Posts for April, 2026

A rare chance to catch local musician Hamish Napier performing solo – for the first time in his hometown.

Join us for this extra special music event at the Spey Bank Studio, an intimate arts venue.

Hamish will play for an hour, with music inspired by Strathspey and the Cairngorms. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start.

Hamish is a Scottish folk multi-instrumentalist and composer from Grantown-on-Spey. He is inspired by the heritage and nature of his native landscape of Strathspey. His album The Woods explores the flora and fauna of Scotland’s native forests. It won Album of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards and is the third album in his Strathspey Pentalogy, a ambitions project to produce 5-albums in celebration of his homeland,

Humorous, engaging and heart-warming, Hamish’s performances often incorporate poems and stories about nature, folklore and communities.

Great selection of unique arts and crafts.

Grantown Open Studios is an artist-led initiative rooted in collaboration, skill sharing and place, and returns from 1–4 May 2026, inviting visitors to experience the growing creative energy of Grantown-on-Spey and the surrounding area.

This artist-led event brings together 18 artists and makers, opening studio doors that are rarely accessible to the public and offering a unique opportunity to meet creatives in their working environments. Visitors can plan their journey in advance using the interactive map available at www.grantownopenstudios.com.

The event showcases an inspiring breadth of disciplines, reflecting the remarkable concentration of talent in the area. From contemporary abstract painting, ceramics and design to illustration, photography, wildlife art, leatherwork and paper art, Grantown Open Studios highlights both established and emerging creatives. Alongside studio visits, an expanded programme of partner venues and events will feature exhibitions, workshops, performances and talks, offering a rich and immersive cultural experience.

New for 2026, the Grantown Open Studios express – a free, bookable bus service – will connect venues across the programme, making it easier than ever to explore the full range of studios and events. This initiative enhances accessibility while encouraging visitors to engage more deeply with the creative community.

Grantown Open Studios is supported by the Cairngorms Trust, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, the Berryburn Community Fund and delivered in partnership with Grantown Business Association, whose support has been instrumental in enabling the project to grow.

This will be a collaborative triple-headline show with the mesmerising velvety sounds of Tommy Ashby, Jodie Marie and Lydia Clowes , with no single artist topping the bill. Instead, you can expect a shared, songwriter-led performance where all three artists appear on stage together, playing on each other’s songs in an intimate, songwriters’ circle style format.

Doors will be open from 6.30pm with the gig starting around 7.30pm. The Dell will be running a bar and parking is available in the large timber layby on the right before reaching The Dell

Scottish singer-songwriter Tommy Ashby blends classic folk and blues influences with modern, textured production. With over 40 million streams, his music has featured in major TV series including Grey’s Anatomy, Love Island and Netflix’s The Innocents.
Lydia Clowes is a vocalist and songwriter from England whose career spans film, television and live performance. As a highly sought-after session singer, she has contributed vocals to films such as The Little Mermaid, Dune: Part Two and Hamlet, and performed backing vocals for artists including U2, Ellie Goulding, Tom Odell and Dermot Kennedy. Her voice has also been sampled by Fred Again.. and Brian Eno.
Welsh artist, Jodie Marie completes the trio, bringing a depth of experience and cinematic songwriting to the shared stage. Signed to Decca Records early in her career, she has collaborated with artists including Bernard Butler, Ed Harcourt and Green Gartside (Scritti Politti). Her albums Mountain Echo, Trouble in Mind and The Answer received critical acclaim and extensive BBC radio support.

We’d love to see you here!

We are so delighted to be hosting Three Inch Fools again for what’s set to be a truly uplifting and energetic night of music, story telling and rip roaring hilarity. This time they are bringing you the story of ‘King Arthur and the Holy Fail’. A definite fun for all the family!

In a land of daring quests, dashing knights, and endless jousting, there lived a would-be hero – waiting in the wings – who went by the name of Arthur. When Camelot is rocked to it’s core by a tragic – and frankly improbable – incident involving a large table of an undisclosed shape, Arthur is thrust into the quest of a lifetime. Will he bravely battle through blistering cold and scorching fire to save his beloved realm, or will he crumble as fate refuses to cooperate?

The performance will be on our lawn at The Dell with plenty space for you to bring your picnic rugs and deck chairs. You are very welcome to bring your own food, but we will be running a bar so no BYOB.
For more information and to buy tickets, please get in touch.

Join us for a special Storylands Poetry Night celebrating poetry, spoken word and the creative voices of our community.

April is Poetry Month, and we’re marking the occasion with an evening dedicated to sharing poetry in a welcoming and supportive setting.

Hosted by Karen Hodgson Pryce, poet and leader of the Storylands spoken word workshops, the evening will feature a series of 10-minute poetry performances from Highland poets and writers.

Whether you come to perform, listen or simply enjoy the evening, you will be very welcome.

Performance slots are open to anyone who would like to share their work – whether you are an experienced poet or trying out your work in front of an audience for the first time. There is no expectation that work has been published – the focus is on creating an encouraging space for creativity and expression.

This adults-only dance workshop invites you to explore sultry, theatrical routines inspired by the movie, bringing out confidence, flair, and show-stopping moves.

After the workshop, settle in for a special screening of Burlesque on the big screen, experiencing the dazzling performances of Cher and Christina Aguilera, unforgettable music, toe tapping dance and the full drama of the iconic cabaret story.

An adults-only line dancing workshop, full of fun, movement, and great music! Whether you’ve danced before or are completely new to line dancing, this session is designed so everyone can enjoy learning at their own pace.

Move to classic and modern line dance routines, enjoy the social atmosphere, and experience the joy of dancing together – no partner required! Yeeee hawwww!

This adults-only dance workshop continues the fun from our first Mamma Mia! event.Join u s to learn fun and uplifting routines inspired by Mamma Mia. Here We Go Again the hilarious sequel movie, celebrating the music, joy, and iconic ABBA hits that make everyone want to dance.

After the workshop, sit back and enjoy a screening of Mamma Mia. Here We Go Again on the big screen, soaking in the story, the music, and the nostalgia of the beloved sequel and keeping the sunny, Summer holiday energy going for us right here in tropical Grantown on Spey.

A regular visitor to the Highlands, this show will demonstrate Esther’s passion for the Cairngorm landscape. With just a few brushstrokes of oil paint, Esther brings the mountains and forests to life. These paintings capture the atmosphere of this special place.