Kingussie


Kingussie is a small town in the Badenoch and Strathspey ward of the Highland council area of Scotland. Historically in Inverness-shire, it lies beside the A9 road, although the old route of the A9 serves as the town's main street which has been bypassed since 1979. Kingussie is south of Inverness, south of Aviemore, and north of Newtonmore.

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 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

According to the Guinness Book of Records 2005, Kingussie is the 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 southeast of the High Street. Some years ago, the TV series Monarch of the Glen was filmed in and around the area of Kingussie. Ardverikie Estate, where Monarch of the Glen was filmed, is about from Kingussie.
The Highland Wildlife Park is close by. The Highland Folk Museum is in Newtonmore, from Kingussie.

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:

Kingussie in film

Kingussie featured in the 8-time Oscar-winning Danny Boyle film Slumdog Millionaire.

Kingussie in literature

Kingussie is mentioned in Compton Mackenzie's book The Monarch of the Glen, on which the BBC TV series was based. In chapter 8 Kingussie Sanatorium, now St Vincent's Hospital, is mentioned.

Activities

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.