Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
MUSEUM
Highland Folk Museum
(
01540-673551;
www.highlandfolk.museum
; Kingussie Rd, Newtonmore;
10.30am-5.30pm Apr-Aug, 11am-4.30pm Sep & Oct)
The open-air Highland Folk Mu-
seum comprises a collection of historical buildings and relics revealing many aspects of
Highland culture and lifestyle. Laid out like a farming township, it has a community of
traditional thatch-roofed cottages, a sawmill, a schoolhouse, a shepherd's bothy (hut) and
a rural post office. Actors in period costume give demonstrations of woodcarving, spin-
ning and peat-fire baking. You'll need at least two to three hours to make the most of a
visit here.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Laggan Wolftrax
(
www.forestry.gov.uk/WolfTrax
;
Strathmashie Forest; 10am-6pm Mon, 9.30am-5pm
Tue, Thu & Fri, 9.30am-6pm Sat & Sun)
Ten miles southwest of Newtonmore, on the A86
road towards Spean Bridge, this is one of Scotland's top mountain-biking centres with
purpose-built trails ranging from open-country riding to black-diamond downhills with
rock slabs and drop-offs. Bike hire is available on-site, from £25 a day for a hardtail
mountain bike to £50 for a full-suspension bike.
Ruthven Barracks
(HS; 24hr)
Ruthven Barracks was one of four garrisons built by the British government
after the first Jacobite rebellion of 1715, as part of a Hanoverian scheme to take control of
the Highlands. Ironically, the barracks were last occupied by Jacobite troops awaiting the
return of Bonnie Prince Charlie after the Battle of Culloden.
Learning of his defeat and subsequent flight, they set fire to the barracks before taking
to the glens (the building is still roofless). Perched dramatically on a river terrace and
clearly visible from the main A9 road near Kingussie, the ruins are spectacularly floodlit
at night.
RUIN
Sleeping & Eating
B&B
Eagleview Guest House££
