The Cairngorm National Park

Highland Activities in the Cairngorm National Park

At a hieght of over the 1000m+ Cairngorm mountains are the highest and most extensive range of arctic mountains anywhere in the British Isles. Glaciers have gouged deep, high altitude valleys and corries on the plateau; and the altitude and exposure, plus poor soils, produce their own rich eco-system of vegetation, insects and animals. At the foothills of the range is one of the UK’s biggest tracts of natural and largely untouched woodland. They contain fragments of the ancient Caledonian pine forest which is home to a variety of animals, including the rare and protected capercaillie.

The wildlife in the Cairgorm National Park is certinly wild and varied and animals include pine martens, wild cats, ospreys, eagles, ptarmigan, black grouse & of course the iconic highland stag. All of these species can be found at Highland Activities base at Ardverikie Estate & are often seen during our 4×4 tour experience.

Ardverikie Estate

“The most beautiful place in the world” was the conclusion of a recent guest at Ardverikie.  Easily recognisable from its starring role in the BBC drama, “Monarch of the Glen“, visitors can experience the delights of the stunning landscape with lochs, woods and mountains, by booking a 4×4 safari with us where you will be driven around the tracks and trails of the estate to see the sights.

The Estate is also home to Highland Activities and the base for quad biking, clay pigeon shooting, 4×4 driving, archery, canyoning & paintball.

Ardverikie House

Ardverikie House, built in the Scottish baronial style in 1870, is one of the finest private houses in the Scottish highlands. Sitting on a promontory overlooking King Fergus’s Island with its ancient ruins, a three mile private drive winds past the largest inland beach in the country and round the loch. The house played host to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for a whole month before she bought Balmoral. There is also great self catering accommodation at Ardverikie Estate so you can base yourself here for a fantastic activity holiday!

There are lots of amazing places in the UK which all have something special about them, but the Cairngorms, Britain’s largest National Park has lots of them all in the one place! The mountains that have shaped the people, culture, natural heritage, scenery and character of the area dominate the National Park and give it its name, but they’re just one of our Top 10 Reasons to visit…

There is something for everyone from castles, distilleries and gentle strolls to fun parks, quad bikes and extreme sports. The Cairngorms contain some of the best wildlife habitats in the UK (Simon King and the BBC Springwatch Team certainly think so!). Ancient pine forests, arctic mountain tops, lochs, rivers and moorland are home to a quarter of the UK’s threatened species. If history’s your bag, Highland traditions are still very much alive in amongst a rich cultural heritage. Nowhere else in the British Isles can visitors enjoy such a collection of outstanding environments in one place in such a variety of different ways.

So, what are you waiting for…?!