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Newtonmore (Scottish Gaelic: Baile Ùr an t-Slèibh [ˈpˠalʲ uːɾˠ ən̪ˠ ˈt̪ʰlʲeːv]) is a village in the Highland council area of Scotland. The village is only a few miles from a location that is claimed to be the exact geographical centre of Scotland.
Newtonmore
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|---|---|
 Main Street, Newtonmore. In the distance are the Monadhliath mountains. | |
  Newtonmore Location within the Badenoch and Strathspey area | |
| Population | 1,120 (mid-2020 est.)[1] |
| OS grid reference | NN715995 |
| • Edinburgh | 85 mi (137 km) |
| • London | 416 mi (669 km) |
| Council area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NEWTONMORE |
| Postcode district | PH20 |
| Dialling code | 01540 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Newtonmore is located within the Cairngorms National Park, approximately 3 miles (5 km) southwest of Kingussie and 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Aviemore. It is on the northeastern bank of the River Spey, between the River Calder and Allt Lairaidh, at an altitude of approximately 250 metres (820 ft).[2]
Activities edit
- Shinty - The town is renowned for having a shinty team, Newtonmore Camanachd Club, which plays at The Eilan next to the River Calder.
- Walking - Newtonmore calls itself the "Walking Centre of Scotland", referring both to its geographical location and to the great walking opportunities locally, like the Wildcat Trail. The Speyside Way Long Distance Route was eventually extended to a new terminus of Newtonmore, with this section launched in Spring 2022.[3]
- Golf - Newtonmore has a golf course on the banks of the Spey.
- Bowling - The club is open to visitors. It has regular competitions with other clubs in Badenoch and Strathspey and with clubs from Perthshire and Aberdeenshire.
- Mountain Biking - Many trails in the local forests and tracks on the surrounding hills.
- Fishing - Both the Rivers Spey and Calder run through Newtonmore making it a popular spot.
- Shooting
- Outdoor Activities - being situated almost in the centre of Scotland, and so close to Aviemore & Cairngorm Mountain makes Newtonmore extremely popular for Outdoor Activities. With local providers offering things like canyoning, white water rafting, rock climbing & abseiling.
Tourism edit
The village is home to The Wildcat Experience, aimed at families with children, where participants try to track down the 130 painted model wildcats located around the village.[4] It is based on a community arts project – but everyone in the village had the chance to be involved.
Newtonmore is the site of the open-air Highland Folk Museum since the 1980s.[5] It is located on Kingussie Road, on the eastern outskirts of the village.
The village is also home to the Clan Macpherson House and Museum, situated at the junction of Perth Road, Laggan Road and Main Street. The museum opened in 1952, with the exhibition mainly containing items from the nearby Cluny Castle which had recently been sold. The displays in the museum were significantly reworked in 1984–1985 and in winter 2004–2005.[6]
Newtonmore was one of the locations used in the filming of Monarch of the Glen and is in Monarch Country.
Between 1989 and 2011, a music, light and water fountain show called Waltzing Waters operated in the village. This was opened by local businessman Alex Donald decided a new attraction was required to bring visitors to the village after is was bypassed by the A9, and seeing a similar display on holiday in Florida. The site was redeveloped into a larger store for Co-op Food plus five houses.[7]
Transport edit
The village has been bypassed by the A9 since 1979, which is the main north-south road through the highlands. However, the A86 between Kingussie and Spean Bridge still passes through the village.
Newtonmore railway station is managed by ScotRail and is on the Highland Main Line. It is also served by the Caledonian Sleeper between London and Inverness.
Notable people from Newtonmore edit
- George MacPherson, Scotland national rugby union team
- Jimmy Bain, bassist for Rainbow and Dio
- Sir Tommy Macpherson, much-decorated former World War II Army officer and successful businessman.
- David "Tarzan" Ritchie, 12 Time Camanachd Cup Winner
- Norman MacArthur, ex-shinty player
- Danny MacRae, captain of Newtonmore Camanachd
- Dr John Cattanach, the only shinty player inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame
- Cameron McNeish, author, broadcaster - influential in the preservation of the countryside
See also edit
- Battle of Invernahavon – 14th century battle southwest of Newtonmore, in which the Chattan Confederation defeated Clan Cameron
External links edit
References edit
- ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ OS Explorer OL56 Badenoch & Upper Strathspey (Map). Southampton, UK: Ordnance Survey. 2015.
- ^ Davidson, John (10 December 2021). "It's a long Spey to reach route's new ending". Inverness Courier. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "The Wildcat Experience". wildcatcentre.org. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "History of the Highland Folk Museum". Highland Folk Museum. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Macpherson, Ewan S. L. (2022). The Clan Macpherson: Trials, Triumphs and Treasures. Clan Macpherson Muesum Trust. pp. 229–233. ISBN 978-1-3999-3055-0.
- ^ "Last dance beckons for Waltzing Waters". The Scotsman. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
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