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| THE NEW 10KM (6.2 mile)
WILDCAT TRAIL EXTENDS RIGHT AROUND NEWTONMORE, PROVIDING WALKS THROUGH
RIVERSIDE, MOORLAND AND FOREST IN AN EVER CHANGING KALEIDOSCOPE OF THE
RICH VARIETY OF LANDSCAPE THAT IS NEWTONMORE. THE WALK CAN BE TACKLED AS
A COMPLETE CIRCUIT, OR IN 6 SEPARATE SECTIONS.
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Qualify for your Wildcat Trail Certificate (price only £2) by calling
in at the Walking Centre in the Main Street next to the Village Hall to
collect your questionnaire before you start - successful completion
earns you the right to your certificate.
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Introduction to the Wildcat Trail
The Wildcat trail is a 10 Km walk which
encircles the village of Newtonmore in Inverness-shire. It links nearly 40
hectares of woodlands on varied land - two estates, two crofting townships and
areas owned by both private individuals and by Highland Council. The woodlands
are managed by the Newtonmore Community Woodland trust. The trail takes in
native woodlands, moorland, shelter belts, views of the Cairngorm and
Monadhliath mountain ranges and the banks of the Rivers Spey and Calder and the
Allt Laraidh.
Why the Wildcat trail? the wildcat has long
been used by Newtonmore as its symbol. Wildcat signs welcome visitors to the
village which has hosted Wildcat Festivals in recent years. From one point on
the Trail a rocky outcrop can be seen where a wildcat recently gave birth to a
litter of kittens - but the site is not identified! The area also has close
links with Clan Chattan -- a confederation encompassing Macphersons, Davidsons,
Mackintoshes, MacBains, Farquharsons and others -- which uses the wildcat is
their crest.
The Wildcat Trail can be joined at any one of
a dozen access points around the village. The whole footpath (landowners'
permission does not extend to bicycles), takes 2½ hours of steady walking, but
walkers may choose to complete just one or more of' the sections between access
points.
Interpretative and directional signs are
strategically placed, highlighting features for those with an interest in
archaeology, geology, topography and history - both natural and human. The
Wildcat Trail itself offers immense variety to the walker but Newtonmore is at
the centre of one of the very best walking areas in the whole of the British
Isles. These walks are described in the brochure which is on sale in several
retail outlets in the village. It describes each section of the Wildcat Trail
and also the Area Walks which start from the Square.
PLEASE NOTE The walks described are for
pedestrians. Every walk, including each section of The Wildcat Trail, and the
footpaths approaching it, along with the Area Walks, must be undertaken at the
WALKERS OWN RISK. You are strongly advised to wear weatherproof clothing and
stout footwear with non-slip soles. The time of each walk is based on steady
progress at an average rate of 3 mph (5 kph) from the Post Office at the square
in the centre of the village and return. If you intend to walk slowly, allow
more time! The height differences are between the highest and lowest points on
the walk and do not account for intermediate ascents and undulations. Please
shut all gates except those which you find open and which have no sign. For
consistency the Gaelic names are as printed in the OS 1:50,000 series maps. The
correct Gaelic spelling and translation, which have been provided by Dr. James H
Grant of Aberdeen University, are in brackets. DOGS MUST BE KEPT STRICTLY UNDER
CONTROL. Newtonmore Community Woodland and Development Trust cannot accept legal responsibility
for the condition of paths, bridges, gates, stiles, fences, or the presence of
livestock or any consequences arising therefrom.
LANDOWNERS' PERMISSION DOES NOT
EXTEND TO BICYCLES
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