Aviemore

Aviemore is a very busy, popular town used year round as a base from which to explore the Cairngorms National Park - discover a loch, mountain and forests.

It is also home to the Strathspey Steam Railway and nearby is the Highland Wildlife Park. You could easily spend up to a week here exploring everything the area has to offer.

Loch Morlich Cairngorms National Park near Aviemore

Where to visit

SCENIC BUS JOURNEY: THE AVIEMORE ADVENTURER

The Aviemore Adventurer service departs regularly from Aviemore station and makes its way through the Glenmore Forest Park and past Loch Morlich before climbing the Cairngorm Mountain - a 20 minute journey in total.

There are lots of places of interest along the way, so ask about an unlimited travel ticket as you will probably want the flexibility to get on and off the bus to visit the various attractions.

For the more energetic there is a footpath all the way from Aviemore to the top of Cairngorm Mountain.

Rothiemurchus Estate Forest

The bus winds its way through the Rothiemurchus Estate Forest. This is one of the few places in Scotland where the original Caledonian Pine Forest still exists. The area is abundant in local wildlife including the native red squirrel, deer and ospreys.

Most visitors start at the Rothiemurchus Centre which is the main office for the estate and also has a cafe. It is the first stop for the bus or you can walk from the station in about 30 minutes as a footpath is provided.

There are many activities available at the estate including archery, canoeing, paddle boarding, walking, safaris and wildlife watching.

The bus then makes its way to Loch Morlich and travels alongside the loch for its full length. This area is filled with footpaths so alight anywhere in the area for walking. It is also a popular location for picnics.

Glenmore Forest Park

At the end of the loch is the Glenmore Forest Park. It is a continuation of the Caledonian pine forest of Rothiemurchus.

The Glenmore Visitor Centre provides information on the walking and cycling opportunities around the park and has a cafe and toilets. There are numerous walks from a half hour to all day around the area with a choice of both low and high-level walks.

Loch Morlich

Loch Morlich is next to the park and with its Cairngorm Mountain backdrop is one of Scotland's most popular leisure lochs and one of our favourite places to visit.

Unusually it has a pleasant sandy beach which is ideal for picnics and is one of the winners of Scotland’s Beach Awards 2025. The Loch Morlich Trail is a 3 and a half mile circuit round the loch which is a favourite activity of ours.

Loch Morlich Watersports offers a range of watersports including paddle boarding, kayaking and sailing - with tuition and equipment hire available, as well as mountain biking. There is also a beach cafe.

Cairngorm Mountain and Funicular Railway

Return to the bus for the final leg of the journey to the Cairngorm Mountain, which at 1245 meters (4,084 feet) is the sixth highest peak in Britain.

The mountain is popular with hill walkers and a look at a map will show the large number of high level walks and climbs around the summit and onto surrounding peaks. In winter it is popular as a winter sports and activities resort with equipment hire.

There is also a funicular railway to the summit, which is open all year round and departs from the bus arrival point. At the top is a viewing terrace, exhibition, the UK's highest restaurant, a cafe and a shop.

At the base station you can explore the Wild Mountain Garden, the Coire Cas Viewpoint, and wildlife hide with its 360° Camera Obscura. The garden is also home to the highest phone box in the UK, which is still operational. There is also the Lower Cas Loop trail which is around 1 mile (1.5 km) in length.

Wild Mountain Garden Base Station Cairngorm Mountain

Highest phone box in the UK at Cairngorm Mountain

STRATHSPEY STEAM RAILWAY

The Strathspey Railway takes visitors on a scenic journey to Boat of Garten and Broomhill by steam train. The line starts in Aviemore and travels through the heart of the National Park, and must offer some of the finest scenery of all the UK’s steam railways.

From Aviemore passengers are treated to a pine forest and heather filled view of the Cairngorm Mountain range, while after Boat of Garten the scenery changes to farmland, while running alongside the River Spey.

Please note that the Steam Railway ticket office is on Platform 3 at Aviemore Station rather than the main ticket office.

See our guide to the Strathspey Railway

Strathspey Railway steam engine at Aviemore station

CRAIGELLACHIE NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE

Behind the town is the reserve on a hill, simply follow the signs from the centre. There are a range of trails from half a mile to nearly 3 miles.

The reserve is renowned for its birch trees and peregrine falcons which often nest high on the rocky crags.

View from Craigellachie National Nature Reserve Aviemore

Craigellachie National Nature Reserve Aviemore

CAIRNGORM BREWERY

Located on the edge of the village, this brewery uses water from the Cairngorm Mountains.

They have a shop on site selling Cairngorm Brewery and Loch Ness Brewery products, and a Tap Room, but do not offer tours. Tasting experiences are available for groups of six or more.

Founded in 2001, they produce a selection of craft beers including Cairngorm Wildcat - Scotland CAMRA "Premium Bitters" Beer of the Year 2025. Their Black Gold beer is a finalist for the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards 2025 in the Beer and Cider Category.

NEARBY HIGHLAND WILDLIFE PARK, KINCRAIG

This popular attraction is home to a wide range of animals including bison, wolves, snow leopard, polar bears and tigers.

The park is in two parts: drive through and walk through, so visitors without a car can still enjoy the walk through areas (a private guided tour can also be booked for the drive through reserve for an extra charge).

There is an interpretation centre, shop and cafe on site. There is also the opportunity to be Warden for the Day, where you may actually join with the keeper to help look after the animals.

From Aviemore it is 15 minutes' bus journey to the end of the entrance road followed by half a mile walk. See Stagecoach service 39 and alight at stop 'Kincraig, Wildlife Park Road End'.

Both the website and a staff member we spoke to on site were welcoming of visitors arriving without a car and provided more information about this than is usual for visitor attractions.

SAVING! They offer one free child admission when you show a valid Kids for a Quid train ticket on arrival.

We had trouble narrowing down the photos as there is so much to see!

Kincraig Wildlife Park Road End bus stop

Tigers at Highland Wildlife Park Kincraig

Bison at Highland Wildlife Park Kincraig

Red panda at Highland Wildlife Park Kincraig

Turkmenian markhor at Highland Wildlife Park Kincraig

Japanese macaques at Highland Wildlife Park Kincraig

NEARBY GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY

The historic town of Grantown-on-Spey dates from 1765 and sits by the beautiful River Spey. In the Victorian era it was a favourite holiday destination. Today it is still thriving and popular.

There are many independent shops, attractive stone buildings and picturesque walks.

See our Guide to Aviemore to Grantown-on-Spey for details of the bus journey, also stopping at the charming small villages of Boat of Garten and Nethy Bridge.