Kingussie is a characterful Highland town with a passion for the great outdoors. It’s set in Cairngorms National Park and combines dramatic scenery with centuries of history, culture and Scottish charm. Browse independent businesses on the picturesque High Street, visit an 18th-century military stronghold and take your pick of outdoor activities.
Things to do in Kingussie
Learn about centuries-old Scottish culture and traditions at the Highland Folk Museum. The open-air museum features dozens of historic buildings, including thatch-roofed cottages, farmhouses and stone huts. Costumed actors bring the museum to life and host weaving, woodcarving and breadmaking workshops.
Retrace the footsteps of Jacobite soldiers at Ruthven Barracks. The garrison was built in the 1700s by the British to capture the Scottish Highlands but later commandeered by the Jacobites. Walk around the crumbling stone walls and enjoy sweeping views over the surrounding countryside.
From hill walking to horseback riding, Kingussie is a great base for outdoor adventures in the Scottish Highlands. Rent a bike and explore the countryside on two wheels and enjoy scenic paddling trips along the River Spey. Cairngorms National Park is at your doorstep and offers everything from easy waymarked footpaths to challenging summit trails. In summer, locals flock to Loch Morlich, where you’ll find a sandy beach set beneath snow-capped mountains.
Get up close with endangered Scottish wildcats at the Highland Wildlife Park. Run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the park specialises in cold-climate animals like polar bears, snow leopards, lynx and reindeer. Watch enormous European bison grazing in the meadows and meet a herd of Przewalski’s wild horses.
Getting around Kingussie
Kingussie is compact and easy to get around on foot. Trains run between Edinburgh and Kingussie in around three hours. Rental cars offer the freedom to visit Kingussie and explore the Scottish Highlands at your own pace. Inverness Airport is a 40-minute drive away.