| Kingussie | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Ceann a' Ghiùthsaich[1] | |
| Scots: Kineussie[2] | |
|
Kingussie
Kingussie shown within the Badenoch and Strathspey area |
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| Population | 1,410 [3] |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Scottish Gaelic | |
| OS grid reference | NH755005 |
| Council area | Highland |
| Lieutenancy area | Inverness |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | KINGUSSIE |
| Postcode district | PH21 |
| Dialling code | 01540 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey |
| Scottish Parliament | Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber |
| Website | http://www.kingussie.co.uk/ |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • | |
Kingussie (i/kɪŋˈjuːsi/ king-ew-see; Scottish Gaelic: Ceann a' Ghiùthsaich pronounced [ˈkʲʰaun̴̪ ə ˈʝuːs̪ɪç] ) is a small town in the Highland region of Scotland. It is one settlement in the Highland Council ward of Badenoch and Strathspey, and is the capital of the district of Badenoch. It lies beside the A9 road, although the old route of the A9 serves as the town's main street. Kingussie is 42 miles (68 km) south of Inverness, 12 miles (19 km) south of Aviemore, and 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Newtonmore, which is its greatest rival in the game of shinty.
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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.
For more info, see article on Kingussie Camanachd
According to the Guinness Book of Records 2005, Kingussie is 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.[1]
The main railway line to Inverness passes through from Edinburgh, Glasgow and points south. Kingussie railway station is about 200 metres south east of the High Street. In the past few years, the TV series Monarch of the Glen has been filmed in and around the area of Kingussie. Ardverikie Estate, where Monarch of the Glen was filmed, is about 12 miles (19 km) from Kingussie. You can park in a lay-by across from the Gatehouse and hike back to the 'Big House'. It is about an 8-mile (13 km) round trip hike but is well worth it, especially if you are a Monarch of the Glen fan.
The Highland Wildlife Park is sited very close by. The Highland Folk Museum is in Newtonmore, 3 miles (4.8 km) from Kingussie.
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 featured in the 8-time Oscar winning Danny Boyle film 'Slumdog Millionaire'. A woman's voice calling a call-centre, where the main character was working, was shown to be making the phonecall from '4 Ruthven Road, Kingussie'.[4]
Kingussie is mentioned in Compton Mackenzie's book The Monarch of the Glen, on which the BBC TV series is based. In chapter 8 Kingussie Sanatorium, now St. Vincent's Hospital, is mentioned.
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.
