Cairngorm Mountain Sports

As you'd expect from the gateway town for one of Britain's best-loved and wildest national parks, Aviemore is full of outdoor shops – Blacks, Nevissports, The North Face etc – but this one, downstairs from the excellent Mountain Café, is the standout ,for its exceptional range of gear and the depth of knowledge of its friendly staff. Whether you're after a pair of boots, a goretex jacket or just a map of the Cairngorms, this is the first place you should explore before getting out in  the elements. It's part of a small specialist chain – Braemar Mountain Sports – with three stores (the Aviemore outlet plus the mountain stores in Braemar and Ballater). All are perfect for hikers, bikers, campers, climbers, skiers and all-round adventurers.