Posts for March, 2025

This spring foraging course is an invitation to learn about the edible and medicinal spring plants found in the grounds of Blair Castle & Gardens. Spring is a special time for foraging and this walk will give us time to celebrate the best of this season, as the plants wake from the winter providing the first flowers, leaves and nutritious seeds of the growing season.

The course consists of a 2.5 hour foraging walk, in which you will learn lifelong identification techniques, inspiring recipe ideas, and a wealth of ethnobotanical tales.
During the walk we will move through a variety of habitats – woodland, meadow, hedgerow and garden – taking time to connect with each surrounding environment, noticing their changing flora and subtle variations in character.

We will finish up with a wild tea and homemade cake and biscuits in Hercules Garden, with time to revise the plants learnt and how best to store them for future use.
All participants will also receive a personalised PDF containing information about all the plants met.
 
This course will give you:
How to safely identify over 15 edible and medicinal spring plants and trees
Methods and techniques for how best to work with them as food and medicine
A time of mindful walking among beautiful grounds
Exciting recipes to regularly include wild plants in your meals
What to bring:
Shoes that are comfortable and waterproof
Wet weather gear in case of rain
A basket or container

Meeting point:
Meet on the green in front of the castle, next to the ‘The Cannon’ coffee cart.
Date: 10th May 2025 or 11th May 2025
Time: 10.30-13.30
Cost: £45, kids go free.
 
FAQs:
Are children allowed?
Yes, but one child must be accompanied by at least one adult. (16+).
Are there toilets?
Yes, toilets can be found in the Banvie Hall next to the restaurant.
Are dogs allowed?
The pace of foraging walks is quite slow, so if you think your dog will be bored by lots of standing still – then this might not be the walk for them!
 
About foraging expert, Tamara Colchester
Over the past eight years, Tamara has studied wild plants, she explored how people can live off the land in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in the UK. She has gained incredible knowledge of plants, their food and medicinal benefits, and how our dietary needs change with the seasons.

The Atholl Gathering and Highland Games will return to Blair Castle on Sunday 25th May 2025 and tickets available to purchase online.

The Atholl Highlanders officially open the Highland Games with a ‘March On’, led by the sound of their pipes and drums.

Strongmen from around Scotland take centre stage to battle it out. Events include tossing the caber, putting the shot and throwing the hammer. There are plenty of other attractions, such as highland dancing, tug o’ war, solo piping, trade stands and refreshments to provide a fun day out for all the family.

Full event details will be released soon.

Join us in the ballroom at Blair Castle on Thursday 28th August at 7.30pm for a live performance from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Experience an evening of energy and elegance as Jakob Lehmann conducts the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a concert that sparkles with wit and youthful charm.

The night begins with Rossini’s ever-popular Overture to The Barber of Seville, a whirlwind of bustling brilliance and comedic flair. SCO Principal Clarinet Maximiliano Martín takes centre stage for Spohr’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2, a lyrical gem of the Romantic era that Maximiliano champions with passion and virtuosity.

The concert concludes with Schubert’s Symphony No. 2, a joyful work that brims with youthful exuberance, irresistible melodies and boundless energy.

Kindly supported by Eriadne & George Mackintosh, Claire & Anthony Tait and The Jones Family Charitable Trust.

There will be an interval with tea, coffee and soft drinks available.

Programme:
ROSSINI – Overture, The Barber of Seville
SPOHR – Clarinet Concerto No 2 in E-flat, op 57
SCHUBERT – Symphony No 2 in B-flat
Jakob Lehmann conductor
Maximiliano Martín clarinet

Tickets available from the SCO: Rossini & Schubert | Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Join us at Blair Castle & Gardens this Easter for some family fun. We have an Easter Egg Hunt at the castle throughout the school holidays and some extra special activities on Easter Sunday.

After all that Easter eggcitement why not head to the Tullibardine Restaurant for some Easter themed treats!

Easter Egg Hunt | 5th April – 22nd April

Inside the Castle
Join in with our Easter Egg Hunt inside the castle throughout the Easter holidays. Collect your prize from the shop upon completion!

Available for free with a Castle ticket.

Easter Sunday Fun Activity Day | Sunday 20th April | 11am – 3pm
Banvie Hall (The glass entrance doors at the far end of the Castle)
Meet the Easter Bunny at the Banvie Hall at 11am to guide you through our fun children’s activities this Easter Sunday. The events below will flow from one into the next and there are prizes for both competitions and the Egg Hunt.

– Easter egg decorating competition

– Easter egg rolling competition

– Easter Egg Hunt in Hercules walled garden

– Deer Feeding

Admission included with a Gardens and Grounds ticket.

Enjoy a night of Scottish Ceilidh music with BlackRock Ceilidh Band at The Duke Of Gordon Hotel

Grantown’s artists and makers are opening the doors of their studios in May, allowing you to peek behind the scenes and learn more about their craft.

From painters to ceramicists, from photographers to fabric artists. There is a myriad of beautiful artwork in our town, just waiting to be discovered.

Follow the trail through Grantown to meet Rona Kant, Joanna Wilson, Angus Grant and more, before heading to the outskirts to see stained glass artist Louise Ogilvy and designers Yellow Broom. Then, travel to Dulnain Bridge to see wildlife painter Justin Prigmore and felt artist Linda Brooks.

This event is kindly funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Grantown Business Association.

Please check listings for individual artists before travelling as times may vary.

Grab a bargain – Pop Up Charity Shop in aid of Boat of Garten Community Hall!

Date: Saturday 3 + Sunday 4 May
Time: 10:00-14:00, daily

Running alongside a Community Cafe!

WE NEED YOUR STUFF
Please donate to our Pop Up Shop…
We are hoping that you will have a clear out and let us find your unwanted items a new home. Please give us your bric a brac and household bits and pieces, quality clothing, outdoor equipment, etc. (Unlike the auction, we are unable to accept furniture or very large items)

Items can be delivered to the Hall during the week prior to the opening (from Monday 28th April). So, if you’re having a clear out just now, remember to keep it aside for us and donate it nearer the time!

Boat of Garten’s Family Fun Day is back!
Put the date in your diary today!

The day will be packed with family fun and games, a Makers Market and BBQ & Cafe with awesome cuisine plus lots more to be announced.

📅 Saturday 21 June 2025
⏰ 12:00-15:00
📍 Boat of Garten Community Hall

Contact Boat Hall:
📧 info@boathall.org.uk
☎️ 01479 831123

Are Car Boot Sales your ‘thing’? If so, book in for our first sale of the year – it’s in August this year!

📅 Sunday 24 August 2025
⏰ 12:00
📍 Boat of Garten Community Hall (playing field)

Our Car Boot Sales will happen in August (outdoor), October (indoor).

If you are interested in holding a stall, please get in touch.
Contact Boat Hall:
📧 info@boathall.org.uk
☎️ 01479 831123

£10 per car to be paid in advance

Are Car Boot Sales your ‘thing’? If so, book in for our last sale of the year! All indoors so we don’t need to worry about what the weather will be doing.

📅 Sunday 05 October 2025
⏰ 12:00
📍 Boat of Garten Community Hall (main hall)

Our Car Boot Sales will happen in August (outdoor), October (indoor).

If you are interested in holding a stall, please get in touch.
Contact Boat Hall:
📧 info@boathall.org.uk
☎️ 01479 831123

£10 per car/space to be paid in advance