Posts for January, 2025

No way! GRINDURO SCOTLAND is a muckle dram of two-wheeled FUN in a laid back atmosphere finished off with a rocking PARTY OF Type 1 fun. (Well ok, you may suffer too.)

Picture it now… a weekend of celebrating all that is great about cycling, part race, part party, surrounded by the stunning scenery of the stunningly majestic Scottish Highlands… you won’t get bored along the route of Grinduro Scotland.

Come experience a Highland Adventure previously known only to insiders: one of secret paths, ancient military roads, winding trails, wooded climbs and gripping descents. All in good company to the familiar sound of gravel crunching beneath.

Grinduro: A 100km ride with the perfect blend of gravel and singletrack.
Grindurito: A half-distance ride for those looking for a more relaxed challenge.

Picture it now… a weekend of celebrating all that is great about cycling, part race, part party, surrounded by the stunning scenery of the stunningly majestic Scottish Highlands… you won’t get bored along the route of Grinduro Scotland.

Come experience a Highland Adventure previously known only to insiders: one of secret paths, ancient military roads, winding trails, wooded climbs and gripping descents. All in good company to the familiar sound of gravel crunching beneath.

This is 12 season that we have hosted the event up the Cairngorm mountain resort. The weekend consists of demos backcountry seminars and a fun wee race. The moneys we raise from the legendry raffle goes towards the Cairngorm mountain rescue team. All event info is on the Facebook page and information can be found on Instagram.

Thunder in the Glens, by Dunedin Chapter Scotland (9083).

The Biggest and best Chapter run Rally in Europe. This event is held in the grounds of the MacDonald Resort and the event is supported by the whole of Aviemiore.

A must-do part of the Harley-Davidson rally scene.

Images credit Andy Martin

Join us at Aviemore Resort for the one and only Scottish Elvis Festival from Friday 4 April to Sunday 6 April 2025. Celebrate the life and legacy of the greatest entertainer that ever lived, Elvis Presley.

Enhance your festival experience with our exclusive Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast offer at the 4-star Aviemore Resort, available exclusively to Elvis Festival ticket holders.

World’s Best Elvis Tribute Artists: Enjoy live shows from renowned artists such as Shaun Hamilton (Scotland), Juan Lozano (Wales), Jay Dupuis (USA), Emilio Santoro, Rob Willis, Louis Brown (England), and Johnny Lee Memphis (Scotland), backed by The Memphis Showband throughout the event.

Your Festival Experience Includes
Hosting by Gary Gobstopper: The event will be hosted by the one and only Gary Gobstopper (England), MC, with nightly afterparties managed by Johnny Elvis (England). Prepare for an unforgettable entertainment experience!

Exclusive Festival Features:

Champagne reception for all guests
Complimentary brochure showcasing the weekend
The E Factor Contest
A sensational live band for the full three days with live performances by our world class Elvis Tribute acts
The Priscilla look alike competition
The Live Gospel Show – not to be missed
Amazing after parties in our JUNGLE ROOM

There are two sessions – one at 1430 and one at 1800. Please email!

Immerse yourself in the audio play Three Sisters – a story from the climate future, set in the mid 2030s in a climate-altered Britain. The play uses the structure and sensibility of Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters to explore a thriving community set against the backdrop of social and ecological collapse.

Our collective listening session with the creators will last 30 minutes and will be followed by conversation, which will help us imagine our own climate futures.

The event is organised by Lena Šimić (Edge Hill University) and James Marriott (Platform), co-authors of Three Sisters – a story from the climate future. The complete audio play is available on all major audio platforms should you wish to experience it before or after the event.

Tea, coffee and snacks will be provided.

How will we live with Climate Change, extreme weather events and so many forced to be refugees?
How are we to live? How will we love? What shape will our altered society take?

Laura has toured across the world in various different groups and artists within the contemporary folk music scene, including Kinnaris Quintet, guitar-virtuoso Ian Carr, Ross Ainslie, Salsa Celtica, NITEWORKS and with Scots Singers, Claire Hastings, Beth Malcolm & Siobhan Miller.

