Kingussie ( ; Gaelic: Ceann a' Ghiuthsaich ) is a small town in the Highland region of Scotland. It is one settlement in the Highland Council ward of Badenoch and Strathspey, and is the capital of the district of Badenoch. It lies adjacent to the A9 road, although the old route of the A9 serves as the town's main street. Kingussie is south of Inverness, south of Aviemore, and north of Newtonmore, which is its greatest rival in the game of shinty.
History
The name "Kingussie" comes from the
Gaelic, "Ceann a' Ghiuthsaich" which means "Head of the Pine forest".
The ruins of the early 18th century Ruthven Barracks (Historic Scotland; open to visitors at all times) lie near the original site of the village which was moved to avoid the flood plain of the River Spey. The Hanoverian Barracks were built on the site of Ruthven Castle, the seat of the Comyns, Lords of Badenoch in the Middle Ages.
Shinty
For more info, see article on Kingussie Camanachd
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.
Tourism
The main railway line to
Inverness passes through from
Edinburgh,
Glasgow and points south.
Kingussie railway station is about 200 metres south east of the
High Street. In the past few years, the TV series
Monarch of the Glen has been filmed in and around the area of Kingussie. Ardverikie Estate, where Monarch of the Glen was filmed, is about from Kingussie. You can park in a lay-by across from the Gatehouse and hike back to the 'Big House'. It is about an round trip hike but is well worth it, especially if you are a Monarch of the Glen fan.
The Highland Wildlife Park is sited very close by.
The Highland Folk Museum is in Newtonmore, from Kingussie. It is free and well worth the visit.
Although the Kingussie public library offers free internet access and many of the B&Bs; have internet access as well, Kingussie also provides an Internet Shop which offers not only High Speed Internet and Wireless Internet facilities, but also advanced Gaming facilities.
Speyside Way
The Speyside Way is a long distance route which currently has its southern terminus at Aviemore, north of Kingussie. There is, however, a proposed extension to the route to Newtonmore, going through Kingussie on the way. See the link below for more information:
Fame
Kingussie featured in the 8-time Oscar winning Danny Boyle film '
Slumdog Millionaire'. A woman's voice calling a call-centre, where the main character was working, was shown to be making the phonecall from '4 Ruthven Road, Kingussie'.
Kingussie in literature
Kingussie is mentioned in
Compton Mackenzie's book
The Monarch of the Glen, on which the BBC TV series is based. In chapter 8 Kingussie Sanatorium, now St. Vincent's Hospital, is mentioned.
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
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
External links
Kingussie Community Website
Website of the Higland Folk Museum
Kingussie Golf Club
Kingussie High School
Kingussie Camanachd
Speyside Way Extension - Information Website (With 3D Mapping)
Kingussie - undiscoveredscotland.co.uk
Newtonmore Riding Centre Website
Strathspey & Badenoch Welfare FA
Cairngorm Gliding Club, Feshiebridge, Kingussie
Gallery
Category:Badenoch and Strathspey
Category:Towns in Highland
