Cairngorms National Park, Scotland (with Map & Photos)

The Cairngorms National Park in the heart of the Highlands is one of the top 20 places in the world to visit. You won't be bored in this largest national park in the UK with water activities, winter sports, wildlife watching and hiking and biking trails.

Cairngorms National Park
Cairngorms National Park

This park contains five of the highest mountains in the UK, as well as large forests with ancient wild trees, spectacular waterfalls and some of the best wildlife in Scotland. Here you can also taste the best Scottish dishes, including deer meat that lives in the hills, beef from the mountains, salmon and trout from local rivers and lakes, as well as whiskey from old distilleries.

Cairngorms National Park
Cairngorms National Park

How to get there


The Cairngorms National Park is only half an hour from our port in Newcastle. It has some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK. Take the A1 north from Newcastle on the coast road through Berwick upon Tweed to Edinburgh. Then take the M90 ​​to Perth and then the A9, the park's western border.

Why visit the Cairngorms National Park?


The Cairngorms National Park is twice the size of the Lake District. Home to some of the most spectacular mountains, forest trails, rivers, lakes, wildlife, villages and distilleries in the UK, the long list of attractions will keep you coming back for more.

The park is a rare bastion of wildlife, and among its many inhabitants you can spot reindeer, ospreys, eagles, wild cats and the elusive red squirrel. The lakes are home to rare birds, otters, wild trout, arctic char and pike, and Loch Garten is famous for the Osprey Centre, where these legendary birds can be observed in the wild of the Scottish Caledonian pine forest.

Cairngorms National Park
Cairngorms National Park

Attractions in Cairngorms National Park


For an exceptional view of the park, be sure to ride the funicular. The two-kilometer funicular climbs the northern slopes of Cairngorm and is the highest railway in the UK. It's a must to plan a visit to the distillery when you're in Scotland, so stop by the Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Center for a special sip straight from the cask.

In addition, there are several castles within the park, including the Scottish Royal Residence, Balmoral Castle and the 17th-century Braemar Castle, along a road that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

Cairngorms National Park
Cairngorms National Park

Where to stay in the Cairngorms National Park


Cairngorms National Park has a rich selection of cozy places to stay.

There are many B&Bs, B&Bs, hotels and self-catering lodges to suit all budgets.

Go to our partner site booking.com to find your ideal home in the Cairngorms National Park.

Cairngorms National Park Map