Spring Travel: Highlands has rich tales to tell

Jason Martin of Badenoch The Storylands invites you to learn about Scotland’s history at its heart
The Pictish ruins of Dun Da Lamh fort are ripe for discovery. Image: James StevensThe Pictish ruins of Dun Da Lamh fort are ripe for discovery. Image: James Stevens
The Pictish ruins of Dun Da Lamh fort are ripe for discovery. Image: James Stevens

Badenoch is an area of the Cairngorms National Park, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, with many intriguing tales to tell.

In Badenoch, you have the chance to walk through time with exciting locations to explore that are redolent of Scotland’s history, from ancient stone circles and Pictish fortresses to Jacobite relics.

You can immerse yourself in our culture and discover our stories, learn to become a storyteller or traditional musician yourself, or sit and enjoy others telling their tales. The “Storyland Sessions” are a place for our community to come together and explore storytelling on the banks of Loch Insh.

You’ve heard of John O’ Groats and Land’s End, but have you heard the story about the Centre of Scotland? Come to Badenoch and explore the country’s central point – touch the stone that marks the spot, and gaze over Scotland from its very heart.

Badenoch’s open-air Highland Folk Museum gives a taste of Highland life from the 1700s to the 1950s, and has more than 35 historical buildings in which to investigate how people in the region lived down the ages.

Two-wheel aficionados can take to the trails at Laggan Wolftrax for mountain biking at all levels, or rent an e-bike to explore the nearby Pictish hilltop fort, Dun da Lamh, where the original stone walls can still be found.

Distilleries at Badenoch have drams and tipples to be discovered – all with a story. Or you could savour a flavour of Scotland at the award-winning restaurants and delicious street food outlets at Alvie Forest Foods, found in wonderful woodland surrounds.

With wildlife watching, the traditional sport of shinty, as well as great walks and cycling trails, there is something for everyone to discover.

You can hear locals retelling traditional stories and singing handed-down songs, or explore our historic sites virtually on the Badenoch Storylands app. Download it now to begin immersing yourself in our land of stories.

With fantastic accommodation on site, and being a short two-hour drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh along the A9, Badenoch is idealy situated for a short break with history.