Things to do in Aviemore and the Cairngorms in October

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Overview

October is a good time to visit Aviemore and the Cairngorms.

Aviemore and the Cairngorms has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your October trip to Aviemore and the Cairngorms. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to October. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

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Best events and things to do in Aviemore and the Cairngorms in October

Top experiences in October
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Best attractions for Aviemore and the Cairngorms in October

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Aviemore and the Cairngorms has to offer for travelers in October, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Aviemore and the Cairngorms that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Aviemore and the Cairngorms for October.
Cairn Gorm
1. Cairn Gorm
4.6
(31)
Mountain peak
Outdoor Activities
4,085-ft. mountain with a domed summit, offering hiking trails, a ski resort & a funicular.
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Fantastic views. Worth the trek! Ensure adequate clothing as it much cooler and that you have the right footwear. It is fairly challenging going down hill with snow & ice.
Gandalf must have walked up at some point and commanded the rocks to form into a nice staircase for a good chunk of the route. Well done Gandalf. One has to pass the skeletal remains of spidery ski lifts and snow machines, which looks absurd in the warmer months, but once above these there's a sense of some wildness (apart from Gandalf's DIY obvs). 10/10
Nice summit to climb (1250m) ! About 600m of difference with the starting point ! The climb is easy, can be done in family. If you want more, you can make a bigger loop going through the « Northern corries »
Spectacular hike here from Ben Macdui. Stunning and I really hope to be back for another go in the future
Disappointing- not even a KFC or Mac Donald’s, could take a tip a from Snowdon and get a train or bus to the summit. Shopping malls virtually non existent, weather was bad too! Otherwise great!
Absolutely magnificent. My daughter and I spent an incredibly breathtaking day there. The scenery is the stuff postcards are made of. Love ut and didn't want to leave. Thank you Scotland😘
for my outdoorsy brethren do not miss this spot while in Scotland.
I went up this as a teenager and 40 years later I'm trying to locate where Dad's slides were taken and it is NOT HELPED by this pin and the associated photosphere being on the wrong summit. Make sure you use a reputable map and don't just rely on your phone.
Highland Wildlife Park
2. Highland Wildlife Park
4.7
(3671)
Wildlife park
Nature & Parks
Scottish wildlife and endangered mountain/tundra animals in reserve with driving and walking areas.
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Had an amazing time exploring the park. The habitats are very beautiful and makes it less stressful for the animals. I would definitely give yourself about two hours alone to walk around the park and more time if you plan on doing any activities. Definitely worth the drive.
Amazing place for a whole family. All the enclosures are tidy and animals are well fed and clean. The place is run by people dedicated to their mission and loving animals. Had a great day by spotting wee wild cats and monkeys, tigers, wolves, camels, horses, leopards and a wolverine.
I had an incredible Tiger Experience. This was purchased as a gift so didn't really know what to expect. There was only one other person doing the Experience at the same time. We were given a H&S briefing before being allowed to feed the tigers, through the fence. It was incredible to be so close to such majestic creatures. The keepers were super informative, kind enough to take photos and allowed us to ask lots of questions. The Experience may only have lasted half an hour but I would highly recommend, if you want to get close to these amazing animals. The rest of the park is worth seeing too although you need to be quite fit and able to get around the walking part of the park. Nice cafe and facilities on site too. We arrived around 1.30pm and it wasn't busy at all.
What a wonderful day out. Right from the start when paying in the lovely gentleman who was at the booth was so lovely chatty and friendly. A genuinely pleasant and welcoming beginning he is a credit to the park as was any of the staff we met. We were so lucky to get to see every animal there. The wolfs were what we mainly went for and were not disappointed they were so close and they were having a sleep right at the fence of the walkway it was a great experience. We were so lucky with timing with the big cats also. The enclosures were clean and looked to be very well maintained. The animals looked to be in great condition and did not appear to be stressed at all which is lovely to see. We found the park to be well set out and had plenty of time to get round all the enclosures, have a bite to eat and a play in the playpark before closing time and we didn't arrive till 12. I highly recommend a day out here a great day for anyone of any age.
Thoroughly enjoyed by kids. had lots of fun. Got to see variety of animals very closely. Both pandas, snow leopard, 3 tigers. Walking the trail of caterpillar was also funny. My kids loved it.
What an amazing experience. Great selection of animals which were active due to thought out enclosures. Cafe was busy and provides lovely coffee which is worth the wait. Ample parking and the staff we interacted with were wonderful. Shout out to the gent at the entrance before the ticket booths. Really helped us as we were using Marwell Passes. Extra special thank you!
A fantastic day out. They are doing amazing work up there. The encloses are fantastic and the animals look relaxed and contented. I woukd recommend it as a great day out. Location is stunning too!
