Posts for April, 2023

Whisky-enthusiasts will delight in the popular walking trail the Speyside Way. Cragganmore was the first distillery in Scotland to have its site selected and be built specifically to take advantage of its proximity to the Strathspey Railway. This walk follows the route of the old railway from Cragganmore station to Blacksboat Station and back again.

Come and join the Ballater Walking Festival. We have 3 or 4 walks a day, from Strenuous uphill routes , Moderate walks, Easy walks and walks of Special Interest. The walks start on Sunday 4th June and are every day until and including Friday 9th June. Walkers meet in Ballater at the hut on the green in the centre of the village , usually at 8am (Strenuous), 9am (Moderate) and 10am for the Easy and Special Interest walks. Friendly and informative leaders.
There is also a programme of evening events – a reception, an informative talk about the future of the Cairngorm National Park, and a Ceilidh on the Friday night. These events are free to walkers. We also have a dinner in the middle of the week.
The event is run by a volunteer committee, who would be very happy to welcome you to our friendly festival. Places are still available, so please go on our website, book your walks, and we shall see you in June.

If you’re a couple looking for a ready-made, full day of adventure in the Cairngorms, it doesn’t get much better than this! Join Cairngorms Activities for some thrilling outdoor activities such as canoeing and biking across the Cairngorms National Park, and they will even throw in a tasty lunch too!

If you’re a family looking for a ready-made, full day of adventure in the Cairngorms, it doesn’t get much better than this! Join Cairngorms Activities for some thrilling outdoor activities including canoeing, archery, and for the brave at heart – the leap from our high ropes crate stack!

“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.

The Cateran Dirt Dash is Dirt Dash’s newest event, a co-operation with the Cateran Ecomuseum in Perthshire and Angus, organised by Markus Stitz.

This is a self-supported bikepacking event over two days, taking you around the amazing scenery in the Cateran Ecomuseum, the perfect way to experience the rugged beauty of one of Scotland’s museum without walls.

This event has a shorter route than the Dashes in Dorset and Dunoon and entries are limited to only 50 people in 2023.

Thrive is about riding bikes in one of the UK’s top cycling areas, this is a real celebration of all things bikes.  

Family orientated and with something for every one – let kids learn the joy of bikes, buddies and getting out there – with superb trails for every level. 

Open every Thursday morning at Grantown Community Centre YMCA

We have a few tables left at our sale. Get in touch to book yours. £15 per pitch (indoor and outdoor).

So far we have home bakes, bric-a-brac, handmade crafts and vintage goods (to name a few).

Proceeds to Ballater & Crathie’s Coronation Celebrations.

Bring your own picnic, seat and blanket and come and join the fun!