At the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, this valley of the River Spey with its ancient pinewoods, boasts some of Scotland’s finest attractions and a great range of outdoor activities.
Find accommodation around the mountain resort of Aviemore by the River Spey. Select your accommodation type below.
Wildlife park, waterslides, preserved steam railway, Britain’s highest funicular railway and lots more – all set against a backdrop of mountains and pinewoods.
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Learn to windsurf or dinghy-sail, take a canoe on the Spey, go pony-trekking (the sport was invented here), shoot clays, fish, golf – or go walking. There’s a huge choice in the Cairngorms National Park.
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The sport of skiing began in Scotland before the end of the 19th century - but was a far cry from today’s ski and snowboarding holidays. Today, Scotland has five ski centres, all within easy reach of winter holiday accommodation or resorts.
Family days out in Scotland are easy to find with a whole range of attractions, with a variety of themes, catering for the diverse needs of all age groups.
A real Scotland adventure in stunning scenery can take many forms. It may well involve water – everything from gentle canoeing to the adrenalin rush of white water rafting! The holiday adventure experience afloat also takes in sea kayaking, especially around the spectacular western seaboard of Scotland.
From remote lochans where the walk in is part of the experience, to large lochs with boat hire, Scotland has plenty of loch fishing.
Scotland has a great tradition of gardening and horticulture – partly through the work of generations of Scottish plant-hunters, such as David Douglas and George Forrest, who went abroad to bring back new species and give their names to many familiar garden plants of today.
With crested tits and crossbills in the pinewoods, and ospreys now common, this is great country for birdwatchers. Among the mammals, reintroduced reindeer are a local speciality.
This valley of the River Spey has some of the best heathland golf in Britain. Golfers who have discovered the Cairngorms came back time and time again.
The communities and little towns of the Cairngorms National Park have a variety of origins – but all welcome visitors and make excellent bases for further exploring.
No where else in-land has such great sandy beaches. Loch Morlich, with a wide stretch of fine sand beside the pine trees, is the place to be on a hot sunny day. Loch Laggan in the west has an equally large beach accessed from the A86, at the east end of the loch.
Loch Morlich Watersports
