Posts for October, 2022

Highland League Cup: Strathspey Thistle FC v Lossiemouth FC, Seafield Park, Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3HY, kick-off 3pm. Snack bar, merchandise, £50 half-time raffle. Parking at ground (overflow parking at adjacent Grantown Golf Club premises by their kind permission, also at Burnfield Car Park 300m). Covered wheelchair spaces and free seating in stand for all when available. N.B. Ground season tickets not valid at tonight’s cup match.

As part of Wee Walks Week, I will be taking a guided tour from the West Lodge of Castle Grant, through the castle grounds to the site of old Grantown, Pictish stone and views of Castle Grant. Return via a stretch of the Dava Way on the old railway line back to the start. Easy walking with no hills following tar road, estate tracks and Dava Way.

As part of Wee Walks Week, join me on a circular walk of Glenbeg. From the A95 just outside Grantown, the walk will follow the Glenbeg Burn on a tar road and farm tracks rising gradually up the glen to Glenbeg farm and Wester Gorton. Hear tales of the associations of the glen with Clan Grant, local place names and the history of this once populous, pretty glen with commanding views of the Cromdale Hills and Cairngorms.

This Hallowe’en weekend, come along to historic 12th century Castle Roy on the outskirts of Nethy Bridge to wonder at the autumn constellations and dark sky. An introduction to the night sky will be given with aids to view the constellations. A short tour of the recently renovated Castle Roy will conclude the evening. This location has free car parking ,easy access short walk and a cabin where hot drinks can be served.

El Salvador is the smallest and most populous country in Central America. Nigel did 3 filming trips there in 2022. He’ll talk about his adventures with Black Sea turtles, Pumas, spider monkeys and humming birds in this land of volcanoes.

Bring in 2025 in style, with a Hogmanay six course tasting dinner at the Rowan Tree Country Hotel Restaurant, just outside Aviemore. Includes prosecco and a dram of whisky!

Session A9 are more than relishing their return to the stage in November. “We can’t wait to get out touring again after all this time and are delighted to finally come and perform at Braemar, after having to cancel our planned tour a couple of years ago. This will be our first tour since lockdowns and I guarantee we will be in great form!”, says fiddle player Charlie Mckerron.

Before the pandemic broke out the band were in rehearsals preparing fresh material for their next recording when all of Scotland came to a sudden stand still. They are now excited at the chance of getting back together to be creative and to make new music which they can bring to their audience as soon as it is possible.

Hailed as “Scotland’s Supergroup” the band are previous winners of “Best Live Act” at MG Alba’s Scottish Traditional Music Awards, with individual band members having achieved awards in their own right.

Each member of Session A9 can be seen on stage with many of traditional music’s most respected bands, including Capercaillie, The Treacherous Orchestra, The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, as well as their own individual ensembles.

Fiddle players Kevin Henderson, Adam Sutherland, Gordon Gunn and Charlie Mckerron are joined as always by David “Chimp” Robertson on percussion, Marc Clement on guitar and vocals, and Brian McAlpine on piano.

The band promises to “raise the roof” bringing their original compositions, exciting arrangements along with their usual skill, fire and enthusiasm, this should be a night to remember!


“A richness of sound that can verge on the symphonic … From reflective to mesmerising to downright barnstorming”. The Herald

“Fiercely bright and energetic contemporary instrumental music with a full heart and a head for invention”. Songlines

“Tighter than James Brown”. The Proclaimers

“The best band to come out of Scotland in a hundred years”. Dougie MacLean.

We will have a good selection of fine art and crafts for you to find some lovely presents!
The fine art will be mainly smaller paintings by numerous local artists.

Dave Fallows was one of the best known local artists, having worked here over decades. He had an art studio at Chapel House Arts until the start of lockdown, when health issues forced him to reliquish the space. Sadly Dave passed away earlier this year, but we are pleased to show a wide selection of his work in watercolour, oil and pastel. Come and find something to remember him by.

We have additional fine art by gallery artists including Bob Kinnaird, Douglas Spalding, Jos Mahon and Miriam Smith, as well as a wide selection of locally produced crafts.

We welcome everyone to our Online Christmas Ceilidh this year.

Join your friends in the Highlands from anywhere in the world, to celebrate Christmas together this year. Connect with the Highland landscape through song, music, myths, stories, poetry and more, no matter how far away you are, as all performers share offer heart -warming responses to the Highland landscapes that is home of the hearts of so many of us.

Bring a story, a project, a song, anything you would like to share, dance along to the tunes, or simply listen from the comfort of your sofa. We welcome people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to sign up to be part of this innovative new project.

The word ceilidh comes from the Gaelic for ‘gathering’ and with this wonderful blend of art and chat from one home to another, we would like to bring together and celebrate the importance of music, song and story together.