The Cairngorms National Park, Scotland in October 2026

Duration - 6 Days

2 GOATS

Price - £2,125

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Thu 1 Oct 2026 - Tue 6 Oct 2026

5 nights / 6 days

WE ARE FULLY BOOKED - SPACES AVAILABLE IN AUGUST ONLY.

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Summary

Dates: Thursday October 1st to Tuesday October 6th 2026 5 nights and 5 walks

Guide: Natasha Setubal our 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 – we recommend you train for ascents as you need fitness and stamina to walk every day with some steep ups! Maximum distance 16km/10 miles

Highlights:

A visit to the UK’s largest National Park
A mosaic of mountains, forests and Highland Lochs
To sample the Scottish water of life, whisky while exploring some hidden gems of Speyside
To walk in the footsteps of Scottish poet and writer, Nan Shepherd

Base: The Cairngorms Guest House, Aviemore – 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, taxi ride away or a 15 minute walk. Shops and restaurants are 10 minutes away.

Arrival: Please arrive on Thursday by 16:00 for check in and for a briefing at 17:00 with your guide and a short orientation walk

There is a train station in Aviemore and the nearest airport is Inverness about 45 minutes’ drive away. There is a connecting train between Inverness and Aviemore.

We would encourage people to travel by public transport. Why not try the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Aviemore details in this link: Sleeper train. Your adventure begins from the moment you board the train. The overnight train arrives into Aviemore at approx 8 – 9am on Day 1.

Departure at your leisure on Tuesday – breakfast is provided.

Price: £2125 per person solo occupancy ensuite and including:

If you bring a partner/friend and share a room there is a discount. Price £1900 per person.

Ensuite solo occupancy Bed & Breakfast accommodation for 5 nights
All evening meals in local restaurants (5 nights)
Specialist guiding throughout
Transport required for walks

Not included:

return travel to Aviemore
packed lunches which can be bought from local nearby shops so you can select what suits you best ( you will have had a full Scottish breakfast to set you up)
Anything not listed above.

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 Caledonian 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. More detail will be provided in your daily briefings.

Day 1: ARRIVAL around 16:00 ( if you can )

Arrival and settle in. You will meet with your guide for a briefing at 17:00 with a local walk before your evening meal together at a local pub.

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/6 to 9 miles,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/6 miles, 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/10 miles, 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 15km710 miles and 200m of ascent

Day 6 :
Departure after breakfast with time if you want to wander around Aviemore at your leisure.

The Caledonian Sleeper train leaves in the evening from Aviemore.

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