Visit Grantown on Spey

Archive for the ‘Cairngorms National Park’ Category

Image taken on 2008-10-31 13:49:54 by nagillum.

3 day exped

Image taken on 2010-03-04 10:53:13 by Chismeister.

Ski & Board trip to the Scottish Highlands Cairngorms range at Feb half term 2010. The weather turned and the mountain road was closed for 2 hrs after 3 cars came off the road whilst ascending the mountain! The snow plough also got stuck for a while, but that’s Scotland for you!! A 3 day trip for the four of us, and very memorable - fantastic fresh powder for skiing + boarding, wrecked our legs though Check out my second vid for the following couple of days in glorious sunshine and no wind whatsoever, you can’t say that very often in this part of Europe! AWESOME!

Alan Titchmarsh flying over the Cairngorm Mountains in a Puchacz from the Cairngorm Gliding Club

A classic winters day with many skiers and climbers having fun in the Cairngorm mountains. The deep fresh snow that fell on Friday meant a fairly tiring walk in and a lot of digging on the climbing routes. We changed our original plans due to the late start and our reluctance to break trail and headed up to Opening Break and Honeypot. A couple of young climbers had tried to get off the ground on Honeypot had given up and were now trying to get off the ground on Opening Break originaly a Grade 3…! We opted for Honeypot which was now free to avoid the wait at stances and the risk fom falling debris. A lot of snow clearing on the second pitch but almost a metre underneath the snow the turf was frozen! Unfortunately as the cracks were quite icy the available protection was somewhat limited. When we reached the foot of the upper chimney we were engulfed in snow debris and small rocks as the other two climbers cut across above us from Opening Break to belay at the foot of our top pitch - what a cheek at least the French say Bonjour! We got our own back as we finished up the top of Opening Break leaving the others to climb in the dark! The ski road was closed until about 9.30 am due to ice so the late start for many climbers meant being caught out in the December darkness at only 4.00 pm. For Cairngorm Winter Climbing conditions visit the Talisman Mountaineering blog at www.talisman-activities.co.uk

The Cairngorms is Britains largest National Park was opened in September 2003. Visitors from all over the world visit this wonderful National Park to enjoy beautiful landscapes, tranquil lakes, sparkling rivers, wild moors and mountains. With very few roads into the area, visitors can travel by foot and enjoy the highest and most massive range of arctic mountain in Great Britain. The Cairngorms has four of Scotlands five highest mountains. The various landforms that you granite, heavings and scraps of Ice Age glaciers will visage.

So whether you enjoy mountain climbing, bird watching, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, skiing, rafting, canoeing, cycling and golf make this the perfect base for an adventure holiday or short break. There are several events throughout the year. In August there is the annual Harley Davidson rally Thunder in the glens. It is advisable to book early as this is a popular event with bike enthusiasts. In September there is the Carve Carrbridge Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Competition which attracts competitors from all corners of the United Kingdom.

In October there is the world Porridge Making Championships in Carrbridge, Inverness-shire. There are also the Highland games that can be seen in many of the villages in the summer months. The Cairngorms National Park stretches from Grantown-on-Spey to the heads of the Angus Glens and is easily accessible by air or by either Inverness or Aberdeen by train directly in Aviemore. That drive from Edinburgh or Glasgow reach of the Cairngorms National Park in just 2 hours. Cairngorms National Park has a large selection of quality guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodation.

Road from Pitlochry to Grantown on Spey A9

Image taken on 2008-12-28 16:09:06 by ejbluefolds.

Margaret the Kilt Maker….