Posts for October, 2025

A walking workshop to collect the ‘living’ placenames of the high Cairngorms, as used by you – hill-goers, local residents, mountain enthusiasts – but which aren’t on any maps or recorded in any way. This workshop will be delivered by Sarah Hobbs. Please bring footwear and clothing suitable for a 1-2km walk.

This project will map, record and eventually share placenames used by many different folk who live or work in the hills, and the corresponding stories behind them. Aiming to highlight ongoing and varied human connections with mountain habitats in the Cairngorms, the project will create a snapshot of a point in time as the climate and land use changes.

Who it’s for: Anybody who lives, works or plays in the Cairngorm Mountains (the high hill ground), and who may have their ‘own’ names for places – from individual memories, to names made up by families or social groups.

This workshop has been made possible with funding from the Cairngorms Trust and support from the Cairngorms 2030 programme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund – thanks to National Lottery players.

Grantown and vicinity has a long tradition of brewers and distillers, licensed premises and off-licences. Join us on this virtual tour as we peer into dark corners and bright lounges and hear astonishing tales of some characters of long ago and more recent times. Researched and presented by Bill Sadler. (Drinks may be brought through from the bar!).

This workshop will be delivered by Clare-Louise Battersby and is designed for artists, makers, and creative practitioners who wish to explore how their practice can align more deeply with place, land, and non-extractive ways of working. Rooted in the principles of biophilic design and the Gaelic concept of Dùthchas, the session invites participants to reconnect with their creative practice through sensory exploration, storytelling, and material reflection.

Highland League: Strathspey Thistle FC v Huntly FC, kick-off 3pm. Parking at ground and at Burnfield Ave car park (150m). Ground is 10mins on foot from town centre. Snacks, drinks and hot food. Half-time raffle, merchandise and team-sheets. Mackellar Suite open for beverages and hospitality. To book hospitality packages and sponsorship contact hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk

Highland League: Strathspey Thistle FC v Nairn County FC, Seafield Park, kick-off 3pm. Parking at ground and at Burnfield Avenue car park (150m). 10 mins on foot from town centre. Snack Bar. Mackellar Suite open from 1.30pm. Merchandise, team-sheets and half-time raffle. To book sponsorship and hospitality contact hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk

Breedon Highland League: Strathspey Thistle FC v Forres Mechanics FC, kick-off 8pm. Parking at ground and at Burnfield Ave car park (150m). Ground is 10mins on foot from town centre. Hot and cold snacks in ground. Half-time raffle, merchandise and team-sheets. Mackellar Suite open for beverages and hospitality from 6.30pm. To book sponsorship and hospitality packages contact hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk

Step back in time and uncover the mystery of the Picts with the Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage and Dark Sky Ranger. This engaging talk and tour will introduce you to the Pictish people, their unique art, and the symbol stones that continue to inspire centuries after they were carved.

Set within the ancient and atmospheric site of Inveravon Church—an important place of worship and pilgrimage for generations—we’ll closely examine the intricate carvings on the four remarkable Pictish stones discovered here. You’ll learn how these enigmatic symbols fit into a wider cultural story and how the Picts helped lay the foundations of modern Scotland.

This autumn, journey back through thousands of years of history at Inveravon Church, set along the beautiful River Spey. This exhibition, generously loaned from Grantown Museum, traces the story of the very first people who encountered this landscape as the Ice Age ended, through to the arrival of Picts and early Christians.

Explore how early hunter-gatherer societies lived, and learn about local hillforts and sacred sites, and how the enigmatic Pictish symbol stones connect us to this past. The Inveravon Pictish symbol stones are also on display, with interpretation that helps us understand their meaning and significance.

Whether you are fascinated by archaeology, heritage, or simply curious about the lives of those who walked this land before us, this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to uncover the layers of history woven into the Spey valley.

This exhibition was made possible with funding from Museums Galleries Scotland.

To celebrate 200 years of the modern railway, Strathspey Railway will also run all its heavy locomotives from Shed 60B across its preserved section of the Highland Line from 16–18 October. With eight trains running daily, starting at 9:15 am from Platform 3 at Aviemore Station, with catering available, it’s a rare opportunity to see the full might of our heritage fleet in action. Brake van rides between Aviemore and Boat of Garten stations (both directions) will also be available.

From 16th–17th October, we welcome the Inspiration train — the official Railway 200 Exhibition Train, curated by the Railway 200 team and the National Railway Museum. This free, static exhibition offers a hands-on, family-friendly experience across four themed carriages:
• Railway Firsts – Discover groundbreaking innovations that shaped rail history
• Wonderlab on Wheels – Explore the science and engineering behind railways through interactive activities
• Your Railway Future – Learn about hidden roles in rail and career opportunities for the next generation
• The Partner Zone – Hear stories from local organisations and railway partners
Fully accessible and structured in 15-minute intervals, the exhibition is designed to last around an hour and promises to inspire visitors of all ages.