Rothiemurchus Estate

Top choice in The Cairngorms


The Rothiemurchus Estate, which extends from the River Spey at Aviemore to the Cairngorm summit plateau, is famous for having one of Scotland’s largest remnants of Caledonian forest, the ancient forest of Scots pine that once covered most of the country. The forest is home to a large population of red squirrels, and is one of the last bastions of the capercaillie and the Scottish wildcat.

The Rothiemurchus Centre, a mile southeast of Aviemore along the B970, sells an Explorer Map detailing more than 50 miles of footpaths and cycling trails, including the wheelchair-accessible 4-mile trail around Loch an Eilein, with its ruined castle and peaceful pine woods.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Cairngorms attractions

1. Rothiemurchus Centre

3.15 MILES

The Rothiemurchus Estate's visitor centre, a mile southeast of Aviemore along the B970, sells an Explorer Map detailing more than 50 miles of footpaths…

2. Cairngorm Mountain Railway

3.35 MILES

The national park's most popular attraction is this funicular railway that will whisk you to the edge of the Cairngorm plateau (altitude 1085m) in just…

3. Strathspey Steam Railway

4.07 MILES

The Strathspey railway runs steam trains on a section of restored line between Aviemore and Broomhill, 10 miles to the northeast, via Boat of Garten…

4. Craigellachie Nature Reserve

4.28 MILES

This reserve is a great place for short hikes across steep hillsides covered in natural birch forest where you can spot wildlife such as the peregrine…

5. RSPB Loch Garten Osprey Centre

7.28 MILES

Ospreys migrate here each spring from Africa and nest in a tall pine tree beside Loch Garten – you can watch from a hide as the birds feed their young…

6. Highland Wildlife Park

8.51 MILES

This place features a drive-through safari park as well as animal enclosures offering the chance to view rarely seen native wildlife, such as wildcats,…

7. Ruthven Barracks

11.74 MILES

Ruthven Barracks was one of four garrisons built by the British government after the first Jacobite rebellion of 1715, as part of a Hanoverian scheme to…

8. Highland Folk Museum

14.02 MILES

This open-air museum comprises a collection of historical buildings and artefacts revealing many aspects of Highland culture and lifestyle. Laid out like…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "scotland/aviemore/attractions/rothiemurchus-estate/a/poi-sig/1187213/1004645",
      "destination": "The-Cairngorms",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Scotland",
      "region": "The-Cairngorms",
      "position": "superzone"
    }