The Park Guest House, Aviemore

With its mountains, pine-clad slopes and wide river valley setting, Aviemore and the Cairngorms area is yet another very distinctive Highland setting. The high plateau of the Cairngorms is a backdrop to every view, and ever-changing throughout the day as sun and shadow move across these high hills. These high places lie at the core of the Cairngorms National Park which, at 3800 sq km, is the largest in Britain and was established in 2003.

At a lower level, the area is also a stronghold of the ancient Caledonian pinewoods - the descendants of the natural forests of old. As well as high mountain tundra and rocky passes, moorlands and forest, there are also extensive marshlands and lochs, whose best-known visitor in summer is the osprey - and one that is quite easy to spot, particularly around the Boat of Garten area.

Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park is surrounded by stunning scenery and is a major highland holiday resort. Aviemore is an excellent base for exploring the Cairgorms National Park and the wider are of Badenoch and Strathspey or you can stay local and enjoy the lochs and forests and hills of Glenmore , Rothiemurcus and Alvie Estates. Aviemore offers shopping facilities for the outdoor enthusiast together with a range of local retailers offering gifts, crafts, restaurants, pubs and cafes.