Top Things to Do in the Cairngorms

The Speyside Way, the local long distance route, starts in Spey Bay and finishes officially in our own Highland boom-town of Aviemore, although the route has been extended to Newtonmore via Kincraig. Due to the relatively short distance and easy terrain, the Speyside Way is good for the trekker new to the sport and wanting to ease into the experience. The Speyside Way passes disused rail stations, beautiful moorland, and a Highland coo or two. Route description here. There is also a more challenging off-shoot, linking Ballindalloch to Tomintoul, it’s harder than the rest of the Speyside Way due to its ascent and exposure, but it’s worth the effort as the views are incredible.

Tip: Not keen on dedicating several days and 80-100 miles to a hike? The route consists of 8 sections so you can pick and choose just one to do for a day. The section between Boat of Garten and Aviemore is a great 2-hour walk or short bike ride. It includes beautiful views across to the Cairngorms, heather heathland, photogenic Scots Pines, and a birch tree forest.

Alternatively – the SnowRoads offer an incredibly scenic 90-mile road trip through the east section of the Cairngorms National Park, linking up Grantown-on-Spey in the north and Blairgowrie in the south, outside of the park.

This is something that I remember being amazed about when I first moved to the Cairngorms.

My walk to work would involve sightings of at least ten wild rabbits just walking out of the village. I also saw a deer calf scampering across the bicycle path and a mole once (exciting, my first time seeing one). My walk would often feature a bird of prey swooping overhead, and to finish things off, my favourite wildlife encounter was two red squirrels having a violent spat between several trees.

Due to the variation of the landscape, the park is home to an abundance of interesting, rare and endangered species. Examples of this include the shy wildcat, pine martens, capercaillies, ospreys, deer and even reindeer.

• Spotting wildlife here can be as easy as paying a little bit of attention on a hike, but you can also go on a guided wildlife walk if it’s an absolute must-do activity.
• Some quick ways to get a guaranteed wildlife encounter include a visit to the Osprey Centre for a wander in the beautiful reserve.
• Alternatively, have a stroll along the Wild Cat Trail in Newtonmore, or even hand-feed reindeer on a guided tour.
• The Highland Wildlife Park is part of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and plays an important part in the conservation of various species globally. Pay them a visit to meet a wolf pack, snow leopards, wild cats and a host of other incredible animals.
• Get yourself into a hide – a great example is a hide near Tomintoul, particularly good for spotting lapwing.
• Explore the mountain species of the Cairngorms on our incredible Scottish Highlands Wildlife Adventure.

The benefit of the Cairngorms being a tourist destination and a beautiful place to live in is the numerous high-quality and boutique cafes popping up in the park.

As I’ve not been to every cafe and tried every scone, I don’t feel qualified to deliver a complete cafe review for the entire park (it’s rather big). Here are some favourites, though, to get you started.

• Many other residents of the park were heartbroken when the Mountain Cafe closed down at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was the absolute shining star of the cafe scene in the Cairngorms and what I imagined heaven may look like to a lot of people. I’m a little bit afraid to admit it in an office full of sweet-toothed cake lovers, but I’m not that big a fan of cake. However, the Mountain Cafe made me rethink my position on cake altogether. Threatening to spill over the sides of the counter, the cake selection was vast, colourful and very varied. Muffins, cakes, bakes, brownies, squares, cookies and home-baked bread aplenty. Luckily the team at Mountain Cafe are ingenious and resilient and bounced back with a bakery pop-up in Grantown on Spey called KJ’s Bothy Bakery, which sells the same delicious bakes! Be sure to check it out.
• The Druie and the Barn in Rothiemurchus provides a reliable source of delicious scones and gluten-free brownies. More than anything, their savoury lunch options are of the more-ish kind that are perfect after a long hike out in the hills. The Druie embraces the best of the Scottish natural larder, frequently using locally sourced ingredients. The menu features venison, homemade bread and locally roasted coffee.
• The Bothy in Ballater is one that I remember from one of my ventures into the Cairngorms National Park before I moved here. I clearly remember being squeezed into the corner seat with my group of giggling girls. Them all tucking into their cakes and scones (with great delight), and me slurping away at my soup in cake-protest. The atmosphere was great, and the cafe was cosy. This is the place to go on a rainy morning whilst you are waiting for the weather to clear. The sister company the Bothy Braemar comes highly recommended as well (great views).
• People travel far and wide and test their parking skills for the pizzas, focaccias and cinnamon doughnuts from the Kincraig Old Post Office & Gallery Cafe – an adorable art gallery and cafe which serves incredible food throughout the day with indoor and outdoor seating and also take away. If you’re in Kincraig anyways, be sure to check out the bakery bus Reviving Food -> the sourdough bread, and artisan pastries are also worth travelling for.
• A lovely and beautifully located cafe is the Tarmachan Cafe in Crathie. Everyone raves about the simple but delicious fare, especially the homemade bread. Perfect spot to refuel after a hike. Like many other cafes in the park, it’s worth checking their opening hours and service levels ahead of time.
• A local favourite, Nethy House in Nethybridge serves delicious cakes and hot drinks and caters equally to savoury and sweet lovers, with also plenty of options for vegans and the gluten-free. Check their Facebook page for opening hours.
• The Carriage – Cafe, Tearoom & Bistro in Ballater is worth a visit for the atmosphere alone, although it helps that they serve scrumptious lunches too. The cafe serves seasonal soups and sandwiches, and you can get an unforgettable champagne afternoon tea experience in the traditional tea room.
• Not a cafe – but worth a mention, and the best place to get a delicious and fancy pub lunch in Braemar is the Flying Stag Bar inside the Fife Arms Hotel. The interior design is spectacular, and the bar has a great ambience, a favourite among locals and hotel residents.
• Also not a cafe, but if you fancy indulging in some proper delicious grub, then Alvie Forest Food is a great shout. This is a static food truck based next to the Dalraddy Holiday Park and serves up incredibly indulgent fries, burgers, cakes and daily specials that often feature locally foraged ingredients. It’s a must-try if you’re in the area and great for lunch or dinner.