We were so excited to visit this Wildlife Park because they have Polar Bears! We were thrilled that there was a full drive-thru safari when we arrived, as we hadn’t realised this was available! Straight away, we got to see the polar bears walking along the edge of their enclosure! This was amazing and such a fun experience. We got to see lots of animals on the drive, and then headed over to the walking area. We got to see lots of talks and learnt so much about all of the animals throughout the day. The keepers were incredibly informative and were so happy to answer any follow-up questions afterwards too. My favourite was the wolves; we got to see them recall train and then being fed afterwards too. The food in the cafe was delicious and well priced also. We did have a bit of an issue with wasps in the cafe and it did ruin our meal a bit as they were EVERYWHERE. It’s obviously not the cafes fault per se, but definitely something to consider trying to resolve maybe. We had an absolutely fabulous day and would highly recommend a visit if you’re nearby! Definitely be aware there are so many hills and in this park, so if your mobility is limited this is something to consider. They do have special safari-type mobility scooters to hire out that handle the hills, if required.
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
3. Landmark Forest Adventure Park
4.7
(4210)
Amusement park
Water & Amusement Parks
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This is an amazing and fun place to go, no hidden fees just fun for all ages, We had a family trip 7 adults and 6 kids age ranging from 3 til 12. The kids loved every part - play park, water slides, maze, shooting range, tree top nets, dinosaurs and the illusion. The adults had fun doing the tree top course and the sky dive. Everything was amazing. The one problem from our visit was it was swarming with wasps. They were everywhere. Would recommend for any age 👌
Fun and good with kids - won't hold the all day but half or a bit more. Queues at peak time can see you wait anywhere from 10 to over 30 minutes - especially for the main attractions (water slides...). While there are multiple things to see and do, we felt we were coming back to a couple mainly, trying to balance queues waiting time and value! Few fast food stands with the quality you would expect from this type of place - nothing gastro of course!
A bit expensive but with the money. Great fun for the whole family. You can easily spend whole day there having fun on various attractions. Always book your ticket in advance online for a nice discount.
This was the first of many activities we booked before arriving to stay in Aviemore and what a great place to start off our holiday. Fun activities for kids and grown ups alike, I personally went out of my comfort zone and did the high ropes, having never done anything like that before it really tested me but so glad I did it, my daughter even did the skydive and showed great bravery
Landmark Forest Adventure Park is a fantastic day out for families! The panoramic views from the treetop tower are absolutely breathtaking, with sweeping forests and Highland mountains as far as the eye can see. The Cairngorms lookout point is both scenic and informative. Our kids had an amazing time, especially enjoying the water slide and the climbing facilities, which were safe, exciting, and well-designed. We also loved spotting butterflies in the tropical area. Beautifully maintained, fun, and full of natural beauty. Highly recommended for all ages.
Nestled in the forest, this Adventure Park is brilliant, we came just as the local schools went back which meant there were no queues at all. There is so much to do and explore as well as some really good activities. My 3 year old has told us it's his favourite place now thanks to the water slides. Great for all ages!
Went with husband, you defenetly do not need children to enjoy an adventure and to go out your comfort zone. Staff were friendly, loads to do with or without children. Beautiful grounds, informative information especially about dinosaurs 🦕 my husband especially enjoyed the water ride and the bid trampoline. Butterfly 🦋 house has lots of other interesting things, defenetly worth a visit for young and old with or without children.
A truly exceptional experience - the best amusement park in Scotland. Even standing on its own, the amusement park is incredible; however, once you couple that with the nature interwoven within, it is taken to a whole new level. FIVE STARS! COULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE MORE!
Strathspey Railway - Aviemore Station
4. Strathspey Railway - Aviemore Station
4.6
(1931)
Heritage railroad
Tours
Heritage steam locomotive rides between Aviemore & Broomhill, with afternoon tea in a dining car.
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Took a trip on old steamy - the Strathspey Highlander from Aviemore and back which was a nice holiday experience. We chose the observation carriage which was comfortable, spacious and not busy on the day. It was however, roasting as the sun filled the carriage with its heat through the numerous windows. We were served tea, coffee and biscuits on our journey as we relaxed taking in the scenery. Stops were Boat of Garten and Broomhill which gave us the chance to stretch the legs for 10 minutes.
Didn’t ride the train this time, but loved visiting the Strathspey Railway. Friendly volunteers, great atmosphere, and even got platform tickets for some photos with my 85mm lens. Knowing it’s run entirely by volunteers makes it even more special. Can’t wait to come back for the full trip!
