Posts for May, 2024

High peaks, birds of prey, beautiful flowers, dragonflies and butterflies plus stunning scenery. A favourite destination, visited on many occasions in Spring and early Summer. This talk looks at “the barricade” between France and Spain from both sides where some of Europe’s most iconic species can be found – Wallcreeper, black woodpecker, blue rock thrush, Lammergier (bearded vulture) and lady slipper orchid.

Ralph and Brenda Todd give us a fascinating insight into Iceland. Sitting just below the Arctic Circle, Iceland is perhaps one of the most dramatic countries, relatively small in size, sparsely populated away from the capital Reykjavik. Geologically quite unique with many active volcanoes and geysers, stunning scenery and fantastic bird life. Having made two circular tours (20 years apart) along with some short visits this talk takes a look at the beautiful landscapes, waterfalls and geysers along with some of the flowers and birds to be encountered especially the seabird colonies of the towering sea cliffs.

John Miles, ex-RSPB Warden and now tour guide with his son Ewan for Nature Scotland will give an all seasons look at this amazing island.

Celebrated Urban Birder, David Lindo, takes us around the urban world of birds. Over 20% of the globe’s bird species have been recorded within our towns and cities, sometimes without us noticing. You will be surprised as to some of the variety of species David will be featuring. To see some of these great birds all you have to do is open your hearts, minds and importantly, look up!

Blair Castle in the heart of rural Perthshire is the stunning background to our annual Christmas Fair. Join us inside the Banvie Hall, the beautifully atmospheric ballroom and outside will be our tented Christmas village on the forecourt in front of the castle.

Beautiful art and crafts will tempt and delight with individuality and flair, wood work, metal work, antler art, textiles, art illustrations, pet snacks, decadent cushions, throws, ceramics, silk scarves. Locally designed jewellery featuring silver, beads, gemstones, resin and glass. Differing styles of art, exquisite wood turning, children’s clothes and exquisitely beautiful knitwear. Organic and vegan soaps & skincare, candles, reed diffusers and wax melts and a host of bee products – all lovingly created in Scotland.

A glorious selection of tempting foods awaits you at the Blair Christmas Fair. Fabulous confectionary from Kilted Fudge and delightful home bakes from Rabbit Hole Cakes. Delicious preserves from Spice Harmony and charming pickles from Zingy Tingy Beetroot and together with fresh game in the form of steaks, pies or sausages, appetising salmon and seafood and a wonderful selection of cheeses we have enough we hope to entice all foodies.

Our alcohol producers include a spectacular range of gins, rums, vodkas, craft beer and liqueurs.

Nae Bad with their delightful horse box will be in attendance with hot and cold refreshments, pancakes, paninis and cakes, Seasonal Flavour will be bringing their tasty range of artisan street food suitable for all ages, Henderson’s fine food has their spit roasted pulled pork and Auld Smokey with their range of wood fired pizza.

A full list of exhibitors will be available on social media prior to the event.

Credit Paul Booth

For almost 200 years, the Braemar Gathering has been a highlight of the sporting calendar in Scotland. Nestled beneath bucolic, heather-strewn mountains, it is the most prominent and well-attended Highland games in the world, drawing vast crowds from across the globe.

Held at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park each September in the beautiful Cairngorms village of Braemar, it is the proud continuation of an ancient tradition of Gatherings here — one that can be traced back to the time of King Malcolm Canmore, over 900 years ago.

The Gathering has been run in its present form since 1832. Queen Victoria attended in 1848, and since then it has been regularly attended by the reigning Monarch and members of the British Royal Family.

Celebrating everything 2 wheeled and 3! With a bit of rock and roll thrown in. 2nd weekend in July – go to our facebook page to find out more.

Below the castle, a tented village will surround the side of the Castle, the mews, café, Balmoral gift shop and stable buildings with exhibitors from near and far vying for your attention with a wide range of beguiling Scottish crafts, food and drink.

A wonderful range of refreshments will be available from Balmoral’s newly refurbished cafes, alongside several street food vendors will be artisan tarts and cakes from the Highland Pâtissier and superb range of homemaking from Rabbit Hole Cakes.

There will be a fine selection of locally produced craft beer, wickedly tempting rum, gin, liqueurs, cider and vodka and the beautiful botanical spirits of Highland Boundary.

For the food enthusiasts amongst us there will be a fine range of home baking, delightful patisseries, exquisite macaroons, a sublime range of salmon, seafood and accoutrements, fresh game in the shape of sausages, steaks, loin cuts and pies. Surprisingly different home made meals, divine Deeside honeys, fabulous cheeses, any amount of mouth watering fudges, bespoke chocolates together with old fashioned confectionary and not forgetting truly delightful pickles.

With the Christmas season just around the corner, this would be such a delightful way to start exploring all the gift options our exhibitors have to offer.

This will be one of our largest events to date with a tantalising collection of artisan art and craft. The ranges will include aromatic candles, antler art, skincare and soaps, captivating ceramics and artworks, a fine array of beguiling jewellery, luxurious textiles, awe inspiring photography, charming stationery, recycled homeware, enticing stained glass, the loveliest of children’s clothes and the cutest of wooden gifts and toys to name just a few.

A full list of those taking part will be available on social media in the weeks leading up to the event.

Over the years cancer has had a profound impact on my own family and those dearest to me, I’ve decided to participate in the Ultra White Collar Boxing event to raise as much funds in aid of Cancer Research UK as i can.

Every donation, regardless of the amount, contributes to this important cause and is highly appreciated!

For ticket information, feel free to message me or visit the UWCB boxing website.

We are so excited to be welcoming Harry Bird back to the tipi! Drawing on British folk, Americana and other world music genres, his live performances are an intimate cabaret of finely crafted songs, freewheeling anecdotes and good humour. Original, entertaining and thought provoking, his feel-good shows are not to be missed.

Harry Bird is an internationally acclaimed songwriter and has spent the last 15 years touring hundreds of venues all over Europe and beyond with his guitar, multilingual vocals and a passion for connecting with audiences of all kinds. Now based in Glasgow, after many years in the Basque region, his touring band is made up of bluegrass maestros Rain of Animals and Dundee favourite Sinderins’ Gavin McGinty.

Doors open at 7pm with music starting around 7.30pm and the bar will be open serving a selection of drinks and snacks. This is a standing gig, but please do let us know if you require a chair.