Built to replace the original settlement near the barracks at Ruthven in the late 18th century, Kingussie used to lie at the head of an immense pine forest in the foothills of the magnificent Cairngorms. Its name derives from the old Gaelic Ceann á Ghuibhsaich, meaning head of the pine wood, and it was considered the capital of Badenoch. Pronounced king-you-see, the village sprang up in the wake of the Industrial Revolution which brought bridge crossings over the Spey and, eventually, the railways. The village has its own website www.Kingussie.co.uk.

On the outskirts of town are the old fortified ruins of the Ruthven barracks, last occupied in 1745 by the Jacobites on their way to Culloden and a must for historians. The RSPB reserve of Insh Marshes stretches from Kingussie along the floodplain of the Spey as far as Kincraig. This is Kingussie's unique speciality and it has recently been proposed as a National Nature Reserve. The village duck pond and gardens in the north of the village are great for the kids.

For lunch or afternoon tea, try Gilly's Kitchen or Pam's Coffee Shop. For an evening meal the Tipsy Laird or Silver Fjord are hard to beat. Kingussie's true gem, however, is the famous Cross restaurant. Its award-winning cuisine and wine list ensure that it's always busy and an absolute must. Try the Duke of Gordon and The Garden Restaurant at Columba House Hotel. Opened in 2007 the Happy Days Fish and Chip Shop is known locally as the place for the best fish and chips. For more places to eat, check our fine wine and dine pages.

A village in the Highlands wouldn't be the same without a golf course and Kingussie  is no exception. The 18-hole course meanders along the hillside up to a thousand feet and boasts magnificent views along the Spey Valley. The Kingussie golf course offers moderately easy walking on upland terrain, with a few short climbs at the 4th and 8th holes. The course is kept in immaculate order and offers excellent greens and fairways. For other golf courses in the cairngorms check our golf page.

George Gow is the best butcher in the valley and has award-winning sausages and pies. Murchies is the place to go for fresh vegetables and groceries. There is also a co-op, paper shop and Country Harvest flower shop. Service Sports offer a good range of outdoor gear and Be at Home has all your computer needs. Something Different is a great place to get furnishings for your house. The hub of the village is the Trading Post, which has a massive range of hardware, gardenware and household products. McIntosh Gallery has a wide range of pictures and carpets, while Creativity boasts a gift shop and sells pottery.