I went to ride on the steam train from Aviemore to Broomhill and return with my parents when we were on holiday in Scotland and I am very pleased to say that our experiences were absolutely amazing! The volunteers were very friendly and helpful, the steam locomotive and carriages that we rode on were all immaculate, the views of the beautiful countryside was absolutely stunning and the journey was restful! Thank you to the volunteers for their amazing hospitality and service!
Quite an experience for anyone it's just 40min from Inverness and can be a detour for anyone going to Perth Glasgow or Edinburgh.the trains are beautiful and exploring the stations is magical. Overall a great experience
Brilliant experience going on the steam train, we sat in standard seats but ther is a trolly service. Afternoon tea is available too. Loved it. Got off at Boat of Garten and had a wonder then got next train back. The Observation carriage is brilliant too.
The train ride itself was good. I would have like to have someone announce when we passing something of significance. A big deal was Mde about keeping your tickets, but they were never checked. Nice scenic train ride though.
Beautifully presented station and friendly attentive staff we had a really enjoyable day on a beautiful line. Lots of fantastic information on the leaflet provided and a great little catering unit comes through the coaches definitely recommend.
Delightful experience for us and 3 kids age 10-15. Ability to break journey and take a later train back meant we could fit in a walk and some lunch. Great education from engine drivers and station master about the workings of engines and history of the railway.
Loch an Eilein
5. Loch an Eilein
4.8
(388)
Lake
Nature & Parks
Serene freshwater lake with a walking trail, picnic spots & historic castle ruins on an island.
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A really nice place to visit! I rented a bike and went around the loch, which was a very enjoyable experience 🤩 even better if I could bring my dog here. It also seems to be a good place for swimming and other water sports.
Beautiful peaceful place. Single track road to car park, small shop for ice cream & drinks.
One of the visits I liked most on my trip to Scotland. A beautiful walk around the lake, seeing a small castle on the water. One of the very few places with free parking.
A fabulous 3.25 mile walk around the beautiful Loch an Eilein. The scenery is outstanding, and it’s a lovely place for a wild swim too!
A perfect place for a leisurely stroll around the loch. We came back this time with our daughter who loved playing in the rocks. I’d highly recommend this place for a visit.
We chose this spot because it was recommended for having an overnight car park. After a long drive, we were shocked to find the price had jumped from £15 last year to £38 this year — more than double. What was once a busy, welcoming and beautiful spot no longer feels worth the cost. A real shame, as it now seems like motorhomes are being priced out of what used to be a wonderful place to stay.. email of complaint inbound.
Lovely place to visit for a walk and relax. Well looked after path around the Loch with astonishing views of the island and castle in the middle of the loch. Lots of history about the Wolf of the Badenoch. Large parking area with toilets nearby. The shop has some local produce along with souvenirs.
Best walk ever in Scotland for me, beautiful views of mountains and lochs, the castle on the small island in the middle of the loch was just ethereal ⭐
Highland Folk Museum
6. Highland Folk Museum
4.7
(3291)
Temporarily Closed
Museum
Local history museum
Replica buildings & period artifacts exploring life in the Highlands from the 1700s to the 1960s.
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The museum is free of charge. However, car parking costs £2 which supports the running cost of the barn, and you can contribute donation if you want to. The museum and barn are lovely, lots of animals, interesting facts about the past, history, benches to do picnic, cafeteria is on site too with the bathroom. It's worth visiting and supporting local businesses. The gift shop is a must to visit. I loved it 😍
Very interesting snapshot of many aspects of Scottish life through the ages up to the 1940s I'd say. Lovely walk through the woods to the start of the timeline showing turf and heather housing. Allow a couple of hours to see the whole site. Nice little cafe with reasonable prices. No entry fee but donations encouraged, or buy the very informative guidebook for £5 and hand back in when you leave for someone else to buy.
Another wonderful place to stop off and learn about Scotland. Yes, you will have to compete with the loads of buses that appear in mid-morning, so I'd recommend getting there as soon as they open. As you can see in the pictures, there are quite a few buildings to check out, but what they don't show you is how large the site is. Just keep that in mind when you go there, and budget some time in to enjoy it. The day we got there, it was threatening rain or raining at times, so the paths became a bit slippery for my wife's power wheelchair. The paths themselves were good for the most part, but note that quite a lot of it is unpaved and can sometimes be bumpy.
We absolutely loved our visit. As a family of 4 there was plenty for us to explore. Children's playground, cafe, gift shop and toilets great. Entry and carpark is free but you are welcome to leave a donation - you will want to once you experience this place. The staff are very welcoming and very informative, it's clear they love their jobs. We bought a brochure (£5) which was very Informative and great to use alongside exploring the old villages. Sweet shop was super. A must see to get an insight into the history of the highlands! Just what we wanted on our trip to Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Absolutely fantastic historical village with much to see and do for the whole family. We particularly enjoyed the Highland Cows and the mock lesson in the School house. The coffee from the cafe was amazing. Highly recommend. Free entry, you only pay for parking. You can make a voluntary donation, which I think you’ll see is warranted.
