Posts for May, 2023

Come down to The Balavoulin to see some awesome live music. We have tables available to book food up until 8pm and then relax with a drink to see Chris Grant from 9pm.
Free local event with plenty of fun to be had.
See you on the dancefloor!

“Superb ensemble…Earthtones Trio really are excellent” Alexander Armstrong, Classic FM

“..a suitably uplifting counter-blast to these dismal times..” The Scotsman

“Stevenson’s classy arrangements elicit irrepressible charm with never a cliched moment”. Ken Walton, Vox Carny


About the repertoire
Blending elements of classical, jazz, folk and the Scottish hymnal tradition, Earthtones Trio’s music contains uplifting melodies, flowing accompaniments, infectious rhythms and a mixture of ancient and modern harmonies.


The original material by pianist Euan Stevenson is accessible and melodic, marrying classical, jazz, folk and cinematic influences as borne out by the recent Classic Music Live! Falkirk (CMLF) and Chamber Music Scotland co-commission: Sound Tracks.


In addition, the players perform unique arrangements of festive music (as championed by Classic FM) as well as light-hearted solo and duo interpretations of well known classical and jazz themes by composers such as Bach, Satie, Debussy, Ellington, Gershwin, Mozart and Liszt.


About Earthtones Trio
Alongside composer/arranger Euan Stevenson on piano, Earthtones Trio features internationally acclaimed Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) principal members, flautist Katherine Bryan and cellist Betsy Taylor. Harnessing the charisma of these outstanding soloists, (Bryan was voted one of the top 6 flute players in the world by BBC Music Magazine) Stevenson draws upon his background in classical, jazz and film to write melodic original compositions interspersed with novel arrangements of familiar melodies that are perfect fare for an enjoyable and richly rewarding concert experience.


Co-Commissioned by CMS and Classic Music Live Falkirk, in April 2022 Earthtones Trio premiered a suite of 9 original compositions by Stevenson entitled Sound Tracks, a musical celebration of the history and rebirth of Falkirk and the Central belt in the form of a musical love letter to the composer’s home town. Stevenson describes the music as “cinematic and autobiographical in the sense that it is a sound track to accompany my own memories of the people and places that shaped my childhood but it is also a celebration of both the rich history and the fascinating recent cultural landmarks of this remarkable area”.


Betsy Taylor is Associate Principal Cello at the RSNO and has performed with all of the major U.K orchestras as well as recording with popular artists Nigel Kennedy, Gary Barlow, John Barry, Lesley Garrett, Russell Watson and Katherine Jenkins.


In addition to appearing as a concerto soloist with leading orchestras throughout the U.K and worldwide, Katherine Bryan is Principal Flute with the RSNO, a position which she has held since the age of 21. She has performed live broadcasts on Classic FM, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Television and is recognised as one of the world’s leading classical flautists of her generation.


Euan Stevenson has performed throughout the UK, Europe and America in jazz and classical contexts. His compositions and performances have been broadcast across BBC Radio, Classic FM and Jazz FM and performed by leading ensembles such as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and The English Chamber Orchestra. In 2015 he was one of three UK composers nominated for the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Award for Composition. He has performed with some of the UK’s leading jazz musicians including Dave Newton, Jim Mullen, Anita Wardell and Tina May.

Celebrate National Meadows Day with us on a walk to enjoy the beauty of summer wildflowers!

We will walk the Invertromie Trail and see lots of different flowers, from the common, such as bird’s-foot trefoil, bedstraws and stitchworts, to the uncommon, such as rockrose and petty whin. The highlight of the walk will be gorgeous Tromie orchid meadow where we will hope to see five species of orchid, including heath fragrant orchid and small white orchid.

Some areas may be rough underfoot. This 5k/3mile route is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies, and we recommend sturdy footwear.

Feel free to bring a packed lunch with you as we will be having a lunch stop. There are no facilities to buy food on site – the nearest shops and cafes are in Kingussie.

Under 12s free.

Join us in Abernethy Forest for a behind the scenes masterclass with Cairngorms Connect Venison.


Together we will experience the whole journey, from forest to fork:

*Cairngorms Connect deer stalkers will talk about the methods, equipment, ethics and sustainability of deer stalking for conservation management and will demonstrate lardering the deer.

*A local butcher will then teach us about butchering, all the different cuts of meat and what they are best used for, and you can even have a go yourself.

*We will then settle down in the tepee at the Dell of Abernethy for a live cooking demo by a local professional chef, discovering unusual venison dishes and different ways to incorporate venison easily into our diet; before finally tasting all the dishes.


Please note the exact location of the event will be provided upon booking.


It is important that all people have equal access to Cairngorms Connect events.

We don’t want finance to be a barrier to people attending and so have made some tickets available for free – please take advantage of this if you need to.

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.

There will be someone at Castle Roy for two days during the Highland Archaeological Festival to show you around.

Both races start and finish at Badaguish, taking you on spectacular new routes using off-road trails through the beautiful forest, loch and mountain scenery of the Glenmore Forest Park. This event is run by Badaguish on behalf of the Speyside Trust.

Saturday 7th The Half Marathon
Sunday 8th The 10k For All

Discover Curlew secrets throughout the breeding season with the Curlew LIFE team! Get a great view of the birds with our binoculars and scopes and put your questions to us about these curious birds.

No need to book – just drop in any time from 9am to 11am.

For more info, email us at insh@rspb.org.uk.

Cairngorms Activities are on hand to show you around their amazing facilities and are also giving you the chance to try your skills at 5 separate competitions that they have laid on for you. Prizes for all winners!

● Golf Closest to the pin
● Frisbee Golf long putt
● Football Golf long putt
● Welly Wanging
● Toss the Caber

Cairngorms Activities are also offering give-it-a-go sessions for Archery and Laser Clay-pigeon shooting.

Planning your own event large or small?

Come and meet the team from Speyside Kitchen a home grown catering company based in the Cairngorms National Park who will be on hand to talk with you about their comprehensive catering packages. Our local produce being at the heart of all.

This is a celebration of Mrs Grant of Laggan and we will be joined by one of her descendents and her husband, who are visiting from America.

We’re planning a lively evening of music and song with a wealth of weel-kent local talent – including Roger Sharp, Elizabeth Thomson, Margaret Bennet, Dick Webster, The Feis Spe Juniors and the Badenoch Waulking Group. 

Throughout the evening, Mary Stewart will read some excerpts from Mrs Grant’s ‘Letters from the Mountains’ … and there will be a little bit of dancing.

A First Thursday of the month ride when possible. Location to be decided each month. Type of ride to be clarified each time. Also for potential new members.