Highland Wildlife Park Highland Folk Museum and Ruthven Barracks (pricevehicle)

Highland Wildlife Park Highland Folk Museum and Ruthven Barracks (pricevehicle)

This private customisable day tour provides something of interest for everyone. You will get to see rare and endangered animals at the Highland Wildlife Park, take a step back in time to see how the local population lived covering the period from the 1700s to the 1950s, and then see a site of historical importance which was destroyed in 1746 after the failed Jacobite rising. If you are a fan of the TV series Outlander, you may recognise some of the buildings used in the program!

PLEASE NOTE: The vehicle we use for this tour is a modern XC90. It is capable of seating six passengers and the driver however the rear row of two seats is only suitable for small adults (5'5 or 1.65m tall or under) or children. Please bear this in mind when considering whether you wish to book.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig, Kingussie PH21 1NL Scotland

Set in the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains, the Highland Wildlife Park is a must see attraction. Here you will see Scottish wildlife as well as endangered animals from around the world. You will be driven around the Main Reserve where you will see a variety of wildlife such as Musk Ox, European Bison, the endangered Przewalski's Wild Horse, European Elk, and the Vicuna. After the drive, you will take to your feet to see other endangered animals such as Polar Bears, Amur Tigers, and the Scottish Wildcat. You will also see European Grey Wolves, Snow Leopards, Snowy Owls, Snow Monkeys and others.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Highland Folk Museum, Aultlarie Croft Kingussie Road, Newtonmore PH20 1AY Scotland

The Highland Folk Museum provides visitors with a glimpse back in time to see Highland people lived and worked from the 1700s right up until the 1950s. There are over 30 historical buildings and all have been furnished in a way that represents their era.

The site is a mile long with a 1700s Township (featuring 6 houses) at one end and a 1930s working croft at the other. Take a seat at the school and experience what it was like to be taught in a different era. There is a cafe, gift shop and a fantastic children’s playground.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Ruthven Barracks, Kingussie, Newtonmore Scotland

The barracks were built on the site of the medieval castles of the Comyns and the Gordons and housed up to 120 soldiers and their officers. The original castle was constructed on the site in 1229 but nothing remains of the original structures other than the well.

The Ruthven Barracks were built by King George II’s government between 1719 and 1721 following the Jacobite rising of 1715. They were built to police the area and enforce the Disarming Act of 1716.

During the rising of 1745, 300 Jacobites besieged the barracks, but were prevented from taking the strategically important site by just 12 redcoats, one of which lost his life when looking over the parapet.

In February 1746 the Jacobites returned with heavy guns and soon forced the garrison to surrender. Then in April 1746 the Jacobites were defeated at the Battle of Culloden. The retreating soldiers regrouped at the barracks to await their orders from the Bonnie Prince Charlie. On April 20th, they received word which read ‘Let every man seek his own safety in the best way he can’. The Jacobites destroyed the barracks to prevent them from being used again.

Ruthven Barracks are open all year round and are free to visit.

Duration: 1 hour