We mainly stopped as we heard they had highland cows and wanted to see them. We were surprised by how much there was to see and all for free! So we ended up staying for much longer than anticipated and checked out all of the buildings etc. The teens enjoyed the working sweet shop the most. The staff were all really friendly. We made a donation at the end as it was so worth while.
A lot bigger than we expected! Was definitely worth going and we all enjoyed. Very friendly staff. Visit to the old fashioned sweetie shop is a must - it's not open every day so worth checking on the website. School was also a highlight, make sure you ask to practice your handwriting with the fountain pen. Dogs on short leads welcome but not able to go in any of the buildings so we swapped out people holding the dog. The dog really enjoyed the walk through the woodlands.
Absolutely astounding place. In a beautiful location with buildings from different eras spread out and you walk between them. The contents temporary hones had to look to look at, there's even a curling lake, workshops, and don't miss the old thatch houses.
Cairngorm Herd
7. Cairngorm Herd
4.7
(2096)
Nature & Parks
Nature preserve
Centre with daily guided mountainside trips to meet & feed the UK's only free-ranging reindeer herd.
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Second time visiting. It's a wonderful experience. The walk up the hill is short and beautiful, with a bridge crossing quite a big stream. The enthusiasm of the staff is heart warming. Best of all is getting to feed the reindeer where you can feel just how soft their noses are. Definitely book if you are in the area.
Simply amazing. The hike wasn’t that long or hard, and the scenery was stunning. We got to be up close and personal with a ton of reindeer. My whole group enjoyed feeding them and taking a TON of pictures. Kate and Lottie were informative and answered all of the questions we had about the reindeer. I definitely recommend booking a hill tour hike in advance for your group. It’s an absolute must for a trip through the Cairngorms!
We had a fantastic few hours with the herd, such a brilliant experience. The three herders we had were so informative and answered all of our questions without hesitation. The walk to the herd was fantastic in itself, beautiful scenery, and the 30 second shower of rain we had made the most glorious rainbow. Worth every penny
An amazing experience seeing the reindeer up close and feeding them. It's a bit of an uphill walk to get to them but well worth it. If you're bringing a campervan, park on the road when you get to the reindeer centre as the car park has a really sharp turn on the exit. You're only at the centre for a short time before driving to another car park to begin the walk up to the herd. Absolutely recommend this reindeer experience!
We had a wonderful morning with the reindeer. The check-in process was quick and easy and the walk up to the reindeer was through some beautiful scenery. We got to spend a good amount of time right in with the herd while learning all about them and having the opportunity to hand feed them too. Our guides were great too. Both informative and friendly. Definitely worth a visit if in the area.
Wonderful experience, the reindeer nose is so soft and docile. I am sure the kids will be thrilled with the encounters, no need to travel to Scandinavian country to experience. There are multiple sessions each day from 11am, website advised pre-booking is essential. A short walk to the free ranging area. Also if you take the fork, there is a nice short trail, don't miss it since you are here.
We did not do the tour to see the reindeer in their natural habitat because the guide and signs everywhere warn how difficult the trek is. But, they do bring the deer down on a rotating basis for people who can't make the trip to see. I bought some beautiful original art here to support this center and their cause to protect these lovely creatures.
Just a fantastic experience! We purchased our tickets in advance. My spouse is the one who really wanted to do this when we were up within the Cairngorms, and boy was it worth it. The hill hike maybe 20 minutes hike from the Sugar Bowl Car Park, and there are several climbs with stone steps along it. Once you reach the fenced area you will walk on a wooden walkway to reach the herd. We had light rain the day we went, and one of our guides, Lotti was wearing red rain gear. She fed the reindeer cattle feed from a green sack, and during this process she slung the sack over her shoulder…and for a moment I thought she could had been Santa Claus🤣 Every one has an opportunity to hand feed the reindeer and afterwards you can stay with the herd as long as you like.
Rothiemurchus
8. Rothiemurchus
4.8
(2931)
Nature & Parks
Cafe
Highland estate includes a 13th-century island castle, abundant wildlife and outdoor activities.
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A wonderful experience feeding the deer! My children truly enjoyed getting close, touching, and feeding them. The guide was very kind, shared interesting information about the deer, and answered all our questions with patience. We highly recommend this activity for visitors, especially families and Arab tourists, to enjoy this unique experience in Scotland
We attended the Highlands Falconry and that was an incredible experience! The birds were so gorgeous and it was truly a once in a lifetime experience to be able to handle them. We love it!! After a quick lunch at the barn, we hiked around Loch an Eileen. this was an easy hike with a lovely wide path and beautiful views of the loch. from the car park it was 3.5 miles loop.
