CE4 AW 20-3-08:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 23/4/08 11:46 Page 2 EXPLORE YOUR NATIONAL PARK CE4 AW 20-3-08:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 23/4/08 11:47 Page 1 CE4 AW 20-3-08:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 23/4/08 11:47 Page 2 Credits Published by 14 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey Moray PH26 3HG www.cairngorms.co.uk Email: [email protected] Tel: 01479 873535 Designed, produced & distributed on behalf of Cairngorms National Park Authority by Carr-Bridge. Tel: 01479 841900 Original Cairngorms on a Shoestring text by Elma McMenemy Marketing +PR, and research by Elma McMenemy Marketing +PR with assistance from WalkDeeside Ltd Printed on paper from sustainable, managed forests. When you have finished with this Credits brochure please recycle it. Cover photograph Front: Ballater Square Centre Map Wendy Price Cartographic Services Photographs Cairngorms National Park Authority; David Gowans; Scottish Natural Heritage; VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint; Paul Tomkins/VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint; VisitScotland; Stewart Grant/CNPA; Aviemore Walking Festival; Glenshee Ski Centre; CairnGorm Mountain; Landmark Forest Theme Park; Dorothy Carse; Balmoral Castle Thanks to HITRANS and Nestrans for their support in producing this publication. 2 River Esk,Angus CE4 AW 20-3-08:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 23/4/08 11:47 Page 3 Contents Page Welcome to the Cairngorms National Park 4 How to use this guide 4 Cairngorms on a Shoestring 5 Cairngorms Independent Hostels 6 Walking Festivals in and around the Park 7 Public Transport Contact Details 8 Enjoying the Countryside 10-11 Safety and Equipment Hire 11 Cheap Fares and Concessionary Travel 12 Inverness Cycle Bus 12 Cairngorms Farmers Market 48 SYHA and Access at Hostels 49 Using transport to travel around the Park: - Taxis 9 - Buses and trains 1 In Badenoch and Strathspey 14, 15, 17, 19-20, 22-28, 30-31, 34, 35 1 In Tomintoul, Strathdon and District 44-47 1 In Deeside 51, 54-57 1 In Angus Glens 61-68 Using Public transport to travel to the Park: 1 From Aberdeen 15, 47, 51, 54-57 1 From Dundee 61-67 1 From Edinburgh 13, 34-35 1 From Glasgow 34-35 1 From Inverness 20, 23, 34-35, 47 1 From Perth 15, 34-35 Contents 1 From Stirling 34-35 Access for All 32 Index of Place Names 39 Cairngorms National Park Map 36-37 Ski Centres 40 Walking and Cycling Routes: 11 A Walk or Cycle along the Speyside Way 16 1 Carr-Bridge Woodland Walk 18 1 Nethy Bridge Riverside Walk 21 1 Cycle Ride or Walk to Ruthven Barracks 29 1 Take a Walk on the Wild Cat Trail 29 1 Frank Bruce Sculpture Trail 33 11 A Walk around Tomintoul 43 1 A Cycle Ride from Ballater 52 1 A Walk Around Ballater Golf Course 53 11 Craigendarroch Walk 53 11 A Cycle Ride from Braemar 59 11 A Walk in Braemar’s Woods 59 1 A Walk in Glen Doll 60 Website and Visitor Guide 71 Countryside Rangers 71 3 CE4 AW 20-3-08:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 23/4/08 11:47 Page 4 Welcome to the Cairngorms National Park elcome to the Cairngorms Explorer, Wwhich brings together all the information you need to get around the Park without a car.Whether you’re a resident or visitor you can leave the car behind and use another form of transport. You’ll not only be helping the Welcome environment, but get to enjoy more of the Cairngorms. Glenmore Forest How to Use This Guide his Explorer guide has been designed cycle or walking route information, and Tto make it easier for you to access to the Park map on pages 36-37. and enjoy the Cairngorms National Park You are strongly advised to plan your day by train, bus, cycle, on foot or using using more comprehensive guides and mobility aids.We have divided the Park maps, available from bookshops and into geographical areas, each identified tourist information centres: TICs can by a distinct colour band down the also give you more detailed descriptions page margins throughout the guide. of the walks in this brochure. Public transport timetables are given for travel within each area, and for AREAS OF THE PARK accessing the Park from the main 1 Badenoch and Strathspey Scottish population centres. 1 Tomintoul, Strathdon and District For ease of reference, we have included 1 on page 39, a list of the names of all of Deeside the towns and villages in the Park, 1 Angus Glens cross-referenced to relevant timetable, KEY TO SYMBOLS USED Buses which may transport Walking route bicycles Cycle route Buses which do not transport c Access for All How to Use This Guide bicycles Hail and ride * * Hail and Ride Bus Services Trains which transport bicycles On certain sections of route there are no recognised bus stops. Buses on these route Trains which do not transport sections will stop and pick up and set down on request at a safe location.The benefits being that bicycles passengers can select their most convenient boarding/alighting point. 