On the main street in Kingussie, opposite the Duke of Gordon hotel, there is a signposted turnoff to Ruthven Barracks. From here it is a couple of miles to the free car park next to the barracks.

Ruthven was built following the 1715 rebellion to house up to 120 government soldiers. Although offering good defences against infantry the barracks were not built to withstand artillery. It was beseiged by the forces of Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 uprising when a handful of government soldiers held out against a force of around 200 Jacobites. Ruthven Barracks was captured by the Jacobites with the aid of artillery in 1746.

Ruthven Barracks are in the care of Historic Scotland. Opening times are on the Historic Scotland website.