Insh Marshes: the hides and the path above the marsh to Tromie Bridge

The walk starts at the RSPB Insh Marshes car park, on the B970 between Ruthven and Drumguish, and goes round in a loop. A path leads north from the car park to the Invertromie Hide, 0.4 km out, which looks over the marsh. The way then runs east along an unsurfaced path through birch and heather on the edge of the higher ground above the marsh, 2 km to Tromie Bridge, 2.4 km from the car park. It comes back on the Speyside Way, a broad gravel path that runs between the bridge and the car park, a little way from the B970.

It is 4.0 km (2.5 miles) with 64 m (210 ft) of ascent; allow about 1¼ hours, more if you stop at the hides. The grade is Easy, and the way is almost all on paths. The RSPB says all its trails here run across soft and uneven ground and are unsurfaced and narrow in places.

The marsh is the floodplain of the River Spey, so the view changes with the water. The RSPB asks that during the ground-nesting bird breeding season, 1 April to 15 August, dogs are kept on a short lead; it does not allow barbecues at any time. There are no toilets at the reserve: the RSPB gives the nearest as Kingussie.

The RSPB gives 12 spaces at the reserve entrance, including 2 Blue Badge bays; OpenStreetMap has no fee tag on the car park.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.