Posts for February, 2026

Highland League: Strathspey Thistle FC v Rothes FC, Seafield Park kick-off 8pm. Parking at ground and at Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club, by their kind permission. Ten minutes on foot from town centre. Snack bar serving hot and cold snacks. Mackellar Suite open for beverages (Adults 18+ who have paid match admission) from 6.30pm approx.. Half-time £50 raffle. Merchandise from club shop. N.B. Match is “weather permitting” – check all social media for updates.

An evening full of dance, music, and queer joy!

Get ready to welcome spring with the joyful sounds of the Cairngorm Ceilidh Band! Meet old and new LGBTQ+ and ally friends and enjoy our Cairngorms Pride community event with dancing, food, raffle, and happy carefree times.

Our Step Ye Gaylidh ceilidh promises good vibes, great tunes, and is bursting with queer joy and kindness. We can’t wait to see you all there!

Tickets are free/pay as much as you’d like. Any donations help support the delivery of our projects and community social gatherings across the Cairngorms.

Every morning in the springtime, one of nature’s greatest choirs is performing. Experience the marvel of birdsong amidst Abernethy’s ancient Caledonian pinewoods in the company of our rangers, who will guide you through one of nature’s wonders and explain who is singing and why.

After a gentle walk along our trails by the loch, hot drinks and a light breakfast will be provided at the Loch Garten Nature Centre.

Please bring appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear. An accessible all-terrain wheelchair is available for use if required.

No dogs are permitted on this event.

Join us for a magical dawn chorus walk at Loch Garten, followed by an exclusive early morning viewing of the Ospreys from the Nature Centre.

Meeting in the car park, we will head out on a short, gentle walk around the edge of the loch. As the forest awakens, we’ll take in the sights and sounds of the Caledonian pinewood at dawn, learning to identify the different birds that make up the dawn chorus.

After the walk, we’ll return to the Nature Centre for an exclusive morning viewing of the Osprey nest as the sun rises. Dawn can be one of the most active times for Ospreys, with birds often returning to the nest carrying fish, and in April, birds can be seen sky dancing overhead as they set up their territories.

Inside the Nature Centre, you can relax with tea, coffee, and a pastry while enjoying views of the nest, watching live cameras, and learning more about the history of ospreys at Loch Garten and the ecology of these remarkable birds.

Join us for a magical dawn chorus walk at Loch Garten, followed by an exclusive early morning viewing of the Ospreys from the Nature Centre.

Meeting in the car park, we will head out on a short, gentle walk around the edge of the loch. As the forest awakens, we’ll take in the sights and sounds of the Caledonian pinewood at dawn, learning to identify the different birds that make up the dawn chorus.

After the walk, we’ll return to the Nature Centre for an exclusive morning viewing of the Osprey nest as the sun rises. Dawn can be one of the most active times for Ospreys, with birds often returning to the nest carrying fish, and in April, birds can be seen sky dancing overhead as they set up their territories.

Inside the Nature Centre, you can relax with tea, coffee, and a pastry while enjoying views of the nest, watching live cameras, and learning more about the history of ospreys at Loch Garten and the ecology of these remarkable birds.

Love trees but not sure what you’re looking at (especially in the winter!)? Join us for a guided walk around Loch Garten to learn more about how to spot some of our most popular species.

The largest remaining remnant of the ancient Caledonian forest, we sit at the heart of a gorgeous pine forest dotted with birch, aspen, alder, willow, rowan, and a long history. But when the winter leaves fall many of these species can be difficult to differentiate.

Our expert ranger Ewan will take you on a 2-hour walk around our trails, showing how best to identify our leafy friends and indulge you in a bit of forest folklore.

This event will involve walking around 3 kilometres on rough and uneven ground. Outdoor shoes and warm clothing are required.

Children are welcome with a paying adult.

Love trees but not sure what you’re looking at (especially in the winter!)? Join us for a guided walk around Loch Garten to learn more about how to spot some of our most popular species.

The largest remaining remnant of the ancient Caledonian forest, we sit at the heart of a gorgeous pine forest dotted with birch, aspen, alder, willow, rowan, and a long history. But when the winter leaves fall many of these species can be difficult to differentiate.

Our expert ranger Ewan will take you on a 2-hour walk around our trails, showing how best to identify our leafy friends and indulge you in a bit of forest folklore.

This event will involve walking around 3 kilometres on rough and uneven ground. Outdoor shoes and warm clothing are required.

Children are welcome with a paying adult.

Don’t miss this incredible family-friendly event on Saturday August 1st 2026. Join us and enjoy the spectacle of the kilted ‘Heavies’ and get goosebumps courtesy of the massed pipe bands echoing out across the games field. The Highland dancers will be up on stage to entertain us too, and children and adults can join in with any number of track events – or maybe you fancy the Haggis eating competition!?
The beer tent will have young musicians playing traditional music, there’s stalls and family-friendly rides and games, our iconic Hill run up Creag Dhubh, and the annual Macpherson Rally with all of it’s colour and traditions. Burger-vans, ice-creams and other refreshments will be available as well as lots of stalls to browse.
Events, including piping competitions, start on the Eilan (free parking) from 10am, with the main attractions from midday onwards, and you can watch the pipe bands march through the village to the Games field from 1pm –
More details will be updated closer to the time on our social media pages. See you there!

Treat someone special to an unforgettable experience in the heart of Ballater with a Valentine’s Afternoon Tea

Indulge in a beautifully handcrafted selection of sweet delights, including:
Luxuriously soft red velvet cake
Delicate, melt‑in‑the‑mouth macarons
Silky, refreshing mini lemon posset

Make this Valentine’s truly special at Rothesay Rooms.
💖 Limited spaces — book now to avoid disappointment.
To reserve your table:
Call: 01339 753816
email: rothesayroomsbookings@baxterstorey.com
…or simply pop in and see us.
We can’t wait to welcome you. ❤️

Merryn will read from her book ‘The Hidden Fires: A Cairngorms Journey with Nan Shepherd’. This is a response to Shepherd’s beloved classic of nature writing, The Living Mountain.

This is the only chance to see Merryn discussing her wonderful Cairngorms based book in Tomintoul – don’t miss out!

Mark, the Glenlivet Estate Head Ranger will be giving a short introductory talk ‘Tomintoul – the Back Door to the Cairngorms’

The number of lunches will be limited and will be first come first served.

Merryn Glover grew up internationally and now lives in the Cairngorms of Scotland. Whether out and about or at her desk, crossing cultures, landscapes and literary forms is her life.