C is for Castles and Cairngorms

Castles and Cairngorms

If you plan to visit Castles and Cairngorms during your stay in Scotland, you are in the right place. Our location in Moray Speyside makes Blervie House a perfect place to base yourself for exploring the many things to do in Scotland. Because there is so much choice, I am going through one letter of the alphabet at a time, so let’s think about activities beginning with C.Shows the military roads in the Cairngorms National Park

C is for The Cairngorms National Park

Whatever you do during your visit to Scotland, do not miss the Cairngorms National Park. You will experience some of Scotland’s most famous mountains and the best scenery here. No wonder the British Royal Family spend every August in these mountains.

With some of the wildest country and highest Mountains in Scotland, stunning heather-covered moorlands and views as far as the eye can see, this road trip should be on everyone’s bucket list.Balmoral Castle

To make the most of your holiday time, if you are driving north to stay with us from then, I would suggest you plan your route using the Snow Roads. Or, if it works better with your schedule, use this route to drive south on your return trip. This road has some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland, with mountains, moorland, Highland Villages and Castles. Take the time to stop and admire the viewpoints – take notice of the beautiful but harsh Glen Shee.  Ballater and Braemar make wonderful lunch or coffee stops.

Alternatively, many of our guests plan a more leisurely day trip to see the Queen’s Highland Residence Balmoral Castle, and at the same time, enjoy Ballater Village or take a walk around Loch Muick and visit Mar Lodge to appreciate the vastness of the Cairngorms further. Better still, plan and have afternoon tea at Balmoral Castle – very much recommended. With our long, light Summer evenings, people often stay for dinner in Ballater and enjoy a well-lit evening drive back to us.

C stands for Castles.

So, this is Scotland, and of course, we have Castles. Please see my Castle Page for more information, but very close to us, we have a few of my favourites, which include:

Auchindoun Castle – stunning ruins way off the beaten track but worth a visit Auchindoun Castle

Ballindalloch Castle – a very local stunning family home

Balmoral Castle – the Queen’s very own Highland Residence, the walks around the grounds are unique

Brodie Castle – has the most superb art collection

Cawdor Castle – a fairy tale castle with unique gardens linked to Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Duffus Castle – the stunning medieval stronghold of the Moray family and a great coffee spot

C for Clava Cairns

These unique Bronze Age circular tombs and stones are said to be the original inspiration for The Outlander series. Most of our guests visit Culloden. These Cairns are next door and well worth the visit. It is quite a special place.

 C is also for Culloden Battlefield.

Culloden Battlefield Marker

Talking of Outlander, don’t miss Culloden Battlefield. The visitor centre draws you into the last battle of the Jacobite Rising in 1745, which is very much a part of Scottish history today. For many of our guests, it is their reason to visit, as the Battlefield is a big part of Highland History and Clearances.

C for Cycling

Road, off-road – take your pick. The scenery and the cycling are superb. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code and the range of public routes mean you can experience fantastic scenery right on our doorstep. We can also help you with bike hire recommendations and routes.

 

All in all, if you are looking to explore both Castles and the Cairngorms during your visit to Scotland, hopefully, the above will help you plan some of the best sights and utilise your valuable leisure time to make the most of Scotland. Enjoy!

 

 

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