DATES
Fri 15th May 2026
-
Tue 19th May 2026
5 nights
We have our exclusive, and very popular, small group Cairngorms holiday available from May to October - only 8 spaces on each holiday. BOOK EARLY. The Cairngorms National Park is the largest in the UK and has so much to offer. This is the place Scottish author Nan Shepherd loved and where she wandered and explored. Not necessarily to climb all the mountains but ´to be with a mountain as you would a friend` Come and join us to explore this fascinating place together!
SUMMARY
Dates: Thursday May 14th to Tuesday 19th – 5 nights and 5 walks Starting with a short orientation walk on your arrival day.
Guide: Local Guide
Walking Grade: 2 Goats with some walks at the top end of Goat 2 as you walk onto the Cairngorms Plateau an ascent of 600m.
Highlights:
- Visit the UK’s largest National Park
- Explore a mosaic of mountains, forests and Highland Lochs
- Sample the Scottish water of life, whisky while exploring some hidden Speyside gems
- Walk in the footsteps of Scottish poet and writer, Nan Shepherd
- Stay in a lively small town in the heart of the Cairngorms with lots of cafes,restaurants and bars
Base: The Cairngorms Guest House, Aviemore – a family run, 13 room, traditional Scottish guesthouse with hearty breakfasts to set you up for the day. A perfect location for exploring the Cairngorms National Park. The train station is a short bus and taxi ride away or a 15 minute walk. Shops and restaurants are 5-15 minutes away.
Arrival: Meet at the Cairngorms Guesthouse at 16.00 for check in.
There will be a briefing with your guide at 17.00 and a short orientation walk before your evening meal together
There is a train station in Aviemore – 10 minute walk from the Guesthouse.
We would encourage people to travel by public transport. Why not try the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Aviemore details at this link: Sleeper train. Your adventure begins from the moment you board the train. The overnight train from London Euston arrives into Aviemore between 8:00 and 9:00 on Day 1. You will be able to get into the Guesthouse to leave luggage – your room may be available but it depends on other guests. You will be able to leave luggage and look around Aviemore.
Departure: at your leisure on Tuesday 15th – breakfast is provided.
Price: £1,800 per person solo occupancy ensuite and including:
If you bring a partner/friend and share a room there is a £200 discount so £1600 per person.
- Ensuite Bed & Breakfast traditional Guesthouse accommodation for 5 nights
- All evening meals at local restaurants in Aviemore
- Specialist local guiding
- A mini bus for transport throughout your stay with your guide as driver
Not included:
- return travel to Aviemore
- packed lunches which can be bought from local nearby shops
- Anything not listed above. There will be some optional excursions offered at an extra cost.
DETAILS
The Cairngorms are the UK’s largest national park (it is twice the size of the Lake District National Park and bigger than the whole of Luxembourg) and they are home to 4 of the 5 highest mountains in the British Isles as well as the largest remnant of Caledonian pine forests. With more high-level mountain ground than anywhere else in Britain and Ireland, the National Park offers a vital habitat for rare mountain plants and other scarce wildlife. Its beauty is breath-taking and has inspired many a mountaineer and poet.
The Scottish poet Nan Shepherd had a life-long fascination for the Cairngorms and many will be familiar with her poetic prose, especially showcased in her work ‘The Living Mountain’:
“Yet often the mountain gives itself most completely when I have no destination, when I reach nowhere in particular, but have gone out merely to be with the mountain as one visits a friend with no intention but to be with him.”
― Nan Shepherd, The Living Mountain: A Celebration of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland
The gateway into the Cairngorms is Aviemore which is a year-round destination with snow sports being the popular winter activity and walking, climbing, biking, and a whole host of other activities the main summer draw. Our hotel will be in the bustling heart of it all, making the surrounding areas easily accessible.
Our walks will give you a special introduction to the diverse landscapes of the Cairngorms. On our day trip to the Morayshire Coast and through whisky country, the views will change again. There will be time to sample local food and drinks.
ITINERARY
Itineraries are subject to change at the discretion of the guide and depending on the weather. Days might need to change or altered completely but more detail will be provided in your briefing on arrival.
Day 1: ARRIVAL SATURDAY around 16.00
Arrival and settle in. You will meet with your guide for a briefing at 17.00 ish and a short orientation local walk before your evening meal together
Day 2: GETTING GOING
Today your guide will pick the best introductory walk – a place to warm up, stretch those legs and take in this special place. Each guide has a favourite local spot so prepare for your local adventure!
10-15km,200-400m of ascent
Day 3: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CAIRNGORMS
This morning we go into the heart of the Glenmore Forest Park. Our walk today is a great way of introducing you to the views and wonders of the Cairngorms by climbing the corbett (Scottish mountains over 800m) Meall A’Bhuachaille. The name means in Gaelic ‘hill of the shepherd’ and your guide will happily explain why. The hill gives some fine vistas over the Cairngorms, its surrounding forest parks and Highland lochs.
9km, 550m of ascent
Day 4: INTO THE CAIRNGORMS
After yesterday’s warm up, we are venturing further onto the Cairngorm plateau and we’ll literally wander in the footsteps of the Scottish poet, Nan Shepherd. Nan roamed the Cairngorm hills all her life and her beautiful words from her book ‘The Living Mountain’ will be accompanying us. Depending on conditions, we might tackle a higher vantage point.
16km, 600m of ascent
Day 5: MORAYSHIRE COAST and Whisky County
We take a day trip today through Speyside Whisky Country on our excursion to the coast. Either if you like to sample a dram or two or if you have not been converted yet, whisky is the life blood of Scotland and part of its history, heritage and pride. We take a scenic drive through the rolling Speyside hills, past many familiar sounding whisky distilleries, following the River Spey. We are heading for the coast where we will explore the Morayshire Coast which is dubbed ‘The Scottish Riviera’ with its mild climate and stunning sandy beaches. Your guide will tell you more about its fascinating history from iron-age excavations to the role the area played in the World Wars. There might even be an ice cream waiting at the end!
Up to 15km and 200m of ascent
Day 6:
Departure after breakfast with time at your leisure if you want to wander around Aviemore before heading off.
The Caledonian Sleeper train leaves in the evening from Aviemore.
CALL 01784 664063 – EMAIL CONTACTUS@WALKINGWOMEN.COM
