Posts for May, 2026

Try Bowls – The Sport for All!

Whether you are young or young at heart, bowls is a fun, friendly and social sport that everyone can enjoy. No experience is needed — just come along, give it a try and have some fun.

Open to all ages.

Please just bring flat-soled shoes.

Join Rachel Sermanni on an enchanting tour of the outdoors this summer, performing in settings that celebrate the beauty of nature and community. From vibrant festival stages to docklands and piers, woodland tranquility, unique urban gardens, and sustainable Earthship spaces, each stop offers an intimate listening experience in unforgettable surroundings.
Rachel Sermanni is a Scottish based singer/songwriter that makes the mundane moments mystical: shock-positive pregnancy tests in train-station toilets, coffee machine breakages, cold river swims, the regret of not saying ‘I love You’, the moon & how it pulls, bare feet on wood floors, the soft glow of a house plant, ‘what even is consciousness?’, strange dreams lingering in quiet mornings…
She brims with dreamy indie-folk pop that speaks of the struggle and desire to Flow, to love, to live, to feel. Sometimes, her songs speak of the rare moments of quiet-still, found in the midst of this struggle & desire.

Always a sellout, so head to the link to book. Doors open at 6pm with music starting at 7pm

Returning to the Dell for the last time this summer, Karawane brings us another amazing guest to make this Sunday ‘In the Woods…’ one to remember.

ButhoTheWarrior is known for his diverse global sound sets with house grooves, high hitting vocals from soulful to spiritual sounds effortlessly mixed, Butho is a mixmaster of carrying crowds through their emotions while locked in. Having supported Giles Peterson, Louie Vega, Awesome Tapes from Africa, DJ Paulette, Shimza and many more in recent times Butho has vast knowledge in creating somewhat of a different vibe bringing his charm to every room. Rooted in the origins of black music, he celebrates and showcases upcoming artists & pioneers of house music with his JAIVA residency at Sub Club.
Karwane brings dancefloor music from around the world: highlife, cumbia, soukous, samba, salsa, funk, reggae, afrobeat, edits and originals to make bodies move and minds travel. Regulars on the Scottish festival circuit, and venues from beach clubs in Andalucia to the late-night clubs of Berlin, the Karawane DJs are constantly on the move, collecting music, and bringing people together.
Yet another special collaboration that we can’t wait for and we would love for you to come and dance with us! We will also be joined by the wonderful Penny Bun food truck to see to your Sunday lunch/dinner needs and the Dell bar will be running all day. Doors open from 12pm, with Karawane and ButhoTheWarrior playing from 2pm.
Head to the link to book

Welcome to the tropical north, as Karawane returns to the Dell for a midsummer bash, and this time they are bringing a friend!
Joining them for this special session is Volta 45, a London-based DJ renowned for his unique style – a heady vinyl mix of jazzy and percussive sounds from Africa, South America and the French Caribbean. Volta 45 is a regular on the European and UK music festival circuit; he has got dance floors moving from Turin to the glorious fields of the Shambala Festival.
Karwane brings dancefloor music from around the world: highlife, cumbia, soukous, samba, salsa, funk, reggae, afrobeat, edits and originals to make bodies move and minds travel. Regulars on the Scottish festival circuit, and venues from beach clubs in Andalucia to the late-night clubs of Berlin, the Karawane DJs are constantly on the move, collecting music, and bringing people together.
This is a very special collaboration that we can’t wait for and we would love for you to come and dance with us! We will also be joined by the wonderful Penny Bun food truck to see to your Sunday lunch/dinner needs and the Dell bar will be running all day. Doors open from 12pm, with Karawane and Volta 45 playing from 2pm
Head to the link to book

The amazingly inspiring and entertaining Kristen Allan is back, this time with an intimate hands-on cheese making class where you will learn how to make milky soft pillows of mozzarella, creamy burrata and stringy stracciatella.
You will also explore creative ways to use the leftover whey, ensuring nothing goes to waste and be shown how to incorporate your freshly made cheese into a shared lunch, celebrating the flavours of the season and the satisfaction of food made by hand.
The day starts with coffee/tea and cake, and a chat about how the day will unfold. Then it’s time to roll up your sleeves and feel your whey through the curds. You work in small groups so there’s usually plenty of banter and laughter and time for one-on-one attention.
For more info or to book, please head to the link

