Posts for January, 2024

The Dava Way is the perfect race to transition from marathons to ultras, or if you are a seasoned ultrarunner looking for a quick 50km.

This trail links the historic towns of Grantown-on-Spey and Forres, with a “fun” finish to show you the RD’s favourite running spots as a child to make the 50km distance! The route predominantly follows the old Highland Railway line, which means an off road yet runnable trail.

The flat line goes up to the Dava Summit (1050ft) – which will keep things interesting! – before descending down to sea level. With a mix of woodland, moorland and farm track, the Dava way is one of Scotland’s hidden treasures!

Highlights include:

The Divie viaduct, the trail’s icon, saved from demolition by Lord Laing
Huntly’s Cove, a gorge where the 2nd Marquis of Huntly holed up in 1645
Dava summit at 321 m/1052 ft, with a replica of the original sign
The Breathing Place at DunphaiI, a place to stop, picnic and enjoy nature, near the viaduct
The Halfway Hut, restored as a shelter and picnic point (with solar panels)
Two wood sculptures: a dragoon near the summit and a collie dog which used to convey messages

Cancelled due to snow conditions…. 12.3.24

A full weekend demo-ing boards, backcountry seminars and BBQ at the Ravenscraig B&B Aviemore on the Saturday evening. It’s going to be a cracking weekend. Keep an eye on our socials for updates.

The Abirneithi Sinfonia is a group of amateur orchestral musicians from all over Scotland, including Strathspey, who gather for a weekend of playing together. On Sunday evening a concert is held at 6.00pm in the Nethy Bridge Community Centre.

Music on this concert ranges from “Thunder and Lightning Polka” (Strauss), Juba Dance (Florence Price) and Danzon No 2 (Arturo Marquez)

Entry is by donation with all the donations going to the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team.

Event costs, hall hire and conductor, are covered by the musicians.

Yoga class in our fabulous newly refurbished facility here in Ballater. Suitable for all ages and abilities. Bookings are essential to reserve your space.

Join us for Burns Night here at the Craigendarroch. Enjoy a delicious supper with a traditional address to the haggis and bagpipes played by James Cooper.

You’ll taste four spirits including gin and rum made at Lost Loch Distillery near Aboyne on Royal Deeside, while listening to the story of the Lost Loch, how Haroosh began and why we made Scotland’s first absinthe, Murmichan.

The event will only go ahead with a minimum of 4 guests – if the event is cancelled, your fee will be refunded in full.

Every year since 1984, mushers from the UK have gathered in the forests around Aviemore for the biggest event in the British sled dog racing calendar, The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain Aviemore Sled Dog Rally January 27th-28th will be the 40th anniversary rally and also the last ever SHCGB Aviemore Rally.

Organised by the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain in conjunction with Forestry and Land Scotland and sponsored by CSJ specialist canine feeds, Leucillin, and Photizo Light Therapy .The race is run on forest trails around the beautiful Loch Morlich, in the shadows of the Cairngorm mountains.

From an original of only 12 teams, the race is now one of the most prestigious sled dog races in the UK . The race features teams of between two and eight dogs pulling their musher on a sled around a four to seven mile trail. If there’s no snow at ground level for the event, the races still go on with mushers using a three-wheeled or four wheeled rigs. There are eight adult classes and two children’s classes and mushers range from just 8 years old to over 60. Along with the Siberian Huskies, race dogs include Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, Greenland Dogs and Canadian Eskimo Dogs – the pedigree breeds of dogs first bred to pull sleds in Arctic conditions hundreds of years ago

The trail is a designated cross-country ski course and is clearly defined. The Start lies just over the wooden bridge from the car park and runs parallel to the ski road for a short distance before entering the forest. The first part of the trail is quite demanding, but then runs along the loch side to the Finish without great problem.

Image credit Judy Wakker

Join us for a traditional evening of food, festivites and more. Bring your own bottle. Booking essential Enquiries and tickets available from Helen Barton
07701078207
helen_barton@hotmail.co.uk

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 small group (up to 8) 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.

Suggested donation £10 on the night helps to support the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park.
Supported by the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

How to get to the Carrachs car park:
Turn east off the B9008 at Auchnarrow (signposted for Scalan) and follow this road right to the end ensuring to follow sign for Chapeltown of Glenlivet. If you are using a navigation system, the postcode AB37 9JS will take you most of the way to Chapeltown of Glenlivet. Drive past Braeval Distillery and at the road end follow the 90-degree right hand turn which leads to the car park. This track is quite potholed and uneven in places so please proceed slowly and carefully.

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Join us at Glenlivet’s Blairfindy Moor Dark Sky Discovery site in the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park for a small group (up to 6) stargazing session. We’ll 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. Blairfindy Moor is a great spot for stargazers and aurora hunters and is located just above The Glenlivet Distillery.
Please note that there are no toilets or facilities on site and parking is limited. 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.

Suggested donation £10 on the night helps to support the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park.
Supported by the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Image credit: Sam Robinson