History & Heritage

The archaeological record and Gaelic place names illuminate the history of the relationship between people and place in the Cairngorms. Place names give an insight into the culture, history and environment of the Park, which have all influenced the Gaelic names used for mountains, woodlands, lochs, rivers and settlements.

There are traces of people who were here 7,000 years ago, and amazingly, you can still see the remains from prehistoric, Celtic and Pictish times.

From the culture of the Celts and the Picts the clan system was born, the way of life in the Cairngorms from the 10th to the 18th centuries. Though many of the castles and townships now lie in ruins you can still hear their stories being told.

The Clan way of life was dismantled after the Jacobie uprising. Military barracks and roads were built, forests were planted, planned towns were created, new industries flourished, and the glens were emptied to make way for sporting estates and sheep. This all-changing event has clearly left its mark.

One of the biggest changes in the Cairngorms came with the railways and the Victorians’ love of the Highlands. Tourism flourished and, keeping up with the Windsors, wealthy visitors built large houses and shooting lodges, changing the landscape once again.

 To find out more about the history and heritage of the Park and the many places you can visit feel the history.

You can feel the history of the place oozing out of every nook and cranny!