Into the heart of Badenoch, though the name now suffers from an unfortunate political echo, suggesting a place devoid of feeling. In truth, it is anything but. This stretch of Scotland, gathered around the upper River Spey, is quietly beautiful. It even boasts its own beach—golden sand, sunlight, the lot.
The name Badenoch is an anglicised form of the Gaelic Bà ideanach. Locals say “Bay-den-och”. Travel a little north-west and it becomes the familiar “Bad-en-och”. Both mean “the drowned land”, likely referring to the river meadows and marshes along the Spey—now peaceful nature reserves but once, perhaps, a sodden struggle.
Kingussie, Badenoch’s main town, is pronounced “kin-YOO-see”. It comes from the Gaelic Ceann a’ Ghiùthsaich—“Head of the Pine Forest”. A name with far more poetry than it is ever given credit for.
In short, we are off on our travels. Which means “Out & About” will be taking a break for a while from the North York Moors.