Posts for September, 2025

Bringing his evocative sound to RSPB reserves this Autumn, Merlyn Driver celebrates his love of nature through his new album It Was Also Sometimes Daylight (released 10 October 2025).

Born in Orkney and raised in a home without electricity, Merlyn’s deep connection with the natural world shapes every note of his music. He captivated audiences across the UK with his critically acclaimed 2022 project, Simmerdim: Curlew Sounds in collaboration with the RSPB, earning national radio play and glowing reviews from MOJO, The Guardian, and Songlines Magazine.

Expect a moving blend of music and nature, with the wild voices of curlews, blackbirds, frogs, and more woven into the soundscape.

BattleZone: Apocalypse – The Ultimate Halloween Experience!

Rise and shine for a spine-chilling, Halloween-themed battle in the heart of the Cairngorms! This 2-hour adrenaline-fueled adventure takes place in the atmospheric autumn evening, where you’ll face off in a thrilling digital zombie shoot-off. Armed with infra-red technology and full-size model weapons, battle through spooky scenarios, eerie mini-games, and intense missions.
Perfect for families, friends, and thrill-seekers ages 8+, BattleZone: Apocalypse offers unlimited lives, endless ammo, and unforgettable fun. Are you ready to conquer the apocalypse and end your day with a bang?

Highlights;
Unique Halloween-themed BattleZone experience
Infra-red zombie shoot-off
Multiple game scenarios to keep you on your toes
Suitable for all ages (8+), families, and friends
Halloween candy included!

Pull on your Santa hat and join us for a jolly 2km trail run through the magical Abernethy Forest! Wear something red, bring your festive spirit, and enjoy a fun morning out for all the family.

📍 Registration from 10am at Nethy Bridge Games Field
💷 Entry £5 per person / £15 per family (all profits go to Abernethy Primary School Parent Council)

Primary-aged children must run with an adult.

After the run, warm up with home baking and hot drinks, available to purchase (cash or card accepted).

Bring in the New Year with a magical evening in Nethy Bridge. Starting at 6pm on Lynstock Crescent, Nethy Bridge enjoy hot chocolate and mulled drinks before the procession begins. At 7pm, led by the stirring sound of a young local piper, we’ll light up the village with a sparkling river of torches.

Torches will be available to purchase from 6pm for £5 each. The procession leaves Lynstock Crescent at 7pm.

This family-friendly event is a wonderful way to celebrate Hogmanay together. All proceeds go towards supporting Abernethy Primary School.

Tuesday September 16th, we are super excited to be hosting a local screening of the documentary following our beloved local event, “The Golden Spurtle”.

Constantine Costi’s warm and beautifully crafted documentary lovingly captures the eccentric local villagers who orchestrate the competition every year, as well as the plucky contestants and their determination to make the best bowl of porridge on earth using just three ingredients: oats, water and salt.

Channeling the symmetrical framing and picturesque compositions of Wes Anderson – the film brings the quaint village of Carrbridge to life in a truly cinematic way.

As usual, doors will be 6.30pm, with film on at 6.40pm.

Plus we will have a special post film Q&A with some of the local stars, so bring your autograph books and questions!

Fiver tickets for all. Run by the community, for the community.

Come and explore our Grantown-on-Spey Trail Map during North East Open Studios (13–21 September) and enjoy a unique opportunity to step inside the creative world of local artists. Visit them in their working spaces, chat about their practice, and gain insights into the inspirations and processes behind their work.

If you’re looking for a short, walkable trail, nine participating artists are based in and around Grantown-on-Spey. You can download our trail map to plan your visit, or head further afield to discover many more artists across the North East of Scotland via the North East Open Studios website.

Studios come in all shapes and sizes, from purpose-built creative spaces to private homes, garden sheds, galleries, and more. The art and craft you’ll encounter are as varied as the spaces themselves, reflecting a wide range of skills, inspirations, and experiences. Part of the joy of North East Open Studios is stumbling across artwork you’ll fall in love with in unexpected places and always receiving a warm welcome along the way.

Look out for the yellow NEOS signs guiding you to our artists’ doors. You’ll also be able to pick up a copy of the yellow guidebook from many local shops and galleries in Grantown-on-Spey.

Please check individual artists’ opening hours, as these may vary.

Christmas Day Lunch – pre-booking essential

• Package price £85 per person
• Children under 12 £42.50. Children under 3 eat free

Pipers to welcome you to lunch with crackers on the table. Santa will be paying us a visit on Christmas Day with gifts for all the children.
Please advise at time of booking what time you’d like to dine (see below), and the age of your children, for Santa research purposes!
Times
First seating at 12.00 pm
Second seating at 3.00 pm
Third seating at 6.00 pm

Terms & Conditions

• Offer is subject to availability
• A credit/debit card is required to guarantee the booking
• This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer

EXHIBITION | Yellow Broom | Design + Making

: Creators of bespoke, design-led utilitarian objects

Yellow Broom are a collaborative two-person design studio quietly rooted in the Cairngorms National Park. With foundations in visual art, design and contemporary craft practice, the duo create sculptural, thought-provoking, functional pieces that embody a deep respect for material and process. Narrative, people and place are integral to their work.

The studio collaborates closely with architects, interior designers, fellow makers and private clients to create site-specific and bespoke commissions. Blending traditional making techniques with modern low-waste construction methods results in functional objects that are rich in meaning and crafted to last. These thoughtful, contextual designs are intended to be lived with, used and passed on to future generations.
Each Yellow Broom object is crafted by hand with care and precision.

Centred in their practice is a commitment to sourcing environmentally responsible materials. Every piece is made to order, which promotes a slower, more conscious design culture.

The outcome is as simple as it is powerful: a true testament to their circular approach to making with the future of our planet at heart.

Join us for a lively evening of music, dancing and community spirit at the Nethy Bridge Community Centre.

With live music from the brilliant Cairngorm Ceilidh Band, and a licensed bar, this summer ceilidh is sure to be a great time! The evening promises traditional Scottish tunes, energetic dances and a chance to catch up with friends and neighbours in the heart of our community.

Bring your dancing shoes and come along for a fun and friendly evening for all ages. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Spey Bank Studio is taking part in North East Open Studios for a second year.

This long-running event involves 300 artists opening up their studios to the public for 10 days. That means you can delve into their practice, see their materials and where they spend their days producing amazing artwork.

The event runs from September 13-21, with each artist keeping different opening hours – check the wee yellow book (available from us!) or check the website entries.

This year, as well as Angus’s work, we will be hosting a young local glass artist, Brodie Birss, AKA Brodie B Designs.

Brodie is a graduate of Gray’s School of Art, where she studied 3D design and specialised in glass and metal. She went onto attend Bishopsland Educational Trust, which provides postgraduate education in silversmithing. Since returning to Scotland, Brodie has continued to develop her glass and silver practice.

Her work is inspired by nature, process and material. She believes that that working with our hands and immersing ourselves in nature is essential to mental and physical wellbeing.