Badencoh

Badenoch

Located in the

Cairngorms National Park

Badenoch, Strathspey & the Cairngorms, one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland, encompasses two mountain ranges, forests, tranquil lochs and the great River Spey.

There are many things to enjoy here: wild countryside, the highest distillery in Scotland, a steam railway, ruined castles on mysterious islands, an iron age fort, a wild water ride, re-creations of past Highland life, varied walking through trees and moorland, beside water, even up in the tree-tops, a floodlit ruined barracks from Prince Charlie's time, children's adventure playgrounds, great golf courses, a magical musical fountain show, pubs, gliding, excellent eating, swimming, discos, fishing, a wildlife park with wolves - and Glen Bogle!

Discover the bustling centres of Kingussie, Aviemore and Grantown-on-Spey, explore the individual charms of the smaller communities: Laggan, Dalwhinnie, Newtonmore and Kincraig, which provided many backdrops to Monarch of the Glen: Nethybridge and Boat of Garten with ospreys nesting nearby: Dulnain Bridge straddling the picturesque River Dulnain and Carr-Bridge with its amazing 17th century packhorse bridge. Trails through the forests of Rothiemurchus and Glenmore lead up to the ski area on Cairngorm.

Try mountain biking, 4 x 4 driving, pony trekking, clay pigeon shooting, throwing a pot, windsurfing, bird watching, climbing, canoeing or making some rope. You can practice skiing on a dry ski slope at any time of the year and do the real thing or snow boarding, in winter and spring.

Badenoch is an area of great beauty, defined by the Monadliath and Cairngorm Mountains and the River Spey. Alongside the breathtaking scenery are a few surprises, not least the world’s most elaborate music & water show and a wolf enclosure! ; both the Lochs & Glens and the Coast to Coast Cycle Routes pass though the area; walkers have almost limitless choice; there are two excellent golf courses, both open to visitors; you can see sheepdogs at work daily and this is where pony-trekking was first introduced to Scotland.

Dalwhinnie, in the south, overlooks Loch Ericht and has the highest distillery in Scotland.

Laggan is close to Creag Meagaidh Nature Reserve overlooking Loch Laggan, which features in Monarch of the Glen. From its banks you can see Glenbogle House (Ardverikie). Dun Na Lamh, an Iron Age fort is also nearby.

Newtonmore, an excellent centre for walking has the 10km Wildcat Trail and many other walks nearby. The Highland Folk Park demonstrates how life was lived locally three centuries ago. Waltzing Waters, a computer-controlled display of fountains, lights and music, is here and in the summer, you can visit the Clan Macpherson Museum. The 18 hole golf course runs along the banks of the River Spey. Newtonmore and its neighbour, Kingussie, are great rivals in the Highland game of shinty and matches between them always have a cup final atmosphere!

Kingussie, the ancient capital of Badenoch, has interesting shops and its dramatic golf course commands magnificent views. Ruthven Barracks, used by fleeing survivors of Culloden, rises from a grassy knoll just outside the town, overlooking the Insh Marshes, an RSPB reserve.

Kincraig, whose post office featured in Monarch of the Glen, lies at the edge of Loch Insh, overlooked by a beautiful 700 year old church. The loch has a watersports centre which includes a restaurant / coffee shop with some of the best views in the area.

The whole area is well served by coffee shops, restaurants, pubs and craft outlets where you will be made very welcome.

Words are inadequate to express the grandeur and beauty of the is area so here is a random selection of photographs taken in Badenoch.

(by Janet Davidson: Wildcat Centre)