Eco E-publication

Get maps of the Cairngorms Park, 'What's On' info, coupons and more - it's everything you need to plan your Cairngorms Park holiday.

What's On this Month

Planning your Aviemore, Glenlivet, Royal Deeside, Blair Atholl & Cairngorm Park holiday is just as much fun as getting there!  With our What's on in the Cairngorms, you can choose your events, attractions and places to visit before you arrive. Scroll down for detailed information or click to view the E-publication of whats on in Aviemore and the Cairngorms.

What's On Tomintoul and Glenlivet this month

Take the opportunity to discover the Scots and their culture during your visit to Glenlivet and the Cairngorms National Park.

Tomintoul is proud to host it's own Highland Games, which are one of the highlights of the year. First held in 1842, these are one of the oldest in Scotland. They celebrate all things Scottish, from whisky to bagpipes and tartans. Alongside the "heavy" sports in Tomintoul's Public Park, there are piping competitions, Highland Dancing and - a local speciality - the Tomnabat Hill Race.

Pipe Bands, Highland Dancing and Ceilidhs are all part of the regular weeks entertainment in nearby Dufftown throughout the summer months.

Why not visit during one of the Whisky Festivals held in early May and at the end of September. Or you could come to our annual Walking Festival in early September and head for the hills.

Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) is always a special time in Scotland. Feasting, singing, dancing, pipe bands and fireworks all combine to make seeing in the New Year an unforgettable experience.

What's on Highland Perthshire this month

Highland Perthshire lies due north of Perth and north of the Highland Fault Line, a geographic fault in the earth's surface that runs from Loch Lomond through Dunkeld and eastwards across Scotland.

Upon arriving in Highland Perthshire from the south by road or by train, a dramatic change is noticeable in the landscape, with high mountains, deep glens and an abundance of trees. Highland Perthshire is a very distinct area of Scotland. The main A9 trunk road conecting central Scotland to the north of Scotland passes the Highland Perthshire towns of Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl.

The Highland Perthshire landscape is quite unique when compared to other Highland areas of Scotland, with its deep, flat, fertile glens supporting agriculture and thick forests. These forests contain some of the tallest trees in Britain - often referred to as the 'Big Tree Country', in publications. The high hills are often heather clad, and are snow covered throughout many of the autumn, winter and spring months. For whats on click here..

Ranger walks and talks in the Cairngorms Park

Many of the services run free or subsidised events for the public to help visitors better understand the special qualities of the National Park. Details of countryside events taking place in the Park over the coming months will be published here shortly  please check this page regularly for updated information.

Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service

Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service is responsible for implementing many of the Local Authority's environmental strategies across Aberdeenshire, with an emphasis on countryside access and community involvement. The service covers the area of the National Park in Strathdon and Deeside/Glenshee, with a ranger base at the Burn O'Vat centre in Dinnet.
Tel: 013398 80868
www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Angus Glens Ranger Service

Located at the Glen Doll Ranger Base, the Angus Glens Ranger Service has an operational area that takes in all of the local glens. The rangers are on hand to offer advice on walks, wildlife, hill conditions, stalking activities and a variety of other topics. The base has a visitor centre offering informative displays and a wide range of Cairngorms National Park leaflets, including walks in Glen Clova and Glen Doll, Glen Esk and cycling in the Angus Glens. There are several waymarked woodland trails through Glen Doll Forest. The rangers run a series of events throughout the year and guided walks for visiting groups and schools can also be arranged.
Tel: 01575 550233
www.angus.gov.uk

Atholl Estates Ranger Service

Atholl Estates dates back to the 13th century and today manages a range of operations in the tourism, events, forestry, farming, property and country sport sectors. Based in Blair Atholl, the Atholl Estates Ranger Service assists visitors in their understanding and enjoyment of the area, and also plays a role in countryside education and conservation. They manage waymarked trails for walkers and cyclists on the estate, as well as running the Information Centre, which features a display on the workings of the estate and offers some activities for children. Information on what to do in the area is provided, making the Centre a helpful reference point if you are planning any outdoor activities. The centre is open from 9am to 4:45pm daily, between Easter and October.
Tel: 01796 481355/481646
www.athollestatesrangerservice.co.uk

Balmoral Estate Ranger Service

Balmoral Estate is a Highland estate with a long association with Royalty. Queen Victoria bought the estate in 1852 and since then it has provided a home for successive generations of the Royal Family. The Visitor Centre at the Spittal of Glen Muick includes interpretation of the surrounding area and is open year round, with free entrance. The ranger service provides guided walks, talks and land rover safaris to the general public, as well as providing talks and information for educational groups. They aim to give visiting groups an opportunity to enjoy, explore and appreciate the landscape and wildlife found on a traditionally managed, privately owned Highland Estate. A ranger tries to be available every day in the early morning and late afternoon, in the visitor centre. Up-to-date weather forecasts are displayed in the visitor centre every day and snow and ice avalanche forecasts are displayed during the winter months. Wildlife information and leaflets, describing walks in the local area, can also be obtained from the visitor centre.
Tel: 013397 55059
www.balmoralcastle.com

