|
Bird Watching Insh Marshes is one of the most important wetlands in Europe. Ospreys, lapwings, goldeneye ducks, hen harriers, spotted flycatchers, tree pipits, redstarts and great spotted woodpeckers are but a few of the many interesting species you might expect to spot whilst visiting this area in spring and summer. In winter mallards, teals, whooper swans and geese arrive. Over 500 species of plants have been identified on the RSPB reserve. The RSPB reserve car park is situated off the B970, half a mile beyond Ruthven Barracks. Two hides, an information viewpoint and trail are accessible from the car park and are open at all times. There are many guided walks and special events organised by the RSPB including dawn and dusk chorus and night noises events, family days and walks. www.rspb.org.uk Loch Garten is the ancestral home of the osprey in Scotland. The Osprey Centre, set amongst the rare native Caledonian pinewood of Abernethy Forest, overlooks the nest of these spectacular fish-eating birds of prey. A combination of binoculars, telescopes, CCTV cameras and expert staff help you enjoy the antics of these, most famous of Scottish birds. Bowling
Caringorm Mountain—eating at the highest restaurant in the UK, go up the funicular railway, the Ptarmigan Restaurant is open during the day for lunch and Thursday—Sunday evenings during the summer. Tel : 01479 861336 to book ahead as it is always busy. Check out the Cairngorm web site for further information. www.cairngormmountain.com
Clan Macpherson Museum, Newtonmore The Clan Macpherson Museum, situated at the south end of the village of Newtonmore, 3 miles from Kingussie, contains many fascinating relics of the history of the Clan. The museum has a wealth of information for those interested in the history of the Clan or the Highlands in general. The museum is open from 1st April to 31st October each year from 10am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm), and there is no admission charge, although donations are always welcome. The Museum & Clan House was also the Glen Bogle Tearoom and Post Office in the TV series 'Monarch of the Glen'
Cycling and mountain biking— We are situated on NCN7 if you are thinking of long distance cycling—look on www.sustrans.org.uk to find a map. Why not travel to Kingussie by train and cycle around Scotland's beautiful Highlands. Many opportunities also exist on quiet roads and forest trails, tracks and old drove roads in this area for exhilarating cycling for all the family. Among the many idyllic routes within easy reach of Kingussie are to Glen Feshie, Glen Tromie, Drumguish, Loch an Eilein and many others. Cycles, tag-a-longs and trailers for small children are available for hire from Service Sports—www.servicesports.co.uk - in the centre of Kingussie. Maps and advice available too.
Fishing—river and loch—Badenoch Angling Association was formed in the mid 60’s with the aim of improving fishing in the Badenoch area. The Association control fishing on the River Spey from the mouth of the River Tromie to the Spey Dam at Laggan, mostly double bank. There is also fishing on the A86 side of Loch Laggan and part of Loch Ericht. The fishing is mostly brown trout with the occasional salmon. There’s also some pike fishing between Lochan Uvie and Laggan and Loch Laggan itself holds some specimen pike. Permit Information Permits are available locally or from Badenoch Angling Association by contacting Sandy Bennett on 01540 661645 who will gladly help put you on the right track with the latest information on all the waters. For boats on Spey Dam contact Laggan Stores on 01528 544257 (open Monday-Saturday 9.00 – 17.00 hours, except Thursday when shop closes at 12.00 noon. Sunday opening from 11.00 – 12.00 noon)
Golfing— Kingussie Golf Club Scotland is The Home of Golf and Kingussie is the Ideal Centre for Golf. Since 1891 golf has been played here and in 1908 Harry Vardon extended the course to its present 18 holes, suitable for all levels of golfers. The course affords players scenic views over the Cairngorms and to the town of Kingussie below. And, when you have championed this course, there are six more varied courses to try within 40 minutes drive from here!
Grantown on Spey Try Tri - Annual Fun Triathlon –enter online! Are you aged between 8 and 80 and interested in an active, healthy lifestyle? Do you enjoy swimming, cycling and running? If the answer is yes then Triathlon may be the sport for you! See our links page for more details.
Highland Activities - Quad Biking - A 1.5 hour off road trip taking in the stunning scenery of the estate as well as having fun on the technical off road terrain Clay Pigeon Shooting Paintball Archery Tomahawk Throwing Mountain Biking (we will generally be using Laggan Wolftrax for this activity) White water rafting - guaranteed dam release 1 or 2 days per week giving fantastic rapids and good water levels. Canyoning - gorge walking fun yakking - a mixture between rafting and canoeing in our 2 man inflatable abseiling
For more information please check out www.highlandactivities.co.uk
Highland Folk Museum, Kingussie/Newtonmore—The Highland Folk Museum brings to life the domestic and working conditions of earlier Highland peoples. Visitors to this living history Museum can learn how our Highland ancestors lived, how they built their homes, how they tilled the soil and how they dressed, in a safe and friendly environment. An award winning attraction, the Museum encapsulates human endeavour and development in Highland life from the 1700s to the present day.
