Peaks of perfection

The hills around Aviemore will be alive with the sound of laughter, triumphant cheers and perhaps the odd blister-induced yelp or two this weekend as hundreds of walkers explore the area. Whether you’re a dedicated mountaineer or a fan of the gentle stroll, the Aviemore and Cairngorms Walking and Mountain Festival has something to suit, writes Susan Welsh

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Have a go at canoeing, right, or river bugging, below

THE last time I stood just below the summit of the Cairngorm mountain range, I found time to admire the spectacular views, have a snowball fight with the kids and do a bit of relaxed sunbathing.

My face wasn’t in the least bit purple and not once did I have to stop and catch my breath.

It was fantastic, and a million miles away from the usual mountain-top photos I have of myself at home which show me with an expression that looks scarily like a death mask.

That’s because, on that occasion, I’d cheated my way to the top by catching the mountain railway which transports visitors to the Ptarmigan top station.

And while it was a lovely experience, it didn’t quite match the thrill of getting there under my own steam.

This weekend, there’s a chance for me, and several hundred others, to try the real thing by putting our best foot forward and joining in a host of events organised as part of the Aviemore and Cairngorms Walking and Mountain Festival.

Six years have passed since Sir Jimmy Savile opened the first walking festival, an event which attracted a few hundred participants.

Since then, the festival has grown enormously, earned a reputation for being one of the friendliest festivals in Scotland, and now offers a host of things to do for those looking for a brush with the wild side of life.

Aviemore has always been something of a Mecca for those who enjoy the great outdoors, and the festival, which runs from May 10 to 17, provides the perfect opportunity to remind visitors and locals of the pleasures to be found in this beautiful national park.

This is a time of year when the area usually enjoys extremely good, sunny weather and the rivers run fast and clear with the snow melting off the mountains.

It is also a time when the trees and shrubs show off their spring finery in a bold display of vivid greens, while the abundant wildlife is hectic (and often noisy) with its annual rituals of housekeeping and preparing for a season of rearing and feeding its young.

The walking component will continue as before with around eight guided walks each day, ranging from short leisurely strolls through forests and along loch and river banks, to more strenuous walks to the remaining snowfields at more than 4,000ft.

These include Ben Nevis, Ben Macdui, Braeriach and many of the local Munros (mountains measuring more than 3,000ft).

If, like me, you enjoy walking but feel in need of a little tender loving care afterwards, then the walks organised by Jude and Dave Craig are bound to appeal.

Their Trek and Treat walks combine a guided walk with plenty of folklore stories from Dave along the way, with soothing and relaxing therapy treatments. After walking, you can literally lie back and have your weary feet and body balanced and pampered by an expert – far nicer than the old method of plonking your feet in a basin of cool water. To find out more, call Jude Craig on 01540 670097.

A number of experienced outdoor activity operators work in the area and it’s with this in mind that the festival features some of the services available.

This includes mountain biking, kayaking, white-water rafting, climbing and canyoning.

Another new addition to the programme is the Paddle and Pamper option, which involves canoeing followed by a pamper session to relax and soothe.

Visitors can also spend the day undertaking a variety of activities following a river from its source to where it joins the River Spey, by bus, on foot, by canoe and by bike.

Those who like to get their adrenalin pumping can try a spot of river bugging. A bug is a bit like an inflatable armchair, which you sit in and use to negotiate steep, narrow river sections while wearing flippers on your feet and webbed gloves on your hands.

If that sounds a little too much like a white-knuckle ride then there’s the chance to try out a duckie or a funyak (double and single person inflatable canoes), canyoning or white-water rafting.

Safety is always the most important aspect of any walk in the hills and during the festival you can sign up for a session at the Glenmore Lodge National Outdoor Centre which brings together the theory and practice of navigation and mountain skills, hazards, emergency procedures, kit and safety gear, and weather route planning.

The Cairngorm Ranger Service rangers are running a GPS training day enabling you to improve your skills with your own or one of their GPSs. The day involves some theory, but is mostly practical exercises on the hill.

A full evening programme of events will include mountain-related talks, films, a Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team open night, a ceilidh supper and the chance to enjoy some of the famous Highland hospitality.

Other events include a badger watch at the Strathspey Badger Hide, Boat of Garten, which provides badger enthusiasts and conservationists of all ages with the chance to watch wild badgers at close quarters; Land Rover tours, fishing and fish-feeding sessions around the lochs on Rothiemurchus Estate.

Throw in quad-bike trekking, clay-pigeon shooting, sled dog trips and tours, plus visits to a distillery and brewery, and it’s fair to say this festival has something for everyone.

Aviemore itself nestles in the broad expanse of the Strath of the mighty River Spey, between the stunning beauty of the mountains in the Cairngorm massif and the haunting magic of the Monadhliath mountains, both of which are still capped with spring snow.

The area looks beautiful right now, and with teams of local experts on hand to help you explore it, there’s never been a better time to dig out those hiking boots.