DATES
Sat 2nd August 2025
-
Thu 7th August 2025
5 nights
Our very popular Cairngorms holiday continues - the place loved by Nan Shepherd who wandered and explored every inch and wrote her beautiful books. We introduce you , or bring you back to, this wonderful part of Scotland. Walk in the stunning Cairngorms mountains and in the evening relax in the bustling local town of Aviemore. This holiday has a very varied programme and gives you lots of different experiences to get a true taste of the area. WE HAVE SPACES FOR 8 WOMEN ON THIS TRIP SO BOOK EARLY. “ Wonderful local guide with such knowledge of the area - thank you “
SUMMARY
Dates: Saturday August 2nd to Thursday August 7th – 5 nights and 5 walks
Guide: Local Guide
Walking Grade: 2 Goats with some walks at the top end of Goat 2 as you walk onto the Cairngorms Plateau an ascent of 600m.
Highlights:
- A visit to the UK’s largest National Park
- A mosaic of mountains, forests and Highland Lochs
- To sample the Scottish water of life, whisky while exploring some hidden gems of Speyside
- To walk in the footsteps of Scottish poet and writer, Nan Shepherd
Base: The Cairngorms Guest House, Aviemore – family run 13 room traditional scottish guesthouse with hearty breakfasts to set you up for the day. A perfect location for exploring the Cairngorms National Park. The train station is a short bus, taxi ride away or a 15 minute walk. Shops and restaurants are 10 minutes away.
Please arrive on Saturday by 4pm for a briefing and a short orientation walk
There is a train station in Aviemore and the nearest airport is Inverness about 45 minutes’ drive away. There is a connecting train between Inverness and Aviemore.
We would encourage people to travel by public transport. Why not try the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Aviemore details in this link: Sleeper train. Your adventure begins from the moment you board the train. The overnight train arrives into Aviemore at approx 8 – 9am on Day 1.
Departure at your leisure on Tuesday – breakfast is provided.
Price: £1450 per person solo occupancy ensuite and including:
If you bring a partner/friend and share a room there is a £200 discount so £1250 per person.
- Ensuite Bed & Breakfast accommodation for 5 nights
- Welcome meal and finale evening meal at a local restaurant in Aviemore
- Specialist guiding
- Local Transport required for walks including a trip on the local steam railway ( subject to timetable and availability)
Not included:
- return travel to Aviemore
- packed lunches which can be bought from local nearby shops
- evening meals on the other 3 nights . On other trips guests have bought takeaways and eaten at the Guesthouse or together in local restaurants – we will give recommendations in your Travel Information.
- Anything not listed above.
DETAILS
The Cairngorms are the UK’s largest national park (it is twice the size of the Lake District National Park and bigger than the whole of Luxembourg) and they are home to 4 of the 5 highest mountains in the British Isles as well as the largest Caledonian forests. With more high-level mountain ground than anywhere else in Britain and Ireland, the National Park offers a vital habitat for rare mountain plants and other scarce wildlife. Its beauty is breath-taking and has inspired many a mountaineer and poet.
The Scottish poet Nan Shepherd had a life-long fascination for The Cairngorms and many will be familiar with her poetic prose, especially showcased in her work ‘The Living Mountain’:
“Yet often the mountain gives itself most completely when I have no destination, when I reach nowhere in particular, but have gone out merely to be with the mountain as one visits a friend with no intention but to be with him.”
― Nan Shepherd, The Living Mountain: A Celebration of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland
The gateway into the Cairngorms is Aviemore which is a year-round destination with snow sports being the popular winter activity and walking, climbing, biking, and a whole host of other activities the main summer draw. Our hotel will be in the bustling heart of it all, making the surrounding areas easily accessible.
Our walks will give you a special introduction to the diverse landscapes of the Cairngorms. On our day trip to the Morayshire Coast and through whisky country, the views will change again. There will be time to sample local food and drinks.
ITINERARY
Itineraries are subject to change at the discretion of the guide and depending on the weather. More detail will be provided.
Day 1: ARRIVAL around 4pm ( if you can )
Arrival and settle in. You will meet with your guide for a briefing at 3pm ish with a local walk before your evening meal together
Day 2: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CAIRNGORMS
This morning we will take public transport into the heart of the Glenmore Forest Park. Our walk today is a great way of introducing you to the views and wonders of the Cairngorms by climbing the corbett (Scottish mountains over 800m) Meall A’Bhuachaille. The name means in Gaelic ‘hill of the shepherd’ and your guide will happily explain why. The hill gives some fine vistas over the Cairngorms, its surrounding forest parks and Highland lochs.
9km, 550m of ascent
Day 3: INTO THE CAIRNGORMS
After yesterday’s warm up, we are venturing further onto the Cairngorm plateau and we’ll literally wander in the footsteps of the Scottish poet, Nan Shepherd. Nan roamed the Cairngorm hills all her life and her beautiful words from her book ‘The Living Mountain’ will be accompanying us. Depending on snow conditions, we might tackle a higher vantage point.
16km, 600m of ascent
Day 4: STRATHSPEY RAILWAY
Choo choo – we are off on a steam train today! The Strathspey Steam Railway was brought back to life in 1978 and runs between Aviemore and Broomhill in Strathspey. We’ll enjoy the blast from the past and alight at the quaint Highland village of Boat of Garten for a wee explore. We join the well-known long-distance path, The Speyside Way, and return to Aviemore on foot. Afterwards there is some free time to relax, do some shopping or go for another wander.
10km, 50m ascent
Day 5: MORAYSHIRE COAST and Whisky County
We take a day trip today through Speyside Whisky Country on our excursion to the coast. Either if you like to sample a dram or two or if you have not been converted yet, whisky is the life blood of Scotland and part of its history, heritage and pride. We take a scenic drive through the rolling Speyside hills, past many familiar sounding whisky distilleries, following the River Spey. We are heading for the coast where we will explore the Morayshire Coast which is dubbed ‘The Scottish Riviera’ with its mild climate and stunning sandy beaches. On our outing today, we will do at least two walks of approx. 5km each with minimal ascent.
Day 6 :
Departure with time at your leisure if you want to wander around Aviemore at your leisure.
The Caledonian Sleeper train leaves in the evening from Aviemore.
CALL 01784 664063 – EMAIL CONTACTUS@WALKINGWOMEN.COM