Cairngorm Mountain Ranger Service

Cairngorm Mountain Ranger Service is a small team of one year-round ranger and two summer seasonal rangers operating from the Ranger Base at the car park in Coire Cas, at the Cairngorm Ski Area. The ranger service organises and carries out work on the mountain paths radiating from the car park and leads guided walks to the summit of Cairn Gorm in summer. A large part of the annual environmental monitoring by CairnGorm Mountain Limited, in relation to the mountain railway, is fieldwork carried out and reported by the ranger service. Among other activities are counts of winter climbers, organisation of volunteers and educational visits from schools and colleges. The rangers also operate the unique Cairngorm Snow White facility to help mountaineers leave no trace on the mountains.
Tel: 01479 861327
www.cairngormmountain.co.uk

Explore Abernethy Ranger Service

The Explore Abernethy Centre is your gateway to Abernethy Forests' paths, history and wildlife. You will find the Explore Abernethy 'Walks Guide', visitor information and the ranger service here. The Visitor Centre, which has free admission, is based in the Community Centre at Nethy Bridge. It is open 12 noon - 4:30pm, April - October, Saturday - Wednesday. It features hands-on activities, displays, the 'Listening Post' and much more.
Tel: 01479 821565
www.exploreabernethy.co.uk

Forestry Commission Scotland Ranger Service

Forestry Commission Scotland is responsible for the management of forests and woodland owned by the nation. They are the biggest recreation provider in Britain and are working to improve the woods for people and wildlife. Three rangers work within the Cairngorms - one based at Glenmore near Aviemore and two covering Deeside, Kincardine and Aberdeenshire. Glenmore Visitor Centre has free admission, offering visitors the opportunity to find out about the native pine forest. Walks, talks and school visits can be arranged by request.
Tel: 01479 861220
www.forestry.gov.uk

Glenlivet Estate Ranger Service, Tomintoul

Glenlivet Estate is part of The Crown Estate and lies between the Ladder and Cromdale hills at the north east edge of the Cairngorms. Within this varied landscape you can enjoy excellent walking, cycling, horse riding, skiing and wildlife watching on the extensive network of waymarked trails. The ranger service operates an Information Centre in Tomintoul (free entry), where a variety of displays and leaflets are available and staff are on hand to offer advice. A woodland adventure playground is located next to the Information Centre. Guided walks and events are run throughout the year.
Tel: 01479 870070
Email info@glenlivetestate.co.uk
www.glenlivetestate.co.uk

Glen Tanar Estate Ranger Service

Glen Tanar Estate is a Highland estate specialising in forestry, farming and field sports. The estate runs from Mount Keen in the south to the river Dee in the north and is dominated by its internationally important Caledonian forest remnant. There is a Visitor Centre at Braeloine, with free entrance, which includes a permanent exhibition explaining the history, management and wildlife of the estate. The Centre is manned by a full-time countryside ranger service which provides help with outdoor education and environmental activities. They offer advice which can help you make the most of exploring the area and are happy to provide you with information on the local wildlife. Visits by educational groups are always welcome.
Tel: 013398 86072
www.glentanar.co.uk

Highland Council Countryside Rangers

The Highland Council Countryside Rangers aim to provide visitors and local communities with a greater understanding and respect for the natural and cultural heritage of the Highlands. They do this by providing information, advice, interpretation, environmental education and action that encourages a sense of stewardship for the natural environment. There is a ranger base at Ralia and an office in Grantown-on-Spey.

Tel: 01540 673907 Ralia Ranger Base
Tel: 01479 873914 Grantown-on-Spey Office
www.highland.gov.uk

Rothiemurchus Estate Ranger Service

Rothiemurchus Estate is in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, near Aviemore, and extends from the river Spey, through one of the largest remaining areas of ancient Caledonian forests, to the tops of the Cairngorms. It is in the ownership and care of the Grants of Rothiemurchus and has the longest established private sector ranger service in Scotland. They are on-hand, 364 days of the year to help visitors enjoy Rothiemurchus, through a wide range of activities and broad in-depth knowledge of the area. They can offer advice on where to visit on the estate and what to keep a look out for at different times of the year. There is a ranger base at Inverdruie.
Tel: 01479 812345
www.rothiemurchus.co.uk

The National Trust for Scotland Ranger Service, Mar Lodge and Killiekrankie

The National Trust for Scotland is a conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy.
Mar Lodge occupies part of the core area of the Cairngorms National Park and contains four of the five highest mountains in the UK, as well as the upper watershed of the river Dee. There is pedestrian access to all of the estate, with opportunities for short and long walks over mountains or in the wooded glens. The ranger service run guided walks and events and can also offer site visits or talks by arrangement.
The Pass of Killiecrankie is a magnificent wooded gorge with the river Garry flowing along its base. The Battle of Killiecrankie, which was the major event in the first of the Jacobite uprisings, was fought nearby. The Visitor Centre, which includes a shop, tells the story of both the rich natural history of the Pass and the story of the battle.
Tel: 013397 41669 (Mar Lodge)
Tel: 0844 493 2192 (Killiecrankie)
www.nts.org.uk
www.marlodgeestate.org.uk