Strathspey Steam Railway

The Strathspey Railway runs along a restored stretch of the old Highland Railway, a journey of about ten miles from Aviemore Speyside station through the village of Boat of Garten to Broomhill. It is one of the most pleasant ways to spend a few hours in the Cairngorms: a vintage carriage, a steam or heritage-diesel locomotive, and a gentle line through birch and pine woodland with views over the Spey valley to the mountains beyond. Aviemore's station is the main base, with a platform shop, tea room and engine shed activity to watch before you board. The journey calls at Boat of Garten, a pretty village known as the Osprey Village because of the nearby Loch Garten nests, where the station has been lovingly restored to its mid-century look. Broomhill, the end of the line, is a small halt that fans of the television series Monarch of the Glen will recognise as the fictional Glenbogle station. The railway is run largely by volunteers who clearly love the work, and the atmosphere is warm, unhurried and full of detail. It is an easy and affordable family activity and an excellent wet-weather choice.

The format is simple but rewards a little planning. Trains run on a seasonal timetable, with most services in spring, summer and early autumn, and special events such as gala weekends, Santa trains at Christmas and dining services appear on a published calendar. Choose a standard return ticket for the full out-and-back journey, or consider a dining train where a meal is served in a vintage carriage. Check the timetable before travelling because the line is not a daily commuter service, and book ahead for popular events.

The ride itself takes roughly an hour each way including stops, and the best seats are by the window on the side facing the Cairngorms. Look for roe deer in the fields, ospreys in summer over the river and heather on the hill slopes in late summer. At Boat of Garten you can step off, walk a few minutes into the village, and catch a later train, which makes the station a good lunch stop at the Boat Hotel or a nearby cafe.

Stay on board for the sweep to Broomhill if you want the full line and a view back along the Spey.

The railway is also the right place to learn about how the Highlands were opened up. The Highland Railway pushed through the glens in the nineteenth century, bringing sportsmen, shooting parties and, eventually, tourism to the Cairngorms. Locomotive crews and guards are happy to explain the details of each engine, and in the engine shed you may see restoration work under way. For railway enthusiasts it is a highlight; for everyone else it is a good-natured slice of working heritage.

Pair the train with a wider day by cycling or walking between stations on the quiet paths nearby, or combine it with the Loch Garten osprey centre, which sits a short drive from Boat of Garten. Accessibility varies by train, with assistance available at the main stations if you contact the railway in advance. Allow half a day, bring a jacket even on warm days because the carriages can be draughty, and consider arriving early to enjoy the station before the crowds.