In this hands-on class you’ll learn how to make feta (including marinated Persian feta), halloumi and mascarpone with the incredibly talented and very entertaining Kristen Allan. You’ll take a deep dive into the story of milk, beginning with life in the soil, how different seasons and type of animal influence it’s composition and how to source and select the best quality, local milk for making cheese.
You will receive recipes, notes and take home the cheese made in the class. A delicious lunch will be served and Kristen will share with you a collection of mouth-watering recipes that showcase the cheese we make in the class plus all her marvellous ways to use the leftover whey.
The classes are small and intimate with ample opportunity for questions, one-on-one guidance and all Kristen’s tips and troubleshooting tricks. All this can only, develop and strengthen your understanding and serve you well in your home kitchen.
Head to the link to book

Join nature and travel writer Joe Minihane for a one day writing workshop in and around the Dell’s tipi. This informal, friendly one day nature and memoir writing retreat is for anyone looking to tell their own story, whether you already love to write or are a beginner in search of inspiration.
With time to walk and explore the forest surrounding The Dell, chances for encounters with nature, and prompts designed to get creativity flowing, this will be a relaxed and informal day that will help you on your writing journey.
There will be writing exercises, one to one tutorials and the opportunity to share work with the group at the end of the day if you wish. You’ll leave armed with new ideas and work that you’ve made and can feel proud of.

Joe Minihane is a writer and journalist based in Sheffield. He is the author of Floating (Duckworth 2017), a memoir about wild swimming and mental health, and a recipient of the Society of Authors’ K Blundell Trust award. He has also written a series of guide books for the London-based publisher on Hoxton Mini Press, while his writing on travel and the outdoors has appeared in The Guardian, Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday, Lonely Planet and CNN.

Lunch and refreshments included. For more info or to book head to the ticket link

An hour of theatre and comedy with author and Mountaineer John D. Burns
In a remote Highland bothy, a traveller finds shelter from the storm. In his rucksack he has coal for the fire, candles to ward off the darkness, and a little whisky to bring some cheer. The wanderer invites you into his world.
In a unique piece of theatre, John tells stories of his wild journeys among Scotland’s mountains. There are near death adventures on ice wreathed cliff faces. Tales of dark deeds in distant bothies and even a brush with royalty. Yet in the heart of so much beauty there is conflict. Hear how working-class folk have fought to establish their right to wander the hills.
Come and join John, smell the woodsmoke and be transported to a world where all you have is what is packed on your back and the dreams that you follow.
John D. Burns is an award-winning mountain author and his books, Bothy Tales and The Last Hillwalker, have become acknowledged as classics among those who enjoy the outdoors. You can hear more of John and his wonderful guests on his podcast, Outdoors in Scotland.

Dinner is our love language!

Let’s gather for an evening of long table feasting, with new & old friends.

We’ll be at the magical Dell of Abernethy for an all out Tipi Mexican Fiesta! Lindsay & I will be joined by Rachel Glueck, local story teller & author of cookbook ‘The Native Mexican Kitchen’. Rachel will take us on a journey into mexican cuisine, culture & mezcal!

Our menu will be inspired by Rachel’s personal experience as well as female chef Ixta Belfrage who spent her youth absorbing food traditions in Italy, Mexico and Brazil. She began her culinary career with Ottolenghi so she’s a bang full of flavour!

You’ll be welcomed with a mezcal cocktail (there will be a virgin option) & some history behind mezcal alongside some nibbles before a feast full of bold flavours & vibrant sharing plates. We’ll take your tastebuds through Mexico with a nod to some local Highland produce. This one is going to be special!

3 courses – £60pp (subject to £1.50 transaction fee)

Saturday 1st August @ 6pm

Dell of Abernethy, Nethy Bridge

We cater for vegetarians – any other dietary requirements, please get in touch before booking! As always, the menu will be a surprise for the evening.

Dinner is our love language!

Let’s gather for an evening of long table feasting, with new & old friends.

Cooking with fresh and colourful Spring produce for our take on an Italian supper & there will be a fully stocked bar operating on the evening.

Our menu will be influenced by Pasta Grannies! If you haven’t come across their Instagram – have a look, you’ll go down a pasta making rabbit hole. We’ll be chanelling our inner Nonnas who’ve passed down authentic family recipes through generations. Of course, with a nod to the fantastic local produce on our highland doorstep.

3 courses – £50pp (subject to £1.25 transaction fee)

Friday 29th May @ 7pm

The Apiary, Newtonmore Golf Club, Newtonmore

We cater for vegetarians – any other dietary requirements, please get in touch before booking! As always, the menu will be a surprise for the evening.