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Cairngorms National Park
Travel Information and nearby accommodation
The Cairngorms was only declared a national park in 2003. It is the largest national park in Britain, covering an area of 3,800 kilometres (about 1500 square miles). The Cairngorms takes in a wide range of geographic features, with high mountains and moorlands, ancient forests, rivers and lowland lochs. It is a perfect area for outdoor activities, including walking, cycling, canoing, and climbing. In addition, the park is riich in cultural heritage, including medieval castles, country houses, and remote estates.
At the heart of the park are the Cairngorm Mountains, an area of high peaks containing 52 munroes (peaks over 3000 feet), and 4 of the highest 5 mountains in Scotland. Here is the largest area of arctic wilderness in Britain.
This area of high peaks is bounded by the river valleys of the Spey, Dee, and Don. The rivers in the park are one of the few places globally to find freshwater pearl mussels. The Cairngorms are popular destination for birdwatchers, with Golden Eagle, Dotterell, Capercaillie, and Crested Tit among the species to be seen. The most popular of all, though, is the osprey; the Osprey Centtre at Loch Garten provides an opportunity to see these elusive (for Britain) birds in their natural habitat.
The park provides an important habitat for animals, vegetation, and insects, with over 1/4 of Scotland's species at risk making the Cairngorms their home. There are also large expanses of Caledonian pine woods, of the type which used to flourish over much of Scotland. The extensive forest areas make the Cairngorms one of the best places in Britain to view spectacular Autumn colours.
The major towns in the park are Aviemore, Ballater, Braemar, Grantown-on-Spey, Kingussie, Newtonmore, and Tomintoul. Aviemore can claim to be the centtre for winter sports in the UK, being well placed for ski areas at Cairn Gorm. Braemar is home to the best-known Highland Games, and is a short distance from the royal residence of Balmoral Castle.
Near Kingussie is Ruthven Barracks, an 18th century army fort erected as part of English attempts to subdue the Highlands. Near Toumintoul is Corgarff Castle, a romantic medieval tower house.
OS maps:
Explorer 404 - Braemar/Tomintoul/Glen Avon
Explorer 388 - Lochnagar/Glen Muick/Clova
Explorer 403 - Cairn Gorm and Aviemore
Cairngorms National Park Authority, 14 The Square, Grantown on Spey,
Cairngorms National Park,
Grampian,
Scotland, PH26 3HG
About Cairngorms National Park
Attraction Type: Countryside
Location: National Park offices are located in Grantown on Spey and Ballater.
Website: Cairngorms National Park
Phone: 01479 873535
Fax: 01479 873527
Location
map
OS NH968099
Heritage Rating:  ?
Nearest Accommodation to Cairngorms National Park
Nearest Self Catering Cottages |
 3 Dalfaber Park -
4.6
miles from Cairngorms National Park
Aviemore, Highlands and Islands
Sleeps: 8
Stay from: £725 |
 Mairi Sine -
4.9
miles from Cairngorms National Park
Lochan Mor, Highlands and Islands
Sleeps: 8
Stay from: £500 |
 Heath Cottage -
5.8
miles from Cairngorms National Park
Boat of Garten, Highlands and Islands
Sleeps: 6
Stay from: £397 |
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Nearest Tourist
Information Centre
Aviemore
Tourist Information Centre
Unit 7, Grampian Road
Aviemore
Inverness-shire
Highlands and Islands
Scotland
PH22 1RH
Tel: 0845 22 55 121
Email: aviemore@visitscotland.com
Web: http://www.visithighlands.com
Map
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