📌 Town in Highland
★
Once synonymous with its nearby ski area, Cairngorm Mountain, Aviemore is the closest Scotland has to a winter sports resort – though it’s not a particularly pretty one, even in lying snow. While the surrounding Cairngorms and Monadhliath hill ranges are still commonly draped in white in winter and spring, snowsports have declined in recent years and the town has diversified into a successful all-season outdoor destination. Much of this is focused around Glenmore Forest Park, for which Aviemore is the gateway, but Craigellachie National Nature Reserve is even closer by, with pretty woodland and paths leading to a scenic hilltop viewpoint. Those looking for a more leisurely outing could take a trip on the steam-hauled Strathspey Railway, or enjoy the many gift shops, outdoor shops, hotel restaurants and cafés. The Ski-ing Doo is a carb-heavy Aviemore institution, but our favourite spot for a bite to eat is the superb Pizzariach takeaway, tucked away in a residential suburb to the north.
🌍 Location
📌 Highland
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NH 895124
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.189263,-3.829406
🚶 The Strathspey Railway departs from the town centre, and you can easily walk up Craigellachie from here too. Most of Glenmore Forest Park is too far to reach on foot, though a good cycle path network links this area.
🚆🚌 Aviemore railway station is shared between the Strathspey heritage railway and Highland Main Line, with direct trains from Inverness, Stirling, Perth, Glasgow, Edinburgh and stations beyond as far as London. Buses or longer-distance coaches connect with Inverness, Grantown-on-Spey, Dufftown and (infrequently) Perth and Edinburgh.
Explore nearby
<1 mi away
>> Strathspey Railway (not yet featured)
>> Treezone (Aviemore) ★★★★
>> Walk: Aviemore’s Craigellachie – falcon’s-eye view ★★★ (map: blue)
<3 mi away
>> Walk: Loch an Eilein – going the extra mile ★★★ (2 mi ↓, map: green)
>> Walk: Ord Ban ticked off ★★★ (2 mi ↓, map: red)
