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Home , Badenoch and Strathspey, Blair Castle, Braemar Castle, Cairngorms National Park, Dalwhinnie

Cairngorms – history, heritage & culture

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The National Park is steeped in rich history, Angus and the Angus Glens are known as the heritage and archaeology. People have lived and worked in birthplace of having played a pivotal role the Cairngorms for thousands of years leaving fascinating in the formation of the Scottish nation, when the remains of cultures past to explore as well as discovering Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320. Be sure the thriving industries of the Cairngorms today. to visit some of the museums and galleries that tell Traces of people living in the area centuries ago can be the rich story of Scotland. found all around including ancient sites and symbols, Royal Deeside has been a favourite holiday spot for mysterious standing stones and longhouses and legendary the Royal Family since the days of . and ruins - not to mention tales of Clans and myths There are more castles per acre of land than and legends of giants, fairies and ghosts. anywhere else in the UK including . The Story of a place. The is the and Glenlivet boast stunning religious biggest national park in the UK. properties and you can learn about agriculture The southern gateway to the Park, , sits at the and a modern interpretation of the communities bottom of the Cairngorm and Glenshee which in natural and cultural heritage at the Tomintoul and folklore is known as a magical place or ‘the Glen of the Fairies’. Glenlivet Discovery Centre. Speyside is also the home of the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail, with some of the worlds’ best loved single malt whiskies. EVENTS Historic and Strathspey is famous for March Badenoch & Strathspey Music Festival dramatic landscapes and events which shaped www.strathfest.com Scotland’s history, such as the famous Jacobite m ay Cairngorms Nature Big Weekend rebellion highlighted in the early Outlander books www.cairngormsnaturebigweekend.com by author Diana Gabaldon, now a hit international TV series. The area’s fascinating folk museums m ay Atholl Arms Gathering www.atholl-estates.co.uk/events/atholl-gathering- recount the cruelty of the Highland Clearances. highland-games With such dramatic diversity and rich heritage, you august Abernethy can explore the Cairngorms National Park time and www.nethybridge.com/abernethy-highland-games time again to unearth something new each time. august Lonach Highland Gathering and Games www.lonach.org

For more ideas and contacts go to www.visitscotlandtraveltrade.com or email [email protected] Day 1 - Blair atholl to braemar

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Blair Castle and Gardens – the spectacular The Braemar Highland Games Centre – – is Scotland’s only St Margaret’s, Braemar – is an A-listed Blair Castle dominates the landscape - home housed in the stunning Duke of Rothesay community run castle where local guides offer building of historic and architectural to the Stewarts and Murrays of Atholl for 19 Highland Games Pavilion explores the living tours of 12 fully furnished rooms with language importance celebrating the cultural heritage of generations. The castle bursts with Scotland’s tradition of highland games focusing on cards. This 17th Century Castle has an exciting Braemar and Royal Deeside. This was restored history and the gardens are a real treat to the world-famous Braemar Gathering. A story having been built as a highland hunting into an internationally-renowned performance explore for the entire family. Part of the hit TV fascinating exhibition tells the unique story of lodge, burned in the first Jacobite uprising and and art venue with a full programme of series Victoria was filmed here, a wonderful the Braemar Gathering and the Braemar Royal home to the rebellion leader after the defeat of concerts, performances and exhibitions and way to document the many stays Queen Highland Society. Enjoy the gallery space, the the Jacobites at Culloden as well as the chiefs a permanent heritage display. Open in the Victoria enjoyed at the castle. elegant café and quality gift shop. of . Spring and Summer months. T: 01796 481207 T: 013397 49220 T: 01339 741219 T: 07850 758427 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.blair-castle.co.uk www.highlandgamescentre.org www.braemarcastle.co.uk www.stmargaretsbraemar.org.uk Day 2 - crathie to tomintoul

