Ruthven and Glen Tromie Circuit

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Summary

This interesting and varied walk combines the impressive ruins of Ruthven Barracks, a crossing of remote and unmarked heather moorland, a descent through the beautiful birchwoods of Glen Tromie and then finally a popular walk through the RSPB reserve overlooking the Insh Marshes.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Some of the old right of way between Ruthven and Glen Tromie is overgrown by heather and very boggy in places - good navigation skills are required to stay on route. The return walk is on a good track and then well-waymarked trails. A burn near the start can be an obstacle after very wet weather.

Public Transport

None to start, nearest bus/train Kingussie.

Start

Ruthven barracks ruins. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.5km / 6.5 miles
Time: 3 - 5 hours
Ascent: 310m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN764996

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

Start the walk near the spectacular ruins Ruthven Barracks - there is parking on the opposite side of the road. The ruins of the 1719 barracks, built as a base to stop rebellion after the Jacobite rising and used by General Wade when building his military roads, can be seen clearly on the natural mound above Insh Marshes. Head west along the road very briefly uphill from the parking area, then turn sharp left onto a farm track, immediately passing through a metal gate. Continue along the track to a second gate; pass through this and then turn right, following the track as it keeps to the left of a stone wall, climbing gently.

Stage 2

Continue on the track as it gains height, giving good views back to the Barracks and the Strath beyond. The track curves left and aims for a low gap with several trees between two small hills. Continue along the track, passing a large pylon, until it reaches a ruined house. Leave the track as it curves right just before the house, keeping to the left of a fence and a large tree to reach a stile in the next fence. Cross this and follow the faint grassy track beyond, soon crossing a small burn (could be an obstacle in spate conditions).

Stage 3

Beyond the burn the faint track continues uphill, aiming to the right of a mast on the hillside at first. The track becomes clearer when heather replaces the grass, and curves right slightly to climb across the west side of Beinn Bhuidhe. There are great views back of Kingussie. For a short distance the track becomes waterlogged and it is necessary to walk on the heather at the sides. Eventually a fork is reached - leave the track (which is becoming fainter) and follow the left fork which is a heathery path.

Stage 4

This path is slowly becoming lost to the heather. It continues to climb a little until it reaches a larger cairn marking the high point of the old right of way. From here the path begins to descend towards the birchwoods of Glen Tromie seen ahead. Follow the path down into the woodland; it becomes faint but reappears as the descent continues. The path continues through the trees, eventually reaching a fork - take the left branch here.

Stage 5

Continue on the path, which is now rougher and traverses the hillside to the left before bending right downhill again; the path is not easy to follow and using our app or GPS would help. Eventually it reaches a small stile at the valley floor; cross this and then go left alongside the fence until a larger stile gives access to the track on the other side. Turn left and follow this track past a house and over a bridge across the River Tromie. At the main glen track beyond turn left to begin the walk down the glen. There are good views across the extensive native birchwoods along the way.

Stage 6

Eventually the B970 is reached at Tromie Bridge. Turn left at the road and cross the bridge, with great views down the rocky river bed. Immediately turn right through a wooden gate into the RSPB reserve at Tromie Bridge Meadow. The route - now waymarked by white arrows - follows a grassy track through the woods and then around the edge of the meadow next to the River Tromie. Tromie Mills can be seen on the far bank. At a white marker the route goes through a gate and climbs up a bank beside a fence; continue along the top of the bank for 50m and at a fork keep right. Follow the path next to a wall and then turn left uphill following the white markers.

Stage 7

Ignore a path off right, keep following the main path soon curving right and continuing along a heathery ridge with aspen trees to reach a bench. Go left just before then bench, then right at a small marker post. The path descends to cross a vehicular track and go thel gate opposite. Ignore a smaller path right, keeping ahead until the path swings right at a marker. At one point there's an optional signed detour to a good viewpoint and picnic area. To continue on the trail follow white arrow markers and path as it contours along the edge of the higher ground above the Insh Marshes. It passes through a gate and over a footbridge just after the diversion down to Invertromie Hide.

Stage 8

A path junction is reached with a small car park visible below. Detour to the right here to visit the Lookout hide which overlooks the marches - with an open platform above and a viewing room with lots of natural history information below. From here head down into the Insh Marshes car park and follow the entrance track up to the B690 road. Here turn right and walk along the road for 1km until you reach the parking area at Ruthven Barracks.

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