With its cinematic, rugged landscapes and a rare silence that permeates the mountains, Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park beckons adventurous spirits and nature lovers. From exhilarating snow sports and awe-inspiring mountain trails to castles, distilleries, and a wildlife park, there’s something to keep the whole family entertained. Aviemore, a charming ski resort in the northwest of Cairngorms National Park, provides the perfect base to begin your outdoor adventures.
A shot from the funicular railway looking down from Cairngorm Mountain range in the Scottish Highlands towards Loch Morlich
The funicular railway takes skiers and tourits to the top station at 3,600 feet, not far from the summit of Cairngorm Mountain in the Cairngorm National Park near Aviemore, Scotland. One car ascends the mountain as another descends. Cairngorm Mountain is popular with skiers in the winter and tourists and hillwalkers in the summer.
A herd of reindeers in the Cairngorms with the scenic mountains in the background
Must-Do: Discover more than 18 miles of ski runs at Cairngorm Mountain through the winter months or join a guided walk along the area’s scenic trails during spring and summer. For a more relaxed ascent, travel via Cairngorm’s Funicular Mountain Railway and enjoy panoramic views of the mountains and pine forests along the way.
Eat: After a day outdoors, warm up by the roaring log fire at The Old Bridge Inn—a cozy Highland gastropub offering top-notch food, whiskey, and live music. From traditional Sunday roasts with all the trimmings to loaded burgers with twice-cooked, hand-cut chips, there is something for all tastes. There’s a beer garden, too, with scenic views of the River Spey.
Day Trip: Dedicate a full day to roller coaster thrills at Silver Dollar City, a 61-acre theme park with an 1880s mining town twist. With more than 40 rides, highlights include the Time Traveler — the world’s fastest, tallest, and steepest spinning roller coaster (it reaches 50 miles per hour and has a 95-foot-tall vertical loop) — and Fire in the Hole, an indoor, family-friendly coaster that whizzes through the dark.
