Cairngorm
Highlands, Scotland
The Cairngorm National Park consists of a range of mountains including the Cairn Gorm mountain. Located in the Scottish Highlands, the Cairngorm support Britain’s only herd of reindeer and is home of many mammals such as mountain hare and other birds and wildlife.
Once you pass Perth, the landscape and nature changes, you can see the woodlands and the mountains and high hills that make Scotland Highlands so beautiful.
This time we have booked a B&B in Kingussie, as small town along River Spey, close to multiple attractions like Highland Folk Museum or Highland Wildlife Park.
After a long 7 hours drive, we looked for a place to have our dinner and we found this lovely, coquette place called The Cross. Once a water-powered tweed mill, this 1800s inn on 4 acres of grounds is one of the Cairngorms National Park treasure. Our host Joe welcomed us into the cosy, warm restaurant, with multiple awards for culinary excellence. The food was so fresh, tasty and colourful, the best we had so far in Scotland. From the moment we arrived and until we got back to our accommodation, we felt cosy, relaxed and happy that we had this amazing delicious experience at The Cross. I would highly recommend this inn and I hope we will be able to go back and stay in their charming rooms as well.
The next day we got up early and started our route to Cairngorm mountain.
The plan was to conquer Ben Macdui (1309m), however the plans from home can’t always be achieved when you get there as the weather is so unpredictable. We reduced the route to go to Cairngorm due to weather conditions.
The route starts from the Cairngorm sky centre car park and it is 10.9 miles. At the time of the visit (November), the car park was free of charge but we could see that’s not going to be the same during sky season with car park barriers and pay machines being installed, so better check before you go.
When we started the hike, it was a little bit windy and foggy, however that changed as soon as we started to ascend. The path is rocky in some areas but overall is accessible. The ascend is gradual with few up and down the rest of the route. See elevation detail attached, from left to right.
Cairn Gorm mountain (1,245 m) is the seventh-highest mountain in the Britain Isles. The high, broad domed summit overlooking Strathspey is one of the most readily identifiable mountains from the nearby town and regional centre of Aviemore.
As the wind was starting to be stronger and stronger, after two miles, the wind was about 70mph and it was so strong as I was using my poles to not fall off. Therefore, we decided to stop our trip to Cairn Gorm and return on the same route to the car park. Better safe than sorry and we’ll go to see Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui next time, in the summer.
After our failed hike, the next day we had a relaxed day spent at the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd where I fed some of this beautiful reindeers.
I enjoy seeing the animals happy and free on the hills. These friendly and beautiful reindeers are happy to see the visitors all year round, not just around Christmas. The walk to the reindeers is about 15 minutes and it is accessible for everyone ( with proper booths or wellies).
The Aviemore and Cairngorm area is so beautiful with a combination of mountains, lake with beautiful beaches, rivers and woodland, definitely a place that we will visit again soon.