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Balmoral Castle – explore the stunning The Old Royal Station – the newly refurbished Butterworth Gallery – this friendly and Tomintoul and Glenlivet Discovery Centre Scottish holiday home to the royal family station houses ’s Tourist Information welcoming gallery in Royal Deeside is a three- – an exciting new attraction with a whisky including fabulous formal gardens, a lovely Centre, a well-stocked shop and a museum star visitor attraction complete with a red themed Virtual Reality experience, a digital café with home cooked produce and a gift and exhibition celebrating the station’s links telephone box. It hosts a permanent display community archive and new displays shop selling Scottish gifts. An audio tour with royalty. Much of the royalty of nineteenth of original artwork by renowned Scottish telling the stories of the communities and available in different language guides you century Europe passed through this railway landscape artist, Howard Butterworth, and highlighting the best things to see and do in through exhibitions and shares the stories, station including the Czar of Russia. The his daughter Mary Louise, famed for her the area. The Tomintoul coat is on display for history and workings of this beautiful estate. Carriage café, tearoom and bistro offers atmospheric night scenes of . Buy the first time in a generation. Open from Easter Open April to July. delicious, local food. original fine art, quality prints and cards. to the end of October. T: 01339 742534 T: 01339 755050 T: 01339 886104 T: 01807 580760 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.balmoralcastle.com www.thecarriageballater.co.uk www.thebutterworthgallery.com www.tomintoulandglenlivet.com/discovery-centre Day 3 - ballindalloch to

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Ballindalloch Castle and Gardens – one of The – discover the home Grantown Museum – learn about the Scottish Highland Folk Museum – experience how the finest surviving examples of a Scottish of the premium, hand-crafted Caorunn Gin and enlightenment, royal connections, fascinating Highland people lived and worked from the Baronial Castle also known as the ‘Pearl of the get an insight into the artisanal production inventors and mighty musicians. The museum 1700s up to the 1950s in this open air museum North’. Explore five hundred years of Highland process with a behind-the-scenes tour. Then has lots of interactive exhibitions, including situated among some of the most beautiful history, acres of formal gardens, woodlands enjoy a tutored deconstructed nosing and the opportunity to dress up and take a picture scenery in the world. Explore 30 historical and riverside walks, a children’s playground, tasting session featuring five locally foraged in a Victorian photographer’s studio. You’ll buildings with period furnishings and displays. picnic area, tearoom and gift shop. Tours are and six traditional botanicals. The experience find everything you need to know about local There is also a café, gift shop and children’s available to explore the interior of the castle in then closes with a refreshing Caorunn and activities, heritage and walks. Opens April to playground. Opens in the Spring and the Spring and Summer. tonic with red apple wedges. October. Summer months. T: 01807 500 205 T: 01479 874 933 T: 01479 872478 T: 01349 781650 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.ballindallochcastle.co.uk www.caorunngin.com www.grantownmuseum.co.uk www.highlifehighland.com/highlandfolkmuseum Day 4 - to

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Cairngorm Brewery – providing tours and Chapel Houses Arts – a welcoming space, Ruthven Barracks – visit this fascinating site – set in splendid offering samples of ales, the award-winning with exhibits throughout the year showing which was built in the early 1700s and stands scenery, Dalwhinnie is the highest brewery offers a warm friendly Highland great contemporary art from myriad local on a mound which is visible for miles around. distillery in Scotland and home to a famous welcome. Keen to keep traditional recipes and UK artists. The gallery runs workshops in A 300-strong Jacobite attack failed to take the whisky renowned for its gentle flavours. alive, as well as brewing new styles, the various media and for all levels, from beginner barracks in 1745, but a more heavily-armed This five-star visitor attraction offers tours brewery has gained many accolades for to advanced, led by experienced tutors. In attack the next year forced the barracks' explaining the art of malt whisky distilling, its beers. Open year-round with a shop the warmer months, plein air workshops surrender. The Jacobites rallied here after their a complimentary dram of with a matching showcasing beers, merchandise and locally in the Cairngorms take advantage of the defeat at Culloden before conceding. Open all handmade chocolate, a souvenir tasting glass produced ciders, whiskies and gins. extraordinary landscape on the doorstep. year round. and a discount voucher in the distillery shop. T: 01479 812 222 T: 01540 662438 T: 01975 651 460 T: 01540 672219 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.cairngormbrewery.com www.thelaundrygallery.net www.historicenvironment.scot www.discovering-distilleries.com/dalwhinnie Please note some attractions have seasonal opening hours. Please check opening times with the attraction.

For more ideas and contacts go to www.visitscotlandtraveltrade.com or email [email protected]