Newtonmore promotes itself as the ‘Heart of the Highlands’ as it lies almost in the very centre of Scotland within the Highland Region, just 25 kilometres south-west of Aviemore. It is a small village of approximately 1000 people and is ideally situated on the northern banks of the River Spey with the Mondahliath Mountains standing to the north and the Grampian Mountains to the south, with the Cairngorm Mountains and the Cairngorm National Park standing to the east. Its central location amidst this awesome scenery makes the village a great place from which to explore this interesting area of the Highlands as it is surrounded by a diverse mix of all the best things that are Scottish!! These of course include such things as historic buildings and historical centres, arts and crafts, hiking and climbing, galleries and distilleries!!
Within the village is the Highland Folk Museum which is a living history attraction showing the lifestyles of the Highland people from the 1700’s to the contemporary period. The museum includes re-located and re-created old and traditional buildings and live demonstrations!! Newtonmore also supports the Waltzing Waters, a unique water display of water, light and music, the Clan MacPherson Museum, that houses the relics and memorials of Clan Chiefs and MacPherson families and the Newtonmore Craft Centre and Gallery which is home to the local tourist information centre!! Close by there are places of interest such as Blair Castle just outside the village of Blair Atholl, the Highland Wildlife Park near Kincraig, Ruthven Barracks a 13th century ruined stronghold near Kingussie. A little further away from the village there is the Strathspey Steam Railway which runs from Aviemore and the Boat of Garten, the fascinating Osprey Centre at Grianan and for the kids the Landmark at Carrbridge, an Adventureland funpark. Perhaps for the whisky buffs a trip to Dalwhinnie Distillery, without a doubt one of the highest distilleries in the country at roughly 325 metres above sea level, where the snow fed waters journey through the peat and heather are used to produce one of Scotland’s well known single malts.
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