We visited the hairy coos safari as a family of 4. We all enjoyed it and it was a good experience for the kids. We also hired bike to go around the area. Overall the staff are friendly and very welcoming. We will definitely come back soon and try more activities that could suit my kids age.
We did the Coo Safari. It was awesome! Lots of hands on experience with young cows (2 years and under) Vickie was our guide and was very knowledgeable of the property and of course the Coo's! They were so cute. The roads were well maintained and easy to follow along with any vehicle. We would definitely do it again!
What a wonderful experience. Entirely worth doing and suitable for all ages (56 year olds) and we felt fully worked out after. The guides Ben and Olly were so attentive and knew how to support the group and encourage us. It is a nippy cold experience, but you hardly notice it when you’re so caught up with the rapids.
Went on the intermediate pony trek. What more can you want? Highland ponies in the Highlands!! The ride was lead by a lady with a wealth of knowledge on the ponies and the estate. I really enjoyed it. Very highly recommend.
We had a wonderful late afternoon at the Hairy Coo experience. Second time we’ve been. Majestic animals, amazing scenery and a passionate guide. Many thanks
My husband & I did the clay pigeon shooting today and it was awesome!! Booked online very easily and when we turned up they had us marked off and with our safely equipment within minutes. Our instructor Adam was amazing. Explained everything we needed to know clearly and was so patient, especially with the left-handed beginner, being me. He was so observant with each shot, giving guidance and support when needed. Both my husband & I gave this experience 10/10 and thoroughly recommend this to young and old!
RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre
9. RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre
4.7
(667)
Nature preserve
Nature & Parks
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Excellent place managed to see both male & female Ospreys in the nest. The male brought the female a tasty headless fish to impress her! The staff at the centre were very friendly and knowledgeable. It is well worth a visit at only £5 per person. All walks are free.
Went a couple of times during our holiday. Firstly the welcome from all the staff was exceptional. All the facilities were clean. We overall left feeling slightly disappointed, it felt more like a country park than a nature reserve. Countless people walking dogs off their leads even though there are signs asking you not to. One owner was even allowing their dog to chase the birds. We arrived around 6am one day and there wasn’t a person in sight and the forest was alive with life. We were both shocked by the lack of bird hides, that for us is what this place needs urgently. All in all we had a nice time but it just needs some investment.
There is efficient centre with camera directed as a nest of ospreys. On the way to get there you will see the small birds in the forest. Friendly volunteers giving a lot of information. Wheelchair accessible. At the other side of the centre, there are great walks near the loch.
What a brilliant morning - if you think this is just about ospreys you are missing out! Amazing other birds, brilliant staff who are so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about lots of other topics. We got lucky and found a fungi expert who was brilliant with our mushroom enthusiast 8 year old and showed him loads of amazing fungi (and a dog vomit slime- very unusual and cooler than it sounds!). Really sparked his interest and then we found dozens of cool fungi in the forest. If your kids have any interest in the natural world this is a must.
Lovely place to visit. Highly recommended, Very reasonably priced. The forest walks are lovely. You can park up and do walks at no cost. Entrance fee only payable when visiting rspb centre which I would recommend. Very helpful and knowledgable staff.
Beautiful lake and forest with different path options depending on the difficulty. The paths and the place in general is really well maintened. 100% recommended
Excellent place for viewing nesting osprey. They have multiple scopes trained on the nest. All the scopes are set at different heights - there are some at kid height, too. Costs 5 GBP per person to get in. We didn't see any osprey except the one in the picture, but I'm glad we stopped here.
What a fabulous place. More pics to follow. Just revelling in the nature for now. The two Loch trail (Garten & Mallachie) is a lovely walk (trail)
Loch Morlich
10. Loch Morlich
4.8
(258)
Lake
Outdoor Activities
Set at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains, this freshwater loch features sandy beaches & trails.
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Beautiful loch saw the northern lights while there nice sandy beach to. Dense forest that you can explore for days
It’s such an amazing view with sandy beaches on the loch edge. Plenty of parking, water sports and fantastic views. Worth a stop for the scenery
A beautiful loch with breathtaking scenery, fresh water and sand. This loch is one of the cleanest and most respected. Its simply Gorgeous 😍. If you visit Loch Morlich please Respect it this is unique you won't be disappointed.
Loch Morlich is a beautiful spot in the Cairngorms with a rare sandy beach, clear waters, and stunning mountain views. Great for kayaking, paddleboarding, walking, or just relaxing. Good facilities nearby and easy parking. A must-visit if you're in the Highlands
Amazing place! Photographers dream. Doesn’t matter if it is summer or winter, beautiful view. We were walking around the lake. Instagrammable place. Summer time busy. If you are there bring some feed for a ducks.
