Insh Marshes

For other uses, see Insh (disambiguation).

Insh Marshes National Nature Reserve
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)[1]
Map showing the location of Insh Marshes National Nature Reserve
Map showing the location of Insh Marshes National Nature Reserve
LocationBadenoch and Strathspey, Highland, Scotland
Coordinates57°05′28″N 3°59′35″W / 57.091°N 3.993°W / 57.091; -3.993
Area695 ha (1,720 acres)[2]
DesignationNatureScot
Established2003[1]
OwnerRoyal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Insh Marshes NNR
Official nameRiver Spey - Insh Marshes
Designated2 February 1997
Reference no.889[3]

Insh Marshes are an area of floodplain of the River Spey between Kingussie and Kincraig in Badenoch and Strathspey, Highland, Scotland. The marshes are said to be one of the most important wetlands in Europe.[4] They lie at altitude of approximately 240 to 220 m above sea level, and form one of the largest areas of floodplain mire and fen vegetation in Scotland.[5]

The marshes cover around 11 km2, and hold a number of conservation designations. 7 km2 of the area is owned and managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and forms a national nature reserve.[2][4] The RSPB have laid out several waymarked trails, and provided two bird hides to allow visitors to appreciate the area and its birdlife.[6]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference planet was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b "Insh Marshes NNR". NatureScot. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  3. ^ "River Spey - Insh Marshes". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  4. ^ a b RSPB. "Insh Marshes". Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  5. ^ "River Spey - Insh Marshes SSSI: Site Management Statement". Scottish Natural Heritage. 29 June 2010. p. 1. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Finding your way around Insh Marshes National Nature Reserve" (PDF). RSPB. Retrieved 19 February 2019.