Kingussie
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They call it “the small town with a big heart”, and it is not for nothing. The town of Kingussie is the loveliest little town in Cairngorm National Park. Located close to the merging of highways A86 and A9 from Inverness and Edinburgh respectively and with its own train station, it is very easily accessible. Though it is small and quiet with only 1.500 inhabitants, you will love it here. It has a small creek running through it, and most of the houses are old stone buildings. Pictures don’t do it any justice, you just have to walk the streets.
Personally I spent my time in Kingussie hiking in the Scottish highland. You will find plenty of hiking trails on Walkinghighlands. Try to plan for one that comes by Ruthven Barracks and enjoy the old ruins while you are out. They are just outside town.
Despite it being a small town, there is plenty to do.
From Kingussie you can walk to Ruthven Barracks, which is just 1,5 km away. Built in 1719 they are the best preserved Barracks, and it is free to have a look around.
Be sure to stop by the train station, even if you come by car. It used to be a main watering point for steam trains that had climbed Drumochter Pass, so it had some significance, and it is just as pretty as the rest of the town.
Close by you will also find the Highland Wildlife Park, Highland Folk Museum, Spey Distillery and opportunities to fish, golf and bike and more.
By the way: There is an interactive map you may find helpful on Badenoch The Storylands – it’s also an app.
More on Kingussie: www.kingussie.co.uk
