Newtonmore, Highland

Flower Delivery to Newtonmore by Clare Florist

Nestling in the upper reaches of the Spey Valley and within the Cairngorms National Park, Newtonmore is a well-established village that is mostly visited by anglers and grouse hunters. The town lies just 12 miles south of Aviemore, which is close to Kingussie, with whom they really enjoy a fierce rivalry with when it comes to shinty.

Not only is Newtonmore at the heart of the Scottish Highlands, it is also the original Geographical Centre of Scotland, which makes it an ideal destination for those who want to take long or short breaks. The town offers a wide range of excellent accommodation and lots of activities to enjoy.

Newtonmore doesn't really have that long a history. Prior to the 1800s, the population lived in townships in Glen Banchor, which is a mile or more to the West and around 200 feet above the level of the present village. It was the building of the road bridge across the Spey in the 1760s that encouraged a couple of people to build houses lower down. However, the first mention of the village in the Scottish Record Office papers refers to “Moor of Stone” and consisted of not more than 50 or 60 inhabitants.

It was the coming of the railway in the mid-1860s that led to the growth in population. From there, the town became a busy tourist attraction. Although the number of visitors declined after the Second World War, the village still thrived.

Given the scenic nature of Newtonmore, it's a good place to take your partner for a quiet time away from all the stress of modern life. You can even take a romantic stream train ride or get to the top of Cairngorm Mountains. You can also send flowers to Newtonmore straight to where you’re staying to make the holiday even more romantic.

The Well of the Alder has been a long-time source of drinking water for the village. The Newtonmore Community Woodland & Development Trust refurbished the site to make it more accessible. An interpretative plaque explaining the history of the site was also put up.

The Stone Marking the Centre of Scotland can be found beside the Glentruim Road near the Clan Macpherson cairn, which incidentally offers a really nice view of the Spey. It makes a wonderful side visit if you intend to visit the Clan Macpherson cairn.

Highland Folk Museum – This is recognised as the first mainland open air museum in Britain in 1944. Here, you get to see a variety of reconstructed buildings that include an 18th century township, trade buildings (joiners, tailors, clockmakers), and a traditional 1930s croft.

Clan Macpherson Museum – History lovers will delight in learning the history of the Macpherson Clan and its familities, both past and present. There are also several exhibits that include the fiddle of James Macpherson and the Banff clock.

So, if you like a bit of history and some outdoor fun, make Newtonmore your destination of choice for your next holiday.

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