Welcome from Rothiemurchus & The Cairngorms National Park

Britain’s largest National Park is a living, working landscape with wild land at its heart. People have lived in the Cairngorms for thousands of years - history and heritage is written all over the landscape in bricks and mortar, field and forest. The Cairngorms also contain some of the best wildlife habitats in the UK. Ancient pine forests, arctic mountain tops, lochs, rivers and moorlands are home to a quarter of the UK’s threatened species. For the red squirrel, capercaillie and many more the Cairngorms is their last stronghold in the whole of Britain.
Get a real flavour of the Cairngorms by choosing local produce while you’re here – look out for venison, trout, beef, lamb, cheese, soft fruits and drinks from our local brewery and distilleries. Give the car a break too - grab a copy of the Cairngorms Explorer from a Tourist Information Centre and discover great walks and cycle rides plus a network of public transport to tie it all together.
Stretching from the River Spey to the high mountain plateau, Rothiemurchus forms one of the most treasured areas of the National Park. A living Highland estate in the ownership of the Grant family since the 16th century, it is managed today by Johnnie Grant, 14th Laird.

Why the Outsider is at Rothiemurchus

• Cairngorms National Park, the UK’s largest national park, is also its most beautiful, with an incredible variety of wildlife and landscape. It is indeed awesome.
• There are 74 specialist businesses within a few miles of the Outsider site offering all kinds of outdoor activities.
• A huge variety of wildlife have their natural habitat here. Rothiemurchus also contains some of the most important trees in the UK - remnants of the ancient Caledonian pine forest.
• Glenmore Lodge, Scotland’s National Outdoor Adventure Centre is just up the road from the festival, offering the country’s finest outdoor instruction.
• We are trying to encourage people coming to the festival to use shared transport. The site is within easy walking distance of rail and bus links, and the whole area is easily accessed by public transport. For more details see our travel page
• There’s a big choice of accommodation in the area, from campsites and bunkhouses to five star lodges and hotels.
• You don’t have to be a car potato to enjoy the massive choice of relaxing and more sedate attractions available. And sometimes, just looking is absolutely fine.

THINGS TO DO AROUND THE OUTSIDER
As recommended by Aviemore & Cairngorms Destination Marketing Organisation

Walking
This special place is famous for its challenging landscape and even more challenging activities. But most people who visit are so enchanted by the surroundings that walking is a must at least once during their stay. There are over 280km of footpaths across the area that pass through almost every type of landscape imaginable from moor and woodland, riverside to loch edge and even beautiful farmland.

Biking
Aviemore and the Cairngorms is perfect for cyclists. It’s quiet and peaceful, the roads aren’t busy and the National Cycle Network crosses almost the entire area and include 64km of off road routes.
If you’re looking for a real challenge take to Laggan Wolftrax, 18km of the most exciting and demanding MTB off road routes from Scotland’s Forestry Commission, Laggan Wolftrax includes a blue grade Fun Park, the fast and furious red grade route (see below, right) and – if you’re really serious – the ‘double diamond’ black route. Laggan Wolftrax will be at The Outsider.

Outdoor Activity Providers
This is the perfect place for adventure in every sense. The perfect activity holiday is so many different things to so many different people. For some it’s a gentle stroll through breathtaking countryside, stopping for a picnic along the way. Or it’s patient hours spent, binoculars at the ready, awaiting a brief glimpse into the wild side of life. And then there are those whose days are filled with the thrill of hurtling down hillsides, scaling peaks and shooting rapids, putting themselves to the test and pushing their limits.

Golf
There’s a golfing challenge for everyone in the eight distinctly different courses around Aviemore and the Cairngorms. With so many top quality courses to choose from so close by, it’s the ideal centre for a golfing break that will test your game to the limit in the most spectacular surroundings. And when the golfing day is over and the last putt has been sunk, you’ll discover the warm welcome of Highland hospitality that will leave you longing to return.

