Posts for July, 2023

Live Entertainment in the Lounge Bar with Chris Grant Guitarist Singer

Live Entertainment in the Lounge Bar with Kevin Fraser Guitarist Singer

Scalan was originally the site of a secret Roman Catholic seminary where priests, known as ‘heather priests’ were trained in the 1700s when Catholicism was prohibited. Following the departure of the priests in 1799, Scalan reverted to a farm.

Two steading buildings were built housing corn threshing mills which served the Glenlivet farming community. The threshing machines and water wheels are still in place along with a wealth of historical graffiti telling the story of farming life in the 19th and 20th centuries.

A major project to conserve the mill buildings took place in 2019, restoring the waterwheel and lade in North Mill and improving visitor access to the site. This was funded through the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Join members of the Scalan Association and Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage Ranger Lydia on a guided tour of the site and the mill buildings. In addition to being a special area of historical interest, this area of the Glenlivet Estate abounds with oystercatchers, curlews, and lapwings in the spring and summer months – be sure to bring your binoculars if you have them.

We will be meeting in the Carrachs car park before proceeding by foot along a farm track, 1km from the car park at the end of the public road. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for changeable weather.

Donations to the Scalan Association on the day are most appreciated and help them to care for this special place.

Children are very welcome to attend.
Toilets are available on site in the summer months.

Well behaved dogs are welcome in the mill buildings, but are not permitted in the seminary. Please note that sheep and other livestock live on site. Please be aware that there may be cattle present on the walk in.

Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Join us for a walk around Moray’s earliest surviving tower house reputed to have been built for Scotland’s vilest man- Alexander Stewart, the Wolf of Badenoch. Drumin Castle is an impressive medieval fortification standing on a commanding bluff overlooking the confluence of the River Livet and the River Avon.

Once we get to the castle, you’ll learn a bit about the architecture, history, and the notorious Wolf, whose evil deeds continue to cast a long shadow in Moray’s history.

“Cathedral and Toun

Wyld wrath did engulf

Lone Lochindorb Castle

The lair of the Wolf”

This castle has recently reopened after masonry repairs. Access to the first floor is once again possible via a narrow, stone staircase. `Sensible footwear is recommended.

Please park at the The Drumin Castle car park. This short circular walk will start from the Drumin Castle sign in the car park. Access is by foot along a pedestrian trail and will return by a set of steps. Please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

Toilets are not available on site.

Children are very welcome to attend.

Well behaved dogs are welcome.

Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This Heritage Ranger led castle 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 fantastic views over the glen. 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 never repaired or 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.

Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Experience Insh Marshes from a new perspective!

Under the guidance of an instructor from Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, our team member will lead this special guided tour through the reserve, where you can experience the unique habitats and species at Insh Marshes from the water.

Choose either to canoe or paddleboard: feel free to bring your own if you have one, but don’t worry if not – thanks to funding from the Endangered Landscapes Programme through Cairngorms Connect, equipment hire is included with your ticket, if needed.

Participants will also be welcome to claim 20% off a meal or snacks in the Boathouse Restaurant to refuel after the event.

Children over 12 welcome, under 18s with an accompanying adult. We will meet at the Loch Insh Outdoor Centre car park.

It is important that all people have equal access to Cairngorms Connect events. We are happy to provide for your requirements, wherever possible eg. BSL interpreters, off-road wheelchairs, adapted bikes etc. If have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch.

This year, award winning Clive John pays homage to Cash’s career as the Man In Black, alongside his iconic wife June Carter (Meghan Thomas) and The Roadshow Horns. With all the hits like Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, Get Rhythm, Orange Blossom Special and Boy Named Sue alongside some of the darker more atmospheric songs such as The Man Comes Around and Hurt, this year’s show is an emotional roller-coaster!

The Spirit of Speyside team, fresh from delivering a record-breaking Whisky Festival in April are bringing another fantastic event to the sampling table with Distilled: Food & Drink 2023.

Taking place 1st and 2nd of September at Elgin Town Hall, the annual event will once again unite Speyside’s best whisky distillers under one roof for a weekend, celebrating the flavour of the region that is home to over half of Scotland’s distilleries with best-selling brands participating alongside small, craft producers.

For those with a palate for other spirits, the event also plays host to many innovative new gin and vodka distillers as well as superior craft breweries. Guests will have a chance to sample the best local drams while learning from master distillers, sip creative cocktails and enjoy Speyside’s growing food scene.

Late summer exhibition showcasing some large wildlife paintings by Andy Graystoke (1939- 2008). Andy worked in wildlife both at London Zoo and at the Highland Wildlife Park, and also painted while there. His paintings are often large scale, detailed gouache works of both animals and birds, beautiful studies.

We will also show other paintings and photographs by local artists, as well as crafts including ceramics, glass, tweed, wood and jewellery. The gallery is also a working fine art studio for artist Kirsty Ritchie and glass artist Anne Bridgen.

Please note Saturday times are 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm

The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most dramatic things to see in the night sky between July and August. In 2023 the Perseid meteor shower is active between 17 July and 24 August. Join members of the Cairngorms Astronomy Club and TGDT at the Field of Hope and at the Tomintoul Bird Hide to experience this special celestial phenomena.
The meteors are called the Perseids because they appear to originate in the constellation Perseus.
If the skies aren’t clear on Friday the 18th of August, another chance to view them will be offered at the same time on Saturday the 19th of August.