Introducing Our Village
First and foremost, Nethy Bridge - often affectionately referred to simply as 'Nethy' - is a great place to live. The 650 or so residents love the village and this is clear from the strong sense of community spirit which is evident in everyday life here. There is a vibrant primary school, a popular cafe and a couple of great shops which keep up well-stocked year round, and not forgetting our well-used Community Centre which hosts lots of clubs and events for locals and visitors alike. Community events are frequent and well-attended - they're a great way to catch up with friends and neighbours. The forest trails which run through and around the village are popular with locals, well-used by dog-walkers, runners, hikers and bikers - even by cross-country skiers in winter!
All of these attributes which make Nethy Bridge a great place to live also make it a wonderful place to visit. The village has been a holiday destination since Victorian times, yet it remains unspoilt with the majority of accommodation hidden away in quiet locations next to the ancient Caledonian pine forest. Nethy has had a long and close relationship with the Abernethy Forest and as a result of this has taken on the mantle of ‘The Forest Village’.
The Abernethy Forest is one of the highlights of the Cairngorms National Park, and is known for its wildlife, which includes red squirrels and a huge variety of birds, which are regularly seen on a walk around the forest trails. The elusive capercaillie can also be spotted locally, along with other rare species.
Flowing through the centre of the village, the River Nethy is one of the main tributaries of the famous River Spey. It is spanned in the village centre by a Thomas Telford humpback bridge with 3 arches. Built in 1810, it’s a classic Telford design, although part of it was washed away in the infamous ‘Muckle Flood’ of 1829. It’s the bridge, of course, which gives the village its name.
Drivers or cyclists following the ‘Snow Roads’ route across the Cairngorms National Park will pass through Nethy. We encourage you to stop and spend some time here - it’s a hidden gem and we’d love to welcome you to our village.
