There are some really cool things to do in the Cairngorms National Park, which is an easy weekend away from Edinburgh, Stirling, Dundee, Aberdeen or Inverness. Drive the historic Old Military Road through Glenshee and take in the stunning landscapes from one of Scotland’s most dramatic and picturesque roads. Enjoy panoramic mountain views from the Cairnwell Chairlift. Follow ancient trails around Glenlivet to uncover the area’s whisky smuggling history or whizz through the park on a quad bike. Just a few hours’ drive from Edinburgh, the Cairngorms National Park is a convenient escape from the city with some unique things to experience amongst its dramatic terrain.
The Old Military Road through Glenshee is a spectacular route that takes you deep into the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Built in the 18th century as part of a network of military roads designed to control the Highlands, it now offers a fascinating journey through some of Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes. The Old Military road winds through rugged mountains and verdant glens. As you take each twist and turn of the road you’ll see breathtaking scenery emerge. Driving this historic route is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the Highlands, with towering peaks, sweeping valleys and wildlife that thrives in this unspoilt environment.
A drive along the Old Military Road is more than just a scenic drive – it’s a chance to explore the history of the Cairngorms. There are plenty of spots to pull over and take in the surroundings, with opportunities for hillwalking, photography and wildlife spotting. Red deer often roam the hillsides and if you are lucky you may see a golden eagles soaring overhead. The road also passes through famous Highland villages such as Braemar, where perhaps the most famous Highland Games – the Braemar Gathering – takes place. You will also pass Balmoral Castle and many other places of interest along the way.
Exploring Scotland in a VW campervan is all about discovering hidden gems, and the Cairnwell Chairlift at Glenshee is one of them. Operating daily from June to September, weather permitting, between 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM, this chairlift provides an easy ride to the highest point of the ski centre, opening up stunning views of the surrounding peaks. From the summit, visitors are treated to panoramic views across the peaks and valleys of the National Park, making it an ideal destination for photographers. For those who enjoy hiking – but not too much hiking – the lift provides a convenient starting point for a short climb to the summit of the Cairnwell, one of Scotland’s most accessible Munros.
Follow in the Footsteps of Smugglers
The Cairngorms have a long history of whisky distilling – and, in the past, smuggling – dating back to the 18th and early 19th centuries, when illegal distilling was widespread across the Highlands. High taxation on whisky production drove many local distillers to operate in secret, using the region’s untamed terrain and secluded paths to evade excise officers. Smugglers used a network of secretive paths through the hills and forests of the Cairngorms to transport illicitly distilled whisky to sell elsewhere. These Smugglers’ Trails often followed ancient drove roads and took advantage of the landscape’s natural cover. Today, you can follow some of these trails, such as those around Glenlivet, to evoke the clandestine past of the Cairngorms with remnants of old still sites and historic routes that once played a crucial role in Scotland’s whisky heritage.
Glenlivet Hill Trek
Sadly, only available until 16th April 2025, this company offers the “Shanks Pony” guided walking tour, led by Charlie Ironside, which follows George Smith’s smuggling trails around Glenlivet. The tour starts at The Glenlivet Distillery and includes visits to 16th-century Blairfindy Castle, Josie’s Well, and the Peat Reek Bothy, where participants can enjoy a complimentary dram. The walk also covers the site of the original Glenlivet Distillery built in 1824 and follows the Smugglers Trail across the hill.
There are also a number of smuggler themed safaris in either Landrovers or 8 wheeled off roaders. Again, only available until April 16th 2025 due to retirement.
Smugglers Trail
For a self-guided option, the Smugglers Trail near Ballindalloch, Moray, is a 9.7 km circular route that takes approximately 2 hours and 13 minutes to complete. This moderately challenging trail offers a chance to walk paths historically used by whisky smugglers.
Quad Bike Treks
An exhilarating way to experience the raw beauty of Scotland’s largest national park from a different perspective is to take a Quad Bike safari. The trails cut through towering pine forests, along rivers and across open moorland. It’s a phenomenal way to immerse yourself in the heart of the Highland landscape. The terrain is rugged and ever-changing, surrounded by 360 degree mountain views and with the prospect of a glimpse of red deer or birds of prey soaring overhead.
