Posts for February, 2025

Returning for 2025 is our popular Bivvy Trek. We will once again be returning to Ben Macdui in what will be a unique experience on the UK’s second highest mountain.

This trek will start at 6pm (1800hrs) from the Cairngorm Mountain upper car park. This is slightly later than our usual treks with the idea we will reach the summit of Ben Macdui just before midnight, able to enjoy the late light of midsummer from the comfort of our bivvy bags. The following day we will have a relaxed morning with a cooked breakfast prepared by your guide, with a return journey via Loch Avon and a second Munro summit of Cairn Gorm.

A bivy adventure for us is all about feeling connected to the environment you wish to be in. Tents are great and offer a lot of comfort but once you close the doors you miss that immersive experience with what’s going on outside. Bivvying also avoids many of the issues surrounding pitching a tent, for example unsuitable ground or finding a large enough area to accommodate a group. You literally find the perfect spot, lay yourself down, watch the sunset or simply open your eyes throughout the night to gaze up at the sky.

Provided on this trek is a lightweight Bivvy (348 grams), cooking equipment, hot drinks and breakfast. We recommend you have a meal before setting off. Your guide will also provide and carry all safety gear including a large tarp for the group to sleep under if the weather is wet. All other equipment is to be provided by the client including sleeping bag and mat. This is a great introduction to minimalist wild-camping.

This lightweight 3 day trek in the Cairngorms includes 2 high wild camps and a more leisurely way of summiting the UK’s next 5 highest mountains, all over 4000 feet, after Ben Nevis – Ben Macdui, Braeriach, Carn Toul, Angels Peak and Cairn Gorm. Additionally there will be an option to summit the additional Munros of Devil’s Point and Carn a Mhaim. It will also give you plenty of time to fully absorb and appreciate the unique environments presented in the central Cairngorms.

Starting at the Sugarbowl our route will take us through the dramatic and narrow rocky pass of the Chalamain Gap before gently descending to the Lairig Ghru. We will then ascend into a true mountain environment over Sron na Lairig and our first summit of Braeriach (1296m 4250ft) followed by our first high camp near to the Wells of Dee [Source of the River Dee]. Once camp has been set up there should be opportunities to explore the stunning views westwards down to Loch Einich and eastwards across the dramatic corries down to the Lairig Ghru.

Day Two will take us around the edge of the vast An Garbh Coire and over Sgor an Lochain Uaine (Angels Peak: 1258m 4126 feet), above the hanging Loch Uaine, then steeply over Carn Toul (1291m 4234 feet) before crossing Stob Coire an t-Saighdeir before descending to the head of Coire Odhar. This should allow a quick ‘no pack’ ascent to the top of Bod an Deamhain (Devils Point: 1004m 3293 feet). Our route then takes us down past the world famous Corrour Bothy, across the River Dee and up the Tailleur Burn to our final camp on the shoulder of Carn a Mhiam. For the energetic, an evening packless walk along the ridge to the summit of Carn a Mhaim (1037m 3,401 feet), and back, will be offered.

Day Three leads us to the summit of Ben Macdui to the second highest mountain in Britain at 1309m (4293 feet). We will then meander ‘off track’ toward the atmospheric Feith Buidhe plateau region above Loch Avon with views down to the Shelter Stone area. The route will then take us over the northern crags above the Loch following a pathless, but easy ascent, to the popular summit of Cairn Gorm (1244m 4080 feet) before descending the less touristy Fiacaill a’ Choire Chais, and into the atmospheric enormity of Coire an t-Sneachda, before finishing our journey at the Cairngorm Mountain Ski Centre [Coire Cas].

This is a description of our intended route but it will be adapted as necessary in relation to weather conditions and the performance of the group.

Everything is provided – all food and wild-camping equipment.

This NOSAS seminar brings together speakers from across Scotland who will contribute to an understanding of the ways that the roof was supported in pre-improvement vernacular buildings in Scotland. Cruck-framed construction has been a traditional method of supporting the roof across Scotland. But there were areas of Scotland where there is no or little archaeological evidence of cruck-frames. What preceded crucks? And why were they superceded in the late 18th and early 19th centuries?

In the afternoon we will be guided round the constructed pre-improvement buildings at the Folk Museum by Bob Powell, who was a previous Principal Museums Officer at the museum.

Three years in the making, Riverwoods is a feature-length documentary that shines a light on the perilous state of Scotland’s salmon and tells the compelling story of an inextricable relationship between fish and forest.

