Insh Marshes

We're working hard to make our nature reserves safe and ready for our staff, visitors and wildlife. Many have now re-opened in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, although some facilities are not yet available. Some reserves remain closed for now. See our COVID-19 updates page for the latest information (link below).

Address: Insh Marshes RSPB Reserve, Insh Marshes, Kingussie PH21 1NT

Grid ref: NN775998

See our updates page to see which reserves are open.

The Insh Marshes covers 10 square kilometres of the River Spey floodplain between Kingussie and Kincraig in Badenoch and Strathspey. It is said to be one of the most important wetland areas in Europe, supporting populations of breeding waders including curlew, lapwing, redshank and snipe.

Plan your visit

Open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Facilities

Car park
Picnic area
Guided walks
Viewing point
Nature trails
Educational facilities

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

Kingussie station is a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) walk away.

By bus

The nearest bus stop is in Kingussie, a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) walk away.

By bike

This reserve is on Route 7 of the National Cycle Network.

By road

From A9, take exit to Kingussie. Follow B970 south from village towards, and then beyond, Ruthven Barracks. Reserve entrance is 1 km to the east of the barracks.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

From Aviemore, take the B9152 south-west to Kincraig. There are opportunities to see ospreys in spring and summer on Loch Insh from Kincraig. Join the B970 and head south-west towards Insh village and Kingussie. The reserve entrance is 3.2 miles (5 km) south-west of Insh village and 0.6 mile (1 km) to the east of Ruthven Barracks.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

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Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 683Kb

Insh Marshes trail guide

Contact Insh Marshes

Insh Marshes RSPB Reserve, Insh Marshes, Kingussie PH21 1NT
insh@rspb.org.uk
01540 661518

What will you see?

Our star species

Curlew

In spring, you can hear their gorgeous, 'bubbling' song.

Lapwing

Watch the nesting lapwings here chasing predators that may come too close.

Redshank

Keep an eye out for the redshanks' display flights over the wet meadows in spring.

Snipe

These cryptically-coloured waders can be seen here all year-round, with the greatest numbers in spring.

Whooper swan

Up to 100 whooper swans arrive here in October from Iceland, where they spend the summer, and stay until early April.

Spring is best for breeding waders including lapwings, curlews, snipe and redshank. Ospreys fish in Loch Insh and the River Spey.

Breeding waders including lapwings, curlews, snipe and redshanks until mid-summer. Breeding goldeneye and ospreys fish in the Loch Insh and the River Spey.

Arrival of winter migrants including whooper swans and greylag geese from Iceland. Hen harriers gather to roost.

Arrival of winter migrants including whooper swans and greylag geese from Iceland. Wintering ducks such as wigeon and tufted duck. Hen harriers gather to roost.

About Insh Marshes

Habitat

Insh Marshes is a reserve mainly comprised of woodland and marshland habitats.

Conservation

Fitter floodplain - The historical attempt to drain some of Insh Marshes and the decline of grazing in the area had allowed the open floodplain habitat to deteriorate, with too much encroaching willow scrub and rank grassland. We now lightly mow the floodplain, and work closely with local farmers to restore grazing by sheep, cattle and ponies. We are also removing some areas of willow scrub. Our work will benefit breeding waders and wildfowl, wintering hen harriers and whooper swans, and the rare plant communities the occur at Insh Marshes.

Other habitats - We are encouraging the natural regeneration of our semi-natural woodland, including its nationally important aspen stands. This will benefit diverse fauna and flora, including important invertebrate communities. Meanwhile, we are removing exotic conifers from Loch Insh Wood and lightly grazing our flower rich meadow at Invertromie.

Site information

This nature reserve is important for wildlife. RSPB Scotland welcomes responsible access, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Marshside

Lytchett Fields

Arne

Insh Marshes