Newtonmore's heritage trail opens up
After 20 years in the making the strath's newest heritage trail is ready to open up.
Newtonmore’s historic buildings and other points of interest have been identified with attractive blue plaques and on Saturday (Aug 30) they will all be tracked down by local and visiting pathfinders.
A leaflet with a map will guide visitors and local residents from the Highland Folk Museum through the village as far as the Eilan, telling them about the history of each key point. QR codes on the plaques link to further material on the Newtonmore community website www.newtonmore.com.
The Heritage Trail is an initiative started by the Newtonmore Business Association after a survey they carried out last year at the Highland Folk Museum to find out why so few of the 50,000 visitors to the Museum spend time in the village itself.
NBA secretary Ian Gibson told the “Strathy”: “Someone came up with the suggestion that we could solve the problem by putting up a “no right turn” sign at the exit from the Museum!
“Tempting though that was, the association decided the best way forward was to provide further heritage-related activity to take people through the village, so the concept of the heritage trail was revived from 20 years ago.”
A committee of local volunteers with a range of heritage and interpretation expertise was set up and a community consultation was held in the village hall to identify the key heritage points. Several residents contributed their memories, stories and photographs of the village and documentary research was carried out.
The Trail was funded by the Cairngorms National Park Authority, the Isobel Parker Fund, the Highland Council’s Area Discretionary Fund and the Newtonmore Business Association.
Saturday’s launch is a walk through the village, starting at 10.30 at the Highland Folk Museum and finishing at the Clan Macpherson Museum.
“All are welcome,” said Ian, “and participants are encouraged to dress in period costume.”
