Kingussie

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Kingussie
Gaelic: Ceann a' Ghiuthsaich
Inverness-shire

Kingussie Market Cross
Location
Grid reference: NH755005
Location: 57°4’48"N, 4°3’-0"W
Data
Population: 1,410  (2001)
Post town: Kingussie
Postcode: PH21
Dialling code: 01540
Local Government
Council: Highland
Parliamentary
constituency: 		Inverness, Nairn,
Badenoch and Strathspey
Website: http://www.kingussie.co.uk/

Kingussie is a small town in Inverness-shire, lying in the glen of the River Spey with the rushing water at its foot and the soaring mountains on either side. Kingussie is considered the capital of the district of Badenoch. It stands on the old road from Perth to Inverness, which forms the town's main street, though the A9 which has absorbed the route now bypasses the town centre.

Kingussie is in the 42 miles south of Inverness, 12 miles south of Aviemore, and just 3 miles north of Newtonmore, which is its greatest rival in the game of shinty. The main railway line to Inverness passes through the glen from Edinburgh and Glasgow. Kingussie railway station is about 200 yards southeast of the High Street.

History

The name "Kingussie" comes from the Gaelic, "Ceann a' Ghiuthsaich" which means "Head of the Pine forest". The town was not always where it now stands, for the original village was moved to avoid the flood plain of the River Spey.

The ruins of the early 18th century Ruthven Barracks lie near the original site of the village, now managed by Historic Scotland and open to visitors at all times. The Hanoverian Barracks were built on the site of Ruthven Castle, the seat of the Comyns, Lords of Badenoch in the Middle Ages.

Kingussie Sanatorium was built to provide a rest cure for patients in the clean air of the glen. It is now St Vincent's Hospital. The Sanitorium as it was is mentioned in Compton Mackenzie's book The Monarch of the Glen, on which the BBC television series of the same name is based.

Visitor attractions

Kingussie is a centre for visiting the Spey and the mountains hereabouts. The Highland Wildlife Park is sited very close by. The Highland Folk Museum is in Newtonmore, 3 miles down from Kingussie.

In recent years visitors have come to see the wild country portrayed in the television series Monarch of the Glen, which is filmed in and around the area of Kingussie. Ardverikie Estate, where most of it was filmed, is about 12 miles from Kingussie; a fair but rewarding 8-mile hike over the hill from the nearest parking.

The Speyside Way

The Speyside Way is a long distance route which currently has its southern end at Aviemore, north of Kingussie. There is, however, a proposed extension to the route to Newtonmore, going through Kingussie on the way.

Sport and outdoor activities

  • Walking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Horse Riding and Pony Trekking: The popular outdoor sport of Pony Trekking was credited with being started in Badenoch at nearby Newtonmore in 1952 by Ewan Ormiston, it is still possible to ride in Newtonmore with his grandson Ruaridh at the Newtonmore Riding Centre. Ormiston Highlands
  • Fishing
  • Shooting
  • Badminton

Shinty

According to the Guinness Book of Records 2005, Kingussie is World sport's most successful sporting team of all time, winning 20 consecutive leagues and going 4 years unbeaten at one stage in the early 1990s.[1]

Football

Although the village is more famous for its Shinty club, it also has a successful football side which plays its games in the local Strathspey & Badenoch Welfare FA.

References

  1. ↑ Kingussie Shinty

Outside links

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