Strathspey

Fire-red trees at Sunset on Speyside
©2011 Gazetteer for Scotland

Strathspey is the name given to the middle reaches of the River Spey between Aviemore and Craigellachie where the river widens out into a broad alluvial plain composed of silts, sands and gravels. It is the homeland of the Clan Grant whose seat is at Castle Grant near Grantown-on-Spey. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Strathspey Estate of the Chiefs of the Clan Grant extended over some 72,843 ha (180,000) acres encompassing the parishes of Duthil, Cromdale, Abernethy and part of Kincardine. Between 1975 and 1996 neighbouring Badenoch along with Strathspey formed an administrative district of Highland Region, its chief town being Kingussie. The area gave its name in the 18th century to a dance form played in 4/4 time known as the Strathspey Reel.

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