Mountain visits within easy reach of Aspenwood cottage.
There are two good mountain visits - both about one hours drive away from Aspenwood. For fantastic mountain scenery visit the Ben Nevis Range or journey up the Cairngorm mountains on the exhilarating funicular railway.
Nevis Range
Go up in a gondola up Aonach Mor - part of the Ben Nevis range. An all seasons attraction travelling in a gondola up 2150 ft beside Ben Nevis. There are mountain walks, restaurants, mountain biking and winter ski area.
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles at 1344m [4408ft]. It rises steeply above Glen Nevis to the southeast of the bustling town of Fort William. It is classed as a Munro - the name given to mountains in Scotland over 914.4m [3000ft]. The list is frequently revised but currently 284 peaks are considered to be Munros. Collecting Munros - or 'Munro-bagging' by climbing them - is now a popular sport.
Fort William lies at the start of both the Caledonian Canal and the ' Road to the Isles ' - which runs to Mallaig. This was once the main ferry port for services to the Outer Isles although now ferries operate from Oban.
Aviemore & the Cairngorms
Journey up the Cairngorm Mountains on the exciting funicular railway about 9 miles from Aviemore for spectacular views.
Leave Aspenwood and travel down the A9 towards the busy village of Aviemore then turn off onto the B9152 signposted Aviemore - follow the B970 where Cairngorm Funicular Railway is signposted. Drive up the winding mountain road and buy a ticket for the railway. The Cairngorm Funicular Railway is the country's 
highest and fastest mountain railway with panoramic views from the terrace of the Ptarmigan Restaurant at the top. There is a 'Shop at the Top' and a good informative mountain exhibition with film shows.
The loch at the bottom (Loch Morlich) is an ideal place to stop for a walk around the lochside and a picnic. There are plenty of tables provided. Also a good chance to see the unmistakable sight of an eagle soaring over The Cairngorms as we have.
It is always great fun watching people on the slopes.
