Overview
We'll head south from Inverness over The Slochd Summit from where we see our first view of The Cairngorm Mountains. We continue on to the Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore where you can discover the history and heritage of The Scottish Highlands.
From here we will enjoy a lovely tour along the quieter back roads of Badenoch & Strathspey. We'll visit Ruthven Barracks before passing through Rothiemurchus and Loch Morlich. Our journey then takes us up to Cairngorm ski area and UK’s highest mountain railway.
Experience Cairngorm Mountain and enjoy wonderful panoramic views from UK’s highest restaurant, over 1000 metres up. Back down in Strathspey we can go looking for red squirrels and perhaps Ospreys amid our indigenous Caledonian Pine Forest by Loch Garten and Nethy Bridge.
Our tour takes us on to Grantown-on-Spey and, if time allows, we can enjoy an envigorating dram or two on our way home at either Tomatin or the new Cairn Distillery.
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Private transportation
Bottled water
Snacks
In-vehicle air conditioning
Cairngorm Mountain Railway; Adult £22.00, Child £12.50 (under 6 free), Family £38.00 - £55.00
Meeting and pickup
Pickup is offered for all travelers.
What to expect
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Cairngorms National Park
Magnificent views of some of Scotland's highest mountains with the opportunity to travel up the Cairngorm Mountain Railway. We will be travelling through the National Park throughout the day
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Highland Folk Museum
1 hour
Step back in time and experience life in the Highlands from 1700s to the 1950s. We have over 35 historical buildings onsite for you to explore and discover how people in the Highlands lived, worked, went to school, enjoyed their leisure time.
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Ruthven Barracks
30 min
Ruthven Barracks were built by George II’s government in the early 1700s after the failed Jacobite uprising of 1715. The troops stationed there were to maintain law and order and enforce the Disarming Act of 1716.
The barracks saw action twice. A 300-strong Jacobite attack failed to take the barracks in 1745, but a more heavily-armed attack the next year forced the barracks’ surrender. The Jacobites rallied here after their defeat at Culloden before conceding. -
Loch Morlich
30 min
Loch Morlich enjoys one of the finest settings of any loch in the country. It is surrounded by forests and fringed by beaches, with the stunning backdrop of the often snow-clad peaks of the northern Cairngorms.
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Cairngorm Mountain
1 hour 30 min
Enjoy a breath-taking trip on Scotland’s only funicular railway, the highest in the UK reaching the Ptarmigan building at over 1,097m above sea level.
The 2km funicular railway runs a regular service taking customers to the top of the slopes in around 5 – 8 minutes.
Once at the Top Station you can enjoy a unique visitor experience:
Ptarmigan Restaurant with panoramic views
Cairngorm Gin Bar
Viewing terrace
270 degrees immersive exhibition
Cairngorm Learning Zone with interactive sandboxes
The Shop at the Top serving a wide range of gifts, clothing and local products
NB In order to protect the unique plateau all funicular passengers are not permitted to exit the Top Station to go out onto the mountain -
RSPB Loch Garten Nature Centre
1 hour
Nestled in Abernethy, the Loch Garten Nature Centre is the perfect spot to experience this amazing forest. Our team are on hand to help with CCTV screens, binoculars and telescopes to help you to get great views. An exhibition, daily talks and family activities ensure there’s something for everyone.
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Grantown-on-Spey
30 min
The town was founded in 1765 as a planned settlement and was originally called simply Grantown after Sir James Grant.[4] The addition 'on Spey' was added by the burgh council in 1898. The town has several listed 18th and 19th century buildings, including several large hotels and serves as a regional centre for tourism and services in the Strathspey region.
The town is twinned with Notre-Dame-de-Monts in the Vendée, Pays de la Loire, France. -
Tomatin Distillery Visitor Centre
1 hour
The Scottish Highlands.
Full of stories, of open arms and warm welcomes.
Full of hidden depths and of the love of families spanning generations.
Full of what matters.
This is our home. This is us. This is our whisky.
Each one a memento of a passion and knowledge that only comes from making whisky over several lifetimes.
Each one a toast to the very landscape in which we live, to our community bonded by shared purpose and in everything we do.
Quite simply, our whiskies reflect us.
Always have and always will.
Tomatin. To what matters.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
Times are local to the experience (Europe/London).
Additional Information
- This tour is not available for cruise ship passengers at Invergordon Cruise Port
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 7 travelers per booking
FAQs about Cairngorms; Highest Mountains, Bonnie Lochs & Ancient Forests
Can I cancel Cairngorms; Highest Mountains, Bonnie Lochs & Ancient Forests for free?
Yes. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
How long does it take?
It takes about 8–9 hours.
Is pickup offered?
Pickup is offered for all travelers.
What's included?
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's not included?
- Cairngorm Mountain Railway; Adult £22.00, Child £12.50 (under 6 free), Family £38.00 - £55.00
Which places does it visit?
It visits Cairngorms National Park, Highland Folk Museum, Ruthven Barracks, Loch Morlich, Cairngorm Mountain, RSPB Loch Garten Nature Centre, Grantown-on-Spey, Tomatin Distillery Visitor Centre.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is offered in English.
Operated by Grant Driving Tours; Scotland















