About Strathspey & Speyside · Part 5 of 7 Auf Deutsch

Castles & History

The ruined towers and rose window of Elgin Cathedral

Today we are exploring castles, history and hidden villages around the Cairngorms.

The clip is a short video on our YouTube channel “The Muccio’s”. It only loads from YouTube once you tap play. German version, the English clip is coming soon.

Speyside, Morayshire, Deeside (also known as Royal Deeside), Aberdeenshire, Perthshire… What do all these areas have in common? They are all connected by the vast and breathtaking Cairngorms National Park, which stretches across 4,528 km², covering parts of the Highlands, Morayshire, Aberdeenshire, Angus and Perth & Kinross. And Grantown-on-Spey is your perfect base for exploring this stunning region, hunting down some of the greatest routes, castles and historic sites.

Castles & history

Scotland’s castles? The Cairngorms take them to another level. The region is home to some of Scotland’s most fascinating history and fortresses.

Driving the SnowRoads Scenic Route, a 90-mile journey through spectacular mountain landscapes, also takes you past some of Scotland’s most fascinating castles and historic landmarks. And yes, along the way you’ll pass a few distilleries too, but that was part 3 of the series. Want to know more about the SnowRoads? Here you’ll find the SnowRoads videos.

Is the Cairngorms ancient land? I say absolutely! From the dramatic Blair Castle in the south (featured in the TV drama Victoria) to the fairytale-like Ballindalloch Castle & Gardens, history is woven into the very fabric of this region.

Corgarff Castle, a white tower house on a green hillside under a blue sky — Corgarff Castle, a lonely sentinel

If history excites you, don’t miss the Highland Folk Museum, the haunting ruins of Ruthven Barracks, or Killiecrankie Gorge, the site of one of the bloodiest battles in Jacobite history. Still not enough? Follow the royal road to Ballater and you’ll find the majestic Balmoral Castle, still used by the Royal Family today. Along the way, Corgarff Castle stands as a lonely sentinel, once a crucial military post guarding the fastest route between Deeside and Speyside.

The front of Balmoral Castle across a wide lawn — Balmoral Castle in Royal Deeside

Once you’ve explored the Cairngorms, you might want to venture north towards Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and the Moray coast. Cawdor Castle and Fort George offer an incredible glimpse into Scotland’s past. And between the two? The hauntingly beautiful Clava Cairns and the infamous Culloden Battlefield. Many of you may already know the tragic story of Culloden. It was not only a battle, it was the last battle fought on British soil, where in under an hour around 1,300 men, mostly Jacobites, lost their lives.

The drawbridge and gate tower of Cawdor Castle — Cawdor Castle

A standing stone among trees at Clava Cairns — Clava Cairns

The legend of the Wolf of Badenoch

History here isn’t just about castles and battlefields, it’s also full of legends and stories. Alexander Stewart left his mark (or should we say, his destruction) across the region. Visit the ruins of Lochindorb Castle, a 17 to 20-minute drive from Grantown and one of his strongholds, before heading to Elgin Cathedral, which he burned to the ground. A ruthless warrior, a feared leader and a legend that still lingers in these lands. His fate remains mysterious, but his reputation as one of Scotland’s most formidable figures lives on.

FAMILY📜 Tales & Legends 1Lochindorb and the Wolf of BadenochRead the story for the whole family →

Hidden villages & historic towns

As you travel through the region, you’ll come across charming villages that have kept their Georgian and Victorian character, making every drive a journey through time. Here are just a few places worth stopping:

Grantown-on-Spey: A historic Georgian town, and the perfect base for your adventures.
Tomintoul: The highest village in the Highlands, with a fascinating history.
Ballater: A picturesque village in Royal Deeside, with strong royal connections.
Aviemore: A lively hub for outdoor enthusiasts.
Braemar: A lovely village, famous for the Braemar Gathering and its rich royal history. If you read part 2, you’ll know about a special place for lunch I hinted at.

If you’re coming from further afield, Inverness is just 40 minutes north, and Aberdeen is only an hour from the eastern side of the park.

This is just a taste of what you can experience here, there’s so much more to discover. And guess what? We love helping our Guests plan their perfect day trips!