Towns and villages
Spanning the counties of Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland, Angus, and Perth and Kinross, the towns and villages of the Cairngorms National Park are home to over 18,000 people.
Since the National Park’s conception in 2003, it has expanded to encompass more towns and villages. Blair Atholl and Spittal of Glenshee joined in 2008 and additional locations in Highland Perthshire and Glenshee became part of the National Park in 2010.
Some of the largest settlements are Aviemore, Ballater, Braemar, Grantown on Spey, Kingussie, Newtonmore and Tomintoul, and each one is unique. Businesses, shops, and people offer a glimpse into the colourful cultures of these places and hint at their heritage, too.
Many showcase typical Victorian architecture: Queen Victoria influenced a new wave of tourism in the region after she found a home in Balmoral Estate. Others feature historical landmarks from different periods, plus geographical elements of interest that point to stories of the past.
Alert
Featured
The new fire byelaw
How the Cairngorms National Park Authority and its partners are tackling the threat of wildfires, including details on the recreational fire management byelaw, in place from 1 April to 30 September each year.
Wildlife
The Cairngorms National Park is home to a quarter of the UK’s rare and endangered species. Its rich habitats are a haven for an array of wildlife, from iconic birds to elusive plants and flowers.
What we do
From pioneering conservation projects to community engagement and active travel, find out more about the range of work happening across the National Park.
Relevant alerts
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Friday 29 May until Monday 1 June. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.