Ruthven Barracks

Following the Jacobite rising in 1715, the Hanoverian government ordered the construction of four regular garrisons at strategic points throughout the Highlands "to preserve the peace and quiet of the country in general." The barracks here at Ruthven were built between 1719 and 1721 on a site once occupied by an important medieval castle. The garrison was to comprise 120 infantrymen.

By 1734, Ruthven stood at the junction of three new military roads built on the orders of Major-General Wade, and a stable-block was added for the use of cavalrymen patrolling these highways. The increased strategic significance of Ruthven made it inevitable that it would figure in any future Jacobite rising.

That happened in 1745. In August of that year Sergeant Molloy and twelve redcoats successfully repulsed an attack by a Jacobite force estimated at over 200 with the loss of just one man "shot through the head by foolishly holding his head too high over the parapet"! When the returning Jacobite army passed by in February 1746, they had artillery support and the garrison were obliged to surrender. Shortly after, the remnant of that army returned to Ruthven after defeat at Culloden hoping to continue the struggle. It was at Ruthven, on 19th April, that they received their final instruction from Prince Charles Edward Stuart: "Let every man seek his own safety in the best way he can."

From the Information Plaque at the entrance to Ruthven Barracks.

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The Barracks are located on the south side of the Spey River a mile south of Kingussie.  The main entrance can be seen on the south side, Building separated from the main complex on the north end of the complex was the horse stable.

 

 

Barracks of the men that were stationed with the garrison at Ruthven

 

 

Rooms used for storage or as living quarters by the members of the Garrison.

 

 

Looking from the rear of the main barracks toward the horse stable at the north end of the complex.

 

 

 

To the north east following the Spey downstream is the road to Inverness and Culloden.  You can  turneast on the way to Aberdeen,   or south Blair Atholl and Edinburgh.