One of Scotland’s two national parks, the Cairngorms is a true mountain wilderness and contains five out of six of Scotland’s highest peaks, and four out of 10 of the highest in Britain. Mike Dennison, in his insider guide to the park, recommends a walk around Loch Muick, or cycling the Speyside Way. His favourite view is from the top of 1,309-metre Ben Macdui.
Skiing is possible in winter, while the Cairngorms are also one of the last remaining British strongholds of the red squirrel.