📌 Nature reserve near Kingussie, Highland
★★
Occupying the River Spey floodplain between Kingussie and Kincraig, Insh Marshes is one of Scotland’s largest inland wetlands, and an important site for wading birds. The landscape here undergoes amazing transformations depending on the weather and season, with large areas of standing water in wet winters soaking away as the weather improves. These changes are mirrored by the visiting wildlife: whooper swans from Iceland overwinter here along with several duck species, while curlew, lapwings, redshank and goldeneye ducks move in for summer breeding. Paths starting from the main Gordonhall Hide connect further hides and viewpoints on the southern edge of the marsh, where slightly higher ground enables decent views across to the Monadhliath Mountains. A Meadow Trail also snakes further east to some beautiful rapids at Tromie Bridge gorge; from here, the Speyside Way returns to the start by a more direct route, forming a 2-mile circuit. Alternatively, get a quick view of the reserve while visiting nearby Ruthven Barracks.
🌍 Location
📌 North side of the B970 1 mi southeast of Kingussie. Gordonhall Hide is at:
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 775999
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.073697,-4.022704
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
