Scotland · City Guide

Aviemore

Aviemore is Scotland's premier mountain resort, the main gateway to the Cairngorms National Park and a year-round outdoor destination combining outstanding skiing and snowboarding at Cairngorm Mountain, exceptional hiking, mountain biking, osprey watching at Loch Garten and the beautiful Strathspey valley. Close to the Speyside whisky region and surrounded by ancient Caledonian pine forest, Aviemore provides an outstanding base for experiencing the Scottish Highlands at their most dramatic.

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Elect's take

"Aviemore has a quality of mountain resort life that I find genuinely enjoyable. The combination of excellent skiing, outstanding summer walking, the Caledonian pine forest and proximity to Speyside whisky distilleries creates a destination that rewards every season."

Cairngorm Mountain provides Scotland's most developed ski resort with reasonable snowfall reliability and outstanding high-mountain scenery accessible year-round by funicular railway. The Rothiemurchus estate surrounding Aviemore provides outstanding walking through ancient Caledonian pine forest, loch scenery and wildlife including red squirrels, ospreys and crested tits. Loch Garten is famous for the osprey nest that allowed generations of visitors to observe these magnificent birds raising their young. The Speyside Malt Whisky Trail with distilleries including Glenfarclas, Aberlour and Cardhu is approximately 30 minutes east. The Highland Folk Museum at Newtonmore provides excellent traditional Scottish life exhibits.

Best time to visit

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

How to get there

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Airports
Inverness (INV)
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Rail
Aviemore
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Aviemore is approximately 30 minutes from Inverness by rail and approximately 2.5 hours from Edinburgh by road.

What to expect

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Cairngorm Mountain Skiing

Scotland's premier ski resort in Britain's largest national park.

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Caledonian Pine Forest

Ancient Rothiemurchus forest with exceptional wildlife and outstanding walking.

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Osprey Watching

Outstanding osprey observation at the famous Loch Garten nest site.

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Speyside Whisky Trail

Outstanding distillery experiences approximately 30 minutes east through beautiful glens.

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Cairngorm Hiking

Exceptional high-mountain walking including Ben Macdui, Britain's second highest peak.

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Highland Wildlife

Red squirrels, capercaillie, red kites and diverse Highland wildlife throughout the park.


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