Carrbridge

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Old bridge of 1707, Carrbridge

Carr-bridge FC club badge

Carrbridge (Scottish Gaelic: "Drochaid Charra") is a village in Badenoch and Strathspey, Highland, Scotland. It is about 10 km north of Aviemore, and is part of the Cairngorms National Park.

In the 2001 census the village had a population of 708 people with the majority employed in tourism. The village was an early centre for skiing in Scotland, and the A9 road passes close by, though before the 1980s bypass was constructed it ran straight through the village. Carrbridge itself is served by Carrbridge railway station on the Highland Main Line.

There has been a Boys' Brigade campsite in the village for many years. Monifieth B.B. have been camping there for 20 years.

There is one Spar shop: "so near, so Spar" as the saying goes, for all daily necessities.

Landmark Heritage Centre, which is situated at the south end of the village, has a variety of water slides and is good for all-round woodland family fun.

Carrbridge's most famous landmark is the old bridge, built in 1707, from which the village is named. This was severely damaged in the "muckle spate" of 1829 which left it in the condition we see today. Sadly it is now unstable and is recommended only to be viewed from afar. Jumping off the bridge into the River Dulnain below had long been a popular pastime for younger locals and the more adventurous tourists.

The village also plays host to two popular annual competitions: the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship and the "Carve Carrbridge" Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Competition. Both contests offer keen but friendly competition and draw entrants and spectators from all over Scotland.

Local debate still rages regarding the name Carrbridge itself, with some preferring to see it hyphenated to Carr-bridge. The word "Carr" incidentally has nothing to do with motorised transport but is derived from the Gaelic word for boggy area.

Golfers' needs are also catered for with a fine 9 hole golf course.

The village boasts its own football (soccer) team which plays annually in the Badenoch & Strathspey Welfare League as well as local Cup competitions, normally from April - September. Their home ground is located in the centre of the village (next to the main car park) and their home colours are black & white vertical stripes.