Newtonmore

Newtonmore
Scottish Gaelic: Baile Ùr an t-Slèibh
A street in Newtonmore. In the distance are the Monadhliath mountains.
Newtonmore  Newtonmore shown within the Badenoch and Strathspey area
Population	982
OS grid reference	NN715995
Council area	Highland
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Newtonnmore
Postcode district	PH20
Police	Northern
Fire	Highlands and Islands
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
List of places: UK • Scotland •

Newtonmore (Scottish Gaelic: Baile Ùr an t-Slèibh pronounced [ˈp̊alɪ uːr ən tlɛː] ) is a village in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of about 1000. The village is only a few miles from a location that is claimed to be the exact geographical centre of Scotland. Newtonmore railway station is managed by First ScotRail and is on the Highland Main Line.

Location

Newtonmore Main Street

Nestling above the flood plain of the River Spey, in Britain's largest National Park - The Cairngorms, with a backdrop of the Monadhliath Mountains, Newtonmore is surrounded by woodland. Larch, Pine, Birch and Alder predominate, creating a glorious tapestry of colour as the leaves turn in Autumn. Newtonmore's 'Wildcat Trail' is a 10km orbital walk around the edge of the village, taking in the River Spey and its tributary, the Calder - rivers of very different character - woodland and moorland, together with wonderful views across the strath to the Cairngorms and behind the village to the Monadhliath mountains - a fitting introduction to the delights of the National Park. As you wander around and about the village, as well as noticing the beautiful decorated models of the Scottish Wildcats in gardens, on roofs and beside pathways,which make up The Wildcat Experience ~ Newtonmore, you may find that some sights are strangely familiar - for anyone who has watched the hit BBC TV series Monarch of the Glen on a Sunday evening, many locations in Newtonmore have been seen as part of Glen Bogle - and the castle itself is actually at Ardverikie, on Loch Laggan side, just sixteen miles away.

Activities

• 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. An extension to the Speyside Way could soon add Newtonmore to a Long Distance Route and it will become the new end to this trail.
• 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 - Lots of trails in the local forests and tracks on the surrounding hills, as well as the purpose build Wolftrax MTB trails at nearby Laggan.
• Fishing
• Horse Riding and Pony Trekking: The popular outdoor sport of Pony Trekking was credited with being started in Newtonmore in 1952 by Ewan Ormiston, it is still possible to ride in Newtonmore with his grandson Ruaridh at the Newtonmore Riding Centre. Ormiston Highlands
• Shooting
• Outdoor activities are provided locally from Craigower Lodge, Newtonmore by Active Outdoor Pursuits. These range from hillwalking, white water rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, ski touring etc.

Local Issues

Some locals are concerned about the rising number of holiday homes in the area and the simultaneous shut-down of local shops and services.

Tourism

The village is home to The Wildcat Experience ~ Newtonmore - a visitor attraction specially aimed at families with children. Scores of painted lifesize and accurate models of the Scottish Wildcat are sited all round the village to be tracked down. The Wildcat Centre on the Main Street sells the illustrated brochure with photos of all the cats. Mark their location on the maps provided. 25 gets you a certificate, 50 a small prize and anyone who finds everyone of the cats, gets a bigger prize. Great for children, but adults enjoy it too - it's quite addictive. The attraction is based on a community arts project - everyone in the village had the chance to be involved.

Newtonmore was one of the locations used in the filming of Monarch of the Glen and is in Monarch Country.

Notable people from Newtonmore

• George MacPherson, Scotland national rugby union team
• Jimmy Bain, bassist for Rainbow and Dio
• Sir Tommy Macpherson, much-decorated former WWII 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

See also

• Battle of Invernahavon - 14th century battle southwest of Newtonmore, in which the Chattan Confederation defeated Clan Cameron

External links

• Newtonmore Community Website
• [1]
• [2]
• Laggan Wolftrax MTB trails
• Highland Folk Museum
• Cairngorms Park Info and Accommodation site
• VisitAviemore: Newtonmore Accommodation and Things To Do
• Newtonmore Riding Centre Website
• Active Outdoor Pursuits