Ruthven Barracks and Insh Marshes
From Kingussie to the Hanoverian barracks on their mound and the floodplain marshes beyond.
- Distance
- 5.4 km
- Ascent
- 30 m
- Time
- 1–1.5 h
- Grade
- Easy
- Route
- Circular
- High point
- 242 m
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Route mapped on from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on . For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.
About this walk
Ruthven Barracks and Insh Marshes is an easy 5.4 km circular walk with 30 m of ascent, taking 1 to 1.5 hours. It starts at Kingussie station (grid reference NH 756 004). The start can be reached by public transport.
Ruthven Barracks stand on a mound above the Spey, built after the 1715 rising and burned by Jacobites after Culloden. Beyond them, Insh Marshes is one of the biggest floodplain wetlands in Europe, an RSPB reserve loud with curlews and lapwings in spring and full of whooper swans in winter.
The walk crosses the Spey from Kingussie to the barracks, visits the marsh hides and returns.
Route
-
1
The barracks
Cross the Spey to Ruthven Barracks.
-
2
The marshes
Continue to the Insh Marshes hides and return to Kingussie.
Summit
Questions about this walk
- How long does Ruthven Barracks and Insh Marshes take?
- Most walkers take 1–1.5 hours for the 5.4 km route, which has 30 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at Kingussie station (grid reference NH 756 004). Car parks in Kingussie.
- Can I get there by public transport?
- Trains to Kingussie from Inverness and Perth. Check times on Traveline Scotland.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded easy. Pavements, a quiet road and reserve paths.
- Can I take my dog?
- Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk. Keep them on a lead near livestock.
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