Fun in the Park!
Loads of great things to do right on the doorstep. Ride the fantastic funicular to the top of CairnGorm Mountain and be rewarded with a unique mountain experience and a seat at Britain’s highest restaurant, the unique Ptarmigan at 1097 metres above sea level. Try the exhilaration of a ride on the Wildwatercoaster, tackle the ‘RopeworX’ aerial high-wire challenge course or ‘Skydive’ the ‘parachute jump’ simulator at Landmark, Carrbridge - pure fun discovery and adventure for all ages. Or for a more relaxing appreciation of the views climb aboard the Strathspey Steam Railway and experience the sounds and smells of steam, smoke and hot oil, train travel as it was in the 50s.
Animal lovers can visit the huge wildlife reserve at the Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig and enjoy a Scottish safari. Species, from squirrels and wildcats to bison and wolves, can be found in the Park, offering visitors a glimpse of animals in their natural habitat. 
Enjoy a wonderful walk through the ancient Caledonian pine forest of Rothiemurchus, either on your own or with a Ranger guided tour, or perhaps enjoy some fishing, pony trekking, quad biking, clay shooting, archery or numerous water sports.
A unique Highland experience awaits visitors of all ages at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore. The extraordinary demands of life in the Highlands from the 1700s onwards is brought alive by staff in period costume throughout this mile long adventure through time.
And, regardless of the weather, there’s plenty of family entertainment for all ages in The Fun House at the Hilton Coylumbridge Hotel, with Cyril’s soft play tree house, Adventure Mini-golf, Ten pin Bowling and family games room then relax over a coffee and snack in the American diner.

Attractions

Cairngorm Mountain
CairnGorm Mountain, with its fantastic funicular and the mountain top Ptarmigan Restaurant, offers the opportunity for everyone, regardless of age or physical ability, to enjoy an incredible mountain experience in comfort and safety. more>
01479 861261  www.cairngormmountain.com

The Fun House, at the Hilton Hotel, Coylumbridge, near Aviemore
Designed with families in mind the Fun House is a purpose built facility on site at Hilton Coylumbridge. more>
01479 813081

Highland Folk Museum, Kingussie and Newtonmore
In the heart of the Highlands, with great views of the Cairngorm Mountains, discover how Highland people lived, worked and played at the award-winning Highland Folk Museum. more>
01540 661307  www.highlandfolk.com

Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig
Discover Scotland’s wildlife, past and present, at this unique attraction in the spectacular setting of the Cairngorms National Park. more>
01540 651270  www.highlandwildlifepark.org

Landmark Forest Theme Park, Carrbridge
Where else in the UK can you rock climb, flume ride, meet red squirrels face to face, walk through the tops of tall pine trees, watch logs being sawn on a steam powered sawmill …and you have only just got going more>
0800 7313446 www.landmark-centre.co.uk

La Taverna Ristorante - Pizzeria & Bar, Aviemore
La Taverna is built with an Alpine flair, typically continental, where in a warm and friendly atmosphere you can party with your friends and enjoy a plate of pasta and a glass of vino. more>
01479 810683  www.highrange.co.uk

Loch Insh Watersports & Skiing Centre, Kincraig
Open year-round for watersports and winter snow skiing. From April to October the many activities include sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, family river trips, rowing and salmon fishing plus archery, dry ski slope skiing and mountain biking. more>
01540 651272  www.lochinsh.com

Rothiemurchus, by Aviemore
Rothiemurchus is so beautiful, you feel good just being there - an inspirational place for relaxation and having fun. more>
01479 812345  www.rothiemurchus.net

Speyside Wildlife
The name says it all - Speyside Wildlife. For years we've been the number one guides to the famous wildlife of this place, our home ... now the core of the new Cairngorms National Park. more>
01479 812498  www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Strathspey Steam Railway, Aviemore to Boat of Garten
No one can resist the romance of steam and, even though the journey was considerably harder then, the Strathspey Railway between Aviemore and Boat of Garten gives a taste of how the journey to the north was in the days when Aviemore was a hub of railway activity. more>
01479 810725  www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk

For more information about planning a break in Scotland or to book accommodation visit www.visitscotland.com or call 0845 225 5121