Insh Marshes Nature Reserve is an outstanding wetland of international importance covering 1,000 hectares of the floodplain of the river Spey between Kingussie and Kincraig in Inverness-shire. The area is considered to be the best remaining large example of river fen system left in Britain and merits the highest designated status of statutory protection for its wealth of birds, plants and animals.

This ten-kilometre long wetland floods several times a year, mostly during autumn to spring whenever heavy rains or snow-melt fill the Spey. A sizeable population of Icelandic whooper swans overwinter, and a thousand pairs of wading birds such as snipe, curlew, and redshank, plus hundreds of pairs of waterfowl including rare species such as goldeneye, pintail and spotted crake, nest from April to June. Seasonal inundation and waterlogged ground are essential conditions for these birds to survive. The same environment provides a home for over 500 kind of plants from beautiful orchids to exceedingly rare sedges and grasses. Animal life ranges from numerous otters to minute aquatic life, some of the latter still being discovered.This is one of the most important wetlands in Europe.Stewart Taylor, Les Street and Pete Mayhew, RSPB, North Scotland

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

Main picture: Spotted Crake Bernard Dupont

We highly recommend the publications below to compliment your visit to this Region.

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