The Cairngorms - Wild and Wonderful
The Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in the UK – twice the size of the Lake District. It contains five of the six highest mountains in Britain, and more land above 900 metres than anywhere else in the country. The wild rolling mountainscapes and deep river valleys that have been shaped by glaciers, ancient forests and thousands of years of human history.
It’s also where we live and work. Based in Aviemore at the heart of the park, we guide here throughout the year – in every season, in every kind of weather, across terrain that ranges from ancient Caledonian pine forests to the high arctic plateau of the Cairngorm hills themselves.
A guided day with a local expert guide offers you the best possible insight and experience of this wild and wonderful part of the HIghlands.
More than just mountains
The Cairngorm plateau is one of the most extraordinary landscapes in Scotland – a vast, rolling arctic environment above 1,000 metres that links together some of the highest peaks in Scotland,. The weather can change in minutes and the sense of space is unlike anything in England or Wales. Up here you’re genuinely in wilderness.
Rothiemurchus, Abernethy and Glen Feshie contain some of the last surviving fragments of the ancient Caledonian pine forest that once covered much of Scotland. Walking through old Scots pine woodland, with red squirrels overhead and crested tits flitting between the branches, feels genuinely ancient.
The Cairngorms support some of Scotland’s rarest species – mountain hare, ptarmigan, capercaillie, red squirrel, osprey and golden eagle among them. Scotland’s only free-ranging reindeer herd roams the northern slopes of Cairngorm. Always keep an eye open, because you could spot something at any time.
A Day in the Cairngorms
These are examples of the kinds of days we guide. Every booking is tailored to your group – we’ll work with you to plan the right day based on your fitness, experience and interests.
Climb to the summit of Cairn Gorm (1,245m) with spectacular views across the plateau and into the wild Northern Corries below. Your guide brings the geology, wildlife and human history of the mountain to life as you walk.
A long, remote day across the high Cairngorm plateau to Britain's second highest peak at 1,309m. Your guide navigates the vast plateau and tells the story of the Am Fear Liath Mòr — the Big Grey Man said to roam these hills.
Ancient pines, the legendary Green Lochan — whose emerald colour folklore says comes from the fairies — and rich wildlife throughout. One of the most beautiful and accessible walks in the Cairngorms.
Ancient Caledonian pinewood, a ruined island castle reflected in still water, and one of the finest wildlife walks in Scotland — red squirrels, crested tits and the chance of the elusive capercaillie.
A wonderfully varied day combining the dramatic natural bowl of the Devil's Punchbowl with the birch woodland and waterfalls of the Cuckoo Glen. Quieter than many Cairngorms routes and rich in wildlife and character.
One of the great glens of the Cairngorms — a wide river valley bordered by ancient pine forest and backed by high hills. Less visited than the northern Cairngorms, wilder in feeling, and outstanding for red deer, ospreys and golden eagles.
All our Cairngorms days are privately guided – when you book, it’s just your group and your guide. We don’t run shared or open-group departures. Our day rate is £280 per guide per day, covering your whole group of up to 10 people. The more people you bring, the better the value per head.
Our hikes are graded based on the distance/ascent and overall difficulty of the terrain. For more info about our grades, see our trip grading page.
The Cairngorms in Every Season
Spring
Spring (March–May) The snow retreats from the lower hills and the days lengthen quickly. Ospreys return to Rothiemurchus in April. The high plateau may still hold significant snowpack – striping the hills with dramatic white patches.
Summer
Summer (June–August) Long days and the best chance of settled weather. The hills are most accessible, wildflowers colour the moorland, and the forest is alive with birdsong. The most popular time to visit — book ahead.
Autumn
Autumn (September–November) Our favourite season. The rutting deer fill the glens with noise, the birch trees turn gold against the dark pines, and the hills are at their most dramatic. Quieter than summer, often with the best light of the year.
Winter
Winter (December–February) A wild winter landscape. Snow transforms the forest while it lies in the glens, the plateau becomes a serious arctic environment, and the low winter light is extraordinary. We walk at lower level, but admire every glimpse of the mountains.
Planning Your Day
Meeting point: We meet you at the trailhead for your chosen route. Exact meeting points are confirmed when you book – most Cairngorms starts are within 15–20 minutes of Aviemore town centre for routes in Speyside, or near Braemar in for routes in Royal Deeside.
Getting there: Aviemore is easily reached by car via the A9, or by train – there are direct services from Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Most Cairngorms trailheads require a car; if you’re travelling without one, let us know when you enquire and we’ll advise on what’s practical. Braemar has no railway line but is easily reachable by car from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
What to bring: Warm layers, waterproofs, sturdy walking boots and a packed lunch. The Cairngorms plateau is a serious mountain environment regardless of season — conditions can change rapidly. We’ll send you a full kit list when you book.
Grading: Our Cairngorms days range from Grade 1A (easy forest walks) to Grade 5C (long, strenuous high mountain days). Every walk is private and tailored to your group, so feel free to chat to us first about what you feel like doing!
Pricing & booking
Every booking is private — just your group and your guide. We don't run shared or open-group departures. One rate covers your whole group, however many of you there are, up to 10 people.
Day rate
£280
per guide
Covers
Whole
group — no per-person charge
Group size
Up to 10
people per guide
Booking type
Private
no shared departures
We meet you at the trailhead — transport to and from the start point is not included. If you have any questions about logistics, just get in touch when you enquire.
Full pricing information →