• Cairngorms National Park

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Cairngorms National Park

Visit the new Cairngorm National Park tourism website www.visitcairngorms.co.uk

Spend just a little time in the Cairngorms National Park and you will start to appreciate the scale of this very special place. The Park is 3,800 sq kilometres in area, that’s 40% larger than the Lake District and twice the size of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. Officially opened in 2003, more than 16,000 people live and work in the towns and villages that scatter the area. The combination of soaring mountain peaks, wild moorland and tranquil lochs attract thousands of visitors every year. And it’s easy to see why Britain’s largest national park is so very popular, as there is something for everyone to enjoy in this protected landscape. Royal Deeside is at the heart of the park.

Home to 25% of the UK’s threatened bird, animal and plant species, the Park is the best place to spot a golden eagle, capercaillie, badger, Scottish crossbill, red squirrel, pine martin, water vole or wild cat to name just a few. You can see all of these species in the Royal Deeside part of the park. The rivers here are home to a rising population of the globally endangered freshwater pearl mussel, as well as salmon, trout, and rare lampreys. From the month of March ranger led groups kick off for the season, where visitors can learn about the plants and animals in native pine woods.

The ever changing views from the spectacular mountain ridges await those with plenty of energy and a spirit for adventure. With four out of Scotland's five highest mountains being located within the Park – and 52 summits coming in at over 900 metres – walkers will not be left disappointed. Over 25 munros ( mountains over 3,000 feet can be accessed form the Royal Deeside area of the park and in particular the Braemar and Ballater area.  However, a slower pace can also be found on the lower slopes where the forests contain remnants of the original Caledonian pine forest and include a rare kind of pinewood found only in Scotland and Norway.

This un-spoilt countryside is the place to come for almost every outdoor pursuit known to man, whether it’s mountain biking, canoeing, cycling or climbing, skiing, fishing, shooting or stalking. And undertaking your favourite sport in such a stunning backdrop truly captures the imagination. Braemar, Strathdon and Ballater in Royal Deeside are fine centres for exploring and taking part in these activities.

The Park has a rich cultural heritage with castle, fortified houses and estates waiting to be explored. Hundreds of countryside events, outdoor activities, guided walks and talks take place each year – be sure to book as these are incredibly popular.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority works with others to ensure the unique aspects of the Park – the natural environment, the cultural heritage and the local communities – are cared for, sustained and enhanced for current and future generations to enjoy.

For full information on the National Park and details of events and activities run by the Park's Countryside Ranger Service, please visit www.cairngorms.co.uk.

The National park has some great choices of bed and breakfast, hotels, self catering, hostels, camping or caravanning, attractions, outdoor activities, cafes, shops, pubs and restaurants.  If you are coming to ski or snowboard at Aviemore, the Lecht or Glenshee in the Cairngorms National Park the Discover Royal Deeside website will link you to ski hire and ski tuition and give you loads of information on accommodation.

There are lots of amazing places in the UK which all have something special about them, but the Cairngorms and Royal Deeside which includes Britain's largest National Park, has lots of them all in the one place. The mountains that have shaped the people, culture, natural heritage, scenery and character of the area dominate Royal Deeside and the National Park and give it its name.

There is something for everyone from castles, distilleries and gentle strolls to fun parks, quad bikes and extreme sports. The Cairngorms contain some of the best wildlife habitats in the UK (Simon King and the BBC Springwatch Team certainly think so!). Ancient pine forests, arctic mountain tops, lochs, rivers and moorland are home to a quarter of the UK's threatened species. If history's your bag, Highland traditions are still very much alive in amongst a rich cultural heritage. Nowhere else in the British Isles can visitors enjoy such a collection of outstanding environments in one place in such a variety of different ways.