Highland Wildlife Park—Drive around this natural park and see a wonderful array of Scottish wildlife including wolves, wild horses, bison, red squirrels, wild birds and many others. And then take a walk around to see many smaller rare animals.
Hill walking/climbing The Spey Valley is rich in walks and from Kingussie there are walks for all abilities. You will find long walks, short walks, low level walks and high walks. All take you into some of Britain’s most beautiful unspoiled countryside.
Historic Scotland’s Ruthven Barracks -On the outskirts of the town is the old fortified ruins of Ruthven barracks, last occupied in 1745 by the Jacobites on their way to Culloden.
House of Bruar: The House of Bruar is Scotland's most prestigious country store and for many, no trip to Scotland is complete without visiting 'The Home of Country Clothing'. A treat for anyone who loves to shop for speciality foods and drink, stylish country clothing. Comprehensive colour and understated style is carefully combined with practicality and has resulted in a collection of clothes of superb quality, cut and wearability. Within its unique environment nestling at the side of the famous Bruar Falls, The House of Bruar offers a variety of shopping opportunities rolled into one. If you are unable to visit in person, browse their online store - here you will find a carefully selected range of elegant and refined country clothing - just a taste of our Scottish delights. Www.houseofbruar.co.uk
Huskies: More than 1,000 sled dogs are straining at the leash, readying themselves for this year's Aviemore Dog Sled Rally, the biggest and most gruelling event of its kind in Europe. Every year, mushers from throughout the UK gather in the forests around Aviemore for the biggest event in the British husky calendar - always hoping for plenty of the white stuff to make it a real arctic experience. Sled dog enthusiasts continue a racing tradition, which is now almost a century old. Around 200 teams of dogs from all over the country will be straining at the leash on January 19 and 20 2008. With competitors ranging in age from just eight to 60, there's something for all the family to see at this great spectator event, which has grown from just a dozen teams in 1984, to more than 200 at this year's race. Organised by the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain. http://www.siberianhuskyclub.com/aviemore
Loch Insh Watersports— Activities on land and water. Skiing and Sailing. Courses for Groups The Boathouse Restaurant and Shop
Monarch of the Glen Monarch of the Glen, the hit BBC TV series was filmed here in Badenoch. Glen Bogle Castle is in fact Ardverikie House, on the shores of Loch Laggan, some nineteen miles south west of Kingussie. The house and grounds are private, and although access on foot to the wild landscapes of Scotland is permitted, it is not possible, except for one day per year, when the grounds are open under Scotland's garden scheme, to take your car along the private estate road to the house. Ardverikie can, however, be seen very well from the main A86 road from Newtonmore to Spean Bridge on the other side of the Loch - just look out through the trees for the view of the house opening up, then stop (off the road, please) and scramble down through the trees to the loch side for an uninterrupted view - and an excellent photograph with a telephoto lens. The Cast and crew of the production lived in the area from April to the end of September, with many of the stars located here in Kingussie, and others in neighbouring Newtonmore.
Motorcyclists—Kingussie is a good place for an overnight stop while exploring the exciting roads in the Highlands, we have safe, secure parking here at Allt Gynack Guest House for your bikes.
Photography—The light and the scenery in and around Kingussie make this area a delight for photographers all year round.
Pony Trekking ALVIE STABLES, Alvie, Kincraig PH21 1NE Tel: 07831 495397 or 01540 651409 (evenings) RSPB Insh Marshes and Loch Garten— We recently had the pleasure of having one of the Senior Managers of the RSPB staying with us at Allt Gynack and he found Kingussie to be a good base for enjoying the bird life in the area, so much so he extended his stay!
Walking— There are many beautiful walks in the area. For the more ambitious the tgo holds a Coast to Coast walk annually in mid May and many of the walkers stop off in Kingussie to catch a nights rest (and stock up on elastoplast from the Chemist!!).
Winter Sports - Activities change with the seasons. Cairngorm, Nevis Range and Lecht, accessible only by car from Kingussie, offer an abundant, exhilarating, winter playground for skiing, snowboarding, snowblading, ski-touring and winter climbing. The premier area around Cairngorm is only 30 minutes away and offers the best range of activities for all abilities.
For further information: www.reindeer-company.demon.co.uk
Equipment hire: Kingussie: www.servicesports.co.uk Aviemore: Speyside Sports: email ewansutton@btopenworld.com NEW On the spot advice from Kingussie Snow Host: text messages only whilst you are in the area - text snowhost 07732 68 7708
Road conditions: Highland Roadline telephone 0900 3401 363 AA Roadline telephone 0900 3444 900 Grampian Roadline telephone 0900 3401 199
Working Sheep Dog Demonstrations—Leault Farm, Kincraig, Kingussie PH21 1LZ Telephone 01540 651310 www.leaultfarm.co.uk
This well known Highland shepherd gives demonstrations of training his many collie dogs in the art of shepherding. There are often collie pups to be stroked, lambs to be bottle-fed and maybe try your hand at sheep shearing! |
|
Allt Gynack Guest House |
|
Things To See and Do
|
