Cairngorms National Park
The Dulaig is situated in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park, one of two National Parks in Scotland and the largest in the UK.
Here is are just some of the many activities and attractions in Cairngorms National Park. There really is something for everyone here, so come and see for yourself - you will find it easy to "make it yours"!
Wildlife in Cairngorms National Park
There is so much wonderful wildlife here in Cairngorms National Park that this year the BBC Springwatch series will be based in this area! During 2019 you will be able to see the wildlife stories unfold in Winterwarch, Springwatch and then, later in the year, Autumnwatch.
Cairngorms National Park is home to a wonderful array of wildlife including a quarter of the UK's rare and endangered species including Golden Eagle, Capercaillie and Hen Harrier, and, pictured below, Pine Marten, Scottish Wildcat (rarer than the Bengal Tiger) and Red Squirrel.
Park's summer visitors include the magnificent Osprey too.
There is plenty for plant lovers in Cairngorms National Park, including the rare Twinflower - although endangered innovative work is underway to encourage this lovely little plant to flourish once again in its preferred habitat of the native pine woodlands.
Perhaps unsurprisingly this spectacular area includes a number of National Nature Reserves which protect and preserve the wildlife and landscapes of wild places including Cairngorms, Glenmore, Abernethy, Craigellachie, Invereshie & Inshriach and Insh Marshes.
The Great Outdoors really is great in Cairngorns National Park!
With five of the six highest mountains in Scotland within the Park it could hardly be otherwise!
For those who like to get out and about, whether you wish to be active or just to take in magnificent scenery there are wide open spaces to be enjoyed all around.
Cairngorm Mountain
Cairngorm Mountain is the "lead" in the fascinating BBC TV series "The Mountain" and there are numerous reasons to visit. From scenery and landscapes to wildlife and snowsports and much more.
Walking & Climbing
The mountains and countryside are spectacular and there is something for every level of ability from a stroll, a gentle ramble or more demanding hillwalking on the many Munros and Corbetts, or even winter mountaineering and ice climbing. As very experienced hill-walkers we will be delighted to help you plan walks and climbs, including providing maps and route suggestions etc.
Skiing
The mountains are also perfect for skiing and the Park has three skiing centres - Cairngorm, The Lecht and Glenshee - which are open from around December to May.
Biking
The National Cycle Network runs through Cairngorms National Park and there is a wealth of variety in the routes available both off-road and on-road.
For the mountain biker Cairngorms National Park has some the best bike routes in Scotland, if not the world. Daredevils will love the demanding terrain of The Burma Road, Ryvoan Pass and Lairig Ghru routes. A fairly new addition to the biking experience, the Glenlivet Mountain Bike Trail, offers a stiff cross-country challenge whilst for those looking for a gentler day out there are routes such as The Speyside Way or through Rothiemurchus near Aviemore. On Cairngorm Mountain you can try Guided Mountain Biking and the thrill of the decent of the mountain itself - what an experience! Closer to home the Anagach Woods within 700 yards of The Dulaig has a lot of trails which you can explore and enjoy on bike and on foot.
If you prefer to take things a little easier you might opt for hiring an electric bicycle through the Electric Bike Network
Horse Riding
There are a number of riding and trekking centres in Cairngorms National Park, with horses and ponies suitable from beginner to highly experienced rider. You will be spoiled for choice by the network of beautiful paths, trails and routes which criss-cross the Cairngorms National Park.
Golf
For golfers there are 12 amazing golf courses within the Cairngorms National Park and these range from nine-hole courses in beautiful settings such as at Craggan Outdoors pay-and-play course, or Blair Atholl through lovely 18-hole courses as Grantown-on-Spey and Boat of Garten as well as Spey Valley Championship golf course at Aviemore.
Keen golfers can buy a Cairngorms Golf Pass which is valid for a year and entitles the holder to play once at all 12 courses at 30% discount.
Fishing
With world-famous salmon fishing rivers such as the Spey, Findhorn and the Dee running through it no wonder Cairngorms National Park attracts fishermen and women from all across the globe. Fish for trout in lochs and rivers, and if you are a novice and keen to try fishing you can have lessons too.
Watersports
The clean lochs and rivers provide the perfect place for a wide variety of watersports including kayaking, canoeing, white-water rafting, tubing on the river, windsurfing, swimming, just plain sailing or gorge walking.
Places of Historical and Cultural Interest
As well as outdoor attractions, Cairngorms National Park has many places of historical and cultural interest within its boundary, to say nothing of the wealth of such places within a short distance of the Park.
Castles
There are more than 8 castles in Cairngorms National Park including Braemar Castle, Drumin Castle, Blair Castle, Corgarff Castle, Kildrummy Castle and Balmoral castle, the home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth when she comes to the Scottish Highlands.
Museums
Our town, Grantown-on-Spey, has its own museum, Clan Macpherson Museum is at Newtonmore and, also at Newtonmore and providing a taste of what it was like to live in the Highlands during the past 300 years, the open air Highland Folk Museum provides a great day out....and admission is free.
Distilleries & Brewery
Cairngorms National Park has six Malt Whisky distilleries within its area - Dalwhinnie Distillery, The Glenlivet Distillery, Tomintoul Distillery, Royal Lochnagar Distillery, Speyside Distillery and Balmenach Distillery (which also distils Caorunn gin). Dalwhinnie and Glenlivet have visitor centres, and at certain times and by appointment you can visit Tomintoul Distillery. On The Dulaig website you can read a bit more about whisky here.
For beer lovers the award-winning Cairngorm Brewery is in Aviemore and brews beers by traditional methods using recipes old and new. Their beers have inventive names such as Wild Cat, Stag and Autumn Nuts. The Brewery shop is worth a visit and you can also have a tour of the brewery too.
Arts
This wonderful area with its stunning scenery, beautiful quality of light, dramatic landscapes has encouraged artists over the years in many media, and you can see examples of their works in galleries, exhibits and shops across Cairngorms National Park e.g.-
Ann Vastano, High Range studio Aviemore - Examples of Ann's work celebrating ten years of the Cairngorms National Park are on display in the Scottish Parliament. Ann's paintings can also be seen (and bought) in The High Street Merchants cafe and gallery, Grantown-on-Spey, just 600 yards from The Dulaig.
Other artists include Jane Lanagan at Tomintoul and Frank Bruce Sculptor whose amazing works can be seen in a woodland trail setting at Feshiebridge. There are also numerous pottery workshops, art galleries, art workshops and much more.
