Carrbridge is a village in Badenoch and Strathspey in the Scottish Highlands. Carrbridge's most famous landmark is the old packhorse bridge, from which the village is named. The bridge, built in 1717, is the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands. Nearby, the ancient pine forest contains the Landmark Forest Adventure Park. Carrbridge is about six miles north of Aviemore and forms a gateway to the Cairngorms National Park. It was an early centre for skiing in Scotland at the Cairngorm Mountain. The village has its own website www.Carrbridge.com.

The village boasts the popular Landmark Centre with its huge variety of outdoor activities, which include: rock climbing, mock skydiving, flume riding and tree-top walking. There is also an ancient steam-powered sawmill and a hidden microscopic universe among many other attractions. A nature trail guides visitors to some of the rarest wildlife in the country but on a good day crossbills, crested tits, red squirrels and red deer can be seen. For Nordic and Alpine ski lessons click here.

There are only a handful places to eat in Carrbridge. The Cairn Hotel on the main street is a great place for lunch, dinner or even just a few pints and a game of pool. It has a cosy atmosphere and the staff are very welcoming. There is often live music in the evenings. The Dalrachney Lodge Hotel offers traditional Scottish fare including beef, lamb, venison and salmon in the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of the bistro-bar or restaurant. The Carrbridge Hotel is a magnificent building in the heart of the village, which offers a good range of lunch and evening meal options.

Scotland is renowned for its golf courses and Carrbridge Golf Club, providing a nine-hole course with full facilities in the Highlands of Scotland, enjoys its fair share of local fame. The unlicensed clubhouse is known affectionately as the tin shed thanks to its corrugated iron roof. This is a great little nine-hole course near Aviemore if you have a few hours' spare. For more info on the other Cairngorms Park golf courses, check out our golfing page.

Carrbridge is also famous for hosting the world porridge making championships for the coveted Golden Spurtle Trophy on the second Sunday each October (a spurtle is a traditional tapered stick used for stirring the porridge). It attracts entrants from across the globe, as does the Carve Carrbridge Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Competition held every September for the Claymore Trophy. It is also known for its celtic music and song and an annual live music festival.

The best memory you can take home is a photograph of the famous bridge, but only the brave try to sit on it! On the shopping front, Carrbridge is well served by its local Spar grocery store and post office, while there are arts and crafts on sale at the Old Bakery Coffee Shop and original works at the Carrbridge Studios. There are also a wide range of souvenirs, gifts and books on sale at the Landmark Forest Heritage Park shop.