Families across the country might be tightening their belts but that doesn’t mean day trips and short breaks have to stop.
With a little planning it’s possible to see some of the country’s most beautiful sports – and enjoy a range of activities – with no need for expensive admission fees or tickets.
With its vast open spaces featuring some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery, the Cairngorms is a place to marvel, and what’s more it can be done on a very low budget.
Here are just some of the brilliant things to see and do in the Cairngorms National Park which are completely free.
For more inspiration on what to see and do in the Cairngorms head to the Visit Cairngorms website.
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. Cairngorms
Stunning landscapes come as standard in the Cairngorms National Park Photo: Canva/Getty Images
5. Get to know the trees
As the seasons change, it’s the perfect time to do a spot of leaf peeping and get to know many of the wonderful native trees we have in Scotland. The Caledonian Forest once covered Scotland and is now considered one of the most important habitats for biodiversity conservation in Scotland. Half of the UK’s native pinewoods are found in the Cairngorms and it’s home to Birch, Rowan, Aspen and Juniper trees to name but a few. And it’s not just the trees worth seeing, the RSPB’s Abernethy Nature Reserve is the best place to see bog woodland. So unleash your inner Chris Packham and get close to nature. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Discover Dark Skies
Winter and its run up is the stargazers favourite season. Tomintoul and Glenlivet in the Cairngorms National Park have been awarded prestigious Dark Sky Status so are officially one of the best places to stargaze in the whole of the UK. The skies are so dark in the Cairngorms that, unlike most other places, you can see nebula using just binoculars. If you’re brave enough you might even consider winter camping, but even just enjoying the views from a night-time walk can be equally as exhilarating. Photo: Gordon Mackie