traveldk.com

Traditionally a dormitory town for skiers as well as the jumping-off point for touring the region at any time of the year, Aviemore consists of a concentration of hotels, guesthouses, bars, restaurants and après-ski (or, indeed, après-anything) entertainment.

The once-common bison , bears and wolves may no longer roam wild, but you can find them here, along with otters, pine martens and wild cats.

Scotland’s finest salmon river and birthplace of whisky, the Spey is a river of dark pools and fast rapids. It winds through a rich variety of landscapes: moorland, forest, pasture and grainfield.

A hidden gem, 5 miles (8 km) from Aviemore. One of Scotland’s best short walks is along this loch, nestling below the mountains. Its trees are magnificent, and its crowning glory is an ivy-clad castle.

Britain’s only herd of wild reindeer was introduced to Scotland in the 1960s. These charming animals, now numbering 150, roam free and are very friendly.

Surrounded by the wonderful Caledonian pines of Rothiemurchus Forest, Loch Morlich is a circle of tranquil water at the base of the Cairn-gorms.

This new railway takes you almost to the top of Cairn Gorm mountain. The views are nothing short of sublime, and at the Ptarmigan restaurant you can enjoy the most elevated meal in the country.

The train chuffs from Aviemore to Broom-hill through a lovely landscape. On weekends there’s a special Thomas the Tank Engine up front.

Ospreys began breeding here in 1954, after a 40-year absence. Vigilance has been necessary to foil egg-collectors, but now more than 2 million visitors have seen the birds from this hide.

The process of turning water into the “water of life” is a vital part of Scottish culture. Half of the nation’s distilleries are on Speyside, and the sign-posted “whisky trail” leads the way to seven of them ( ).