A Tent Adventure in the Scottish Arctic

Meeting in Aviemore at 8:30, where we’ll enjoy a second breakfast and gather the remaining equipment. We’ll then set off on our trek, quickly leaving behind the last inhabited areas, which we won’t see again for the rest of the week. As we move towards our destination, we’ll set up camp for an overnight stay in tents. We’ll end the day dining under the starry sky.

We venture into the heart of the Cairngorms massif, crossing an ancient pass once used by cattle drovers and smugglers. This pass is one of the few routes that allow travelers to cross the entire mountain range, saving days of journey time. Along the way, we come across the source of the River Dee and begin our descent toward our campsite for the night, nestled in a glacial valley surrounded by towering peaks. The day ends with a camp dinner and an overnight stay in tents.

Today's stage is short as we descend to the valley floor and venture into what remains of the ancient Caledonian Forest. Once covering all of Scotland, it is now considered one of the most important habitats for biodiversity conservation in the region. We will spend the night in a beautiful clearing by the riverbank, enjoying a camp dinner and overnight stay in tents.

The day begins calmly, then we ascend steadily to the slopes of Ben Macdui, reaching Loch Etchachan. From there, we descend into Glen Avon, first admiring it from above and then following the shore of its lake until we reach our campsite for the night. The day ends with a camp dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Today, we slowly leave the peaks behind, surrounded by vast expanses of Arctic tundra, offering a stark contrast to the landscapes of the previous days. For miles, the only sign of human presence will be the small trail we are following. We will spend the night in a highly scenic spot, where it’s often possible to spot the golden eagles, the symbol of the park. The day will end with a camp dinner and overnight stay in tents.

We are now approaching the end of our adventure. After crossing another stretch of the Caledonian Forest, we arrive at the shores of Loch Morlich, where we’ll have the chance to relax and, if the temperatures allow, take a swim! We’ll spend the night nearby, and with a bit of luck, we might have the opportunity to witness the northern lights. The day will conclude with a camp dinner and an overnight stay in tents.

We return to the village along an old forest road. We’ll have the chance to refresh ourselves at the pub, and in the afternoon, we can relax or explore the village of Aviemore before saying our goodbyes and heading back home. End of services.