Invereshie and Inshriach National Nature Reserve
Distance from hotel: 8 miles
Green Award: Gold
Perfect for: Everyone
Website: https://www.nature.scot/enjoying-outdoors/scotlands-national-nature-reserves/invereshie-inshriach-national-nature-reserve
Perched at the edge of the Cairngorm plateau, Invereshie and Inshriach National Nature Reserve (NNR) has a mosaic of habitats from peaceful pinewood to exposed mountain. Twisted and gnarled Krummholz pines, found near the upper tree line, are typical of this reserve. You’ll find red squirrel, pine marten, crested tit and crossbill here.
The dramatic ice-sculpted slopes above the woodland are swathed with heaths and blanket bog. The reserve culminates in the arctic environment of the high mountain plateau and the summits of Sgòr Gaoith and Carn Bàn Mòr. Look for the resilient dotterel, ptarmigan and mountain hare, all evolved to cope with the battering of cold winds and winter snow.
Visit all year round to see the pine forest through the seasons. There are a series of tracks and old stalker paths throughout the reserve. Some of Scotland’s most precious plants and animals are found here.
Distance from hotel: 52 miles
Green Award: Gold
Perfect for: Everyone
Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/fort-george/
Distance from hotel: 22 miles
Green Award: Gold
Perfect for: Everyone
Website: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/loch-garten/
Start point from hotel: 4 miles
Perfect for: Everyone
Green Award: Gold
Website: https://www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/
Distance from hotel: 18 miles
Green Award: Silver
Perfect for: Everyone
Website: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/glenmore-forest-park/glenmore-visitor-centre
Distance from hotel: 49 miles
Green Award: Gold
Perfect for: Everyone
Website: https://www.jacobite.co.uk/
Distance from hotel: 12 miles
Green Award: Silver
Perfect for: Everyone
Website: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/craigellachie-national-nature-reserve-p1404541
Distance from hotel: 12 miles
Green Award: Gold
Perfect for: Everyone
Website: https://rothiemurchus.net/
Distance from hotel: 60 miles
Green Award: Gold
Perfect for: Everyone
Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/spynie-palace/
Distance from hotel: 60 miles
Green Award: Gold
Perfect for: Everyone
Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/urquhart-castle/overview/
Distance from hotel: 46 miles
Green Award: Gold
Perfect for: Everyone
Website: https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/brodie-castle
Distance from hotel: 2 miles
Perfect for: Everyone
Green Award: Gold
Website: https://www.highlifehighland.com/highlandfolkmuseum/
Distance from hotel: 58 miles
Green Award: Gold
Perfect for: Everyone
Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/elgin-cathedral/
Distance from hotel: 42 miles
Perfect for: Everyone
Green Award: Gold
Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/ruthven-barracks/history/
Distance from hotel: 53 miles
Green Award: Gold
Perfect for: Everyone
Website: https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/
Distance from hotel: 43 miles
Green Award: Gold
Perfect for: Everyone
Website: https://dolphinspirit.co.uk/