Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Aviemore is on a loop off the A9 Perth-Inverness road; almost everything of note is to
be found along the main drag, Grampian Rd. The train station and bus stop are towards
the southern end.
The Cairngorm skiing area and funicular railway lie 9 miles southeast of Aviemore
along the B970 (Ski Rd) and its continuation, past Coylumbridge and Glenmore.
Sights
Strathspey Steam Railway
( 01479-810725; www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk ; Station Sq; return ticket per adult/child
£11.50/5.75) Strathspey Steam Railway runs steam trains on a section of restored line
between Aviemore and Broomhill, 10 miles to the northeast, via Boat of Garten. There are
four or five trains daily from June to September, and a more limited service in April, May,
October and December.
An extension to Grantown-on-Spey is planned (see www.railstograntown.org); in the
meantime, you can continue from Broomhill to Grantown-on-Spey by bus.
HERITAGE RAILWAY
Rothiemurchus Estate
( www.rothiemurchus.net ) The Rothiemurchus Estate, which extends from the River Spey
at Aviemore to the Cairngorm summit plateau, is famous for having Scotland's largest
remnant of Caledonian forest , the ancient forest of Scots pine that once covered most of
the country. The forest is home to a large population of red squirrels, and is one of the last
bastions of the Scottish wildcat.
The Rothiemurchus Estate visitor centre ( 01479-812345; admission free;
9am-5.30pm) , a mile southeast of Aviemore along the B970, sells an Explorer Map detail-
ing more than 50 miles of footpaths and cycling trails , including the wheelchair-access-
ible 4-mile trail around Loch an Eilein , with its ruined castle and peaceful pine woods.
FOREST
Craigellachie Nature Reserve
( www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/craigellachie ; Grampian Rd; ) A trail leads west from
Aviemore Youth Hostel and passes under the A9 into the Craigellachie Nature Reserve, a
great place for short hikes across steep hillsides covered in natural birch forest. Look out
for wildlife, including the peregrine falcons that nest on the crags from April to July. If
you're very lucky, you may even spot a capercaillie.
NATURE RESERVE
Search WWH ::




Custom Search