Water Sports in the Cairngorms Park

Just off the A9 six miles south of Aviemore, the loch lies in the village of Kincraig. Its family-friendly water sports centre, Loch Insh offers sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, raft building and rowing, while there are and pedalos and a wildlife spotting pleasure-boat for the less energetic. Off the water, the staff run courses in archery, dry skiing, mountain-biking and a restaurant, local shop and other amenities, and has a superb view down the Spey valley towards the 700-acre loch.

Morlich loch is at the foot of the CairnGorm itself and a number of sports are enjoyed on its calm waters. As at Loch Insh , instructors are on hand to give lessons in windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and biking. There are also picnic sites, a café/visitor centre, nature trails and a reindeer park at Glenmore, the highlight of many a visit. It also boasts one of the best fresh water beaches in Scotland, all just just 5mins drive for Aviemore.

Cairngorms Fishing is possible on many of the Rainbow-Trout-stocked lochs for around £15/day but the rivers are also popular. Anglers come from all over the world to catch Salmon on the Spey for about £30/day on some of the stretches in Kingussie and Newtonmore. The Badenoch Angling Association Permits are sold at local centres. Boat fishing for Brown Trout or Pike on one of the lochs is usually cheaper or even free. The Rothiemurchus Estate has trout fishing on Loch Inverdruie, the Alvie Estate hires out rods and tackle. Glen Tanar Estate, situated in a beautiful glen at the heart of Royal Deeside has four beats on the upper stretch of the magnificent River Dee and a number of private lochs.

Active Outdoor Pursuits run several centres on the Spey and Dee rivers in the Cairngorms. They are open all year round so river conditions vary with the season, as well as duckying (blasting down the rapids in a small inflatable two-man canoe). Ace Adventures offer similar year-round thrills and spills on the wild River Findhorn as well as the more tranquil Spey. For those that want the thrills of a series of grade 4-5 rapids then Craggan Outdoors provides everything you require. For a slower pace, why not take a paddle on open-canoe on this most beautiful of Scottish rivers with Spey Descent.

Keep fit with some laps in the Hilton Coylumbridge hotel's indoor swimming pool. Jump straight into the heated indoor pool and enjoy the waves, flumes and breathtaking mountain views at the McDonalds highland resort. For the younger children Dalfaber Country Club pool is just right. The Balavil Hotel pool is small but great if you are in Newtonmore. Grantown-on-Spey also have a 20m traditional swimming pool. For swimming in royal Deeside why not plunge into the 17-metre lagoon-shaped pool within the Hilton Craigendarroch.