This is the highest natural sandy beach in the UK and the water here is absolutely clean and perfect. The water and the loch bed are so clean that it takes any colour of the sky, and so it is crucial coming here on a beautiful day. When the sky is clear, the loch is the bluest blue you'll ever see, it is so surreal. The scenery is to die for and the walk around the loch is enjoyable and memorable with many spots for perfect photographs. At night, it is so dark around the loch you can see all the constellations so clearly. Plenty of parking spots nearby. My most favourite loch in Scotland.
We spend most of the day on the trails and then passed Loch Morlich on a way back to Inverness. I am happy we made a stop there. The lake was gorgeous with clean water and sandy beaches. There is a cafe and you can borrow a watersports equipment if you want. Parking was a bit of an issue. We didn't have change so after running around the lake a bit we got a signal reception and could pay it online.
Sandy beach, shallow water (great for little kids). Views of the mountains. What else do you need!
The Cairngorm Brewery
11. The Cairngorm Brewery
4.6
(98)
Brewery
Food & Drink
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Nice brewery and cute little taproom/shop. Enjoyable session strenght beers. Also gin, whiskey and cider is being sold at The shop.
Nice tasting room, great bartender, great beers. If you like craft beer, don't miss this place as it's an authentic craft brewery in a rather touristy town. Will definitely return!
We had a lovely lovely time at Cairngorm brewery and came away with some great merch, particularly the dog bandana. We loved meeting Roy the dog and the gentleman at the bar was really friendly and helpful. They have a few taps for keg beer and a couple for cask ale. You've got to try the Black Gold. Well worth a visit. We'll be back.
We got married in Aviemore on 26.10.25 and as part of a wonderful week that followed, some of our wedding party booked on to a tasting at the Cairngorm Brewery where we were hosted by the incredibly knowledgeable Malky and super quirky shop dog Roy 🐾 A fantastic experience and an insightful journey through the range of beers the brewery has to offer. Thank you for a brilliant time and one that will leave lasting memories for both myself and my wedding party. We will definitely be back! 🍻 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
- Very friendly staff. - A great place for beers and ales. - Bought 4 different beers and they were brilliant! I would highly recommend this place for beer lovers.
We have been visiting Aviemore for years and have only just decided to come to the brewery for a pint. I wish we'd visited sooner! The lovely man on the bar/shop (didn't catch his name) was very friendly and couldn't have been nicer. The beer is excellent, even better straight from the source, and Roy the Collie is a welcome edition. We'll definitely be back.
Excellent tap room, always good to get beer at the source. Malky is excellent. Friendly personal and so knowledgable. Catch you soon!
A brewery with shop and limited tap. Sells a mixture of both Cairngorm and LochNess brewery beers (Cairngorm bough LochNess a few years ago), along with some merch' and, currently, some mugs with their bottle label art work.
Anagach Wood
12. Anagach Wood
4.7
(23)
Woods
Nature & Parks
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Beautiful woods with easy paths. After walking through the woods, we returned to the car along the bank of the Spey.
Viepoints 1 & 2 are benches, viewpoint 3 is a bench and picnic table and bench plus great view..... very peaceful
Brilliant place. The landscape varies with the seasons. Easy to get a wee bit lost, as we did, but a great place for a wonder
Great forest with loads of walks and wildlife, spoilt only by the fact that we didn't see a single dog ON a lead the twice we visited for a long walk. It's caper and other ground bird nesting season but the signs requesting that dogs be kept on short leads were being universally ignored :-(
Beautiful walk from the town down to the river Spey. Lots of side paths just waiting to be explored, which I would have done if I had been staying for longer. The main path is lined by painted stones, presumably done by the local schoolchildren.
Beautiful woods. Saw Red squirrel, Roe deer, lots of chanterelle and blaeberry. Paths are well made and clearly marked. Great place for a walk with wee ones
Plenty walks or strolls all in all a lovely place to go
Loch Insh Outdoor Centre
13. Loch Insh Outdoor Centre
4.6
(403)
Outdoor activity organiser
Tours
Slide 1 of 8
Loch Insh activity centre is such a sweet place to visit! The loch is beautiful, and you can even book a sauna on the beach! All the staff were so friendly and helpful and gave us loads of support planning our trip. They rent out loads of kit and Johnny was really knowledgeable about paddling the river Spey. We had some delicious hearty breakfasts and good coffee as well!
We came to Loch Insh as part of a family campervan holiday and it was by far and away the best value, best place, best staff and best welcome we had anywhere. It absolutely made our trip. The family day ticket is such good value for a family of 4 to try out any water sports they want all day as well as tubing. The restaurant is also really lovely.
