1. Spey Valley Circuit
This is a great little route which could technically be driven in an afternoon - but you'd miss a host of great things to see. It's ideal for a long weekend break, but you could easily spend a week or more exploring this area by itself.
To help ensure you never drive the same road twice we've broken up the route using the key stops below, but where you want to break the journey up and either camp at organised sites or off-road will depend upon what you want to see.
Point A - Start your journey with a visit to Cawdor Castle - the old Laird, before he passed away, wrote some very witty comments on the information points as you tour the castle. It's privately owned, has lovely gardens and even a 9-hole 'pitch & put' golf course.
Point B - Head along to Dulsie Bridge - a remote picturesque bridge with walks and picnic spots.
Point C - Carrbridge - another classic Highland village with a fantastic old bridge over the river and a lovely traditional railway station. Landmark Adventure Park is here and is a must visit attraction for families or anyone interested in the old skills of forestry work and woodwork.
Point D - Aviemore - You could spend several days here but will pass nearby on the return journey. Cycling and walking galore. There's even an indoor climbing wall or a large shopping mall if the weather's a bit wet outside!
Point E - Kinguissie - A gateway to the Monadhliath Mountains and don't forget to visit Ruthven Barracks nearby at the Southern end of the village.
Point F - Feshiebridge is another lovely rural spot. Head to it via the village of Kincraig and keep a look out for the little white church on the head of Loch Insh (Stephen and I were married there a few years ago!). There is also a great watersports centre at Loch Insh which even has a small dry ski slope. There are also some great valley and mountain walks from Geln Feshie.
Point G - Cairngorm Mountain - If you want to wildcamp then tuck yourself away in the old/overflow car park (head left just before you drive into the mountain car park). For most hillwalkers, Cairngorm summit is an achievable Munro for a day's walk - but ensure you have proper hillwalking equipment with you as the weather can change in minutes and turn quite nasty. For those who would prefer a gentler trip for a great view - head up the mountain railway where the cafe and mountain exhibit await. It's well worth the trip.
Point H - Boat of Garten - A popular wildlife spot with plenty of wildcamping opportunities and great walks.
Point I - Grantown-on-spey - Another classic village in the heart of the Cairngorms. There's lovely cycling/walking along the river spey and plenty of opportunities to get wet on the river spey itself with Outdoor Adventure companies.
Point J - Stop off at Randolph's Leap and take a walk around the short woodland circuit to see where the great floods rose to. You can enjoy a walk from here to Logie Steading by following the river, or jump back in the van and drive along if you haven't got much time. At Logie Steading there is a lovely old bookshop and shop with traditional crafts.
Finally, it's time to head on back to Highland Campervans. If time allows the small town of Forres is directly north of Logie Steading and brings you back onto the A96 where you can head West back to base. The beaches at Findhorn and Nairn are beautiful along the way and again a couple of days in these places alone would be well worth it!
