This short itinerary will give you a taste of the Highlands if you only have a couple of days to spare – you will experience the beautiful Cairngorms National Park and Loch Ness camping.
Cairngorms National Park and Loch Ness Camping
Route Overview
Highlights:
This trip is great when you want to see as much as you can of Scotland but only have a short space of time. You’ll get a sense of the Highlands and experience the beauty and tranquility of Loch Ness camping.
Places to see:
Dunkeld, Pitlochry or Aberfeldy, Cairngorms, Loch Ness, Fort Augustus
Total time/distance: 2/3 days depending on stops
Edinburgh to the Cairngorms via Pitlochry is about 3.5 hours. Aviemore to Fort Augustus via Loch Ness can be done in a few hours, but there are so many sights along the way we suggest making a day of it. Fort Augustus back to Edinburgh will take around 3.5 hours.
Cairngorms and Loch Ness Camping Route Stage1: Cairngorms National Park
Route Overview
From Edinburgh head north towards Inverness on the A9. The route is the most direct to the Highlands. If you are not rushing, then stop at Dunkeld and take a walk to the old Abbey along the banks of the River Tay. If you have the time to spend the night then there is plenty to do in Dunkeld at night. There is a campsite, Invermill Farm Campsite, within walking distance and just across the river.
As soon as you pass Pitlochry you will see the peak of Schiehallion which is very distinctive. If you are planning on bagging a munro (a mountain over 3000 ft or 914 m) on your trip to Scotland, this is a good first Munro to attempt. Pitlochry is a good place for a stop or head a little further north and visit Aberfeldy. Both are lovely Scottish towns.
Carry on heading north and turn off the A9 at Aviemore towards the Cairngorms National Park. It’s a wonderful place to visit for lovers of the outdoors. There are hundreds of trails for walking and cycling and the area is well-signposted and managed by the Park Rangers.
There are lots of places to camp in the Cairngorms but Glenmore Campsite is a good choice and a favourite with our customers. It is in a lovely forest setting with views of the mountains, and direct access to the shores of Loch Morlich. In the evening you can come back from the day’s activities, get your campervan ready for the night and then go and enjoy an evening of music at the Pine Martin bar on site. Gilly will probably be playing his guitar with friends and there are often sing songs later on in the evening.
If you have arrived here after a stay in Edinburgh, then we recommend spending a couple of nights here so that you can really enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and stunning mountain views.
What to See and Do
Mountain biking & Water Sports
The Aviemore area is a hub for mountain biking enthusiasts, with trails suitable for all abilities. Rent a bike and explore the varied terrain, from challenging downhill descents to leisurely forest trails. The Rothiemurchus Estate, located near Aviemore, is a popular destination for biking, offering a network of routes surrounded by ancient woodlands and serene lochs.
Water lovers will enjoy Loch Morlich, a stunning freshwater loch just a short drive from Aviemore. Wild swimmers love its crystal clear waters. Canoeing and paddleboarding are also popular activities on the loch, or you can just enjoy its sandy beaches and peaceful atmosphere from the shore.
Days Out Near Aviemore
The Strathspey Steam Railway offers a nostalgic journey on a a vintage steam train through the stunning Spey Valley. You can enjoy a light lunch or afternoon tea on board (booking essential). It is a relatively short journey but passes through lovely countryside and its beautifully preserved carriages give you a taste of life from a bygone age.
For a taste of Scottish culture, don’t miss the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore, a short drive south from Aviemore. This living history museum offers a fascinating journey through time, with reconstructed buildings and exhibitions showcasing life in the Highlands from the 1700s to the 1960s. Costumed interpreters bring history to life so it’s fun for the little ones. It covers quite a large area so leave plenty of time for your visit.
Aviemore itself has good local amenities where you can shop for souvenirs, handmade crafts, and, of course, a selection of Scotch whiskies. There are plenty of restaurants and pubs in the town if you want to try a taste of local Scottish cuisine.
Cairngorms National Park and Loch Ness Camping Stage 2
Route Overview
From Glenmore head back towards Aviemore, take the A9 north and then take a left off towards the B862. This road takes you down the South shore of Loch Ness with spectacular views of the mountain range on the North side.
At the foot of the Loch is the historic Highland village of Dores with its beautiful view directly south over Loch Ness. Dores is only a tiny village but it does have a pub and restaurant directly facing the stunning shingle beach. It’s a good starting point for walking and there are several walking routes you can follow including the Aldourie Castle Route. A further 4 miles on from Dores there is another good view point which looks across the Loch to Urquhart Castle.
Continue on and you come to Foyers. If you want to spend some time on the shores of the Loch or visit the Falls of Foyers, you can spend the night at Loch Ness Shores Campsite.
Otherwise, continue on and the road will veer away from the shores of the Loch, travelling through a stretch of moorland before returning to Loch Ness at Fort Augustus. From here there are northerly views down the length of the Loch. There are lots of operators offering boat trips on Loch Ness from here.
If driving back to Edinburgh the same day, it will take around 3.5 hours from Fort Augustus.
Big Sky Campers Campervans for Hire
Scotland
Big Sky Campers is based in Rosyth, just outside Edinburgh. If hiring a van from us, you can easily pick up this route from our HQ. Big Sky Campers is based a short distance from Edinburgh and offer our customers free, secure parking for the duration of their hire. We are in easy reach of Edinburgh by public transport with a regular train service from Edinburgh to Inverkeithing. We are also served by the bus that comes from Edinburgh airport. If coming by public transport, we will pick customers up from nearby transport links. All our campervans for hire come fully equipped with everything you will need for a road trip to the Cairngorms and Loch Ness. There are no hidden extras – everything is included in the price, including unlimited mileage, insurance for one driver, gas bottle, camping accessories, bedding, towels and extra sets of bedding if requested.
Got a question? Give us a call.
+44 (0)7768 973804