Some key Cairngorms attractions

The Balmoral Estate is the Scottish home of the Royal Family. The magnificent castle 'Queen Victoria's Dear paradise in the Highlands'  lies in the shadow of Lochnagar, an area rich in history. It is said that Macbeth was defeated by Duncan Canmore on Royal Deeside. Canmore initiated the Highland Games, which have now evolved into the world-famous Braemar Gathering. 

Since the closure of the cinema at the Old Aviemore Centre, movie-goers from the Cairngorms have had to head to Inverness to see the biggest blockbusters. But that's changed with the latest films - including those in 3D - screened at the Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort.  The new facility has a 650-seat auditorium where you can enjoy popcorn, hot dogs, confectionery and pick n' mix. Book your tickets online, click here.

Opened in 2001, the funicular railway offers the visitor the unique chance to discover the CairnGorm's ancient glacial landscape. It runs for two kilometres through the ski area and rises 460 metres to the mountain's Ptarmigan Top Station just below the summit. In winter the primary aim is to improve service for skiers, while in summer the train delivers the visitor to the panoramic viewing areas and great restaurant. If you get the train up (summer) you must get it back down.

The Highland Folk Museum is centred on two sites, one in Kingussie and the other in Newtonmore. They recreate domestic and working conditions of the ancient highland peoples. This award-winning living history museum brings our Scottish ancestors to life and gives the visitor an insight into how they lived and worked three hundred years ago in a beautiful natural setting. The newer Newtonmore site is a mile long and boasts reconstructed buildings, an ancient township and a traditional working farm.

Travel in style through Monarch-of-the-Glen country on the original Highland Railway  for the 20-mile round trip from Aviemore and Boat of Garten to 'Glenbogle Station' in Broomhill. For something that little bit special, book the Strathspey Highlander and dine as the sun dips behind the mountains.

The Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge is well worth a visit. It offers an adventure-land playground, watercoaster, viewing tower, steam-powered sawmill, mock parachute jumping platform, rope swinging courses, a micro-world tour and a tree top trail, amongst many other attractions. There's also a restaurant and grill, and a souvenir shop. Great for kids years 8 and up.

At 1244 metres (4081 feet), CairnGorm is Scotland's sixth highest peak. Though it has given its name to the range and the park, it is not the highest mountain here, nor should the park really be named after it. The range is properly known as Am Monadh Ruadh (The Red Hills). It does boast a number of tourist attractions, however. The viewing terrace, camera obscura and mountain exhibitions are all must sees, and there are guided walks across the summit in summer where you might spot the reindeer herd. It also claims the UK's highest railway.

Balmoral is the most famous castle within the park's boundaries, but there are others. On the steep and rugged slope above Loch Pityoulish lie the remains of an ancient fort called Creag Chaisdeall. Castle Roy just south of Grantown-on-Spey is said to be the oldest in Scotland. There are also ancient forts at Dum da Lamh and the Ruthven Barracks  just outside Kingussie. Ballindalloch (pictured) a magnificent 16th century castle and the family home of the Macpherson-Grants, Lairds of Ballindalloch since 1546. Blairfindy Castle in Glenlivet, built by Earl of Huntly.