Three days in Aviemore: steam, wildlife and reindeer

A base in Aviemore puts the best of the Cairngorms within half an hour. Ride a steam train and walk round a castle loch on day one, see polar bears and a 1700s township on day two, and meet free-ranging reindeer before a beach afternoon at Loch Morlich on day three.

Three daysAll agesCost £££6 stops

Day 110:30–15:30

10:301
Railway · 10:30–12:30 (2h)
Strathspey Railway
Round trip to Broomhill and back; bring a picnic or book a tea service.
An indoor and outdoor heritage railway in Aviemore.
Check pricesIndoors & out
Café on site
Parking
From the day-trip listing
Opening times, prices & map
Photo: Jim Barton
13:302
Nature & gardens · 13:30–15:30 (2h)
Loch an Eilein
Flat 3-mile loop past the island castle; shorter out-and-back for small legs.
A loch in Rothiemurchus forest with a ruined castle on a small island and a flat path of about three miles all the way round through Caledonian pinewood. Shorter there-and-back strolls work for little legs.
Free / PaidOutdoors
Parking
From the day-trip listing
Opening times, prices & map
Photo: rothiemurchus.net

Day 210:00–16:00

10:003
Wildlife · 10:00–13:30 (3h30m)
Highland Wildlife Park
Drive-through reserve first, then the walking loop; café on site.
An outdoor wildlife park in Kingussie.
PaidOutdoors
Café on site
Toilets
Parking
From the day-trip listing
Opening times, prices & map
Photo: Peter Bond
14:004
Museum · 14:00–16:00 (2h)
Highland Folk Museum
Wander the old township and schoolroom; entry by donation.
An indoor and outdoor museum in Newtonmore, aimed at ages 4 and up.
Check pricesIndoors & out
Café on site
Toilets
Accessibility
Parking
From the day-trip listing
Opening times, prices & map
Photo: highlifehighland.com

Day 311:00–15:30

11:005
Wildlife · 11:00–13:00 (2h)
Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
Booked guided walk to the hill herd.
Britain's only free-ranging reindeer herd, which you visit on a guided walk up to the hill enclosure from the centre at Glenmore. A paddock near the centre opens from Easter to year end.
PaidOutdoors
Opening times, prices & map
Photo: cairngormreindeer.co.uk
13:306
Nature & gardens · 13:30–15:30 (2h)
Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich
Picnic and paddle on the loch shore, or a short forest trail.
Forestry and Land Scotland pinewoods around Loch Morlich, whose sandy shore is often called Britain's highest beach. Waymarked trails such as the Ryvoan route start near the visitor centre.
Free / PaidOutdoors
Opening times, prices & map

Open day 1's route in Google Maps Open day 2's route in Google Maps

Some stops aren't on the map — see their pages for directions.

Getting around

Day 1: Strathspey Railway leaves from Aviemore station (free car park on Dalfaber Road); Loch an Eilein is about 3 miles south via Rothiemurchus (around 10 minutes by car; £5 car park). Day 2: Highland Wildlife Park is about 7 miles south-west on the A9 (15 minutes); Highland Folk Museum at Newtonmore is about 8 miles further (15 minutes). Day 3: Glenmore is about 7 miles east of Aviemore on the ski road (15 minutes); the Reindeer Centre and Loch Morlich are close together.

Before you go

Times are a suggested pace for a three days, not bookings.
Opening hours and prices change with the seasons — check each stop's page on the day.
Some places need tickets booked ahead; their pages say which.
Family facilities: Shown only where the venue or a trusted source has told us. Not listed doesn't mean not available — check with the venue if it matters for your visit.