Newtonmore

Highland Games competitions echo through summer evenings here, the sound of bagpipes drifting across the valley floor where the River Spey curves through ancient Caledonian pine. Newtonmore sits at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, a proper Highland town that takes its shinty seriously and its whisky even more so.

The MacPherson Monument watches over everything from its hillside perch - a reminder of clan battles and Jacobite loyalty that shaped these glens. Below, the town stretches along the A86, functional rather than pretty, but the real drama lies in the surrounding peaks. Cruban Beag and Craggan offer cracking walks without the tourist crowds you'll find further south, while Creag an Loin provides proper mountain views for those willing to put in the effort.

Loch Cuaich makes for a lovely afternoon ramble, especially when the light catches the water just right. The loch sits quiet most days - locals know it well, visitors less so. Glentruim Castle, though privately owned, adds a touch of romance to the landscape, its towers visible through the trees as you drive the winding back roads.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A9 to Kingussie then a quick hop west on the A86. Inverness lies an hour north, but honestly, once you're settled in the mountains, you won't want to leave. The Highland Railway connects to bigger cities, though having a car opens up the real treasures.

Staying at one of the nearby parks puts you right in walking distance of serious hill country while keeping Aviemore's facilities within reach. The Cairngorms don't mess about - this is landscape that demands respect and rewards it handsomely.