Aviemore and Glenmore: Highland Adventure - March
- Steve McNickle
- Mar 23
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 23
Aviemore: The Highland Hub for Adventure and Awe
Tucked within the Cairngorms National Park, Aviemore is a gateway to some of Scotland’s wildest and most exhilarating landscapes. Once a sleepy railway town, Aviemore is now a bustling hub for year-round adventure, attracting hikers, skiers, cyclists, and nature lovers from around the world. Framed by the mighty Cairngorm Mountains, the town offers instant access to ancient pine forests, sparkling lochs, and high-altitude plateaus teeming with wildlife. In winter, it's the heart of Scottish snowsports, with nearby Cairngorm Mountain Resort offering skiing and snowboarding. In summer, it’s all about walking trails, bike routes, and watersports on Loch Morlich.
Glenmore: Highland Wilderness with Soul-Stirring Beauty
Just a short drive from Aviemore, Glenmore is where the Cairngorms truly begin to feel wild, and where we were staying for the week. Nestled beneath towering peaks and wrapped in the Caledonian Forest, Glenmore feels timeless—a place where red squirrels scurry, osprey soar, and the scent of pine lingers on the breeze. The nearby Loch Morlich, with its golden beach and mountain backdrop, offers a rare combination of alpine scenery and waterside relaxation. Glenmore is a launchpad for classic walks like Meall a' Bhuachaille and high summits like Cairn Gorm, yet also a peaceful retreat for forest strolls, stargazing, or sitting by a campfire under the vast Highland sky. Whether you're chasing summits or serenity, Glenmore delivers the kind of raw, rugged beauty that stays with you long after you've left.
We were so lucky to arrive when the mountains were still snow-capped, but then blessed with glorious sunshine for the duration of our stay.
We have endeavoured to capture this through stills and videos with our camera - it's not possible, but we hope you like them nonetheless.
Glenmore Campsite
We arrived at the campsite, situated adjacent to Loch Morlich and the surrounding forests and mountains. The perfect location for investigating and immersing ourselves in this magical place.
Our pitch was perfect, with a view of the mountains and nestled in the trees, but with enough gap that our Starlink would work!
It was frosty in the evenings, but by about 10 AM the days were beautiful and you could drop your scarf!
Loch Morlich: A Highland Lake with a Golden Shore
Loch Morlich is one of Scotland’s most surprising and beautiful natural gems. What makes it truly unique is its sandy beach—a rare find in the Highlands—set against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks and deep forest. This striking contrast of alpine and coastal scenery makes Loch Morlich a unique destination. Located within the Glenmore Forest Park, it offers a wealth of outdoor experiences: from paddleboarding and kayaking across its calm, clear waters to walking or cycling the scenic forest trails that encircle the loch. Wildlife is abundant here too— red squirrels darting through the trees or ospreys gliding overhead --we saw neither this trip.
We had many walks to the Loch and trail runs around or alongside the Loch. Each time, it was hard to imagine you were in the UK!
You can see the enjoyment the Archie and Ted had in the video below. Admire the colour of the water and the awesome backdrop!
The pictures below capture the beach and the backdrop.
A trip up to Glenmore's ski area and a short snow trek
A 10-minute drive away from the campsite and you're at the Glenmore ski area. This is where Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre, Glenmore Lodge has built a legendary reputation over seven decades, offering everything from dry‑slope sessions for beginners to advanced guided backcountry ski tours. Luke and I are planning to do one of their courses - hopefully in 2026/2027...
Luke came to stay with us for the weekend, and we went for a short trek across the snow. While there, one of the other visitors had a drone that they were flying at a low level. Archie couldn't resist, and off he went. Thankfully, the owner found this amusing and gave Archie the spirit of the chase, but stayed just high enough that his expensive drone didn't end up in bits!
Glenmore in the sunshine
A few days following our ski trek, we returned to the ski centre under a stunning blue sky with the sun shining brightly. The scenery was breathtaking, offering views down to Loch Morlich in the valley and across to the mountains of Glenshee and the Ben Nevis range.
We took many treks through the pine forests, every one spectacular, finding hidden Lochs and bothies. Many started and/or ended back at the campsite alongside a beautiful stream that the boys loved.
Trail running in the mountains
Luke introduced me to trail running, and the Scottish highlands are one of the best places, perhaps apart from the large climbs. Luke and I did a fantastic run from Glenmore (see below).
Torr Alvie and the Duke of Gordon Monument Trek
Just south of Aviemore, the gentle 5.3 km circular trail to Torr Alvie unfolds across pine-clad slopes and open ridgelines, rising about 150 m with sweeping panoramas of Strathspey, Loch Alvie, and the Cairngorm peaks.
The path traces part of the Speyside Way, guiding walkers under a railway bridge before ascending through a blend of woodland and pastoral fields. There are also remnants of ancient Pictish hillfort ramparts—testaments to the prehistoric inhabitants who once shaped this land.
En route, the Waterloo Cairn provides a poignant pause. Erected in 1815 by the Marquis of Huntly, this humble pile of stones commemorates the local soldiers of the Gordon Highlanders who fell at Waterloo.
Just beyond, atop the highest point, stands the towering Duke of Gordon Monument—a 27 m Tuscan column inaugurated in 1839 to honour the fifth Duke, who founded the regiment. This granite pillar is visible from miles around, providing hikers with a grand focal point—and an exceptional viewpoint across the Speyside Valley.
This walk features well-defined tracks, a moderate climb, and amazing woodland trees, with rewarding scenery at every turn.
Loch an Eilein: A Glimpse into Highland Fairytale
Hidden within the ancient Caledonian pinewood of Rothiemurchus Forest, Loch an Eilein—Gaelic for ‘Loch of the Island’—is one of the most enchanting short walks in the Cairngorms. A well‑defined 5‑3 km circular trail skirts the loch, guiding you past a charming ruined 13th‑century castle perched on its tiny island. The loch’s still, reflective waters mirror the surrounding pines and nearby peaks, crafting a scene straight out of a folklore painting—especially magical in the soft morning or evening light...
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