14 Great Towns and Villages in the Cairngorms: An A to Z Guide
The communities in the landscapes of the Cairngorms are just as varied as the landscapes in the park. This post lists the best towns and villages in the Cairngorms National Park.
The mountains have shaped the diversity of the character and culture of each of these communities. For thousands of years, these towns and villages have seen changes to languages, folklore, castles and mountains.
There are remains from prehistoric, Celtic and Pictish times. In addition, the clan system shaped the way of Highland Cairngorm life during the 10th to 18th centuries.
There are castles that are evidence of the trials and tribulations of these times. Moving on, the Jacobite Uprising dismantled the Clan’s way of life, leading to barracks, military roads, planned towns and empty glens.
The Cairngorms were one of the most favourite places for Queen Victoria to visit. Since the Victorian times, the Cairngorms have attracted visitors from all over the country.
It is a popular tourist area with lots of activities including skiing, walking, shooting and fishing. Also, it is estimated that 1.4 million people visit the Cairngorms every year.
The Cairngorms has the 90-mile Snow Road which showcases the wild landscapes. In addition, you can follow the ‘Victorian Heritage Trail’, through the Royal Deeside.
The Cairngorms are home to 18,000 people. The population density is quite low compared to other parts of the United Kingdom.
This post lists the best towns and villages in the Cairngorms National Park.
Aviemore
Aviemore is a small town and holiday resort. The settlement has a range of facilities including a cinema and swimming pool as well as a good choice of restaurants, cafes, bars, accommodation and retail outlets.
It is in an idyllic natural setting in the mountains. There is a wide range of summer and winter activities to choose from.
The Cairngorm Mountain Railway is a nearby funicular which takes visitors and sightseers near the summit of Cairngorm Mountain (4082 feet).
There is a wide range of mountain biking tracks as well as RSPB and nature reserves. Hikers will love the area as Aviemore is in close proximity to the Cairngorms mountains.
Aviemore is an excellent place to base yourself for exploring the Cairngorms National Park. Also, visitors can enjoy the lochs and forests at the Badenoch, Strathspey, Glenmore, Rothiemurchus and Alvie Estates.
Visitors can explore the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, Green Loch and Cairngorm Brewery. Look at this guide: 30 Epic Things To Do In Aviemore and the Cairngorms.
Aviemore Highlights
- Cairngorm Brewery
- Green Loch
- Cairn Gorm Mountain
- Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
Ballater
Located on the eastern side of the Cairngorms in the heart of the Royal Deeside. Ballater is one of the largest settlements. It is located on the River Dee at a height of 123 metres (700 feet).
Ballater is fit for royalty all year round, there is a good range of accommodation, cosy cafes and restaurants. This is a great place to base yourself for outdoor activities including hiking, climbing and skiing.
Ballater is an excellent place to base yourself for exploring Royal Aberdeenshire Castles including Ballater Castle, Crathes Castle and Craigievar Castle.
The Royal Station was destroyed in a fire in 2015, however, it has been restored to ensure the previous grandeur is maintained.
For golf lovers, there is Ballater Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course set in the rolling hills of upper Deeside. A few miles to the south lies Loch Muick and the legendary mountains of ‘dark Lochnagar’.
Ballater Highlights
- Ballater Golf Club
- Loch Muick
- Royal Station
Blair Atholl
River Garry flows through the heart of the village. Blair Atholl is well known for the stunning Blair Castle.
Blair Castle has been the gatekeeper to the Scottish Highlands for the past 700 years.
At Blair Castle, there are stunning gardens to explore and visitors can discover the turbulent history of the castle including Britain’s only private army, the Atholl Highlanders.
There are many great castles in Perthshire and the Cairngorms.
Blair Atholl Highlights
- Blair Castle
Boat of Garten
Overlooked by the Cairngorms, the village of the Boat of Garten also goes by the name of “The Osprey Village”. It is a gorgeous area set by the Strathspey Stream.
