Introduction to the Park

The Cairngorms National Park was established in September 2003 to ensure that the unique aspects of the Cairngorms - both the natural environment and the local communities - are cared for, sustained and enhanced for current and future generations to enjoy.

The area was designated as a National Park by the Scottish Parliament because of its outstanding beauty, the quality of the natural heritage and the special communities that make up the National Park.

Covering 1,467 square miles, the Cairngorms National Park is the UK's largest national park, covering Badenoch and Strathspey in the Highlands and parts of Moray, Aberdeenshire and the Angus Glens. With a large mountain range at its heart and diverse communities around it, the National Park is home to some 17,000 people.

The Cairngorms National Park has around 25 per cent of Britain's threatened bird, animal and plant species and sites designated as of importance to the natural heritage take up 39 per cent of the land area, with two thirds of these being of Europe-wide importance.

The forests in the National Park contain remnants of the original Caledonian pine forest providing habitats for the rare species such as the capercaillie. Valuable heather moorland covers over 40 per cent of the National Park, fostering enormous ecological diversity and the rivers and lochs in the National Park are among the cleanest in Scotland.

Four of Scotland's five highest peaks can be found in the Cairngorms National Park where the arctic wilderness is the largest example of arctic mountain landscape in the British Isles.

Tourism is a major part of the local economy, with visitors flocking to the Cairngorms to take part in an array of recreational activities throughout the year. Snow sports, hill walking, wildlife watching, fishing, horse riding and water sports are just some of the activities on offer. For those not feeling quite so active, the famous Whisky Trail winds its way through part of the National Park and Royal Deeside is also a major attraction.

Getting There

BY TRAIN The Park is served by rail with stations at Carbridge, Aviemore, Kingussie, Newtonmore and Dalwhinnie.  In addition to service to the park, they are useful for getting around the park.  Services are provided by First Scotrail and GNER with connections to all parts of the UK.  A daily direct service operates from London Kings Cross and an overnight sleeper service from London Euston. 

Getting Around the Park

The Park can be explored on foot, bike and by an extensive local network of buses and trains.  You can find out all about local transport at by downloading the 'Cairngorms Explorer' guide from the National Park web site (below). 

Links

 Cairngorms National Park
 Park Authority Web Site