Newtonmore
| Newtonmore Gaelic: Baile Ùr an t-Slèibh | |
| Inverness-shire | |
|---|---|
 Newtonmore and the Monadhliath mountains behind | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NN715995 |
| Location: | 57°4’9"N, 4°7’8"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 982 |
| Post town: | Newtonnmore |
| Postcode: | PH20 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Highland |
Newtonmore is a village in Inverness-shire in the valley of the River Spey, where it meets the Calder a little downstream from Kingussie. The village has a population of about 1,000.
The village is only a few miles from a location that is claimed to be the exact geographical centre of Scotland. The Highland Main Line runs down the glen by here, but the main sights are not manmade, but the coursing rivers and the soaring mountains to either side.
Newtonmore's Gaelic name is Baile Ùr an t-Slèibh.
Landscape
Nestling above the flood plain of the River Spey, in Britain's largest National Park, the Cairngorms, with a backdrop of the Monadhliath Mountains, Newtonmore is surrounded by woodland. Larch, pine, birch and alder predominate, creating a glorious tapestry of colour as the leaves turn in Autumn.
Newtonmore's 'Wildcat Trail' is a 6-mile orbital walk around the edge of the village, taking in the River Spey and its tributary, the Calder, two rivers of very different character, and on through woodland and moorland. It gives wonderful views across the strath to the Cairngorms and behind the village to the Monadhliath mountains, which may be a fitting introduction to the delights of the Cairngorms.
About the village several garden have beautiful decorated models of the Scottish wildcats, and on roofs and beside pathways too, all of which make up "The Wildcat Experience".
Out side and around the village are the places filmed in the BBC television series Monarch of the Glen, based on Compton Mackenzie's book of the same name. The connection brings many visitors to see in the flesh the sights shown, which are much improved by being seen in their full glory in the wild open air and not through a small, glass screen; many locations in Newtonmore have been seen as part of "Glen Bogle" and the castle itself is actually at Ardverikie, on Loch Laggan side, just sixteen miles away.
Activities
- Shinty - The town is renowned for having a shinty team, Newtonmore Camanachd Club, which plays at The Eilan next to the River Calder.
- Walking - Newtonmore calls itself the "Walking Centre of Scotland", referring both to its geographical location and to the great walking opportunities locally, like the Wildcat Trail. An extension to the Speyside Way could soon add Newtonmore to a Long Distance Route and it will become the new end to this trail.
- Golf - Newtonmore has a golf course on the banks of the Spey.
- Bowling. The club is open to visitors. It has regular competitions with other clubs in Badenoch and Strathspey and with clubs from Perthshire and Aberdeenshire.
- Mountain Biking - Lots of trails in the local forests and tracks on the surrounding hills, as well as the purpose build Wolftrax MTB trails at nearby Laggan.
- Fishing
- Horse Riding and Pony Trekking
- Shooting
- Hillwalking, white water rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, ski touring and much else beside
The village is home to The Wildcat Experience ~ Newtonmore, a visitor attraction specially aimed at families with children. Scores of painted lifesize and accurate models of the Scottish Wildcat are sited all round the village to be tracked down. The Wildcat Centre on the Main Street sells the illustrated brochure with photos of all the cats and young visitors are encouraged to spot them and mark their location on the maps provided.
Visitors pour into Newtonmore and many chose to stay. Some local folk however are concerned about the rising number of holiday homes in the area and the shutting-down of local shops and services.
See also
- Battle of Invernahavon - 14th century battle southwest of Newtonmore, in which the Chattan Confederation defeated Clan Cameron