The Boat of Garten offers fine dining, cafes, a bike shop, regular events and a golf course. You can grab a permit to go fishing, head out onto the hiking trails or explore the lovely area on foot.
The Abernethy Forest RSPB Reserve is located on the shores of Loch Garten. Some of the most beautiful lochs in the Highlands are located in the Cairngorms National Park.
Boat of Garten Highlights
- Abernethy Forest RSPB Reserve
- Loch Garten
Braemar
This small village is one of the highest mountainous parishes in the UK. There is an abundance of wonderful, wildlife-filled low-level walking routes, making the village a good option for hikers.
Braemar is 58 miles west of Aberdeen. This is a good place to base yourself for exploring Glenshee or skiing in winter.
Also, Braemar is close to two of my favourite walks at the Linn of Dee and Linn of Quoich. There are over 65 miles of high-level walks and cycle routes of varying length and difficulty.
This ancient village hosts the annual Braemar Gathering and Highland Games. The 17th-century Braemar Castle is one of the best attractions in the area.
Braemar Highlights
- Linn of Dee
- Linn of Quoich
- Braemar Castle
Carrbridge
The oldest bridge in the Highlands is located here, the Old Packhouse Bridge was built in 1717. Also, the Landmark Adventure Park can be found here.
Carrbridge is renowned for its traditional and contemporary music and eclectic programmes of events including the annual Carrbridge Live Art and Music Festival, the Carrbridge Gathering & Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Championship and the World Porridge Making Championship.
Carrbridge Highlights
- Old Packhorse Bridge
- Landmark Adventure Park
Crathie
Crathie stands at the north bank of River Dee, located between Braemar and Ballater. This small hamlet where you can find Crathie’s Kirk, Balmoral Castle, Prince Albert’s Cairn, Abergeldie Castle, The Highlander’s Bakehouse and Royal Lochnagar Distillery.
There is a large car park, which costs £5 per car. This is a great place to start for exploring the multiple paths and routes in the area.
Crathie Highlights
- Crathie’s Kirk
- Balmoral Castle
- Prince Albert’s Cairn
- Abergeldie Castle
- Highlander’s Bakehouse
- Royal Lochnager Distillery
Dalwhinnie
The small hamlet is located in the countryside at the head of Glen Truim and the northeast end of Loch Ericht. This is a good place to base yourself begging nearby Munros in Badenoch.
Dalwhinnie is best known for its iconic distillery, Dalwhinnie Distillery which produces Dalwhinnie Single Malt Scotch. The distillery sits at 1,154 feet above sea level, making it the high elevates working distillery in Scotland.
Dalwhinnie Highlights
- Dalwhinnie Distillery
Dinnet
A small village that wows visitors with idyllic vistas, rugged crags and luscious lochs. Loch Kinnord and Loch Daven are the biggest lochs in the area near Dinnet.
The Muir of Dinnet is nearby and this is where you can find magical rock formations including the Burn o’Vat. Muir of Dinnet is one of the closest nature reserves to Aberdeen.
Dinnet Highlights
- Loch Kinnord
- Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve
- Loch Daven
Grantown-on-Spey
Grantown-on-Spey is the first settlement north of the Snow Roads route. The small town is filled with cafes, restaurants, a gallery, a bookshop and more.
Grantown-on-Spey is a great place to base yourself to explore the Strathspey area. It is a popular destination for those who are going to Leicht Ski Centre in the winter, or for those who are climbing, walking and exploring the countryside in the summer.
Also, Grantown-on-Spey is located on the 70-mile-long famous Speyside Malt Whisky Trail. In the town, visitors can enjoy the 18-hole golf course and the Grantown Heritage Museum.
Grantown-on-Spey Highlights
- Speyside Malt Whisky Trail
- Grantown Heritage Museum
- Leicht Ski Centre
- Dava Way
Killiecrankie
Killiecrankie is a village in Perthshire, not far from Blair Atholl and Pitlochry. There is a visitor centre near Killiecrankie Viaduct.
