Posts for March, 2024

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This guided walk will take us to the 16th century tower house of Blairfindy and begins outside the iconic Glenlivet Distillery. On the walk in we’ll enjoy stunning views over one of Scotalnd’s most famous glens. You’ll learn a bit about Glenlivet’s rich history and some whisky history too.

Blairfindy Castle was completed in 1564 by John Gordon. In 1586 Blairfindy passed to the Earls of Huntly, another branch of the family, who used it as a hunting seat. A panel above the arched doorway bears the Gordon arms and this date. In its heyday Blairfindy was a fine example of a three storey L-plan tower house and even today shows a remarkable degree of preservation.

Research has shown that the castle was probably burned by troops after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and it was not occupied after this time. A project to stabilise Blairfindy Castle took place in 2019, funded through the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership, a programme supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The castle is now open to visitors for the first time in decades and has been specially adapted to encourage nesting birds and pollinators.

Please park at the The Glenlivet Distillery car park. The walk will start from outside the stillhouse under the green signpost marked ‘Blairfindy Castle 1/2 mile’ (see last photo).

Access is by foot along a dedicated track. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for changeable weather.

Toilets are available inside The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre.

Children are very welcome to attend.

Well behaved dogs are welcome.

We would like to express thanks to Foundation Scotland, who fund this event through the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This guided walk will take us to the 16th century tower house of Blairfindy and begins outside the iconic Glenlivet Distillery. On the walk in we’ll enjoy stunning views over one of Scotalnd’s most famous glens. You’ll learn a bit about Glenlivet’s rich history and some whisky history too.

Blairfindy Castle was completed in 1564 by John Gordon. In 1586 Blairfindy passed to the Earls of Huntly, another branch of the family, who used it as a hunting seat. A panel above the arched doorway bears the Gordon arms and this date. In its heyday Blairfindy was a fine example of a three storey L-plan tower house and even today shows a remarkable degree of preservation.

Research has shown that the castle was probably burned by troops after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and it was not occupied after this time. A project to stabilise Blairfindy Castle took place in 2019, funded through the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership, a programme supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The castle is now open to visitors for the first time in decades and has been specially adapted to encourage nesting birds and pollinators.

Please park at the The Glenlivet Distillery car park. The walk will start from outside the stillhouse under the green signpost marked ‘Blairfindy Castle 1/2 mile’ (see last photo).

Access is by foot along a dedicated track. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for changeable weather.

Toilets are available inside The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre.

Children are very welcome to attend.

Well behaved dogs are welcome.

We would like to express thanks to Foundation Scotland, who fund this event through the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Join us at the Discovery Centre in Tomintoul for an all ages stargazing session. We’ll have a briefing in the Discovery Centre before walking down to a nearby stargazing site in a group to look at stars, planets, and constellations and share resources for improving your celestial knowledge.

The Glenlivet and Tomintoul area is one of the best places in the Cairngorms National Park to discover the wonders of the night sky. It is Scotland’s second International Dark Sky Park and the most northerly in the world.

Toilets are available in the Discovery Centre and limited amenities are available in Tomintoul. As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Lots of layers, along with gloves and hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable. Please also wear appropriate footwear for wet conditions. If conditions are unsuitable on the day of the event the organiser will email attendees.

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Have you ever been night walking on Glenlivet Estate? Come and join the dark-side! Join us at The Carrachs Dark Sky Discovery site in the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park for a night walk and stargazing session. We’ll look at stars, planets, and constellations and share resources for improving your celestial knowledge. After dusk the Braes of Glenlivet are an exciting place to walk and explore, and with eyes wide and senses alert you can experience the Estate like never before. Use you senses to listen for nocturnal animals and birds and marvel at the night sky.

The Glenlivet and Tomintoul area is one of the best places in the Cairngorms National Park to discover the wonders of the night sky. It is Scotland’s second International Dark Sky Park and the most northerly in the world.

Please note that there are no toilets or facilities on site but parking is plentiful. As we will be outside in February, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Lots of layers, along with gloves and hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable. Please also wear appropriate footwear for wet and wintry conditions.

In the event of inclement weather attendees will be emailed with updates on the day.

Supported by the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Join us for a showing of the classic film Top Gun.

Licenced bar available. Tickets available to purchase online (preferred). Parking either on the street outside the YMCA building, or there are 2 small public carparks within a minutes walk.

Join us for a showing of the sequel to the classic film Top Gun.

Licenced bar available. Tickets available to purchase online (preferred). Parking either on the street outside the YMCA Building, or there are 2 small public carparks within a minutes walk.

Join us for a showing of the classic film 1984 film Footloose.

Licenced bar available. Tickets available to purchase online (preferred). Parking either on the street outside the YMCA Building, or there are 2 small public carparks within a minutes walk.

Join us for a cinema showing of the Oscar winning film Top Gun.

Licenced bar available. Tickets available to purchase online (preferred). Parking either on the street outside the YMCA Building, or there are 2 small public carparks within a minutes walk.

Join us for a cinema showing of the 1989 American comedy-drama film Steel Magnolias.

Licenced bar available. Tickets available to purchase online (preferred). Parking either on the street outside the YMCA Building, or there are 2 small public carparks within a minutes walk.

Join us for a showing of Steven Spielberg’s coming-of-age drama film The Fabelmans.

Licenced bar available. Tickets available to purchase online (preferred). Parking either on the street outside the YMCA Building, or there are 2 small public carparks within a minutes walk.