Cairngorm Quad Treks
Based in the Dalraddy Holiday Park on the Alvie Estate near Aviemore, this family-run business offer quad bike treks along scenic routes alongside the River Spey and through the woodland and heather moorland. You will take the bikes over a variety of terrains and even in the water. Routes can be tailored to riders’ experience level and physical ability. Unlike most other Quad Trek businesses, the tours are available for both adults and younger children (9 and above) and there are even mini quad bikes available for the real tinies (5 and above).
Cairngorm Quad Treks are open all year round. They close for one day a year – Christmas Day! They also cater for groups of all sizes and encourage people to contact them to discuss any special requirements or preferences for their group.
Nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland’s only free-ranging reindeer herd offers a truly magical experience. These gentle creatures have roamed the hills here since 1952, when they were reintroduced to their natural habitat after centuries of absence. Visiting the herd is a unique opportunity to see reindeer up close in Scotland.
There are about 150 reindeer in the herd, most range free on the Cairngorm Mountains, with the rest on the Glenlivet Estate, about 30 miles apart. The best way to see the herd is by taking one of the daily guided Hill Trips, leaving from the Reindeer Centre shop in Glenmore (except Jan-early Feb). During the Winter, the hill trip is dependent on the weather. Also on whether they can find the herd! Meet at the shop in Glenmore and then you’ll need your own vehicle to drive to the start of the trail to find the reindeer herd. Then its a guided 20 or 30 minute walk over rough terrain to reach the herd.
When you are with the herd you will be right in amongst them and be able to feed them by hand but they are not keen on being petted so pre-warn any children that you can’t give Rudolph a stroke. Meeting these friendly animals in their natural surroundings is still an unforgettable experience for all ages.
The guide from the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre will provide an insight into the daily lives of the herd, from their seasonal migrations to their specialised diet and thick winter coats. You’ll discover what makes them so well-suited to the rugged Scottish landscape. It’s an unusual day out for families, nature lovers, and anyone looking to experience some Arctic magic right here in Scotland. Plus, with the centre only closed during January, you can visit in any season and see how the reindeer adapt to the ever-changing Highland weather.
Tomintoul and Glenlivet – Cairngorms Dark Sky Park
Tomintoul & Glenlivet, in the Cairngorms National Park have designated Dark Sky Park status. The park has multiple Dark Skies Discovery Sites – easily accessible sites without light pollution from which to discover the night skies. The Cairngorm’s wide open spaces and large expanses of dark skies create perfect conditions. The nearby mountains create incredible silhouettes against the night sky, offering fantastic opportunities for astrophotography.
The Howe of Torbeg near Ballater run stargazing events throughout the winter. Or take a stargazing tour with astronomer Stephen Mackintosh of Highland Astronomy. Stephen is a freelance astronomer, night sky photographer and educator based in the Highlands of Scotland. Small group tours of 1-4 leave from Inverness for a flat fee of £140.
Stargazing walk and Storytelling in the Cairngorms
Take an evening stroll in the Cairngorms to stargaze and explore Scotland’s ancient culture through Gaelic and Pictish stories of the stars from thousands of years ago. Although less well known the Gaelic myths are just as impressive as the Greek myths. The skies provide the stage for tales of characters and their adventures, with stories from the four cities of the Northern Islands of warrior goddesses, one-eyed giants, shapeshifting creatures and even bad-tempered cows. Book online with Strathspey Story Walks.
Art Installations & Sculptures in the Mountains
Cairngorms National Park is home to not one, but two, sets of art installations and sculptures. The first of these are a series of thought-provoking sculptures and architectural pieces designed to enhance the already spectacular landscape. Dotted along key viewpoints, these installations provide a fresh lens on the natural beauty of the Cairngorms National Park, framing panoramic vistas and offering a moment of quiet reflection.
Each installation provides a new reason to pause, offering a quiet spot to sit and enjoy the landscape or a fresh perspective on the surroundings. These pieces add something special to the journey and encourage a deeper connection with the area. Travelling between these installations is straightforward via the Snow Roads Scenic Route connecting Blairgowrie to Grantown-on-Spey. Each installation is accessible from the main road, with parking available nearby.
