Rothiemurchus Forest

Much of Scotland’s once bountiful native Caledonian Forest has been stripped bare, but here within the Cairngorms National Park a swathe of it remains in the form of the Rothiemurchus Forest, and the progressive estate here have really opened it up to tourism, with biking and hiking trails, sleddog rides, archery and horse riding all available. There is also a watersports centres on Loch Morlich, a serious outdoor activity centre at Glenmore Lodge, and even a reindeer herd – the latter a brilliant family attraction. But just walking through the estate is a joy, with a gentle route around pretty Loch an Eilean (a loch with an island castle in its middle) particularly rewarding.