Posts for August, 2025

Across mainland Europe, the Eurasian lynx is staging a comeback. Freed from the pressures of unsustainable hunting and benefiting from a softening of public attitudes, this enigmatic feline has been successfully reintroduced into several countries and is now growing in numbers and expanding its range.

This special Learning Day will explore what a reintroduction in Scotland might look like, what challenges we might face and how we might manage coexistence.

We will also explore what it would be like to walk in the lynx’s footsteps once again, as we sharpen our senses to forgotten cues and learn how to identify and track pine martens, wildcats, badgers and foxes, comparing their behaviours and signs to those of a lynx. We will learn to think both like a lynx and like the lynx’s prey, experiencing the landscape through their eyes, ears and noses, as we seek to re-imagine how our woodlands would feel in the presence of this apex predator.

The Learning Day will cover:
– An introduction to lynx ecology and behaviour
– What a Scottish reintroduction might look like
– How a lynx reintroduction could benefit Scotland
– Remaining barriers to a lynx reintroduction and how they might be overcome
– Thinking like a lynx – tracking skills and the art of silent stalking
– Living with lynx – a fresh look at life (and death) through the eyes of a roe deer

Ashley Fripp returns for his 7th visit to Boat of Garten as a guest of TOMS. His programme will consist of music by Bach, Schumann, Beethoven, Brahms and finishing with Chopin’s Sonata No 3, op 58.

All are welcome to join us as we give thanks for the animals in our lives. This is a short service with a couple of well known hymns. We invite you to bring your pet or companion animal with you. There will be the opportunity to have a blessing prayed over your pet.

CARMEN CO will appear as guests of The Osprey Music Society. The ensemble comprises Emily Andrews (flautist / mezzo), David Massey and Francisco Correa (guitarists). It is a performance of Spanish and Spanish inspired Music, presented with a storyline which roughly follows the story of Bizet’s opera Carmen, but told from her point of view – an evening of fantasy, comedy, drama and tremendous music, all arranged by the musicians.

The cello and piano duo of Ashok Klouda and Irina Botam will perform as guests of TOMS. Their programme will include music by Schubert, Schumann, Beethoven and a cello solo composed for Ashok by his wife Natalie – the renowned violinist and composer. Ashok will be making his 6th visit to Boat of Garten since he first came in 2011, this time with Irina on her 3rd visit with him.

Music by Purcell, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Vaughan Williams and others, sung by ten-year-old Jerome Collins who sings with the boys’ choir Libera. His accompanist will be Professor Martin Ashley, teacher, researcher and author on boys’ singing voices, who will also tell us more about the music Jerome will be singing. A lovely event not to be missed. Admission free (donations welcome). Drinks in the church hall from 7 onwards, concert starts at 7.30.

Join us for a walk around Moray’s earliest surviving tower house, reputedly built for Scotland’s vilest man, Alexander Stewart—the infamous Wolf of Badenoch. Drumin Castle, an impressive medieval fortification, stands on a commanding bluff overlooking the confluence of the River Livet and the River Avon.

Upon reaching the castle, you’ll learn about its architecture, history, and the notorious Wolf, whose evil deeds continue to cast a long shadow over Moray’s history.

Drumin Castle has now reopened after masonry repairs, with access to the first floor now possible via a narrow stone staircase. Sensible footwear is recommended.

Step back in time and uncover the mystery of the Picts with the Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage and Dark Sky Ranger. This engaging talk and tour will introduce you to the Pictish people, their unique art, and the symbol stones that continue to inspire centuries after they were carved.

Set within the ancient and atmospheric site of Inveravon Church—an important place of worship and pilgrimage for generations—we’ll closely examine the intricate carvings on the four remarkable Pictish stones discovered here. You’ll learn how these enigmatic symbols fit into a wider cultural story and how the Picts helped lay the foundations of modern Scotland.

Cairngorm Community Cinema’s next event brings you the new film by Andrew DeYoung, starring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson, “Friendship”.

A bizarre comedy tackling why it is so hard to make friends. Suburban dad Craig falls hard for his charismatic new neighbour, as Craig’s attempts to make an adult male friend threaten to ruin both of their lives.

Doors 6.30pm.
Special guest TBC.

See you there!

Join us for a warm Highland welcome, great food and live music every Wednesday this summer.