Cairngorm National Park: Discover & Unwind

Programme

Day 1: Arrival in the Cairngorm National Park

Arrival in Edinburgh/Glasgow (ideally by 2pm). Pick-up your rental car from the airport and head north via the gigantic UNESCO World Heritage site, the Forth Rail Bridge and through the forest landscapes of Perthshire. In Dunkeld, one of Scotland’s best-preserved market towns, you can walk to Dunkeld Cathedral, once called the “Fort of the Celts”. A large park, a playground and numerous easy walks through beautiful deciduous woodlands invite for a short break and a stroll. From here the drive continues to the Cairngorm National Park. The largest national park in the United Kingdom, The Cairngorms themselves are a spectacular landscape and provide a unique alpine tundra moorland habitat, home to many rare plants and animals. In the afternoon you will reach the well-known winter ski town of Aviemore. Distance: 125 miles, Driving Time: about 2.5-3 hours. Accommodation: Aviemore

Day 2: Highland Wildlife Park

The surrounding area of Aviemore really is a paradise for outdoor activities: from hiking and cycling to visitor attractions such as Great Britain’s only free-living reindeer herd – there’s something for everyone and you’ll be spoilt for choice.  Located in the village, the MacDonald’s hotel complex has a soft play area, a swimming pool and a Kids Activity Centre. For parents who would like to relax for a few hours, the complex also offers supervised, 3-hour play sessions. At Loch an Eilean, one of the prettiest lakes in the country, you can enjoy the fresh, clean air and beautiful surroundings. Only a few minutes away, theres’s a treetop adventure park suitable for children of all ages. On a drive through the nearby Highland Wildlife Park you get to meet polar bears and Amur tigers, and learn about native wildlife such as Scottish wildcats and capercaillie. Accommodation: Aviemore

Day 3: Wildcat Trail & Highland Folk Museum

Today you can visit the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore. The open-air museum offers a wonderful insight into the life of the Highland Scots between 1700 and 1962, showcasing more than 30 historic buildings, including restored thatched blackhouses. Here you can also find the Wildcat Trail, a 6.5 miles orbital path around the village and more than 130 models of the Scottish wildcat hidden in gardens, on roofs and up trees.  All you have to do is track them down. In nearby Kincraig you can also take part in a sheepdog herding demonstration with local shepherd Neil and his Border Collies. Accommodation: Aviemore

Day 4: Nessie Hunting on Loch Ness

Today you drive to Inverness, the bustling capital of the Highlands. From here it is only a stone’s throw to the infamous Loch Ness, where Nessie, the Scottish sea monster, lives. On the way there you cross the Caledonian Canal, which stretches across Scotland over a length of 97km. At the ruins of Urquhart Castle you have a fantastic view of the famous lake. From here you can also set off on a boat tour and possibly catch a glimpse of the monster from the boat. Accommodation: Aviemore

Day 5: White Sandy Beaches & a Fairytale Castle

If the weather allows, you can spend the day on the beach. Enjoy the maritime atmosphere of the small coastal town of Nairn. Miles of white sandy beaches offer wonderful views of the Moray Firth. The sand dunes make an ideal adventure playground for children and a place to relax for parents. Very close to Nairn you can also visit Cawdor Castle, which was the setting for the Macbeth drama. With its battlements, towers and winding gardens, the castle looks like an enchanted fairytale castle. Numerous short walks lead from here through an adjacent beautiful forest. Accommodation: Aviemore

Day 6: Dolphins in the Northwest Highlands

Do you love dolphins and other marine animals? Then today is for you. After a scenic drive to the Black Isle Peninsula you arrive in Cromarty, where you can board a speedboat for a two-hour dolphin-watching tour. Sometimes you can see dolphin herds with up to 30 animals, because the Moray Firth is home to the northernmost dolphin population in the world. Or you can take a trip to the Northwest Highlands. A panoramic drive takes you past tranquil lakes, moor landscapes, sea lochs and majestic mountains. In the Corrieshalloch Gorge you can take an exciting little hike to a deep gorge and taste the delicacies of the Scottish West Coast in Gairloch, a typical Highland village on the Atlantic Ocean. You can also visit the most northerly botanic gardens, Inverewe Gardens. Accommodation: Aviemore

Day 7: An Edinburgh Adventure

Today you are leaving the Highlands for Edinburgh. The capital of Scotland is beautiful, noble and, like Rome, built on seven hills. On a walking tour of the city, you’ll discover the cultural highlights of UNESCO’s Old Town and Newtown, Holyrood Palace, the Royal Mile, Princes Street, and Edinburgh Castle. From Calton Hill you can enjoy fantastic views of the city skyline. Edinburgh also offers numerous attractions for children, such as interactive museums, the Edinburgh Dungeon and the Camera Obscura. Accommodation: Edinburgh

Day 8: Departure

Today you have to say goodbye to a wonderful welcoming country and an impressive tour.

Services

Tour includes

• 7 overnight stays in 3-4* B&B or hotel accommodation (en-suite) or self-catering
• Scottish breakfast (not for self-catering option)
• hire car for 8 days from/to airport including including insurance and Sat Nav
• Scotland road map
• comprehensive info pack including leisure and restaurant recommendations
• 24/7 emergency hotline

Not included

• flights
• lunch and dinner
• fuel
• admissions
• additional driver

Optional add-ons

• £69 pp additional night in Edinburgh/Glasgow B&B, based on 2 people sharing (£41 single supplement)
• £89 pp additional night in Edinburgh/Glasgow hotel, based on 2 people sharing (£61 single supplement)
• from £55 pp Royal Military Tattoo tickets (subject to availability)

Additional Information

Duration: 8 days
Participants: from 2 adults (1 adult on request)
Start: Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport
Finish: Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport

This tour can also be done as a walking holiday and/or by public transport, as an alternative to driving.

When deciding on your travel dates, please bear in mind that we require at least 6 weeks to prepare. Every trip is meticulously planned and organised, the information pack compiled with great care and attention. We also have to allow time for post delivery (on average 4 weeks in Europe). If you do want to travel at short notice, please contact us by email. Thank you for your cooperation!

Dates & Prices

Reviews