Home › Journeys › Speyside & the Cairngorms › 3 days

Speyside & the Cairngorms: 3-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

Last updated:

The 3-day version for June: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go.

Use this plan → Customize this plan →

3
days
245 km
distance
8.0 h
driving
14
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Inverness → Dufftown

4 curated stops
Transit
3h01
Finish
~17:10
Temperature
8.4°C–15.5°C
Rainy days
~12
Daylight
17.7h
09:00
Inverness Cathedral invernesscathedral.org read more map ↗
Gaze up at the red sandstone and granite cathedral's towering spires.
50 min · Inverness
open: Daily 9AM-6PM
10:00
Eden Court Theatre eden-court.co.uk read more map ↗
Catch a play, concert, or film at this vibrant arts and cinema venue.
90 min · Inverness
11:40
Inverness Castle invernesscastle.scot read more map ↗
Admire the elegant pink sandstone structure standing proudly on its historic site.
50 min · Inverness
12:30
The Bakery thebakeryinverness.co.uk map ↗
Indulge in fresh loaves, pies, and sweet pastries from a popular local bakery.
60 min · Inverness
open: M-Sa 6AM-3PM
16:20
Rothes read more map ↗
Visit the village with remnants of its 13th-century castle still visible.
50 min · Dufftown
Overnight: Dufftown
e.g. Dufftown Campsite · The Gables
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Grantown-on-Spey → Aviemore

5 curated stops
Transit
2h35
Finish
~17:35
Temperature
6.5°C–13.2°C
Rainy days
~17
Daylight
17.6h
09:40
Nethy Bridge read more map ↗
Explore this former forestry village turned tourist resort with scenic views.
50 min · Grantown-on-Spey
10:40
Castle Roy read more map ↗
Picnic near the stump of Clan Comyn's 12th-century fortress with Highland cattle nearby.
50 min · Grantown-on-Spey
12:05
Cromdale read more map ↗
Spot the preserved old railway station and an ancient stone cheese-press in the lane.
50 min · Grantown-on-Spey
12:55
Po Pia facebook.com
Delight in flavorful Thai seafood specials and house curries in a warm setting.
60 min · Grantown-on-Spey
open: Tu-Sa 5-8PM
14:35
Ben Macdui read more map ↗
Trek to Britain's second-highest peak through rugged Cairngorm terrain.
90 min · Aviemore
16:45
Loch Morlich read more map ↗
Relax by a sandy beach and watch watersports on the calm freshwater lake.
50 min · Aviemore
Overnight: Aviemore
e.g. Aviemore Youth Hostel · Oakwood Caravan & Camping Park
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Braemar

2 curated stops
Transit
2h22
Finish
~14:45
Temperature
7.0°C–14.2°C
Rainy days
~16
Daylight
17.5h
10:30
Braemar Castle read more map ↗
Tour a rebuilt five-storey tower that once hosted Queen Victoria.
50 min · Braemar · Adult £8
open: Apr-Oct: W-Su 10AM-5PM
12:15
Glenshee Ski Centre ski-glenshee.co.uk read more map ↗
Ride chairlifts up slopes perfect for skiers, mountain bikers, and hikers alike.
90 min · Braemar · Day pass adult £35, child £26
open: Daily 8:30AM-5PM
13:45
Gordon's Tearoom and Restaurant gordonstearoom.com map ↗
60 min · Braemar
open: W-Su 10AM-4PM

🚗 Rental cars for this trip →

🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

Use this plan → Change month, pace or interests →