Aviemore

Aviemore is the adventure capital of the Cairngorms, a small town that punches far above its weight as a base for exploring Scotland's greatest mountain landscape. Once a quiet railway junction, it transformed in the 1960s with the development of the Cairngorm ski area and has since grown into a year-round outdoor hub, drawing skiers, hikers, mountain bikers, and wildlife enthusiasts from across Britain and beyond.

The town itself offers everything an outdoor enthusiast needs: excellent gear shops, equipment hire, guiding services, and a concentration of hotels, hostels, and holiday accommodation unmatched elsewhere in the Highlands. After a day on the mountains or trails, Aviemore's restaurants, pubs, and cafés provide welcome refuelling, from hearty pub grub to more refined dining. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with a mix of locals, seasonal workers, and visitors united by their love of the outdoors.

From Aviemore, the Cairngorms spread in every direction. The ski slopes and funicular railway lie just 20 minutes away. Loch Morlich's beaches and Glenmore Forest's ancient pines are closer still. The Strathspey Steam Railway offers nostalgic journeys through the valley, while the surrounding area provides access to world-class mountain biking, wild swimming, and some of Scotland's most celebrated hill walks. Aviemore may lack the chocolate-box charm of some Highland villages, but it more than compensates with its energy, convenience, and unbeatable location at the heart of Britain's finest mountain playground.