Glenmore Forest Park lies at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. It’s a great place to see what makes the National Park so special: forests that have been growing for centuries form a green sea around high, rounded mountains, and lochs with sandy beaches glitter in the sun. Rare wildflowers and birds thrive among the trees – much of the forest park is a National Nature Reserve. Best of all, it’s easy to explore, with plenty of things to see and do whatever your mood.
Sitting in the heart of the Cairngorm Mountains, around six miles east of Aviemore, Glenmore Forest Park boasts one of Scotland’s few remaining tracts of ancient Caledonian pine forest. It is also the site of the gorgeous Loch Morlich, whose long, golden beach is the highest in Britain.
A good place to start is the visitor centre, where you can pick up trail maps and find out more about the park’s landscape, wildlife and history on information panels and by watching a ten-minute film. The park has two accessible trails, both starting from the visitor centre. The shorter one is the mile-long circular Loch Trail, which takes you along the shores of Loch Morlich. The other accessible path is the lower section of the Ryvoan Trail, which leads through a beautiful, steep-sided glen to the stunning Loch Uaine. It’s around two miles in each direction, and is easily managed with a powered scooter or electric wheelchair. Manual wheelchair users, however, will probably need assistance on a couple of the steeper sections.
There are two wide-bay disabled spaces in the car park, close to the visitor centre, which has a step-free entrance. Once inside, the reception desk is high for wheelchair users, but otherwise accessibility is good, with everything on one level – including access to the café – and plenty of space to manoeuvre. The film shown here does not have subtitles or an induction loop, but the information boards have large print. Powered scooters are available to borrow for free (book in advance on 01479 810004). There’s a spacious, accessible toilet at the visitor centre, fitted with grab-rails.
