Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

Craigellachie National Nature Reserve is a woodland hillside reserve on the edge of Aviemore, managed by NatureScot for its birchwood habitat and wildlife interest. Dogs are welcome on the reserve paths under proper control, making it a practical short-hop outing when you're staying in or passing through Aviemore. The reserve has multiple marked routes through the birch and pine woodland, with viewpoints over the Spey valley.

It's a properly managed site with open-access visiting, so you can fit a walk around your day rather than booking ahead. Keep your dog under close control and follow any local or seasonal advice, particularly during ground-nesting season.

Car parking and facilities are available in Aviemore itself, a few minutes away. This is a genuine nature reserve rather than a manicured park, so expect natural paths, tree roots and the kind of terrain that suits a dog who enjoys a proper sniff and a bit of elevation.