Aviemore
Map of this area

Set in the Spey valley on the western fringes of the Cairngorms, Aviemore, with skiing in winter and a range of summer activities, is Scotland's premier all-year resort. The building of the Aviemore Centre in the mid 1960s transformed this small village, which had grown up around the railway station, into a bustling centre offering day and night entertainment and indoor and outdoor sports and pastimes. Attractions include indoor swimming pools, ice rink, whisky centre, water sports centre, dry ski slope.

Strathspey Railway

The sounds and smells on this 5-mile journey between Aviemore and Boat of Garten are evocative reminders of times not so distant.

Osprey Centre

Access to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' hide within the sanctuary area is by a clearly marked path only 5 minutes walk. The hide is equipped with binoculars and telescopes. After an absence of 40 years, the osprey returned to breed in Britain choosing a nest site by Loch Garten, within the ancient Abernethy pine forest. Operation Osprey was started to give total protection during the breeding season, and the area round the tree-top eyrie was declared a bird sanctuary. In 1975 the nesting area, and surrounding woodland, loch and moor, was declared a nature reserve with open access to visitors.

Landmark Forest Heritage Park

The Highlander film and "Man in the Highlands" exhibition are an excellent introduction to the Scottish Highlands. A forestry heritage park. forest trails including a tree-top trail, nature centre and adventure playground are all part of the centre.

Speyside Heather Garden Centre

A colourful display of over 300 varieties of heather in a beautiful setting near the River Spey. An exhibition in the visitor centre presents the historical and modern uses of heather: thatching, basket-ware, wool dyeing.

Highland Wildlife Park

The initial drive-through area includes herds of free ranging European bison, red deer, wild horses, Soay sheep from St Kilda, ibex (wild goat) and shaggy Highland cattle. In the walk-about section are wild cats, badgers, polecats, pine martens, beavers, golden eagles, wolves, grouse and capercaillie.

Highland Folk Museum, Kingussie

The initial exhibitions in the reception building are an introduction to Highland life, clothes, in particular tartans and Highland dress, and musical instruments. The open-air section includes a black house typical of the Western Isles with its vegetable enclosure, lazy beds, the clack mill and a turf-walled building. An agricultural section shows the tools and techniques of what was essentially a mode of subsistence farming, with beyond, a display of domestic tools, crafts and furniture.

If you would like to visit this area as part of a highly personalized small group tour of my native Scotland please e-mail me: