Posts for February, 2024

Easily amongst Scotland’s most renowned and celebrated folk groups, Blazin’ Fiddles formed for a one-off tour of the Scottish Highlands in 1999, and are still raising roofs far and wide in their 25th year on the road. Multiple winners of Scotland’s Folk Band of the Year, the six-piece have long been one of country’s foremost and most recognisable traditional outfits, touring far beyond their deep northern roots.


Encompassing a rare and virtuosic selection of the fiddle’s diverse Highland and island voices, in their 25 years the Blazers have undoubtedly become one of the world’s most prolific fiddle ensembles. With group and solo-led sets both backed by powerhouse guitar and piano, the band’s four-fiddle frontline of Inverness’ Bruce MacGregor, Shetlander Jenna Reid, Nairn’s Rua Macmillan, and Orkney’s Kristan Harvey ignites atop second-to-none accompaniment from Anna Massie and Angus Lyon. Like rare single malts, each member draws upon the distinct musical flavours from their rich traditional heritages, collectively packing all the power, passion and sensitivity of Scotland’s music, into a single show.


Blazin’ Fiddles celebrate their quarter-century on the road in 2023, with the hotly-anticipated release of their tenth album, XXV. Whatever the hall – whether of the Highland village or Royal Albert variety – they’ll turn it into the liveliest and warmest of hootenannies, setting the hearts of their audience alight.



“the band’s passion is gloriously infectious… a much loved staple on the Scots traditional scene for the past 20 years” Songlines

“an ensemble of class and distinction” Fatea

“infectious, enlivening and irresistible euphoria” Folk Radio UK

“Music like this is a reminder why Hogmanay celebrations are such fun.” London Evening Standard

“bursting with joie de vivre and personality” Songlines

“the Led Zeppelin of the folk world” / The Scotsman

Folk Band of the Year Nominee 2023 @ Scots Trad Music Awards

“Some of the most exciting trad musicians to emerge in recent years” Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2
“Like a world music festival in one group!” LiveIreland
“New, distinct and infinitely appealing.” Folk Radio UK
“This is original, bold and brave music making.” fRoots

About Dallahan


Forged in Scotland and Ireland’s traditional music scene, but drawing on the music of the Balkans and North America, Dallahan take their listeners on a journey. Traversing styles and countries of the world in a dazzling live show, they create their own unique brand of World-folk delivered with stunning virtuosity. The lineup consists of Jack Badcock on guitar and vocals, Ciaran Ryan on banjo, mandolin and fiddle, Andrew Waite on accordion and Benedict Morris on fiddle.


Following the release of their debut album ‘When The Day Is On The Turn’ in 2014, described by fRoots magazine as “the most exciting Irish music I’ve heard in a long time…Lunasa for the new generation” the band toured extensively in Europe and North America, establishing themselves internationally at such prestigious international events as Milwaukee Irish Fest, Celtic Connections, Tonder Festival and countless others. In its first year, Dallahan was awarded the Emerging Excellence Award from Help Musicians UK and their debut album was shortlisted for ‘Album of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards.


2016 saw the release of their second album, ‘Matter Of Time’, which they performed globally 103 times that year, including travelling to Kathmandu, Nepal on behalf of the British Council to perform at the British/Nepalese bicentenary celebrations. The band was again shortlisted for ‘Album of the Year’ and they were awarded ‘Instrumental Cut of The Year’ at the LiveIreland Awards (USA). In 2019, Dallahan released their third album, (and their first with the European record label, Westpark Records) ‘Smallworld’, to critical acclaim and were shortlisted in the German Music Critics Choice Awards in the Folk category.


To date, they have brought their live show to 20 countries, earned three nominations for ‘Folk Band of The Year’ in 2016, 2019 and 2022 and enjoyed collaborations such as with songwriting legend Dougie MacLean, a commissioned composition and collaboration with
the Royal Scottish National Orchestra at a WWI commemorative concert and also a concert in Kathmandu with Nepal’s folk music exponents, Kutumba.


Approaching a decade together as a band, Dallahan have become a veteran touring outfit and with each album they continue to evolve their sound, as is evident on their upcoming fourth studio album, ‘Speak of the Devil’ which is set for release in early 2023.

For many, standing on top of Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain, is crossing the ultimate frontier, the very edge of human resilience. For Sam, it was more a battle with his own mind, a battle that began years before touching down in Nepal.

Join Sam this April as he shares his journey to conquer Everest, step by gruelling step.

During a soul-searching and inspiring story, he reminds us all that sometimes, the most extraordinary moments in life are found beyond our comfort zone, when we say no to the easy way out.

Come and enjoy our farmers market in the middle of Grantown On Spey. Lots of producers sharing their wonderful produce.

Come and join us for Harleys, local produce and folk having the craic!

Local produce, festive cheer and a super atmosphere – get your Christmas shopping off to a great start!

Seasonal market held in the beautiful Gynack Gardens – right in the heart of Kingussie.

Come and join us to celebrate our local producers, the community and the Cairngorms.

Exhibition of art produced by members of the Society of Badenoch & Strathspey Artists

Dulnain Bridge Village Hall will be hosting a race night on 24 February to help maintain and support running costs of the fabulous village hall. It’s sure to be a fun filled night, further details to follow soon!

“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.

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.