Posts for July, 2026

Challenge Match: Strathspey Thistle F.C. v Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. (First XI), Seafield Park, kick-off 7.45pm. Parking at ground (at own risk) or at Burnfield Avenue Car Park (150m). 10 minutes on foot from town centre. Snack bar, team sheets, merchandise, £50 raffle drawn at half-time.

At Braemar Castle we will be running fun sessions for children every Wednesday at 11am.

There will be games, stories and hands on crafting sessions. No booking required.

Each session will last roughly 1 hour and includes a drink and a snack.

Only £3 per child, accompanying adult goes free!

Wed 15th July, 11am- Jacobites vs Redcoats games in the grounds

Wed 22nd July, 11am- Storytime with Sabine Muir

Wed 29th July, 11am- Spinning and Weaving with The Crafty Guidwives

Wed 5th August, 11am- Spinning and Weaving with The Crafty Guidwives

Wed 12th August, 11am- Sew your own Jacobite Rose

Email info@braemarcastle.co.uk with any questions.

Discover the hidden world of Moths at Dalnacardoch Estate. Starting with a look through the previous night’s moth trap. This special morning event continues with a creative painting workshop, led by artist Jan Hendry, inspired by the remarkable lifecycle of moths, from egg to adult.

Step back to 1745 and experience the sights, sounds and stories of the Jacobite Rising as Jacobites and Redcoats descend on Braemar Castle for a weekend of living history and action-packed battles.

Join us for a spectacular weekend as Jacobite and Redcoat reenactors bring history to life with authentic camps, military displays, living history demonstrations and thrilling skirmishes throughout the day.

Get up close to the action, explore the castle, meet the characters of the past and discover the stories behind one of Scotland’s most dramatic chapters.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Braemar Castle and the Cairngorms, this is the perfect excuse for a Highland day out!

Please note: Last entry to the castle is 4:30pm

Mesmerizing folk duo Ordinary Elephant has spent the better part of the last decade on a never-ending tour that’s earned married couple Crystal and Pete Damore widespread critical acclaim and made fans of luminaries like Tom Paxton and Mary Gauthier. In 2017, the pair took home the International Folk Music Award for Artist of the Year on the strength of their breakout album, Before I Go, and two years later, they returned with the similarly lauded Honest, which the Associated Press hailed as “one of the best Americana albums of the year.” The duo hasn’t slowed down, earning consecutive International Folk Music Award nominations for Album of the Year in 2024 for their self-titled release, and then Artist of the Year in 2025.

This latest eponymous record is the purest distillation of their sound yet, showcasing the arresting power of the couple’s gorgeous harmonies and intricate fretwork. The songs are timeless, rooted in rich, character-driven storytelling, and the performances are similarly transportive, fueled by delicately intertwined banjo, guitar, and octave mandolin. Though the songs were born out of a period of deep uncertainty, the record itself is a work of profound self-assurance, one delivered by a duo whose personal and professional lives embody the limitless possibility of honest, organic collaboration. Press play on Ordinary Elephant, or attend a live performance, and you’ll hear more than just a husband and wife; you’ll hear the sound of sincerity and commitment, of patience and gratitude, of learning to let go of expectation and revel in the simple beauty of the moment.

“This is the kind of music that lingers long after the last note fades.”
— Red Line Roots

“Two become one, in song. Stripped down, intertwined clawhammer banjo and guitar, and hand in glove harmonies surprise the listener with focused intensity and musical mastery. Songs are pouring out of them, and I suspect their rise will be steady. I’m a fan.”
— Mary Gauthier

“…beautiful, soulful, exquisitely simple, and totally essential.”
— Ben Salmon, Bandcamp Daily

“I’m a big fan of Ordinary Elephant—their intimate songs, the weaving harmonies, and the stories that draw you in as if you were gathered around an enchanted campfire.”
— Eliza Gilkyson

“[Their] songs speak, heal, and we need them more than ever.”
— Donald Cohen, No Depression

What is Forest Therapy? Forest Therapy is a slow, mindful immersion in nature which helps us be present in the here and now. Through a series of guided invitations, you are gently invited to explore your connection with your surroundings through your senses in a safe and supported way.

Forest Therapy requires no previous experience of mindfulness. The invitations are open and flexible; there is no wrong way to participate, no special skills, physical exertion, or mental effort required.

If you’re feeling in need of some rest, relaxation and restoration, I would love to welcome you along and share this gentle practice with you.

£30 per person. Booking essential.

To book your place, please email foresttherapy@yahoo.com

A drink and light snack are provided towards the end of the session.

Limited to 10 participants to allow for a more personal experience.

Forest bathing is not just a walk in the woods; it’s a science-backed mindfulness practice designed to improve both physical and mental wellbeing. Participants often report feeling relaxed, grounded and restored, and studies have shown improvements in immune function, blood pressure, pain management, memory, concentration, and emotional resilience.

I am a qualified Forest Therapy Practitioner and first aider, with public liability insurance. With over 25 years’ experience as a countryside ranger, I have extensive experience of leading groups of all ages and abilities outdoors.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

🌳🌲🌻🪻🌸🍄‍🟫🌿🐞🦋

Fun activities, coaching, and beginner level courses to introduce orienteering. Suitable for adults and families. No previous experience required.

Yellow and Orange courses available from 1100, last start 1140, for people with some previous orienteering experience.

A short talk on the rare Small Scabious Mining Bee, followed by a guided walk to local nesting sites. Learn about its habitat and food plants, and how you can help support it. Each attendee will receive free Devil’s-bit Scabious plant plugs to take home and support the Bees main food source.

Come along to the Old Bridge Inn and give Screen Printing a try with Colleen from Timber + Stitch.
Suitable for kids age 5+ and adults too

Design your own stencil and screen printing your own Tshirt or tote bag.

Running from 09:00 to 17:00, our camps are designed to keep your young adventurers entertained, active and engaged throughout the day. We run during school holidays and on selected Highland Council in-service days, giving you a full day of supervised fun while you get on with your day.
From thrilling BattleZone laser tag to fun-filled raft-building and target sports, they’ll discover new skills, make new friends and create fantastic memories. Camps can be booked online, and we’ll choose activities to suit the group, the weather and the time of year.

Highlights:
Team-based laser tag: Action-packed BattleZone laser tag to get the adrenaline pumping.
Raft Build: Make a splash, work together and learn new skills.
Choice of Footgolf, Disc Golf or Archery: Fun options to suit different interests.
Archery Challenge: Test your aim with our fun themed targets.
Creative fun: Arts & crafts or quizzes when energy needs a gentler outlet.
Safe and engaging environment: Experienced instructors look after the group all day.