Grantown-on-Spey

Steam trains still whistle through this Highland town at Broomhill station, a proper throwback to Scotland's railway golden age. Grantown-on-Spey sits in the heart of the Cairngorms, where Victorian granite buildings line wide streets that feel refreshingly unhurried compared to busier Highland hotspots.

The town makes an excellent jumping-off point for serious hill walkers. Beinn Mhòr and Càrn Ruigh Thuim offer cracking views across Speyside without the crowds you'll find on the bigger Munros further south. Free Church Wood provides gentler walking if you're after something less taxing - lovely for families or anyone wanting to stretch their legs between pub visits.

What strikes you first is how genuinely Scottish this place feels. The Grantown War Memorial stands prominently in the town centre, while the surrounding peaks like Càrn Biorach and Tom Liath create a proper Highland backdrop. It's not trying to be quaint for tourists; it's just getting on with being a working Highland town.

Reaching Grantown-on-Spey is straightforward via the A95 from Aviemore, about 15 miles northeast. The drive through Strathspey reveals why this area draws outdoor enthusiasts - rolling moorland gives way to dense forests and dramatic peaks.

Staying at Highland Glen Holiday Park puts you right in the action. With 4.5 stars from over 450 reviews, it's clearly doing something right. The location means you can tackle those Cairngorm peaks by day and still be back for a proper evening meal without the trek back to Aviemore or Inverness.