I saw this advertised on P4N, to be able to stay in their car park for £20 overnight, in your own campervan, and have access to 24/7 toilet and shower during opening hours. Was a really good park up for us, due to time of year we were the only camper in the car park. Very peaceful and lovely to be overlooking the loch & have access to the restaurant, too.
100% recommend - kids did a weeks watersports camp and loved every moment. Every instructor was brilliant with the kids. We booked a windsurfing lesson 2 weeks later and Scott was amazing with the girls. Already excited about next summers camp! Thanks team and see you next year!
Me and my family have come to loch insh every year since finding this hidden gem, we have stayed in the bunkhouse, a backpackers haven with warm rooms, comfy beds and facilities to use, we have used the carpark to campervan in, its quiet, peaceful and the facilities are kept clean and are free to use whenever and we have now hired out 3 different cabins over multiple trips, they are beautiful and cosy, with a familial touch that only love and attention can bring. Its a family run center and it really shows with everyone pitching in to make it run smoothly, the story of loch insh is inpiring and and i cannot reccomend it enough. My grandmother is disabled and unable to do so many things but here she has her freedom again, the accomodations made for her are astounding with every effort made so she can join in, she has kayaked down the river spey taking in nature and having fun on rapids, she has been sailing, on pedaloes, swimming, she truly feels like a part of her life has been given back through this and i see her sense of spirit and adventure come to life. Not only are these accomodations met, we have never been made to feel a burden or a nuisance, it is a lovely place and i hope everyone could experience loch inshes hospitality at least once. I as a person lack a lot of conifdence but at loch insh its so encouraged to try new things, i have since completed my yatching association levels 1 and 2, i have canoed and kayaked down the river spey watching my own confidence grow year after year, i have tried SUP boarding something i never imagined myself doing but i that now i can and a whole host of other things, this year we went stargazing as a family and it was magnificent all the information and stars we saw, we love all the staff and cant wait for our next visit. Thank you from the Marriotts.
Stopped in for lunch and discovered all the activities for all ages. Beautiful location and delicious food. Will definitely come back one day with more time to kayak on the loch
We had a brilliant visit to Loch Insh Outdoor Centre. Great for kids and adults, but personally I liked the paddle boarding the best. We will definitely visit again!!
Did snowboarding today on the dry slope with the wife, had a great time! So much fun and easier than I had expected, probably due to excellent tuition from Zoe. Thanks very much for a great afternoon, will 100% be back 👍
Cairngorms Activities
14. Cairngorms Activities
4.7
(178)
Outdoor activity organiser
Tours
Slide 1 of 8
Good, well maintained equipment. Safety briefing and instructions on how to kayak well presented by Colin who certainly knew about kayaking on the Spey. We really enjoyed the activity once we had got past the shallow at the start of our trip.
Had a canoe trip down the river, was great fun. The guides were brilliant and patient. Lovely experience
Excellent host and great fun had by all the family, including grandparents. We went last year and enjoyed it so much that we went again this year, and are planning to visit again. Very friendly staff. Highly recommended.
Had a brilliant time at Cairngorm Activities. Instructors were great and made everything fun. Food was great, rooms were clean and comfy, and the whole place was spot on for a group. They took all the stress out of organising the stag do – would definitely recommend
We did the Gorge Walking with Stuart and had an absolute blast. This was one of our 10 day Scotland highlights. He made us laugh the entire way. He was an excellent guide and was supportive and informative. I researched two companies and ultimately chose Caringorms Activities - and I’m so glad I did. I highly recommend this unique and exhilarating Scotland experience.
30.10.2025 We have done gorge walking - group of 5. Water temp. 2C and high flow of water. We had an amazing experience. We had an opportunity to observe and experience power of water running through gorge accompanied by experienced instructor, who was providing very clear and easily understandable guidance and support for whole duration of event - hot drinks and chocolate after - which was needed and deeply appreciated. Would highly recommend for every highland itinerary.
Had a great time doing the Halloween archery this week! It's our second year doing it and we all enjoyed it once again. Instructor was fab, very clear and friendly. Made sure we were all safe and helped out with tips to make it more enjoyable. Would highly recommend.
Amazing experience ! Laser tag for our 10 year olds birthday party. Anna & Craig run a tight ship. Craig was a brilliant instructor on the laser tag course, great fun !