The Watchers is a contemporary art installation comprising four sculptural seats designed by John Kennedy. They are made from folded steel and resemble prehistoric standing stones. You’ll find The Watchers along the A939 Lecht Road, near the remains of Corgarff Castle. At an elevation of 637 meters (2,090 feet) they provide a viewpoint with panoramic views over the surrounding landscape.
Adjacent to The Watchers is a sculpture which predates them by Louise Gardiner called A Moment in Time. This standing stone sculpture is designed to frame telescopic views of Corgarff Castle, enhancing the visual connection between the artworks and the surrounding landscape.
Connecting Contours is a third striking art installation in the Cairngorms National Park. It celebrates the interconnectedness of nature and human experience in the Cairngorms. Located at the south side of the Park, near the Devil’s Elbow, it was designed to reflect the rolling contours of the surrounding mountains and invites visitors to engage with the landscape in a new and thought-provoking way.
Still: Found just before Tomintoul, this installation by Angus Ritchie invites contemplation of the vast landscape and encourages visitors to pause and immerse themselves in its tranquillity. The structure is a mirrored cube open on two sides and sat atop gabions of quarried stone. The piece draws inspiration from the natural stillness of the Cairngorms, reflecting the ever-changing light and weather.
The Frank Bruce Sculpture Trail, near Feshiebridge in the Cairngorms National Park, features a collection of wooden and stone sculptures by the late artist Frank Bruce. Bruce intended for his wooden sculptures to naturally decay and return to the earth, symbolizing the transient nature of life.
The sculpture trail is a short yet remarkable walk, blending Bruce’s thought-provoking artwork with the Cairngorm’s mountain scenery. Most of the sculptures on the trail are made from wood, some of them carved from ancient pines from the forest they are once again part of.
While some wooden sculptures have decayed as intended by the artist, the three stone sculptures remain intact, serving as lasting tributes to Frank Bruce’s artistic vision. Informational plaques accompany many of the sculptures, offering insights into the artist’s perspectives on society and the environment.
The trail is signposted from the designated car park and Bruce’s intricate wooden carvings of faces and figures soon appear as you begin to follow it. The route gently ascends to a higher track, leading to a right turn onto a footpath.
As you weave through the enchanting forest, you’ll come across an old stone wall that once surrounded the Invereshie House garden. Entering the walled section allows one to appreciate Bruce’s work further and relax at one of the picnic tables. Exiting via the gate at the far end, take a left turn to continue toward the River Feshie, where the tranquil setting offers a perfect spot to take in the surroundings. A wooden bridge provides a crossing over the river, and following the yellow trail marker near the telegraph pole will guide you further along the walk.
Beyond the old stone bridge, the path continues uphill alongside homes before transitioning to a trail leading deeper into the glen. Eventually, a signpost directs walkers to veer right onto an ascending path which runs parallel to a stone wall. Take a moment to absorb the stunning views before descending onto a forest track, which soon connects with a paved road leading back to the starting point at the car park.
To reach the Lower Glen Feshie and Frank Bruce Sculpture Trail from Dalwhinnie, begin by heading north on General Wade’s Military Road (A889) for about 0.6 miles. Turn right onto the same road and continue for another 5 miles before merging onto the A9 toward The Brae. After travelling approximately 13.4 miles, turn right onto The Brae and proceed for 1.2 miles before making a left onto B970. Less than a mile down this road, near Feshiebridge, you’ll find the Forestry Commission car park on the left, marking the walk’s starting point. Full directions for the sculpture trail from Walk Highlands.
Big Sky Campers Campervans for Hire
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We hope you are inspired by our choice of things to do in the Cairngorms National Park. Hiring a campervan to explore the Cairngorms gives you the freedom to go at your own pace and pause wherever you want. No need to worry about changing weather conditions with your own home on wheels. All our campervans for hire are heated and insulated and come fully equipped with everything you will need for your roadtrip in Scotland. Everything is included in the price, including extra sets of bedding if requested.
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