Places to eat
Newtonmore (~5 min)
Small local restaurant, well regarded. Books up fast in summer — worth calling ahead.
Local hotel bar and restaurant. Decent food and real ale. Relaxed atmosphere.
Local truck stop. Good, honest food at reasonable prices. No frills.
Fish and chips. Great for a quick fix after a long day out.
Indian restaurant in Newtonmore. Popular with locals — and they deliver to Wee Wilds.
Kingussie (~10 min)
High-end dining in a converted cotton mill. Perfect for a celebration. Book well ahead.
Kincraig (~15 min)
Incredible cakes and light lunches. The art on the walls is usually for sale. A wee gem.
Further afield
Excellent pub and restaurant. Roaring fires, often live music. One of our favourites. Book ahead in season.
Owned by the local Cairngorm Brewery. Good burgers and local ales.
Famous for its cake cupboard and bird-watching window. Quirky, rustic, and hidden in the woods.
Local walks
The first two start from the door — no car needed. Everything else is under 30 minutes away.
From the door
Up the hill behind the property. Lovely views — well worth the climb.
A short wander down to the river. Deer and hares are often about, especially early morning.
A 10km orbital route around Newtonmore covering river banks, moorland, and wooded hills. Look for the painted wildcat models along the way.
Short drive
A short, flat walk to the ruins of an 18th-century infantry barracks. Especially atmospheric at sunset, with great views back across the marshes.
Dramatic rocky pools and ancient pines. The Frank Bruce Sculpture Trail is nearby — many of the sculptures are slowly returning to the earth, which is part of the charm.
National Nature Reserve. The walk up to Coire Ardair loch is dramatic — steep crags, open skies, and wildlife. Recommended by many of our guests.
Woodland walk through ancient Scots pine around four small lochans. Includes a steep but rewarding climb to a viewpoint overlooking the hidden lochans.
Woodland walk to a loch with famously vivid green water. Legend says the fairies wash their clothes here. Expect crowds on sunny days.
Walk the circuit around the loch through Caledonian pine forest. Sandy beach and watersports. Popular for wild swimming — the water is cold but clean.
Voted one of the best short walks in Scotland. Ancient woodland, a ruined castle on an island, excellent chances of seeing red squirrels. Also good for wild swimming.
Park at the Cairngorm ski centre and walk up to the high corrie loch. Exposed and atmospheric. Check the forecast — the plateau is no place to be in mist.
Things to do
Parks & nature
Drive-through wildlife park. Wolves, bison, polar bears, Scottish wildcats. Good for a half-day.
Forest trails through ancient Caledonian pine. Loch Morlich, red squirrels, capercaillie (if you're lucky). Free to enter. Great for families.
Ski resort in winter, walking and mountain biking in summer. The funicular runs to the summit plateau when conditions allow. It's windy 90% of the time — bring a jacket.
Water slides, climbing walls, and a dinosaur park. A massive hit for kids and adults alike.
Mountain biking, gondola, and skiing on the slopes of Aonach Mòr beside Ben Nevis.
Activities
Paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing on Loch Insh. The restaurant there has a great view of the loch.
Ride a vintage steam train between Aviemore and Boat of Garten. A relaxed and scenic way to spend an afternoon.
Local outdoor activities provider. Great for white water rafting or canyoning.
Guided outdoor activities and mountain skills in the Cairngorms.
Horse riding in Kingussie. Very beginner-friendly.
Off-road experiences. Many take place on the Ardverikie Estate — where they filmed Monarch of the Glen.
A beautiful, flat course by the River Spey. Visitors welcome.
Sightseeing
An open-air living history museum spanning 300 years of Highland life. Features a replica 1700s township used in Outlander. Free to enter and underrated.
Community museum celebrating Newtonmore's history, shinty, and the Scottish wildcat.
Site of the 1746 battle that ended the Jacobite rising. Excellent NTS visitor centre. Sombre and moving.
Ruined castle on the bank of Loch Ness. Always busy — book tickets ahead of time.
One of the most photographed castles in Scotland. The drive west through Glen Shiel is itself worth the trip.
Distillery tours
Very small and boutique. Check opening times — not always open for walk-ins.
The closest distillery and one of Scotland's highest. Tours available; booking recommended.
Friendly, large distillery just off the A9. Good value tours.
The Balvenie, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, The Macallan — all around Dufftown and Craigellachie. A full day's drive, or stay overnight in Speyside. The Balvenie requires months of advance booking; The Macallan's architecture alone is worth the trip.
Local amenities
Grocery shopping
Nearest supermarket. Open late and carries all the essentials.
Local butcher. Excellent local venison and pies.
Full-size Tesco. Best for a big shop.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy and convenience items.
Petrol & fuel
Nearest petrol station.
Open 24 hours. Useful if you're heading south or arriving late.
In the centre of Aviemore.
Book ahead
In peak season (July–August) and on bank holidays, places like The Old Bridge Inn and The Letterbox fill up days in advance. Don't just turn up and hope for the best.
The midges
Walking near water or in the woods between June and September? Bring insect repellent. They will find you if you stand still for more than ten seconds.
Weather
Four seasons in one day isn't a cliché here — it's a warning. Always carry a waterproof, even if the sun is out when you leave. The A9 has average speed cameras, so plan your time.
All distances and times are approximate and by car unless stated.