Kingussie

Kingussie (/kɪŋˈjuːsi/ (listen) king-YOO-see; Scottish Gaelic: Ceann a' Ghiùthsaich pronounced [ˈkʲʰaun̪ˠə ˈʝuːs̪ɪç]) 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 42 miles (68 kilometres) south of Inverness, 12 mi (19 km) south of Aviemore, and 3 mi (5 km) north of Newtonmore.

Kingussie
  • Scottish Gaelic: Ceann a' Ghiùthsaich[1]
  • Scots: Kineussie[2]

Kingussie Market Cross near the railway station
Kingussie
Location within the Badenoch and Strathspey area
Population1,410 [3]
LanguageEnglish
Scottish Gaelic
OS grid referenceNH755005
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townKINGUSSIE
Postcode districtPH21
Dialling code01540
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

History
A former church in Kingussie

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
Further information: Kingussie Camanachd

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.[4]

Tourism

The main railway line to Inverness passes through from Edinburgh, Glasgow and points south. Kingussie railway station is about 200 yards (200 metres) 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 12 miles (19 kilometres) from Kingussie.

The Highland Wildlife Park is close by. The Highland Folk Museum is in Newtonmore, 3 miles (5 kilometres) 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.[5]

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.[6]

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 with his grandson Ruaridh at the Highland Horse Fun Riding Centre in Kingussie.
  • 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
  1. "Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba ~ Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland". Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  2. Scots Language Centre: Scottish Place Names in Scots
  3. "Population". www.scrol.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  4. "News". www.kingussieshinty.com. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  5. "Bollywood comes to Kingussie". www.strathspey-herald.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  6. Mackenzie, Compton (1951). The Monarch of the Glen. Mifflin.
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