Camping At The Foot of Cairngorms National Park
The Buzz Portrays Camping In The British Isles, Particularly Cairngorms National Park, For An Unparalleled Experience And Scenery
Just as in the U.S., national parks in the United Kingdom are among the most popular camping destinations for visitors and locals alike. The fifteen parks spread across England, Wales and Scotland include some of the most stunning scenery on the British Isles, where you’ll find moors, mountains, lakes, castles, ancient stone circles, and even whisky distilleries. But few would dispute that the most amazing of all is also the largest: Cairngorms National Park in Scotland.
Covering 1,500 sq. miles, Cairngorms includes the highest mountain range in Britain, along with many of its surrounding hills and glens. Its location, at the gateway to the Highlands, makes it a perfect staging point for must-see attractions such as Loch Ness, Culloden, Inverness, the Great Glen and beyond. Whiskies with famous names, including Dalwhinnie, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet are produced at distilleries near the park, which sits in the heart of Scotland’s Speyside single malt region. Castles in the neighborhood include Blair Atholl and Gordon (home of the gin). Balmoral, the summer residence of the royal family, sits on the park’s eastern side.
The village of Aviemore provides convenient access to the most interesting area of Cairngorms. Located just off the major A9 highway leading from southern Scotland to the Highlands, the village offers lots of restaurant and entertainment options, plus several campgrounds. Shops line the main street, offering hiking, camping, and, in winter, skiing equipment. The Strathspey Steam Railway line offers dining and whisky excursions from Aviemore Station.
At the southern end of Aviemore Village, a road leads 12 miles up to the base of Mt. Cairngorm. At 4,084 feet, the mountain is one of the highest peaks in the park. From the base lodge, a funicular railroad takes guests up to Ptarmigan Restaurant, with exhibits on the park’s ecology and history. Guests can wander the deck offering magnificent views, as well as a full service cafeteria and bar, the highest in the UK. From there, a trail leads to the mountain’s summit, a must for birders seeking to photograph the rare birds, including ptarmigan, snow bunting and dotterels, that make this their home.
Along the way, the road passes through the Glenmore Forest Park, the largest remaining remnant of the ancient Caledonian pine forest that once covered most of Scotland. The forest is home to many endangered species, including the red squirrel, Scottish wildcats, red deer and the rare Scottish crossbill. It’s also home to the Glenmore Campsite, one of the most popular, and best located, campgrounds in Cairngorms National Park.
We met Paul and Elizabeth Moore, and their dog Pongo, at the Glenmore Campsite, where they were staying in their NuSurf motorhome. The couple, from Newcastle on Britain’s northeast coast, has stayed here several times before. Earlier trips saw the Moores camping in a tent and in a towed caravan, what Americans call a trailer. The self-contained NuSurf is just right, Elizabeth says, for the couple and their dog.
“We’ve been coming here since our kids were little,” she tells The Buzz. “Now we’re bringing the wee ones, the grandchildren. This is such a wonderful place to learn to canoe and enjoy other watersports. And the people here are very friendly.”
A short path through the trees from the campsite leads to the shores of Loch Morlich, where canoes, kayaks, windsurfers, mountain bikes and sailboats are available for rent, and the wide white sand beach welcomes swimmers. The watersports centre offers refreshments, rentals and changing facilities. Mt. Cairngorm, named for its blue color when seen from a distance, provides a spectacular backdrop for activity on the water.
Other attractions located within walking distance of the campsite include the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, where members of Scotland’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer are available to meet-and-greet. The Pine Marten Bar, adjacent to the campsite, provides quick meals and a wide selection of local whiskies, reasonably priced, plus occasional live music.
Trails for hiking and pony trekking are winding throughout the region. One scenic favorite is the handicapped accessible track around Loch An Eilein, where the ruins of a 13th century castle can be seen on an island in the middle of the lake. This loch is part of the Rothiemurchus Estate, located in the Spey River valley, which operates a deli and farm store along the road to the Cairngorm base lodge. The store’s offerings include artisan cheeses and baked goods, plus beef, venison, trout and other local delicacies - a great spot to stock up on supplies for the RV larder.
Elizabeth Moore says other favorite destinations for RVers in Scotland include Glencoe (“take a raincoat,” she recommends), as well as the western isles of Mull, Skye and the Outer Hebrides, accessible by road or ferry. Scotland’s other national park, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, is closer to Glasgow and Stirling Castle.
Moore recommends camping as an ideal way to see the British Isles. “There’s so much beautiful scenery here,” she says. “You can get back to nature, and really meet the people.”
Renee Wright
A graduate of Franconia College in Social Psychology, Renee has worked as Travel Editor for Charlotte Magazine and has written three travel guidebooks for Countryman Press among other writing assignments. She enjoys food and camping.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Glenmore Campsite, offering everything you could wish for from a camping holiday. Explore the Scottish highlands inside Cairngorm. The site offers a unique combination of landscapes and mountainous views with complete forest immersion.