​

The Cairngorms

The Cairngorms is the largest park in the UK covering an area of  4,528 sq km (1,748 sq miles) across the counties of Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland, Angus and Peth and Kinloss.  Established in 2003,the area has been compared to parks in Norway due to its high upland plateaus and tors with 3 plateaux situated between 1000 and 2000 feet.  At it's heart lies the Cairngorm mountain range and towns such as Aviemore, Ballatar and Braemar as well as being the home of Balmoral Castle, the official Royal Residence of  the UK monarch.  

​

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs 

​

The 4th largest National Park in the UK and centred around Loch Lomond itself the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park covers an area of 1865 sq Km to the north of Glasgow.  Loch Lomond itself is the largest lake in Great Britain with an area of 71 sq Km and within this lie many islands including the largest fresh water island in Great Britain.  Forming the second part of the park's name, and lying on the on east side of the Loch are the Trossachs, an area of woodland hills, glens and more lochs.   The area is a haven for tourists who come to enjoy walking and cycling as well as an important habitat for many wildlife species.  

​

The NC500

In addition to the national parks Scotland is also home to one of the most spectacular road trips in Europe, if not the world.  The North Coast 500 (NC500) which follows the east coast of the mainland from Inverness, working it'sway to the far north of the UK at John O'Grotas and then meandering back down Scotland's rugged West Coast back to where you started.  The journey can be done in under a week but we would highly recommend taking at least a week in order to stop and visit the spectacular castles, caves and coastline you will encounter along the way.  

​

The Islands 

 

As well as the mainland, Scotland's islands are well worth a visit.  The inner Hebridean islands of Skye, Mull and Staffa  are truly spectacular and you can read more about these on our blog.  ( Other islands are well worth a visit too)  While the outer Hebridean chain stretching 210 Km from Lewis in the north to Barra in the far south will have you in awe with beaches and coastline that would make you think you have been transported to much warmer tropical destinations.  And let's not forget the far northern tip of the UK with the Scottish islands of Shetland and Orkney

​

So as you can see Scotland is truly a magical destination which will keep you in awe as you visit castle, waterfalls, magical coastline and friendly wildlife.  We have covered some of the places we have visited on our blog but if you would like a more complete picture of what Scotland has to offer why not purchase our Scotland plan.