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Insh Marshes in winter, the Spey's floodplain under water around a low wooded knoll, with snow on the hills beyond under a blue sky.
Cairngorms

RSPB Insh Marshes

The RSPB's wetland reserve on the Spey, ten square kilometres of marsh and pools on the valley floor from Kingussie down to Kincraig.

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Welcome

Bring your binoculars to Insh Marshes, as there are birds to watch here in every season.

The National Park counts it among the most important wetlands in Europe. In spring and early summer the marshes fill with nesting waders, among them lapwings, redshanks, curlews and snipe, and winter brings whooper swans and greylag geese. Light grazing by sheep, cattle and ponies is part of how the RSPB is bringing back land that was drained for years. Start at the Lookout, just a few level paces from the car park, where you can watch from indoors or out on its open platform. For a longer outing, follow the Invertromie Trail for three miles through the reserve. Pack a flask and a picnic, as there's no café, and wear boots for the soft, uneven paths.

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The Daily for 29 October, from Scotland with love. An aerial view from a garden staircase looks down a formal garden's central path, statues and cherub urns lining the balustrade in the foreground.
A little further outLaggan Stores Coffee BothyThe village café, shop and gallery in Laggan, on the upper Spey in Badenoch, serving breakfast, lunch and homemade cakes.20 min by roadSee itA toasted sandwich with crisps and a dressed salad on a dark blue plate.
Before you go

Open 24 hours, every day, and free.

Parking
Free, with 12 spaces, two of them for Blue Badge holders.
Hides
Gordonhall Hide and Invertromie Hide, both on the Invertromie Trail and both reached by steps.
Trails
The two shorter trails, Lynachlaggan and Loch Insh Woods, cannot be reached from the main car park.
Dogs
The RSPB asks for dogs on a short lead from 1 April to 15 August, and wherever there is livestock.
Toilets
None on the reserve. The nearest are in Kingussie, and may be shut out of season.
Getting there
From Kingussie station it is about an hour on foot, by the road and then the Speyside Way from Ruthven Barracks. The reserve is on National Cycle Route 7.
Guided walks
In spring and summer.

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Where it is

On the B970 about a mile and a half south-east of Kingussie, just past Ruthven Barracks, PH21 1NT.

Close byKincraig, Laggan and round Aviemore.
  1. Two Japanese macaques huddled in the snow.The Highland Wildlife ParkThe Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's park at Kincraig, with Scotland's only polar bears, snow leopards, wolves and a drive-through reserve.6 miles 10 min by road
  2. Loch an EileinLoch an EileinA loch in the Rothiemurchus pinewoods, with a castle ruin on its island and a three-mile path round the shore.12 miles 17 min by road
  3. The Barn at RothiemurchusThe Barn at RothiemurchusThe café at the Rothiemurchus Centre by Aviemore, with a wood-burning stove, Cullen skink and cheese scones, and a corner for dogs.13 miles 17 min by road
  4. RothiemurchusRothiemurchusA Highland estate of ancient pinewood, lochs and hill by Aviemore, cared for by the Grant family since the 16th century.13 miles 17 min by road
  5. Rothiemurchus FalconryRothiemurchus FalconryFly owls, hawks and a great eagle yourself on the Rothiemurchus estate near Aviemore, with falconers Jonny and Daisy Ames.13 miles 18 min by road
  6. A steam train at Boat of Garten.Strathspey RailwayHeritage steam trains through the Spey Valley from Aviemore to Boat of Garten and Broomhill, running since 1978.14 miles 21 min by road
Directions
Ruthven Barracks, the roofless Hanoverian barracks near Kingussie, on its green mound under a heavy grey sky, a gravel path climbing to it.AttractionsRuthven Barracks0.7 miles
A row of stone cottages with a slated roof and four chimneys sits behind a gravel courtyard, hills visible in the distance.CairngormsKilliehuntly BothySleeps 4 · 1.5 miles
A stone barn with a red door and a steep slate roof stands among trees turning gold in autumn.CairngormsThe HayloftSleeps 2 · 1.5 miles
Stone farmhouse surrounded by autumn trees and hills in the Scottish countrysideCairngormsKilliehuntly FarmhouseSleeps 10 · 1.5 miles
A stone and dark timber house sits beneath autumn trees, logs stacked in an open store and hills visible in the distance.CairngormsGeordie’s CottageSleeps 5 · 1.5 miles
A rowan tree heavy with red berries hangs before a white harled house, a round table and chairs set on the gravel behind.KingussieCairngorms Church Hill HouseSleeps 4 · 1.8 miles
A tall cairn on the rocky crest of Creag Bheag, the path running through the heather and the Spey valley and the snow-streaked Cairngorms beyond.WalksCreag Bheag2.3 miles
Autumn trees line a wide loch with forested hills beyondAttractionsUath Lochans6.6 miles
The Rowan Tree Country Hotel, with its sign on the gable and a terrace of pot plants and tables in front.RestaurantsThe Rowan Tree Country Hotel8.5 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the marshes, and when each is next free.

A row of stone cottages with a slated roof and four chimneys sits behind a gravel courtyard, hills visible in the distance.Killiehuntly Bothy
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Cairngorms
  • A mile from Insh Marshes
Check datesA stone barn with a red door and a steep slate roof stands among trees turning gold in autumn.The Hayloft
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Cairngorms
  • A mile from Insh Marshes
Check datesStone farmhouse surrounded by autumn trees and hills in the Scottish countrysideKilliehuntly Farmhouse
  • Sleeps 10
  • In Cairngorms
  • A mile from Insh Marshes
Check datesA rowan tree heavy with red berries hangs before a white harled house, a round table and chairs set on the gravel behind.Cairngorms Church Hill House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Kingussie
  • A mile from Insh Marshes
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in the CairngormsAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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