Open to all.

Whether you are just starting out in the sport, or an experienced triathlete chasing a PB, this event will give you the chance to push yourself whilst experiencing some of the best views the Cairngorms has to offer.

Join us at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre on Sunday 22nd June 2025!

Registration will be open from 9:30am at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, giving you plenty of time to set up your transition zone.

Fitnessat58° Founder, Sam Cairns will lead an event brief and warm up on Loch Insh beach at 11:45am, before the race begins at 12pm.

The race will start and finish is at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre. There will be vehicles available for you to leave your belongings during the race.

Car parking will be available at the Kincraig Shinty Pitch, next to the Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, just two minute walk from the car park to registration.

The Speyside Triathlon Distances:
1. 500m swim
2. 18km cycle – 70% gravel/forest tracks and 30% road
3. 10km run – 90% gravel/forest tracks and 10% road

Come and join us for this extra special music event – home-grown folk music, local heritage and good company, in the Talla nan Ros in the heart of Kingussie, in Badenoch.

Local musicians Hamish Napier (flute, whistles, harmonium, vocals) and Jordan Neil (guitar, Scottish small pipes), a brand new all-Strathspey musical duo, will present a programme of folk music themed on River Spey, surrounding hills and local heritage.

★★★★★ “Napier has the composer’s gift of painting a picture with sound, more evocative that an artist. Superb.” FATEA Magazine

Come and join us for this extra special music event – home-grown folk music, local heritage and good company, in the beautiful surroundings of Boat of Garten Community Hall in Strathspey.

Local musicians Hamish Napier (flute, whistles, harmonium, vocals) and Jordan Neil (guitar, Scottish small pipes), a brand new all-Strathspey musical duo, will present a programme of folk music themed on River Spey, surrounding hills and local heritage.

★★★★★ “Napier has the composer’s gift of painting a picture with sound, more evocative that an artist. Superb.” FATEA Magazine

Come and join us for this extra special music event – home-grown folk music, local heritage and good company, in the cozy atmosphere of Edinvillie Community Hall, near Aberlour.

Local musicians Hamish Napier (flute, whistles, harmonium, vocals) and Jordan Neil (guitar, Scottish small pipes), a brand new all-Strathspey musical duo, will present a programme of folk music themed on River Spey, surrounding hills and local heritage.

★★★★★ “Napier has the composer’s gift of painting a picture with sound, more evocative that an artist. Superb.” FATEA Magazine

Come and join us for this extra special music event – home-grown folk music, local heritage and good company, in the cozy atmosphere of Laggan Village Hall in Badenoch.

Local musicians Hamish Napier (flute, whistles, harmonium, vocals) and Jordan Neil (guitar, Scottish small pipes), a brand new all-Strathspey musical duo, will present a programme of folk music themed on River Spey, surrounding hills and local heritage.

★★★★★ “Napier has the composer’s gift of painting a picture with sound, more evocative that an artist. Superb.” FATEA Magazine

Jenn Butterworth & Laura Beth Slater
Live at Glenbuchat Hall
Saturday 19th July 7.30pm
Entrance £15

Jenn Butterworth and Laura-Beth have each been a presence on the UK folk scene for a number of years. Although both originally from England, they were brought together by the close-knit and progressive Glasgow folk music community, spending lots of their time jamming an eclectic mix of folk music from across the globe, particularly the UK, Scandinavia and America. The years of playing together brought a deep affinity between the two artists; their rhythms lock tightly, their voices blend so closely that it’s often hard to tell them apart. They have developed a natural telepathy: two musicians bound together. Their first duo album ‘Bound’ named in recognition of this enduring connection was released in November 2016, and Jenn and LB are currently working on material for their second album

Jenn Butterworth is one of the UK’s leading folk accompanists, and was awarded ‘Musician of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards, and nominated for the same category in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Laura-Beth Salter takes influence from the Oldtime and Bluegrass music that her parents played whilst she was growing up in Lincolnshire. After spending time studying a Traditional Music Degree in Newcastle she became heavily involved in the folk scene. She is a founding member of The Shee and her most recent collaborations involve Shooglenifty and The MacLean Project led by the world renowned Perthshire singer Dougie MacLean.

As well as touring with their duo, Jenn and Laura-Beth are also members of Kinnaris Quintet, brand new, five-strong band of vigorous, driving, high-spirited musicians who are appearing at festivals