The Cairngorms (Scottish Gaelic: Am Monadh Ruadh) are a mountain range in the eastern Highlands of Scotland closely associated with the mountain of the Cairn Gorm.
The Cairngorms became part of Scotland's second national park (the Cairngorms National Park) on 1 September 2003.
Although the Cairngorms give their name to, and are at the heart of, the Cairngorms National Park, they only form one part of the national park, alongside other hill ranges such as the Angus Glens and the Monadhliath, and lower areas like Strathspey.
The Cairngorms consists of high plateaux at about 1000–1200 m above sea level, above which domed summits (the eroded stumps of once much higher mountains [4]) rise to around 1300 m
CAIRNGORMS
Just outside Aviemore, this is a beautiful circular walk just 3.5 miles on good forest tracks, a beach and places to throw stones in the water along the way.
We also discovered that you can camp in the forest along the shores of the Loch, which also has public toilets, no fires allowed but the staff came around to check everyone was ok and that they knew about the NO fire. kids loved camping so close to the beach, and watching the sunset, we did get attacked by a few midges though.
Cafe on the beach open during the day and also watersports ( check website though as some closed due to covid)
Plenty of parking spaces in the car parks around the Loch, although I believe in the summer it gets extremely busy. This was a great location for our chosen Munro the next day which was Cairn Gorm.
LOCH MORLICH AVIEMORE PH22 1QU
Reo had done some research a while back and found these pyramids, at first I didn't believe they actually existed in the UK, I mean all the research I do on walks and this had never come up? But wow so happy he found the trail.
We had planned this for our trip but as we arrived in Scotland and researched we discovered the Queen was on holiday at this time so the main walking trail easy closed from July to October, disappointment set in until I read you could still visit the biggest pyramid which was Prince Albert's.
The trail starts from the car park outside Balmoral castle which we hope to visit next year. The path goes through some cottages before it starts to climb steeply through the forest on a good track.
We first came to Beatrice pyramid which the kids thought was big, then we followed the trail higher in the forest to the top where Prince Albert's cairn sat. This was huge and so mesmerizing, with awesome views over Balmoral.
It was worth the drive long drive to get here.
The walk for the 2 Pyramids was approx. 4 miles for us, the full circular walk for all the pyramids is approx. 6-8 miles depending which tracks you choose.
BALMORAL PYRAMIDS
OTHER PLACES TO SEE NEAR AVIEMORE
RSPB Loch Garten Osprey Centre
Highland Wildlife & Birdwatch Safari
Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
Highland Wildlife Park
Glenmore forest Park
Rothiemurchus