As a founding member of Glasgow-based Jazz/Funk/R&B/Synth/Folk Juggernaut, Fat-Suit, Laura has been inspired to play with elements of improvisation in different styles, making her a versatile influence on each project. Collaborations include performing, writing and arranging with top bands and artists including Shooglenifty, Man of the Minch, Rachel Sermanni, The Elephant Sessions, Paul Towndrow’s Keywork Orchestra, Fatherson, GRIT Orchestra and many more.

Now is the time for Laura to shine in her own right and demonstrate what a versatile, creative and adept artist she is.

In celebration of their 10th anniversary, Orkney born folk quartet FARA embark on a whistle-stop tour around the UK in 2025, returning to some of their favourite venues and towns from a decade of touring.

Presenting an evening of highlights from their three critically acclaimed albums, FARA’s fiery fiddles, foot-stomping piano, and enchanting three-part vocal harmony will take you on a joyful journey through their time performing at the forefront of Scotland’s folk music scene.

‘Gifted, imaginative, complex and engaging…a sound that just exudes joy’ – FRUK

In 563 AD, St. Columba arrived on Iona from Ireland with 12 companions, changing Scotland’s history forever.

Iona weaves together music, poetry and visual art in this world premiere taking audience on a journey delving into the lives of Vikings, kings and saints vividly brought together by actor and director John Bett’s magical script.

Composer and maestro of the fiddle Paul Anderson MBE leads a gifted ensemble blending together new music with poetry by Francey Devine and visuals of John Lowrie Morrison. ‘Iona’ promises to be an enchanting evening bringing audiences an unforgettable experience.

Join us for a monthly Wildlife Wander with our knowledgeable Volunteer Wardens to see some of the amazing wildlife at RSPB Scotland Insh Marshes NNR.

In April and May, we will see the lush green Aspen leaves trembling and hopefully a variety of bird species, including Curlew (which we may hear calling), Lapwing and Snipe (which could be displaying) and song birds singing through the trees. During sunny intervals early butterflies like Orange Tip and Small Tortoiseshell will be flying.

In June, the breeding season is well underway so young birds and other creatures like Roe Deer will be keeping their parents busy. Lapwing chicks will be feeding, running and hiding while relying on their camouflage and their parents to defend them. The marshes and trail are full of life and colourful scented flowers including orchids.

In July, the breeding season for birds is coming to an end, however there is still plenty of other life to be seen on the marshes and in the meadow. Colourful wildflowers include sweetly scented orchids, which attract beautiful butterflies and dragonflies. We will lookout for the scarce Scotch Argus butterfly which feeds on flowers like sunshine-yellow Rock Rose.

In August, the vibrant purple heather should be in full flower and Field Gentian may be coming into bloom. Wildflowers like Knapweed and Devil’s-bit Scabious provide nectar for butterflies. We will lookout for the nationally scarce Scotch Argus butterfly which breeds on the reserve and can be the most common butterfly to be seen this month. Dragonflies like Black Darter and the impressively large Golden Ringed may also be spotted.

September is a good time to look out for raptors like Hen Harriers hunting over the marshes. Buzzards are common and may be seen along the Tromie Trail. Butterflies and dragonflies will continue to fly as long as the weather is warm and sunny – Scotch Argus, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock and Black Darter are most likely. Many summer flowers have come and gone, but the blues and purples of Harebell, Devil’s-bit Scabious, Common Heather (Ling) and Bell Heather can be seen along the Tromie Trail. Other flowers may include the whites of Yarrow and Eyebright and the yellow of Lady’s Bedstraw.

We will meet in the RSPB Insh Marshes Car Park – what3words: ///epic.youth.venturing and grid ref: NN775998

Some areas may be rough underfoot. It is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies, and we recommend sturdy footwear.

Join Cairngorms Connect to get hands on doing practical habitat restoration work.

Help us to block up old, but still active, ditches on a small area of bog woodland in Glenmore Forest, using hand tools and wood. The aim is to hold more water in the peat, slow the loss of water from the site and to benefit the bog vegetation.

Tools and work gloves will be provided, as will instructions so no experience is necessary.

However, please note this is a physically demanding volunteering session, which includes walking roughly 2km to site and moving around on rough and wet ground with drainage ditches.

It is important that all people have equal access to Cairngorms Connect events. We are happy to provide for your requirements, wherever possible eg. BSL interpreters. If you have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch.