Posts for May, 2021

New research reveals a grim story of a failed experiment with tragic results.
Grantown museum’s latest exhibition shines light on the dark past of Dava moor where enlightened thinking led to misery, evictions and murder….
Combining art, sound, poetry and historical research it tells the story of the mostly abandoned crofts that lie dotted on the landscape of the wild stretch of moorland between Grantown and Forres. The exhibit accompanies a new book written by historian Charles Fletcher who has found evidence of an ambitious agricultural experiment carried out by the Laird of the Grant estates, Sir James Grant, founder of Grantown, which was doomed to failure and led to the eventual evictions of many families in Strathspey.
The show also features fascinating sound recordings of memories from the people who have lived on the Dava, many of whom were the last tenants of the small farms that can be seen today. They tell of happier times in the middle of the last century, scraping a living from the unyielding land but managing to create long lasting friendships within a tight knit community.
​The book accompanying this exhibition will be available
for pre-order from Saturday 22 May.

Our favourite photographer returns for his latest exhibition of photographs featuring the Scottish landscape, wildlife and coastline.
​Jan is based in the Highlands of Scotland and combines his passion of wilderness places and walking to produce creative images of the diverse landscape and nature of our beautiful country.

Twinkle’s Trail – Twinkle, our Shetland Pony, has lost some of her horseshoes around the museum – can you help us find them? Take a peek into the historic buildings and see how many horseshoes you can spot! Fill in your trail sheet and remember to visit our shop to collect your prize. Don’t forget to say hello to Twinkle as you pass by on your way to the Croft – she loves to see her visitors! Please bring your own pencil / pen to use.

Chapel House Arts is both an exhibition venue and also the working studio for Anne Bridgen’s Fused and Light glasswork. Our exhibition in June and early July is by the talented Inverness artist Clare Blois showing her stunning bold landscapes. There will also be a selection of high quality crafts for sale. Fused glass courses can also be booked at this time (charges apply for this).
Please note Sat opening times are 10am to 1pm
Gallery reopening on May 28th 2021

Adventures in Costume
1 – 15 May 2021

Grantown Museum presents an exhibition of its’ collection of reproduction costumes covering the period from the 1750’s to the 1920’s. Most costumes are recreations of, or inspired by, period costumes seen on TV and in film – Outlander, Downton Abbey, Pride & Prejudice, Young Victoria, The Duchess, Marie Antoinette.
We even have a reproduction of the Isabella MacTavish Fraser wedding gown held by Inverness Museum – except ours is made up in Clan Grant tartan (of course!)
There are 20 costumes in all, which have been made in silk, wool, linen & cotton – in creating the costumes we have tried to be as authentic as possible (except for boning – we used modern polyester, not whalebone).
You can even try on the costumes – grown up dressing up!

A brand new ultra trail race based at Mar Lodge near Braemar from High Terrain Events.

The event centre will offer toilets, camping, refreshments and parking with a backdrop of Mar Lodge cared for by National Trust for Scotland.

The route is predominantly following good tracks and trails into the heart of the Cairngorms on a 64km circular route.

Following stunning pine and glen scenery in Glen Derry, the route then follows the Lairig an Laoigh pass to the Fords Avon. The trail then swings east down Glen Avon below the mighty Ben Avon to the scenic waterfalls at the Linn of Avon. The route then turns south past Loch Builg and over the shoulder of Culardoch before descending to the scented pine forests of Invercauld. A quiet track beside the River Dee returns the runners to Mar Lodge.

The race delivery will adhere to the ongoing guidance from Scottish Government and the relevant sport governing bodies in relation to Covid-19

CHSS welcome everyone to take part in this simply fantastic running event set in the sublime and picturesque landscape of Glenlivet in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.

The event is based at the legendary Glenlivet distillery with superb hospitality and quality event organisation throughout. Runners and Joggers of all levels are very welcome and by taking part you are directly supporting those affected by chest, heart and stroke illness.

10 kilometre road race set in the stunning landscape of iconic Glenlivet Crown Estate in the Cairngorms National Park.
The incredible scenic running route follows quiet country roads which meander around the sublime River Livet passing ancient castles and providing amazing views of this secret glen

Our partnership project intends to restore Scotland’s wildcat population by releasing captive bred individuals into the wild. To be successful, this approach requires long term commitments from both the Saving Wildcats team and from you, our local community.

This is a free, one hour event and members of the team will be doing a few short presentations to introduce those in the area to the different aspects of the project. Afterwards, there will be plenty of time for questions. We want to hear from you!

If you have any questions in the meantime – please get in touch.

Don’t let lockdown stop you celebrating Burns Night in style! Let us do the cooking with our special Burns themed takeaway menu available from Monday 25th to Saturday 30th January.
We will even provide the address to the Haggis in a video on our Facebook page performed by our entertainer Stuart Anderson.
Spend over £50 and we will supply the dram to complete the toast.

Nethy’s Burns Night Menu
Starters
Haggis, Neeps and Tatties
Traditional Scottish Haggis locally sourced, creamy mash, Speyside whisky sauce
or
Nethy’s Bruschetta (V)
Tomato, red onion, basil bound in olive oil set on top of toasted crostini, salad garnish, balsamic glaze
Main courses
Chicken Strathmore
Pan seared chicken breast, locally sourced haggis, creamy mash, seasonal vegetables, peppercorn sauce
or
Steak & Scottish Ale Pie
Tender chunks of Scottish diced beef, light puff pastry, chips, seasonal vegetables
Vegetarian option available on request
Desserts
Traditional Scottish Cranachan
Layers of toasted Scottish oats, raspberries, Speyside whisky cream
or
Pear and Caramel Cheesecake
Mixed berry compote, Chantilly cream

From make shift tents in the garden to climbing the 8000m Peaks. Adele Pennington tells her story of how she made her decision to have a full time career in the mountains after a serious fall in the Alps which left her wheel chair bound for 8 months. The journey that has taken her all around the world experiencing life and culture. Not to mention her very close shave with death on Makalu in 2010.

After a brief career as an Academic and Chemistry school teacher Adele now lives in the Highlands and works as a Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor. Throughout her Mountaineering career Adele has climbed extensively around the world and has had an affinity for climbing at high Altitude. To date she has climbed six 8000m peaks and made some first ascents of mountains in Bolivia and India. Above all though Adele is passionate about her Scottish Mountains and never gives the chance up to have a good day out on the hill.

You will be able to post questions during the Talk so we can have a Q & A at the end. The Talk will remain available to view on our channel – so if you can’t make the live event you can view it later.

One not to miss!

Once again this online Boat Talk will be free to watch, but we welcome donations to the Hall which we use to support the Talks and our speakers 😊 Click here to donate: https://bit.ly/3nBxrI8