Cairngorms National Park - Long Weekend Summer Break
Cairngorms National Park - Where to stay, What to Eat and Things to do
This Summer I decided to head up to Cairngorms National Park in Scotland for a long weekend break. I couldn’t have picked a better weekend to visit, as temperatures were set to soar to over 35 degrees in London, but the weather in Cairngorms National Park was a perfect 26 degrees.
We were greeted with blue skies and a fresh breeze and the ideal setting to explore the natural beauty of Cairngorms National Park.
The National Park has a land area larger than the size of Luxembourg so there’s plenty to discover whilst getting away from the crowds. There’s also a host of fantastic accommodation ranging from glamping to luxury hotels, as well as great restaurants dotted around too.
Here are my highlights from my trip:
How to Get There:
Flights from Gatwick airport to Inverness are direct and take about 1h 15 mins. This isn’t very long at all to get you to the other side of the country!
We picked up a hire car from Inverness airport which was quick and easy and headed out towards Cairngorms National Park. The drive to our accommodation was less then an hour and through beautiful scenery.
We decided on hiring a car to give us the flexibility of exploring more of the region at a time it suits us. There is also the possibility of booking taxis or hiring bikes for your trip.
Where to Stay:
The Lazy Duck
I’ve long searched for a glamping venue where you aren’t overlooked by other guests or need to share any of the facilities - and I finally found one!
The Lazy Duck is literally a hidden gem, as it’s located in the middle of a six acre forest in the heart of Cairngorms National Park. This off-grid hideaway offers eco-huts, glamping, and even a safari tent!
We stayed in the Woodman's Hut and absolutely loved the experience. The Hut included a super comfortable double bed with a skylight, a kitchen space with the pantry essentials and a lounge area too. Our favourite part of the hut was the front deck upon which we enjoyed a crackling chimenea fire every night of our stay.
They can also provide a breakfast hamper with eggs, bacon, milk and delicious homemade muesli and jam. This is definitely worth getting as you can start you day with a freshly cooked warm breakfast - all cooked on the fire if you like!
There is a compost toilet and and an outside shower which uses rain water - all back to basics but fun to learn how to master!
The other on-site facilities include wood fired hot tub, infrared sauna, and yoga and massage sessions in their wellbeing studio.
There is nothing more rejuvenating than being nestled in centuries-old Scots Pine Forest for a few days and this is the ideal space for a slow-living wellness break.
The Nethybridge Inn
If you’re looking for a more traditional and luxurious hotel to stay in, then The Nethybridge Inn is the choice for you.
This highland manor hotel is located amongst the splendour of the Cairngorm mountains, very close to Aviemore and many other sites. This makes it the perfect base for exploring Cairngorms National Park.
The rooms are large and spacious and many of them have views over the hotels well-kept gardens. There is an on-site restaurant and bar which are ideal for a leisurely lunch in the sunshine, or a meal in their cosy dining space.
The hotel itself is set in the quaint village of Nethy Bridge which has a few lovely local cafes and stores to visit, as well as beautiful country walks in every directions.
Where to Eat:
The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant
The restaurant at The Boat Country Inn offers hearty pub-style dining with classic dishes and seasonal specials, many of which have a modern twist. The haggis pakora and chilli con carne with haggis are just a few examples of this.
The dishes we tried were delicious and served in generous portions. I was really impressed by my traditional Cullen Skink starter and would recommend it to all. My haddock and chips were also exactly what I needed after a long day travelling.
This is a great place to eat when in the Cairngorms and Boat of Garten area.
Rowan Tree Restaurant
The Rowan Tree offers award winning dining in Cairngorms National Park. They pride themselves in using the very best Scottish produce available in the area, including Speyside lamb and Whisky home cured Salmon.
I really enjoyed my seared salmon for my main and had to try the local dessert, cranachan for dessert.
The menu here is varied and offers a lot of choice to diners. There’s also a bar area to enjoy a drink afterwards, or a beautiful loch just a few minutes walk away if you wanted to take in the views instead.
Garth Hotel
The Garth Hotel houses the 1769 Scottish Restaurant which has a fantastic daily changing menu on offer. The restaurant has a traditional feel and decor, and the barman even wears a kilt!
I dined here for their Sunday roast menu and really enjoyed the slow roasted chicken supreme and lamb roast.
They have an outside space where guests can enjoy a drink in the sun, as well as bar area too.
The restaurant is located in Grantown on Spey and is very close to Aviemore, making it ideal for anyone staying in the area.
Nethybridge Inn
The Nethybridge Inn (where we also stayed) has a restaurant, bar and lounge space for dining.
There is a classic lunch menu offering the traditional pub-lunch dishes, as well as a few special additions. This is served in The Bridge Bar and Lounge.
For dinner The Abernethy Restaurant offers a more comprehensive menu with a wide choice of Scottish dishes.
Speyside Centre
I really enjoyed visiting the Speyside Centre whilst exploring the Cairngorms National Park, as their store sells an excellent range of Scottish and Highland souvenirs and treats.
Their cafe is the perfect place to stop for lunch or afternoon treat as they serve a great range of homemade meals, snacks and fantastic freshly made bakes.
All ingredients are locally sourced where possible and this makes a difference to the quality of the food.
We enjoyed paninis with a fresh salad for lunch and after a wonder around the garden centre we headed back for coffees and cake, including the infamous clootie dumpling! A must try when here!
Things to Do:
Visit the Lochs - Especially Loch an Eilein!
Credit: VisitScotland / Airborne Lens
Cairngorms National Park is filled with beautiful lochs which are a must-visit when in the area.
Loch an Eilein was our favourite and we spent a whole afternoon here. The Loch as an island in the middle with a 13th century castle on it. It is also located in the middle of forest of Rothiemurchus, thus offering absolutely magical views from all angles.
We walked through the woods for about 10mins to find a secluded grassy spot by the water and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon here.
Other lochs in the area include Loch Morlich which sits at the foot of Cairngorm mountains, as well as Loch Garten, Loch Vaa and Loch Uaine.
RSPB Loch Garten Nature Centre
Just by Loch Garten is the Nature Centre run by the RSPB. This is the perfect place to experience the forest surrounding the beautiful Loch.
You can enjoy a guided woodland adventure, look for the world-famous osprey and enjoy a host of other wildlife too.
Grantown Museum
Based in Grantown-on-Spey, this museum provides a historical insight into both the town and the Scottish highlands.
There’s a range of exhibitions to explore, and the permanent exhibition explore the town itself and tells the stories of Grantown from its founding in 1775.
Slow down and unwind
One thing that we particularly enjoyed doing during our trip to the Cairngorms National Park is slowing down and enjoy the surroundings.
There’s no need to have an itinerary filled with things to do, as one of the best things to do here is to take in the beautiful surroundings.
We spent a long afternoon by the loch; a relaxed morning making breakfast and taking in the forest and mountains around whilst at The Lazy Duck; and best of all, taking time away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Overall
The Cairngorms National Park is a wonder to discover. The entire area is a place of great natural beauty and provides a wholesome location to unwind and enjoy nature.
Add the delicious local food and drink available in the area and the friendliest people I’ve met whilst travelling, and you’ve got an ideal place to a relaxing long-weekend break.
What’s your favourite slow travel destination? Let me know in the comments below!
Her Favourite Food & Travel x
In association with VisitCairngorms - all opinions are my own.