Hello. On one leg of our trip, we will be driving from St. Andrews to the Isle of Skyle. We will be spending two nights in the Cairngorms in between. There are a couple places that look interesting to me, including the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, the Ptarmigan Restaurant, the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, Rothiemurchurs Estate and Dalwhinnie Distillery. I would like opinions as to the things on this list. I know there’s a lot more to do/see, but I know that we can’t do everything. Is there anything else that you would recommend or leave out? I would also like opinions as to where to stay for our two nights. Would Aviemore be a good base or is there another place where you would stay? Thank you!
What to see in the Cairngorms
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I don't know where else you will have been - but me personally, I might not take that route to get to Skye, or if I did I'd maybe stay in Carrbridge or Newtonmore. (but then Aviemore is one of my least favorite places in the country)
I'd probably go via Loch Laggan/Spean Bridge unless I wanted to see some sites up near Inverness or some Speyside distilleries.
(why do I always end up disagreeing with janis?!
I think that's fine; Go up through Angus, over the hill to Deeside and over the hill to the Lecht. I recently stayed in the Boat Inn in Boat of Garten and liked it a lot. I also like Auchendean Lodge in that airt. I think Aviemore is much improved, but not enough so I'd want to stay there.
Rothiemurchus and Dalwhinnie are good. If you like Rothiemurchus try Abernethy and Loch Garten as well- although they are more about nature and less done up.
Have a look at the Highland Wildlife Park, Glen More Lodge, Loch Inch marshes, Landmark, the Highland Folk Museum, the steam railway; the sheepdogs at Kincraig, and Ruthven barracks.
In that neck of the woods, in September, the 4 which were top of my list would be the funicular, the Highland Wildlife park, Dalwhinnie and Abernethy.
Barracks.
The funicular railway is a fun way to get to the top of the mountain if your legs aren't up to the climb. On a clear day, the views are spectacular. The Ptarmigan Restaurant is just a self-service cafe at the top. Nothing remarkable about it other than it's the highest restaurant in the UK.
The Cairngorm reindeer herd is of passing interest if you're heading up to the lower funicular railway station. Do try to get there in time for the daily feeding (I think it's 11am), otherwise you'll have to make do with seeing opne of two animals in the paddock and the rather basic displays in the hut.
This is great information. The Cairngorms look so beautiful so I wanted to spend some time there. Sheila, both of those accommodations look lovely. Thank you for the recommendations. I’ll probably ask about the Trossachs at some point in the near future. Thanks again!
We managed to pick a day to visit the Highland Folk Museum when there was virtually no one else there. The docents were glad to have someone to talk to (of course, my mother can carry on a conversation with anyone for hours - that probably helped...) It was really interesting.
Happy to help. Trossachs not my thing