Kingussie Top Up Tap brings hydration to Gynack Gardens

“The changes that have been made by the community at Gynack Gardens have made it an ideal location for the Strath’s second tap. It’s in the centre of the town, but also ideally located for the schools, the station and folk stopping off on local walking and cycling routes.

Hopefully it’s an easy way that everyone can take care of themselves while also taking care of the beautiful environment that we all enjoy.”

Gavin Steel
Scottish Water's Regional Corporate Affairs Manager

Residents and visitors in Kingussie are being encouraged to carry a refillable water bottle and top up from a new Scottish Water refill point which has sprung up at the top of the revamped Gynack Gardens.

The Badenoch capital’s new Top up Tap is the second Scottish Water refill point to be installed in the Strath, the fourth in the Cairngorms National Park and part of a growing nationwide network of almost 120.

The site was first put forward by Kingussie Community Development Company (KCDC) in 2020, during the final preparation of Cycle Friendly Kingussie’s revamp of Gynack Gardens as a more welcoming greenspace and a hub for active travel.

At the time, the publicly-owned water company was seeking locations that could connect to a suitable water main without the need for a road crossing. However, the site’s potential was recognised and revised criteria allowed it to be taken forward last year.

Representatives of KCDC were joined this week by pupils from Kingussie Primary and High Schools to celebrate the arrival of the new tap.

Kenny Deans, a lead KCDC Director with the project commented that, “We are delighted that Scottish Water has recognised the impact the recent garden re-development has made and that they have identified the space as a key hub for residents and visitors alike to have a convenient spot for access to fresh water. We have already seen the tap being used by walkers and cyclists coming to the town.”

Kingussie High School Head Teacher Ian Adamson added, “The installation of the top up tap is a fantastic addition to Kingussie and in particular the Gynack Gardens. It will allow residents, school pupils and tourists to fill up reusable water bottles, helping to reduce the amount of one use plastic.”

Scottish Water’s Regional Corporate Affairs Manager Gavin Steel said: “Our Top up Taps across Scotland have been a big success. At a local level, it’s great that Gynack Gardens in Kingussie has now joined the well-used tap on Grampian Road in Aviemore, offering hydration ‘on the go’ to locals and visitors alike.

“People can see that carrying a refillable water bottle is an easy way to stay hydrated when they’re out and about, save money and cut down on plastic waste. The network of taps across the country has already supplied the equivalent water of more than 9 million single use plastic bottles.

“The changes that have been made by the community at Gynack Gardens have made it an ideal location for the Strath’s second tap. It’s in the centre of the town, but also ideally located for the schools, the station and folk stopping off on local walking and cycling routes. Hopefully it’s an easy way that everyone can take care of themselves while also taking care of the beautiful environment that we all enjoy.”  

More information about Scottish Water’s ‘Your Water Your Life’ campaign which the Top up Taps are part of is at: Your Water Your Life.