TreeZone Aviemore
15. TreeZone Aviemore
4.8
(350)
Outdoor activity organiser
Fun & Games
Slide 1 of 8
If you love adventure, fun and encouraging words then this is the place for you. TreeZone has 2 different courses, easy and harder, we done both. It was amazing, thrilling, great fun and slightly nerve-wracking! All the staff are supportive encouraging and super nice! Greg was so lovely and so helpful and Fionn and Alanna were really encouraging kind and funny! Thank you so much! Review by AC age 11
Really good fun. Harder than it looks. Finn was great fun and helpful, and Dan is there to catch you if you fall 😊
What a day! On a girly weekend away with my nieces (ages 9 & 11) & thought we would give the tree zone a try. It was a big ask from the girls as they were pretty nervous (as was I). The instructor Finn couldn't have been better! I can't thank him enough for the experience he gave us. After completing the small zone, we moved to the bigger one & Finn came round with us. Both girls (especially youngest) were so scared but Finn just handled that with ease! Even through a few tears, he managed to turn it around & I'm so pleased we all completed the full course with smiles at the end! If you're looking to give this a try, I highly recommend it. I won't lie, if you're scared of heights like I am, its nerve-wracking. However, if you have an instructor like Finn, you will be put at ease & supported throughout. Finn, you are an asset to the team at TreeZone & I really hope you receive the recognition for the kindness you showed us today. Thank you! Lisa, Ellie & Lacey (Casey/Tracey/Macey/Pacey & so on...) 😂
Great fun. All the guys there are really helpful and make it more enjoyable. We had Andy and Finn supervise us and they are great. They are great people and speak with you and have a laugh with you. Really appreciate them adding to the experience.
Took my young boys (10 & 8) here in the October holidays and it did not disappoint! They absolutely loved it and managed to complete both courses. The staff were all brilliant but Charlie in particular stood out for being so funny, encouraging and just a really friendly guy. Made my kids feel totally at ease and he’s a real credit to TreeZone! We will definitely come back again. Thank you for a great experience 👍🏼
What can I say, a big thank you for what must of been the hardest workout I've experienced lol. Firstly a big thank you to the instructors and the patience they shown not only to me and me family but their time taken to make our experience fun. Granted my son and wife pulled out doing the larger course but in no ways did they push or say they must, both of them conquered a huge fear of heights. They are well equipped, well trained and great at relaxing the nerves for those first timers and made the experience enjoyable with no pressures. I would recommend this for anyone visiting Rothiemurcus as it certainly opens your eyes.
5 Stars! Absolutely brilliant family adventure at Tree Zone! ​We had an absolutely fantastic time at Tree Zone, Rothiemurchus . I (40 yr,female) took my two boys (10&16) and they were completely thrilled with all the adventure activities. It was the perfect blend of fun and a little challenge, which they both loved. ​What truly elevated the experience was the incredibly friendly and supportive staff. They were so encouraging and helpful throughout the entire course, making us all feel comfortable and safe. The level of care and enthusiasm they showed was outstanding. ​Highly recommend Tree Zone for a brilliant, action-packed family day out! We can't wait to come back.
Fin was a great an instructor, and took good care of us, and gave an informative safety briefing. Everyone was very encouraging and they had amazing obstacles. Fantastic zip line and everything felt very safe. Will consider coming back again.
Working Sheepdogs
16. Working Sheepdogs
4.7
(253)
Sights & Landmarks
Farms
Slide 1 of 8
This was a great experience. We stopped as a part of a tur group. Neil did a excellent presentation. Of course, the Border Collies and their ability to obey commands and herd sheep was amazing. It was also enlightening to see the other animals and be able to pet them. Neil passed around a baby sheep only a few weeks old for people to pet. The crowd loved it. This a place not to be missed.
Excellent experience! Neil and his dogs are wonderful. Neil gives soo much information about both the sheep and the dogs. Highly recommend. As a tour guide, I will most definitely be back with future guests!
One of the highlights of our trip to Scotland. Neil and his dogs were remarkable as he worked the sheep and explained their skills and training. His presentation and question and answer portion were extremely educational and informative. My granddaughter loved the puppies! I come from a ranch and farm area in the U.S.A. It was wonderful to spend time interacting with the dogs and seeing them at work.
One of the highlights of our Scotland around trip! Wonderful demonstration of how the sheepdogs work. And we get to greet and cuddle with other animals. Like puppies, lambs and calves. We are super happy!
Amazing experience. Neil was a great host and true farmer. He truly loves his dogs and sheep. He took the time to give a thorough demonstration and answered all of our questions that day. The best way to find out the show times is to call. Thank you Neil!
This was an amazing experience watching the Austrailian sheep dogs respond to their shepherd training. We got to watch a sheep sheared and hear historic background on shepherding, too!
Amazing how the dogs are trained to herd. Neal demonstrated their abilities. Dogs worked together. One of the most amazing things I've seen. Neal takes excellent care of the dogs and sheared a sheep in front of us after being brought to him by a dog. Owner Neal liked and encouraged questions. Don't miss this!
Neil and his dogs are just spectacular! His demonstration and the dog’s accessibility was exactly what you’d want. Thanks so much
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