In addition, have a look at Soldier’s Leap. This is a spot where a Redcoat soldier leapt 18ft across the raging River Garry while fleeing the Jacobite’s during the Battle of Killiecrankie.
Soak in the views across the green Garry Bridge and the River Garry. This is a spectacular sight especially when the colours of the leaves are changing during the autumn months.
Killiecrankie Highlights
- Garry Bridge
- Soldier’s Leap
- Killiecrankie Viaduct
Kingussie
Kingussie is a small town located in the heart of the Cairngorms in the Scottish Highlands. There is a wide range of speciality shops and excellent choices of accommodation.
This small village is a great place to base yourself if you love spenidng time outdoors. Visitors can go walking, cycling, enjoying low-level nature trails, or demanding hill walks.
There is a great choice of cafes, shops, distilleries and a train station. One of the main attractions in Kingussie is the Ruthven Barracks.
Kingussie Highlights
- Ruthven Barracks
- Highland Wildlife Park
- Wildcat Centre
Newtonmore
Newtonmore is a friendly village nestled in the upper Spey Valley in the Cairngorms National Park, just 12 miles south of Aviemore. There are opportunities to do some pony-trekking, cycling, walking, golf and fishing.
Newtonmore has been the setting for TV shows such as Outlander. To explore the history of the area head to the Highland Folk Museum and the Clan MacPherson Museum.
There is a Highland Games day every Saturday at the beginning of August each year.
Newtonmore Highlights
- Highland Folk Museum
- Clan MacPherson Museum
Tomintoul
Tomintoul is the highest village in the Cairngorms National Park, situated at 1164 feet. The small village is a relatively new development, being found in the 18th century by a duke.
The small village is located between the Rivers Avon and Conglass. There is a central square, with Georgian and Victorian buildings, this is a great example of 18th century Scottish Higland-planned village.
There is so much history in this area, visitors can engage in the Malt Whisky Trail. Also, there are many outdoor activities in the Glen Livet Estate including horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, and a variety of snow sports at the nearby ski resort.
There are two interesting historical sites near Tomintoul. The 18th-century Lecht Iron Mine and a medieval tower house – Corgarff Castle.
Highlights
- Lecht Iron Mine
- Corgarff Castle
- Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre
What are the main towns in the Cairngorms?
The largest towns in the Cairngorms National Park are Aviemore, Ballater, Braemar, Tomintoul, Newtonmore and Grantown of Spey.
What is the closest town to Cairngorm?
The closest town to Cairngorm Mountain is Aviemore. Glenmore is a small hamlet between Aviemore and the Cairngorm Mountain car park with a choice of accommodation.
What is the most scenic road in the Cairngorms?
I love driving along the Old Military Road in the Cairngorms National Park. This is a very scenic route which takes you from the south of the Cairngorms to the north of the Cairngorms.
Is Aviemore a town or village?
Aviemore is a town and tourist resort. The population of Aviemore is 3,230 people, there are many facilities including a Tesco Superstore, many retail outlets, cafes and restaurants.
What is the highest town in Cairngorm?
The highest settlement in the Cairngorms National Park is Tomintoul which stands at 1164 feet.
Final Note
This post lists the best towns and villages in the Cairngorms National Park. There are many hamlets, villages and small towns which is a good place to base yourself for exploring the national park.
In addition, there are many nature walks, hill walking routes, museums, distilleries and prehistoric sites to visit. Also, the towns and villages in the Cairngorms are a good place to base yourself for climbing Munros in the Cairngorms.
There are great villages to visit in Aberdeenshire.
Multiple settlements in the Cairngorms host the Highland Games, an annual get-together for tourists and locals to celebrate their heritage and culture. The games involve axe-throwing, tug-o-war, bagpipes and Highland dancing.