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Cairngorms; Highest Mountains, Bonnie Lochs & Ancient Forests

1 Review 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 1 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Inverness, Scotland
Book online or call us

from $1,165.10 per group (up to 7)

Lowest Price Guarantee
Red Squirrel
Cairngorm Mountain Railway
Grantown on Spey
Loch an Eilein
Ospreys at Loch Garten
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 32 (0) days in advance.
8 to 9 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

We'll head south from Inverness over The Slochd Summit from where we see our first view of The Cairngorm Mountains. We continue on to the Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore where you can discover the history and heritage of The Scottish Highlands.
From here we will enjoy a lovely tour along the quieter back roads of Badenoch & Strathspey. We'll visit Ruthven Barracks before passing through Rothiemurchus and Loch Morlich. Our journey then takes us up to Cairngorm ski area and UK’s highest mountain railway. Experience Cairngorm Mountain and enjoy wonderful panoramic views from UK’s highest restaurant, over 1000 metres up. Back down in Strathspey we can go looking for red squirrels and perhaps Ospreys amid our indigenous Caledonian Pine Forest by Loch Garten and Nethy Bridge. Our tour takes us on to Grantown-on-Spey and, if time allows, we can enjoy an envigorating dram or two on our way home at either Tomatin or the new Cairn Distillery.

What's Included

  • Snacks
  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch
  • Alcoholic beverages Whisky tastings at Tomatin can be paid for at the time.
  • Cairngorm Mountain Railway; Adult £22.00, Child £12.50 (under 6 free), Family £38.00 - £55.00
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

Your Driver / guide will display a board with your name

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Cairngorms National Park (pass by)

Magnificent views of some of Scotland's highest mountains with the opportunity to travel up the Cairngorm Mountain Railway. We will be travelling through the National Park throughout the day
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Highland Folk Museum

Step back in time and experience life in the Highlands from 1700s to the 1950s. We have over 35 historical buildings onsite for you to explore and discover how people in the Highlands lived, worked, went to school, enjoyed their leisure time.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Included

Ruthven Barracks

Ruthven Barracks were built by George II’s government in the early 1700s after the failed Jacobite uprising of 1715. The troops stationed there were to maintain law and order and enforce the Disarming Act of 1716.The barracks saw action twice. A 300-strong Jacobite attack failed to take the barracks in 1745, but a more heavily-armed attack the next year forced the barracks’ surrender. The Jacobites rallied here after their defeat at Culloden before conceding.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Loch Morlich (pass by)

Loch Morlich enjoys one of the finest settings of any loch in the country. It is surrounded by forests and fringed by beaches, with the stunning backdrop of the often snow-clad peaks of the northern Cairngorms.
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Cairngorm Mountain

Enjoy a breath-taking trip on Scotland’s only funicular railway, the highest in the UK reaching the Ptarmigan building at over 1,097m above sea level. The 2km funicular railway runs a regular service taking customers to the top of the slopes in around 5 – 8 minutes.Once at the Top Station you can enjoy a unique visitor experience: Ptarmigan Restaurant with panoramic views Cairngorm Gin Bar Viewing terrace 270 degrees immersive exhibition Cairngorm Learning Zone with interactive sandboxes The Shop at the Top serving a wide range of gifts, clothing and local productsNB In order to protect the unique plateau all funicular passengers are not permitted to exit the Top Station to go out onto the mountain
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1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

RSPB Loch Garten Nature Centre

Nestled in Abernethy, the Loch Garten Nature Centre is the perfect spot to experience this amazing forest. Our team are on hand to help with CCTV screens, binoculars and telescopes to help you to get great views. An exhibition, daily talks and family activities ensure there’s something for everyone.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Grantown-on-Spey

The town was founded in 1765 as a planned settlement and was originally called simply Grantown after Sir James Grant.[4] The addition 'on Spey' was added by the burgh council in 1898. The town has several listed 18th and 19th century buildings, including several large hotels and serves as a regional centre for tourism and services in the Strathspey region.The town is twinned with Notre-Dame-de-Monts in the Vendée, Pays de la Loire, France.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Tomatin Distillery Visitor Centre

The Scottish Highlands.Full of stories, of open arms and warm welcomes. Full of hidden depths and of the love of families spanning generations. Full of what matters. This is our home. This is us. This is our whisky. Each one a memento of a passion and knowledge that only comes from making whisky over several lifetimes. Each one a toast to the very landscape in which we live, to our community bonded by shared purpose and in everything we do. Quite simply, our whiskies reflect us. Always have and always will. Tomatin. To what matters.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Travel and transportation through our beautiful scenery is included in the total time duration of this tour

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Cairngorms; Highest Mountains, Bonnie Lochs & Ancient Forests?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-422292P3

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
1 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
1
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 32 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Cairngorms; Highest Mountains, Bonnie Lochs & Ancient Forests?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Snacks.
  • Bottled water.
  • Private transportation.
  • Air-conditioned vehicle.
The following is NOT included:
  • Lunch.
  • Alcoholic beverages. Whisky tastings at Tomatin can be paid for at the time.
  • Cairngorm Mountain Railway; Adult £22.00, Child £12.50 (under 6 free), Family £38.00 - £55.00.
  • Highland Folk Museum. Admission is free but a donation is requested.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Cairngorms; Highest Mountains, Bonnie Lochs & Ancient Forests is as follows:

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Cairngorms; Highest Mountains, Bonnie Lochs & Ancient Forests will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Snacks
  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Lunch
  • Alcoholic beveragesWhisky tastings at Tomatin can be paid for at the time.
  • Cairngorm Mountain Railway; Adult £22.00, Child £12.50 (under 6 free), Family £38.00 - £55.00
  • Highland Folk Museum. Admission is free but a donation is requested

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Travel and transportation through our beautiful scenery is included in the total time duration of this tour
  • This tour is not available for cruise ship passengers at Invergordon Cruise Port

Report Product Issue

Activity name