Following in the paws of the Scottish Wildcat Trail in Newtonmore

ACTIVE OUTDOORS: John Davidson is on the lookout for the elusive Highland tiger on a waymarked walk around the Badenoch village

The Scottish wildcat is a critically endangered creature yet its association with many Highland clans runs deep.

The Clan Chattan Association, which brings together several clans with links to Badenoch, uses the wildcat on its crest – along with many of the individual clans – and contributes to conservation efforts to bring the species back from the brink of extinction.

These once plentiful and magnificent animals have been the victim of human changes to land use, deforestation and hunting over the last couple of hundred years.

It is feared there are now only a few dozen pure wildcats – also known as the Highland tiger – left in the wild.

Unsurprisingly, therefore, they are elusive creatures, so you are very unlikely to spot one while walking the Wildcat Trail in Newtonmore.

Don’t let that put you off, though, as it’s a great little circuit that gives a sense of place to this Badenoch village, which uses the wildcat as its own symbol.

While you might not see a real wildcat, you are certain to spot at least some of the 130 or more model wildcats that are dotted about the village and painted in various guises.

You can pick up a leaflet and map about the trail (costing £4) at the Wildcat Centre in the village or a number of other businesses along the main road. A special Wildcat Experience pack (costing £10) can also be purchased which includes an A4 booklet containing images of all the wildcats to spot, along with information, puzzles, games and other fun activities for children and families to complete.

Armed with all this info, we headed to the Calder Bridge where the route starts – although it can be picked up at any point along the way. It starts by following a nice path alongside the river, which a sign points out is part of the old coffin road.

Linking an ancient crossing point on the River Spey with the burial ground at Banchor, this route was blocked in 1876 when the farmer built across the road. Following a legal decision, he was forced to provide an alternative route.

Passing the cemetery, the path climbs steeply to reach a gate beside a field, where the original route up past the Calder Gorge is blocked due to a drain system collapse which happened late last year. Highland Council has agreed to fix the problem after pressure from the Newtonmore Community Woodland and Development Trust and a contractor has been appointed, but the next section of the trail was unfortunately out of bounds for now.

We went through the gate into the field where a detour is said to be signed, although we found no further signs, so decided to shortcut across the field up to the Glen Road on a corner and just continue along the trail from there.

Turning right on the road, we followed it briefly downhill and over a cattle grid before turning left up a track past a couple of houses. The route now goes through a gate to an area of common grazings where cattle might be present – the booklet explains that crofters have grazing rights on the moors and on the flood plain by the river.

Entering the woodland at Craggan, we followed the signposted detour to the viewpoint overlooking the village to the distant Cairngorm mountains, then continued along towards Strone past fenced-off plantations used by crofters.

We watched the nesting lapwings display above the fields between us and the mountains, making their distinctive calls as we watched the black and white feathers swirl and dance in the air.

The remains of a prehistoric hut circle can be visited within one of the forest areas, before reaching the track at the former crofting township of Strone that leads back down towards Newtonmore, passing a farm with alpacas, donkeys and more on the way – not to mention a few wildcat models to keep your eyes peeled for!

At the bottom of the road, go left along the pavement then cross the main road to reach a boulder with an information panel about the trail on it. Follow this lane down to cross the railway then join a nice path that leads over a series of wooden bridges, including one with a rather wonky surface, to reach the River Spey.

Following the rough route of this changing river, the trail eventually comes to a double fence, where a shortcut can be taken to the right (along the old coffin road) to reach the railway station and village. Otherwise, as we did, you can continue along the edge of the river and head under the railway, past the caravan site and then under an arch of the Spey road bridge.

After this, the route moves away from the Spey and follows the River Calder again to return to the bridge and the starting point. A right turn leads back to the village centre.

If you’ve still got any energy left, there are plenty more wildcats to spot in the village, as well as a heritage trail and several other shorter walks – or you might prefer to just enjoy some refreshments in one of the cafes or hotels!

To learn more about Saving Wildcats visit the website and discover how a captive breeding programme is helping release wildcats back into their natural environment. Maybe in the future we will be able to spot a genuine wildcat close to the trail once again.

Route details

Wildcat Trail, Newtonmore

Distance 6 miles / 10 km

Terrain Variety of paths, tracks and one or two minor roads – includes road crossings and steep sections in places

Start/finish Calder Bridge, Newtonmore (very limited parking – walk from village centre if possible)

Map OS Landranger 35; OS Explorer OL56; The Wildcat Trail map and booklet

A circular walk around the Speyside village of Newtonmore, which has close associations with the elusive wildcat

Click here to see the route in OS Maps

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