4 CE4 AW 20-3-08:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 23/4/08 11:47 Page 5 Cairngorms on a Shoestring t doesn’t matter how old you are, how Ifit you are, or how much you have to spend - the Park is for everyone to enjoy. Many things to see and do are completely free - including walking and wildlife watching - mostly provided by nature. There are over 1000km of waymarked trails in the Cairngorms. Some walks are for all abilities which make them ideal for EXPLORE YOUR NATIONAL PARK wheelchair users and also for those pushing buggies, and there are also cycle the Cairngorms National Park. routes linking different places. Organised Ranger-led activities in the Cairngorms camp sites, bunkhouses and hostels are listed online in the ‘What’s On’ provide low-cost accommodation. section of www.visitcairngorms.com Search for campsites, hostels and other Throughout the Park you will find accommodation on bothies which provide very simple www.visitscotland.com or accommodation when walking in wild www.welcometoscotland.com areas. See www.mountainbothies.org.uk If you are travelling through wild country, Scattered throughout this brochure you’ll you may choose to wild camp.This means find walks and activities you can do you can camp overnight free of charge, easily, inexpensively and without a car - though this brings extra responsibilities saving you some money, and saving the (see page 10 for how to do this). environment too. And for a real taste The Park Authority also provides free of Scotland, go to a Highland Games booklets and brochures, including or Show, see information about what to see and do in www.visitscotland.com/library/ highlandgames On page 12 there are details of discounted fares on buses and trains. Cairngorms on a Shoestring Check with operators first if you plan to take a bicycle, see page 8.And before you head out, have a look at the safety advice on page 11. See the Cairngorms on a Shoestring pages on the Cairngorms Visitors’ website for more info - www.visitcairngorms.com Big Issue Foundation Group at Glenmore 5 CE4 AW 20-3-08:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 23/4/08 11:47 Page 6 Cairngorms Independent Hostels hy not stop off and stay and Wexplore the stunning Cairngorms National Park on the Heather Hopper bus. Stop off and stay over at one of the delightful towns, villages and remote rural areas. Enjoy the Highland IN THE NATIONAL PARK hospitality of Cairngorms Hostels - 19 unique and independently run hostels throughout the Cairngorms National Park. See www.cairngormshostels.co.uk for more details. Cairngorms Independent Hostels 6 CE4 AW 20-3-08:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 23/4/08 11:47 Page 7 Lunch with a view, courtesy of Aviemore Walking Festival Walking Festivals 2008 Not sure of where to go, or want to walk as part of a group? The walking festivals offer a fantastic chance to go out with knowledgeable, local people who will add a lot more to your experience. Aviemore and the Cairngorms Walking Angus & Dundee Walking Festival and Mountain Festival 29th May - 1st June 10th - 17th May Contact: Pru Dowie or Mick Pawley Contact: Neil Bremner [email protected] [email protected] www.angusanddundee.co.uk www.aviemorewalking.com T: 01307 461460 T: 01479 812384 or activeaboyne T: 07791 594570 4th - 10th August PO Box 5349,Aviemore, PH22 1YG Contact: Beverley Tones Ballater Walking Festival 2008 - [email protected] Royal Deeside www.activeaboyne.co.uk 17th - 23rd May T: 013398 85222 Contact: David Horne Blairgowrie & East Perthshire [email protected] Walking Festival www.royal-deeside.org.uk 3rd - 9th October T: 013397 55467 Contact: Nick Cole Email via website: www.walkingfestival.org T: 01828 640763 7 CE4 AW 20-3-08:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 23/4/08 11:47 Page 8 Public Transport Contact Details Disclaimer Whilst we have taken every care to make sure the timetable information in this booklet is correct, you are advised to always contact the operator before travelling, especially from October 2008 to March 2009 when some services will change to more limited winter timetables. Where known, dates during which timetables are valid, are shown. If you plan to take your bicycle on a bus you are advised to contact the operator in advance to avoid disappointment. BADENOCH AND STRATHSPEY CairnGorm Mountain 01479 861 261 www.cairngormmountain.co.uk Scottish City Link 08705 505 050 www.citylink.co.uk First ScotRail Customer Relations 08456 015 929 www.firstgroup.com National Express East Coast 08457 225 225 www.nationalexpresseastcoast.co.uk Grantown-on-Spey Post Office 01479 872 581/563 Rapsons 01463 710 555 www.rapsons.co.uk Strathspey Railway 01479 810 725 www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk Highland Country Bus 01479 811 211 Coopers Tourmaster 01540 673000 TOMINTOUL, STRATHDON AND DISTRICT Moray