What is Cairngorms national park famous for? We explore the 9 National Nature Reserves across Cairngorms Park.

The Cairngorms: The Largest National Park in the UK

Of the fifteen national parks in the British Isles, the beautiful Cairngorms in the heart of the Scottish Highlands is the largest, covering 4,528 sq km or 1,748 sq miles. This makes it twice the size of the Lake District National Park, the second-largest national park in the UK. You can reach it travelling north of Edinburgh for 127 miles, with Inverness the closest city, 30 miles from the western edge of the park.

Given its size, the Cairngorms National Park Covers several Scottish cities and regions, including Moray, Angus, Perth, Kinross and Aberdeenshire. More than half of the land in the park is designated 'wild' and is of international importance under European Law. Within this are 46 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 19 Conservation Areas and 12 Special Protection Areas, all thanks to its cultural heritage. 

Local Cairngorms Attractions to Visit

Follow the links below to find out more about local Cairngorms attractions to visit.

Stravaig Saunas In Royal Deeside

Balmoral Castle

The Grantown Museum

Balmenach Distillery

Aviemore Escape Rooms

Landmark Forest Adventure Park

The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

Highland Wildlife Park

The Clan Macpherson Museum

Ballindalloch Castle

National Nature Reserves across the Cairngorms National Park

The Cairngorms has 9 National Nature Reserves within its boundaries, which were created to protect the wildlife and natural landscapes found there.

Alongside protection, these reserves provide the perfect way for naturalists to escape into the wild and learn about Scotland's inimitable natural beauty. The 9 National Nature Reserves include:

Corrie Fee

Corrie Fee is a giant glacial bowl carved into the mountains of Glen Clova, with Corrie Sharroch and Craig Rennet forming the joint Corrie Fee National Nature Reserve.

This is the ideal destination for lovers of flora and fauna, with many rare species populating the park area. In the air above, you can spot soaring golden eagles, while at ground level, you can find Alpine blue-sowthistle, globeflower, red campion and wild angelica.

Craigellachie

A short journey from Aviemore will take you to the Craigellachie National Nature Reserve. At all times of the year, this stunning set of ancient forests, crags, glades and lochs have scenery enough for any nature lover or history buff. From the peaks of the reserve, you'll have an uninterrupted view of the majority of the Cairngorms and its vast horizons. 

Again, animal and plant enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy themselves here. With various bird species, including buzzards and armies of silver birch trees, you can happily lose yourself wandering around this beautiful reserve for a few hours.

Glenmore

Glenmore Forest offers more of the stunning natural beauty the Cairngorms are famous for. From ancient woodlands and forests to towering mountains and glittering lochs, there's more than enough for adventurers to wander through in amazement.

Again, the local population comprises rare birds and flower species for ornithologists and botanists to enjoy.

Insh Marshes

These marshes are particularly important for local wildlife and are one of the best wetland habitats in Europe. The Insh Marshes are wildlife hotspots, home to numerous waterfowl species, from lapwing to redshank, snipe and curlew.

It lies within the floodplain of the River Spey (the longest river in the Cairngorms) in the centre of four major tourist areas: Kincraig, Kingussie, Strathspey and Badenoch, all filled with historic attractions and ancient ruins.

Mar Lodge Estate

Mar Lodge Estate is a 19th-century hunting lodge that provides a welcomed respite from the hardy landscapes and surrounding hills. While in Queen Victoria's time, it was used for hunting the local red deer, now you can stay here without bringing your shotgun.

With over 29,000 hectares of the brilliant Scottish landscape, there's plenty to see from this brilliant location. More mountains and the Cairngorms' famous heather moorland and Caledonian pines for adventures to lose themselves in.

Muir Of Dinnet

The final National Nature Reserve on the list combines everything people love about the Cairngorms National Park. A wild combination of marshy wetlands, blankets of woodland and dramatic moors.

This area is the work of another glacier that carved its way through the landscape more than 10,000 years ago. Vat Gorge is one particular landmark left by the glacier, with the Burn O'Vat still trickling through the area. 

History of the national park

The idea to turn the region into a national park began in the 19th century when people became interested in preserving more of Britain's natural landscape from the encroaching industrial towns and cities. It wasn't until 1931 that the Cairngorms were proposed as a National Park for the Scottish people.

However, despite decades of constant recommendation to local and national committees, the Cairngorms were not officially considered for National Park status until the creation of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.

With the new government, Scottish Natural Heritage was free to establish the park's boundaries, and in 2003, the Cairngorms National Park was made official and entered into wider Scottish culture. 

Wildlife & Natural History

As we've already seen, the Cairngorms National Park is a treasure trove of natural beauty and rugged wilderness ideal for rare and endangered species and plants. With its glacial past, the park is awash with peat-bottomed rivers, glacial lochs, wild moorland, soaring mountains and dense surviving Caledonian forests.

While this offers fantastic views for nature fans, it's also the perfect home for our native Scottish wildlife. In the ancient lochs, you're likely to find arctic charr, pike, otters and wild brown trout, while on the shores and in the surrounding woodlands, you'll find rare birds such as Ospreys.

Tourism is a vital part of the Cairngorms' economy, with naturalists able to contribute directly to preserving the heart-wrenchingly beautiful locations you can possibly imagine alongside the nature and Scottish history of the area. From visitors' centres to hunting lodges, the highland games and ski resorts, there's something for everyone. 

Things to do in the Cairngorms

If there's one thing to do in the Cairngorms besides marvelling at the spectacular scenery, it's to visit the Cairngorm Mountain Centre.

There are several ski runs here during the winter months, eight red, six blue and seven green, for skiers and snowboarders alike.

However, if the snow isn't to your liking, you can wait for it to melt and head out on guided tours in the great outdoors and mountain bike trails throughout the mountainous landscapes surrounding the centre.

You might also consider the Northerly Dark Sky Park, one of many international dark sky parks worldwide, for some truly out-of-this-world views.