Posts for April, 2022

A family fun day on the village Greens in the centre of Ballater on Royal Deeside involving over 50 trade, craft and charity stalls, with entertainment for children including hook-a-duck and bouncy castle. As well as the local shops, restaurants and cafes, there are food stalls on the Green. The Ballater Pipe Band plays and there is live musical entertainment on the stage from Banchory Strathspey & Reel Society, culminating in a giant inflatable duck race on the River Dee at 3pm and a Tote operates if anyone fancies a ‘flutter’ on one of the ducks.

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Now it’s 9th summer exhibition, Gerard is showcasing his recent images from the last six months. His photography is an amalgam of analogue and digital work printed displayed to the highest standards on beautiful fine art paper using archival inks to achieve the outstanding results on display.

Explore the tranquil Insh Church with its ancient Pictish Bell. Hear stories of ghostly goings on the ferry, and if you are lucky see the ospreys on their nest.
The walk will also include a chance to have a go at foraging, learning about the folklore of plants as well as their uses.

Explore this hidden pass on the stunning Mar Lodge estate. Walking up Glen Quoich before crossing to Glen Lui through the spectacular hidden pass of Clais Fhearnaig. Your efforts will be rewarded with stunning views, wildlife and stories from the rangers, looking out for golden eagles, mountain hares, rare orchids and much more along the way.

The lichens in the mountains are often distinctive, brightly-coloured, crazy-shaped and diverse. This afternoon workshop is for those who already know a bit about lichens but want to learn a few montane species they will encounter out ‘on the hill’. You need to be fit for hill-walking and kitted out properly, with layered clothes, sturdy shoes and waterproofs!

Lichens are complex and beautiful, and in the in the pine- and birchwoods around Scotland, they are positively dripping off the trees. Come along and find out what lichens are, how they work, and what stories they have to tell – about working together, toughing it out, and their roles in the nature of the Cairngorms.

Have fun using our map to explore the paths in Church Wood. How many orienteering flags you can find in 30mins? Start anytime from 1.30pm. Course closes at 3.30pm. All ages welcome. We’ll be there to help. Jo and Ian In Celebration of World Orienteering Day Everyone welcome, from beginners to experienced orienteers

Spend a couple of hours in the company of the Queen’s Head Stalker and journey into this magnificent highland estate, discover how red deer are managed. Meet the Queen’s ponies who bring the deer down off the hill, visit the larder and learn how the meat is processed. Target demonstrations & seeing how stalkers are trained is finished with a visit to the stunning ballroom.

Hamish Napier presents his Award Winning album “The Woods” with an evening concert & ceilidh with cabaret style seating. Includes cocktail or mocktail tasting flight featuring the remarkable wild flavours of Scotland’s forests brought to you by flavour innovators Highland Boundary.

Check website for details