The Cairngorms & Strathspey
The Cairngorms National Park is a mecca for all outdoor activities from walking, climbing to—in winter—skiing and snowboarding. Whatever your tastes it's here: from family-oriented theme parks to the sub-Arctic wilderness of the Cairngorm plateau with its unique wildlife and extreme weather.
All images are copyright David Marsh
It's worth the detour off the A9 to see the beautiful old packhorse bridge, built in 1719, that gives this village its name. It's one of the oldest in the Highlands and is illuminated at night.
A beautiful loch surrounded by untouched Caledonian forest with the Northern Corries of the Cairngorms looming over. There's a sandy beach at one end and cafe and it has an assortment of watersports (Loch Morlich Watersports, Tel: 01479 861221, www.lochmorlich.com). The 3 mile walk around the loch is recommended and is pram and wheelchair friendly.
Landmark Forest Heritage Park
A theme park based on wood. Some of the attractions include the Ropeworx Highwire Adventure, the Treetops Trail (a raised walkway through the canopy of the Scots Pines and a steam-powered sawmill. The majority of the attractions in the park are open from the end of March to the end of October
There's been a semi-wild herd of these gentle creatures in the Cairngorms since the 1950s. If you visit the centre they will take you up onto the mountain to wherever the herd is and you'll have the opportunity to hand feed them. Late May is the best time to see the new born calves.
A funicular railway runs from the end of the road up to the Ptarmigan Restaurant at 3540 feet (1080m) on Cairngorm. It's a great way to get a feel for the environment of the Cairngorm plateau without the toil of climbing up to it. In Winter – sometimes Spring too – Coire Cas is Scotland's most reliable skiing and snowboarding centre. In the summer rangers lead guided walks out onto the plateau from the Ptarmigan Restaurant.
When ospreys returned to breed in Scotland in 1954, Loch Garten was where they came. The Centre provides fantastic close-up views of these magnificent birds on the nest through non-invasive CCTV cameras. It's also one of the places in Scotland to see Capercaillie. Ospreys are present between late March and early September.
This interesting open air museum (so not an ideal rainy day choice) in Newtonmore is a collection of historical buildings, furnished rooms and relics reflecting Highland life and culture. Actors in period costumes give demonstrations of crafts. Open April to the end of October. (Admission Free).
This zoo near Kincraig highlights Scottish and endangered animals from around the world's mountain and tundra environments such as Polar Bears, Scottish Wildcats and Amur Tigers.