Invereshie and Inshriach NNR - Visiting the reserve

Visit Invereshie and Inshriach NNR for peaceful woodland walks, spectacular wildlife and mountain views.

 

 

 

​Getting here

By car

From the south, leave the A9 at the intersection with the B970 to Feshiebridge. From Kincraig on the B9152, follow the minor road round the north end of Loch Insh to cross the Feshie Bridge. After the bridge and the phone box, turn right onto the minor road. There are parking areas along this road.

PH21 1NH is the nearest postcode (centred 2.5 kilometres south of the main parking area).

Car parks

The main access point for walkers is the car park about 4 kilometres south of Feshiebridge on the road to Achlean. The grid reference is NH 851011.

By public transport

The nearest bus stop is at the end of the B970, about 10 kilometres from the reserve. 

The nearest railway stations are Kingussie (10 kilometres) and Aviemore (10 kilometres) on the Perth to Inverness line.

Map

Invereshie and Inshriach National Nature Reserve
Click for a full description

From Kincraig, take the road opposite the memorial stone in the village, which leads down to the wooden bridge over the River Spey. Continue for about a mile to reach a T-junction. Turn left for Feshiebridge. Cross the river in Feshiebridge and turn right along the road towards Auchlean. There is a car park four miles along this road on the left. Bus services from Aviemore and Inverness to Kincraig.

For visitors

Invereshie and Inshriach NNR - visiting the reserve leaflet

Visit Invereshie and Inshriach is a good introduction to the reserve.

Trails for all

There are no waymarked trails on the reserve. However, a well-defined path from the car park follows the Allt Ruadh (‘red burn’) for 6 kilometres to the summit of Sgòr Gaoith, at 1,118 metres.

If you don’t want such a long strenuous trip, a 30-minute walk will give you a taste of how the reserve changes from valley to open hill. It will also give you superb views westwards over Glen Feshie to the Monadhliath hills beyond.

The path is mostly well surfaced but steep with loose stones in places. Higher up, it’s prone to erosion. Please help by keeping to the centre of the path.

Seasonal highlights

Invereshie and Inshriach are worth a visit at any time of year, and the pine forest is always interesting. July to September is when the heather is in full bloom.

Spring

Springtime visitors can expect to see a whole range of wildlife. There are rare birds such as crossbill, dotterel and ptarmigan, and woodland species such as red squirrel and red and roe deer. You might even spot golden eagle and peregrine soaring above the woodland. Reindeer are also occasional visitors.

Summer

This is the best time for hillwalking or mountaineering. There are spectacular views to be had from the summits, with the whole of the Cairngorms laid out below you. The beautiful slender twinflower blooms in summer. It’s also a good time to see the knarled and stunted Krummholz pines at the upper tree line.

Autumn

Autumn is spectacular –the heathland is ablaze with purple heather and the roaring of rutting red deer stags resounds across the reserve. Look out for the abundant velvety mosses, colourful lichens and plentiful fungi that flourish in the sheltered woodlands.

Winter

This is a great location for a magical winter walk. Enjoy the peaceful solitude of an ancient pinewood in winter and, in snowy conditions, look out for the tracks of pine marten and deer.

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