6-8pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com.

Please go to www.cairngorms.co.uk/healthwalks or call 07850 644 076 for further Health Walk information and for up to date information.

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Where Winter Comes to Life

Adventure and Adrenaline or Cosiness and Calm? Here’s Where You’ll Find It!

The winter season is one we absolutely embrace in the Cairngorms National Park. Kids and adults alike shriek with joy as a flurry of snowflakes fall; waking up in the Cairngorms, cloaked in white, days that are cold enough for the snow to stick around is what we’re about!

We love it because it means hours of fun: a snowsuit clad toddler waddling about in their snow boots, rosy cheeks and a massive grin. The kids charging home from school to build snowmen, have a snowball fight and go sledging. The ‘half day Fridays’ which mean the high school kids can kick their weekend off in style, scooting up the mountain for a quick ski or snowboard. Perhaps the best sight of them all…those skiers who have been on the slopes of the Cairngorms since the get go. The kit may be old and the knees a bit creaky… but these guys are Cairngorms to their core. Seeing the original crew loving a day on slopes is beyond magical - it's what it's all about.

It’s about a feeling. A joy. A belonging. And it's yours to share.

Come and create your own bit of Cairngorms adventure.

Cairngorm Mountain, The Lecht 2023 & Glenshee all sit within the National Park. These three Ski Centres are hubs of learning, adventure and heaps of fun. Lessons are available for the newbies, hours of fun if you can already slide, and plenty of chances to warm your toes and refuel in the cafes. Check them out. Adventure guaranteed. Loch Insh Outdoor Centre sits in a breathtaking location - and there is just loads to do! This winter you can join them every Friday and Saturday night for floodlit ski nights on their new pro slope.

What an awesome evening?! These open sessions mean anyone can come along, and if you don’t fancy skiing you can pop your skates on and get on the Glice Rink which is Lochside (a jaw dropping location)…or just sit in the Boathouse Restaurant with a Cairngorms gin and tonic and enjoy the moonlit Loch. Perfect.

The Aviemore Ice Rink is another perfect spot to get your skates on or try some curling, check their calendar for Snow Disco dates - perfect for the kids! Another great option is Aviemore Kart Raceway - blooming brilliant fun.

Adventure on four wheels is always great fun. Check out the quad biking treks at Rothiemurchus. Led by a fully experienced guide, your trek will take you along a stunning network of tracks and trails around Rothiemurchus and see the estate’s herd of Highland Coos! This is a chance to get into the depths of a winter's day with folk who really know their stuff.

Fancy taking the plunge and taking on a real hard core Cairngorms winters day?! You can discover Scotland’s majestic winter mountains with Hillgoers. These guys will take care of the safety, supply the winter kit (from crampons, ice axes or hot chocolates!) and give you an experience to remember. A private guided day in the Cairngorms will be challenging, exhilarating and one to remember.

Neil Owen

Life is all about balance… and after a day in the fresh air we all need to find some cosiness… keep things simple, leave the phone on silent; embrace the peace, time and comfort of being with your favourite people in a beautiful spot. A late afternoon walk before hunkering down in front of a roaring fire, a steaming hot chocolate at hand and a film classic sounds like a perfect combination.

There are welcoming pubs, cafes and restaurants throughout the Cairngorms. The Fife Arms in Braemar, Balmoral Arms in Ballater, Andersons Restaurant or The Boat Country Hotel at Boat of Garten, the Rowan Tree Country Hotel and Restaurant near Aviemore, The Old Post Office in Kincraig… perfect for eating, drinking and unwinding.

The classic Cairngorms choice to warm your cockles of course is a good old whisky (or two!). Tours and tastings take place in many of the National Park’s distilleries, this is a classic winter pastime for the Highlands…oh and we’ve got gin too, there is a wee dram for everyone so have fun finding yours!

This is just a snapshot of winter in the Cairngorms… full of fun, laughs and magic. The perfect place to balance adventure with relaxation…to fill your heart with joy and your soul with memories. This isn’t just a place, it's a feeling, something you can’t touch but that you take with you.

11Let the Cairngorms touch your soul this winter.

Dalwhinne Ewan

Seeing the Cairngorms by campervan is a wonderful way to experience the many different sights, sounds and landscapes here, while also enjoying our local communities and their amazing hospitality. So we created...

CAMPERVAN MAP GUIDE

helping you on your adventures

www.visitcairngorms.com

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