Newtonmore Wild Cat Trail, Newtonmore

Looking for something fun to do with the children? Something you'd enjoy too? In the fresh air... In beautiful surroundings.... Then the wildcat experience Newtonmore is just what you're looking for. Cores of models of the Scottish wildcat have been sited all round Newtonmore in the Cairngorms National Park. They're in gardens, on roofs, up trees. All you have to do is track them down. If you locate 25, you get a certificate, for 50, a token prize, & anyone tracking them all down wins a larger prize. But the real fun is in the searching. Children love it! ..and parents love it because their children are kept happy for hours and hours. Find out more in your wildcat experience Track Pack.

En-route you'll enjoy magnificent views of the Monadhliath and Cairngorm mountain ranges as well as the gloriously peaceful Glen Banchor - a treasure right on our doorstep. The Trail can be easily accessed at ten different points. It is clearly way-marked and there are interpretative panels giving information about the nature and history of the area. The complete circuit takes 2-3 hours to walk at a steady pace, alternatively you can choose to walk it in separate sections. You'll encounter gates, stiles, footbridges and stepping-stones along the way. It is suitable for reasonably fit walkers wearing stout footwear, but not for cyclists. Dogs are welcome if kept under control. A fully illustrated brochure, including a map and details of the complete walk and each of the sections, is available for sale at the Wildcat Centre on the Main Street.

This delightful walk is called The Wildcat Trail primarily because the wildcat has long been used by Newtonmore as its symbol. Wildcat signs welcome visitors to the village, which has hosted Wildcat Festivals in recent years. From one point on the Trail a rocky outcrop can be seen where a wildcat recently gave birth to a litter of kittens - but the site is not identified! The area also has close links with Clan Chattan -- a confederation encompassing Macphersons, Davidsons, Mackintoshes, MacBains, Farquharsons and others -- which uses the wildcat as their crest. The Wildcat Trail was set up in 2000 by the Newtonmore Community Woodland & Development Trust to link 16 different plantations of native trees, which are managed by the Trust. The Trust is a non-profit making company registered as a charity. Any surplus from sales of the brochure and other goods is used for the upkeep of the Trail.

A great day out for everyone!  For more information on Newtonmore check out our Newtonmore village page.

Below are just some of the amazing things that can be found in and around the Wild Cat Walks in Newtonmore and the Cairngorms National Park.

Hover over the picture to find out more...

Opening Times

Wild Cat Walk Route is a year-round walking route.

The Centre normal shop hours between May and October, and mornings only during the winter.

Location

The Wildcat Centre can be found beside the Village Hall on the Main Street. The Centre is a community venture set up to offer visitors information about the village, the Wildcat Trail and other walking opportunities in the area.

Contact Details

Wild Cat Centre
High Street
Newtonmore
PH20 1DD Click postcode for map location.
Hotel Infoline: 01540 673131
Email: wildcatnewtonmore@dsl.pipex.com
Web Site: www.WildCatTrail