Self-Guided Options
The Cairngorms National park and surrounding areas have an almost infinite variety of walking to offer. Within an hour’s travel you can walk on the beach or sand dunes at Culbin Sands; climb Munros like Cairngorm; or meander round lochs and down glens. The one thing you don’t need to worry about is crowds!
We’ve put together a few suggestions below of some themed itineraries you could follow or adapt on a self-guided adventure in the area while staying with us at Fraoch Lodge. All adventures include a free information pack, maps and tailor-made suggestions altered to fit during your stay according to the prevailing weather and your own ambitions. One of the exclusive benefits of a self-guided trip with Mountain Innovations is that Andy (a qualified Mountain Leader and director of Mountain Innovations) lives on site and is available to adapt your proposed route according to the prevailing weather conditions or give you first hand knowledge of the conditions underfoot etc
Walking and wildlife (5 days)
Suggested itinerary:
Day 1: The golden sands of Findhorn Bay stretch along the coast towards Nairn and are a true paradise for the walker. A walk along the beach here or through the woods and on to Culbin Sands has the effect of emptying your mind of the worries of everyday life and rejuvenating your spirits. There is nothing like a coastal saunter with the sound of the waves and the feel of the sand underfoot, to make you feel refreshed and alive. If you’re lucky, you should be able to spot some seals in the water. A short drive along the coast will take you to … Channery Point where you can pull up to watch the Moray Firth Dolphins or book a Dolphin watching cruise before returning to Fraoch Lodge for your dinner with your hosts and other guests at the lodge. 
Day 2: A gentle walk from the front door of your accommodation down through Boat of Garten village and into the Abernethy Nature Reserve, owned and managed by the RSPB. Here you stand a very good chance of encountering red squirrels, crested tit, Scottish Crossbills, Roe deer and if you’re very lucky (or here at the right time of year) Capercaillie and/or Black Grouse.Top the evening off with a visit to the Speyside Wildlife Hide where Pine Marten and Badgers are regular visitors.
Day 3: Indulge yourself with a visit to the Highland Wildlife Park and Insh Marshes. A visit to the tea shop en route could also be included in your wildlife watching as there is a feeding station there visited by numerous birds and red squirrels.
Day 4: The tracks through the Rothiemurchus estate offer great views and plentiful opportunities to spot local wildlife, especially the birds. If you want to explore further afield, a popular option is to hire a mountain bike. You could bike up to Loch Einich or content yourself with a more gentle walk in the Loch an Eilean vicinity. Day 5: A walk to the top of Cairngorm does not have to be a strenuous day when starting from the Ski Centre Car park as 2000ft. The climb up is steady but well graded and offers the chance to see Ptarmigan and Dotterill in their native environment. At the bottom of the hill, in Glenmore, there is also the reindeer centre which can offer you the chance to go out and see the reindeer with their groups or alternative you could just take a trip through the centre which has a very informative display on the history of the Cairngorm reindeer herd. The herd roams free on the Cairngorm plateau for most of the summer months and Andy often encounters them when guiding groups out on the hill walks. However, we would not advise any walking further on to the Cairngorm Plateau without the services of a guide. If you walk up Cairngorm, you have the option on your return of opting to take the train down to the car park.
Walking and wildlife itinerary
Basic price: £217 per person (based on 2 people sharing a twin room)
including 5 nights accommodation in twin rooms at Fraoch Lodge with breakfast and dinner for 4 nights at Fraoch Lodge and a £30 voucher for dinner at Anderson’s restaurant (Boat of Garten) for one evening during your stay.
Optional extras:
Highland Wildlife Park – per adult £14, per family £44
Speyside Wildlife Pine Marten Hide - £20 per person or £18 if booked online
Dolphin cruise - £13 per person
Reindeer trek - £50 per person
Cairngorm Mountain Funicular ticket - £9.95 per adult (downhill only - £7.20)
Mountain Bike Hire - £16 per day
Packed lunches - £5 per day
Lairig Ghru weekend (2 days)
Walk the Lairig Ghru with peace of mind leaving the organisation of your trip to Mountain Innovations. One payment and all your accommodation and logistics are taken care of. We take the hassle out.
You arrive at your accommodation in Boat of Garten on Friday evening to enjoy a sumptuous meal with your group. After an evening relaxing at Fraoch Lodge and a comfortable night's sleep, we will transport you to the Linn of Dee where you begin your walk through the 18 mile length of the Lairig Ghru. At the end of your walk we will be at Whitewell to meet you with fresh biscuits & tea before a hot shower & dinner.
You can then relax after dinner & enjoy a short warm down walk on Sunday before enjoying Sunday roast with us and then returning home.
If you would like to organise a trip mid-week, please contact us for possible dates.
We require a minimum booking of 3 people per weekend and the trips are fully inclusive of accommodation at Fraoch Lodge, full board, pick up/drop off from Aviemore station or Inverness airport. Mountain Innovations Ltd will pick up from Inverness airport at approx. 5pm, if required.
It may also be possible to extend your holiday by booking extra nights at Fraoch Lodge. Please check for availability. Price for additional nights on D, B&B rate from £28 per person.
Intersperse the following possibilities with your walking for a change of scene …
Visit the prestigious Findhorn foundation and see some amazing examples of environmental building practices, like the house made from a whisky vat. You’ll also have the opportunity to tour the village and saunter along the beach. The village of Findhorn was a traditional fishing village and the architecture of the area, plus the cuisine in the local inns reflects this.
Combine the renowned new visitor centre at Culloden with a trip to Cawdor Castle and grounds, usually associated with Macbeth.
Take time to travel the quieter roads through the hills and down to Loch Ness to get a grandstand view of Castle Urquhart from the eastern shore of Loch Ness before continuing up through the outskirts of Inverness and down the road to visit the castle or head south through Fort Augustus before continuing up to Loch Ness Pottery near Drumnadrochit. Then back to Strathspey to round off the tour.
Full information pack about possible walks, length of walks, tours and attractions will be sent on booking
3 nights £155 per person
inclusive of accommodation and full board at Fraoch Lodge, Boat of Garten
4 nights £187 per person
inclusive of accommodation and full board at Fraoch Lodge, Boat of Garten
5 nights £217 per person
inclusive of accommodation and full board at Fraoch Lodge, Boat of Garten
Mountain Innovations advises all clients to take out suitable insurance cover.
