Kingussie
Ceann a' Ghiùthsaich
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Sandwiched between Craig Bheag (487m) and the main north-south railway line, Kingussie grew throughout the 19th century thanks to a thriving local linen industry and its status as a resort town for those seeking fresh Highland air. Its location near the River Spey, the creation of an 18-hole golf course and the formation of a highly successful shinty team cemented its appeal. These days, people continue to enjoy these elements of Kingussie life - and much more besides.
There are views of the Cairngorms and Monadhliath mountain ranges from the numerous walking, cycling and horse-riding trails that crisscross the surrounding hills and strath (low-lying land next to a river). It’s a place for keeping binoculars handy, as Kingussie’s surroundings are a haven for wildlife, particularly in the important wetland area of Insh Marshes Nature Reserve.
The area around Kingussie has a long settlement history: the curlews, lapwings, redshanks and snipes that breed in the marsh are watched over by the ruins of Ruthven Barracks, which were built by George I’s government in the early 1700s to guard against Jacobite uprisings. Around two thousand years earlier, the site, which sits atop a prominent mound, was the area’s main Pictish settlement.
Memories of this historic past haven’t been lost in Kingussie. The town is making a name for itself as a hub of storytelling and ceilidh culture, in part thanks to the Storylands Sessions, a monthly live event supported by additional writing and musical performance workshops. Local creativity is also apparent in the town’s commerce: Kingussie is home to several galleries, a bookshop and a speciality cheese shop. There are also cafes and restaurants, a supermarket and a high school - all of which you might expect from Badenoch’s capital.
Sandwiched between Craig Bheag (487m) and the main north-south railway line, Kingussie grew throughout the 19th century thanks to a thriving local linen industry and its status as a resort town for those seeking fresh Highland air. Its location near the River Spey, the creation of an 18-hole golf course and the formation of a highly successful shinty team cemented its appeal. These days, people continue to enjoy these elements of Kingussie life - and much more besides.
There are views of the Cairngorms and Monadhliath mountain ranges from the numerous walking, cycling and horse-riding trails that crisscross the surrounding hills and strath (low-lying land next to a river). It’s a place for keeping binoculars handy, as Kingussie’s surroundings are a haven for wildlife, particularly in the important wetland area of Insh Marshes Nature Reserve.
The area around Kingussie has a long settlement history: the curlews, lapwings, redshanks and snipes that breed in the marsh are watched over by the ruins of Ruthven Barracks, which were built by George I’s government in the early 1700s to guard against Jacobite uprisings. Around two thousand years earlier, the site, which sits atop a prominent mound, was the area’s main Pictish settlement.
Memories of this historic past haven’t been lost in Kingussie. The town is making a name for itself as a hub of storytelling and ceilidh culture, in part thanks to the Storylands Sessions, a monthly live event supported by additional writing and musical performance workshops. Local creativity is also apparent in the town’s commerce: Kingussie is home to several galleries, a bookshop and a speciality cheese shop. There are also cafes and restaurants, a supermarket and a high school - all of which you might expect from Badenoch’s capital.
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Kingussie
key
facts
Elevation
249m
Location
W
Location
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Relevant alerts
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a wildfire warning impacting parts of the National Park from Wednesday 13 August until Tuesday 19 August. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue.
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you.
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity.
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely.
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999.
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website.
