Kingussie

Travel Guide

Highland Wildlife Park featuring cuddly or friendly animals
Kingussie
Highland Wildlife Park which includes dangerous animals and zoo animals
Highland Wildlife Park showing zoo animals and dangerous animals
Highland Wildlife Park featuring land animals and zoo animals

Part of Cairngorms National Park, this pretty town offers thrilling outdoor activities and beguiling Highland culture.

Kingussie is set in a picturesque location beside the River Spey, offering lovely views of the Cairngorms in the distance. An outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, Kingussie is a wonderful spot for cycling, fishing, golfing, pony trekking and serene riverside walks. Watch demonstrations of woodcarving and other traditional trades at the town’s folk museum, visit the exciting wildlife park nearby or cheer on Kingussie’s shinty team playing at the Dell.

Learn about Highland life at the open-air Highland Folk Museum. This living history museum is modelled after an 18th-century farming township, with walking paths leading visitors past thatch-roofed cottages. Old-fashioned buildings include a water-powered sawmill, a shepherd’s bothy (hut), a clockmaker’s workshop and a schoolhouse. Listen to recitals with traditional Highland instruments and watch demonstrations of peat-fire baking and wool-spinning.

Enjoy the scenic walk from town to the Ruthven Barracks ruins. Set imposingly on a river terrace, the barracks were one of four garrisons built by the British government after the first Jacobite rebellion in 1715. Visit at night when the crumbling barracks are illuminated by floodlight.

Tee off at the Kingussie Golf Club, a challenging 18-hole hillside course. Set high above sea level, the course offers excellent views of the national park. Watch shinty at the Dell. This amateur sport played in the Highlands is somewhat similar to field hockey.

See rare and endangered Scottish animals at Highland Wildlife ParkOpens in a new window. Drive through the reserve or take advantage of the park’s free Land Rover tours. See yak, European bison and Bactrian camels roaming freely. Listen to informative daily feeding talks presented by the animal keepers. Follow nature trails and spot more wildlife at the Insh Marshes RSPB Reserve with diverse birds including curlew, snipe and whooper swan.

Kingussie is 44 miles (71 kilometres) south of InvernessOpens in a new window and 13 miles (21 kilometres) southwest of AviemoreOpens in a new window. Reach the town easily by bus or train. It lies along several cycling routes. Experience some of the Highland’s best hospitality and outdoor entertainment in Kingussie.

Duke Of Gordon Hotel
Duke Of Gordon Hotel
3 out of 5
Newtonmore Road, Kingussie, Scotland
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Kingussie. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
7.8/10 Good! (241 reviews)
Nice Hotel
"Older but nice hotel. Large room. Good breakfast. Perfect for a one night stay while visiting Scotland."

Reviewed on 9 Jul, 2025

Duke Of Gordon Hotel
Star Hotel
Star Hotel
4 out of 5
32 High Street, Kingussie, Scotland
The price is S$212 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
S$212
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kingussie. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Kingussie Golf Club and Ruthven Barracks ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (12 reviews)
"A delightful stay at the Star Hotel. The rooms are well-sized, clean and modern. Front-door staff were very welcoming. I highly recommend."

Reviewed on 17 Jun, 2025

Star Hotel
The Crossing
The Crossing
2 out of 5
Ruthven Rd, Kingussie, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$176 per night from 15 Jul to 16 Jul
S$176
15 Jul - 16 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this B&B in Kingussie. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Kingussie Golf Club and Ruthven Barracks ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (22 reviews)
"This was a lovely B&B next to the river. We had a great time. It was relaxing and calming, and the breakfast was delicious."

Reviewed on 19 Jun, 2025

The Crossing
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ardvonie House
Ardvonie House
3 out of 5
Ardvonie Road, Kingussie, Scotland
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Kingussie. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Kingussie Golf Club and Ruthven Barracks ...
Christmas break
"Perfect 10 minutes walk from the train station. Everything your needed in the place. Lots of walking routes. There good selection of places to eat in the high street and a coop and a butchers."

Reviewed on 28 Dec, 2024

Ardvonie House
Osprey Apartment
Osprey Apartment
3.5 out of 5
Kingussie
Stay at this 3.5-star golf cottage in Kingussie. Enjoy free WiFi and free parking. Popular attractions Loch Insh and Highland Wildlife Park are located ...
Osprey Apartment
Glenspey
Glenspey
2 out of 5
McInnes House Hotel Newtonmore Road, Kingussie, Scotland
Book a stay at this golf cottage in Kingussie. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Kingussie Golf Club and Ruthven Barracks are ...
Glenspey
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Kingussie

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
10
5 - Excellent 45%
4 - Good
9
4 - Good 41%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Friendly, helpful people. Good tourist information to guide around Kingussie. Beautiful setting.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Enjoy the terrific second hand bookshop!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful town giving easy access to many attractions in the area

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

There lots off things to do

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Nice quiet town with nice shops.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We just stared here as we were going to The Highland Park so very convenient.