6 Things to Do in Boat of Garten That You Shouldn't Miss

RSPB Loch Garten Osprey Centre sits amidst the stunning Caledonian pineforest, just a short walk from the shores of beautiful Loch Garten. The centre is open every day from April 1 to the first weekend in September, though the rest of the reserve is open all year round. It opens at 10am till 6.00pm, and last entry is at 5.00pm. There is a viewing area in the centre, with binoculars and telescopes to view the ospreys and other wildlife, plus live hi-definition CCTV pictures to give really good close up views of the birds on the nest. Red squirrels can often be seen on our feeders and a large array of small birds visit too. There are always knowledgeable and friendly staff and volunteers on hand to help you make the most of your visit and presentations on the previous year's osprey season are also given. There are activities and games for children both in the centre and on the walk up from the car park. The Osprey Centre shop stocks binoculars and telescopes, gifts, toys, cards, hot and cold drinks, ice creams and snacks. There are picnic benches and garden benches outside if the weather allows! Two beautiful woodland walks take you through magnificent pine forest to tranquil Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie - one accessed from the Osprey Centre car park and the other from the nearby Loch Mallachie car park.

This picturesque championship golf course is one of the best known courses in the Scottish Highlands.

We provide hiking and mountain biking tours across the Highlands of Scotland, but often based in the Cairngorms National park where we have our own home base at Fraoch Lodge. We offer day hikes and camping trips all year round, and also skills courses if you are not so confident about heading out into the hills on your own. We often combine hiking tours with more cultural activities like visiting a distillery or Loch Ness.

We offer self-drive Land Rover Defender 4×4 hire to those looking to push the boundaries of exploration throughout the Scottish Highlands. Few vehicles can match the Defender’s talent for going anywhere and everywhere; it just doesn’t get any better if you want to escape and unwind. With maximum capability in all conditions, and over the most challenging surfaces, this rugged, no-nonsense 4×4 is the perfect vehicle for your adventure in the Scottish Highlands! The Defender is a practical vehicle with a huge load space, so you can pack it full with everything you could ever need on your expedition. In the Highlands, no matter where your compass is pointing, you are bound to discover endless adventure around every turn and encounter photo-worthy drives. We are fortunate to live in heart of one of the most beautiful mountain ranges and the largest national park in Scotland. This is a great place to live and play and we want you to be a part of it too!

I provide guided journeys (single day hill walks and overnight wild camping expeditions) through the Cairngorm Mountains, helping you to interpret the natural environment and cultural heritage in safety. A day may start amongst the Scots Pine remnants of the once vast Caledonian forest, before climbing a granite mountain shaped by glaciers to reach the Wilderness of the vast boulder strewn summit plateau. Or you may prefer to trace the route of one of the historic drove roads which run through the Mountains, dissecting the landscape which has inspired generations of artists and writers. On any given day you’re likely to encounter some of the incredible wildlife which inhabit the park, much of it of international significance, and see signs of the social history of the land. I tailor the journey around your objectives. Maybe you want to bag a specific remote munro, seek out the best spots to photograph the magnificent landscapes, or explore sites of historical note.

Ride Cairngorm is a welcoming bike hire shop located in Boat of Garten near Aviemore. Hire and routes for all abilities just drop us a line.