Posts for October, 2024

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.

Please park at the Drumin Castle car park. This short circular walk will begin at the Drumin Castle sign in the car park. The route follows a pedestrian trail to the castle and returns via a set of steps. Please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

Suggested donation of £4 helps to support heritage tourism in Glenlivet & Inveravon. Children and youth under 16 are free. Children love castles and are very welcome to attend. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome. Donations can be made through Eventbrite or in person on the day.

Please note that toilets are not available on site.

This event is funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Heritage Ranger talk: Inveraven Church & Pictish Stones

Join the Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage and Dark Sky Ranger for an introduction to the Picts, their art and symbol stones. We will be examining the intricate carvings on the four stones discovered in the churchyard of Inveraven, which has been a site of spiritual practice and pilgrimage for centuries. This tour will provide an overview to Pictish art and culture and demonstrate how the Picts contributed to the founding of modern Scotland.

This event offers a unique opportunity to delve into Scotland’s past, allowing you to connect with its ancient roots. Join us for an afternoon of discovery and insight in stunning Speyside.

Access to Inveraven Church and burial ground is off the A95 about half a mile north of the entrance to Ballindalloch Castle, and can be found by following the brown tourist sign directing visitors down the single track road to the Inveraven Pictish Stones.

Parking is available at the bottom of the drive before you arrive at the church or in front of the church building.

Children are usually fascinated by the Picts and are encouraged to attend. As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

This event is by donation. Donations can be made through Eventbrite or in person on the day. Children and youth under 16 are free. Like many churches across Scotland, Inveravon Church has unfortunately been earmarked for closure and sale by the Church of Scotland. The local community is currently in the process of exploring ways to keep it open by creating a heritage centre and community hub. Thousands of tourists visit the stones every year from every corner of the globe and it would be disappointing if they were no longer accessible. Funds raised from talks and events help to support community and heritage events run by the Friends of Inveravon Church.

Please note that toilet facilities are not available on site. Public toilets are available in Cragganmore at Ballindalloch Station on the Speyside Way or in Aberlour. There are also customer facilities available at the nearby Lagmore Cafe when open.

Well behaved dogs are welcome to attend but must be leashed.

Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This easy guided walk will take us to the 16th century tower house of Blairfindy and begins outside the iconic Glenlivet Distillery. On the walk in we’ll enjoy stunning views over one of Scotland’s most famous glens. You’ll learn a bit about Glenlivet’s rich history and some whisky history too.

Please park at the The Glenlivet Distillery car park. The walk will start from outside the stillhouse under the green signpost marked ‘Blairfindy Castle 1/2 mile’.

This musical evening presented by TOMS (The Osprey Music Society) will feature the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Principal Cellist Philip Higham and Pianist and Composer John Cameron. The duo will play a mixture of music by Schumann, Hans Gal, Bruch and Brahms.

Come along and enjoy the wonderful music provided by the tutors of Strathspey.

Teas, coffees, cake and raffle.

Findlay Napier returns to Grantown-on-Spey for a special one-off concert to mark the release of his latest album, Outsider.

Napier grew up on the banks of the River Spey and has enjoyed immense musical success in the past 20 years.

He is widely regarded as one of the finest performers on the UK music scene and has been touring a releasing music since the early 2000s – first with groundbreaking trad folk band Back of the Moon, then with Nu-Folk pioneers Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers. Most recently, he has worked as a solo act, under the guidance of legendary songwriter Boo Hewerdine.

In this show we are exhibiting new landscape work by gallery artist Kirsty Ritchie, as well as a range of other artists. We always stock a selection of high quality crafts including jewellery, glass, wood, tweed and ceramics.

Come and celebrate with us for an evening of delight and surprise! In a warm and relaxed evening at Am Fasgadh, Highland Folk Museum with hot drinks and nibbles, we’d love to share the creative work of this year.

The Storylands Sessions Word Workshops this season have been hosted at the Highland Folk Museum where we have been inspired by items from their collections, including a Women’s Land Army Jumper, vicious anti-poaching devices, a 200 year-old shepherd’s plaid, the Travellers’ tent and tinware, and a collection of wheeled items.

We have been privileged to learn from the Highland Folk Museum curators, Helen Pickles and Liz English, as well as local people for whom our focus that week is a way of life: sheepfarmer Campbell Slimon and Traveller John Macdonald.

Places are very limited, so book early

Step into a world of suspense, intrigue, and elegance at The Boat Country Inn with our exclusive two-night Murder Mystery Weekend, MIND YOUR MANORS. This thrilling experience will transport you to the stately Cluckington Hall, where secrets lurk in every corner, and one unfortunate soul won’t make it through the night. Will you be the one to crack the case?


The Story:

Lord Cluckington has just acquired a stunning piece of art, and tonight, it’s being unveiled at his grand manor home by the artist himself. But as the evening progresses, tension fills the air. Dove, the maid, is brooding in the shadows, and Arthur, the art connoisseur, seems unnervingly preoccupied. Little do they know, a much darker turn of events is about to unfold…

A dead body has been discovered in the master bedroom.

Will you uncover the secrets that led to this dastardly deed? With a colourful cast of characters, hidden motives, and clever clues, it’s up to you to solve this classy upstairs/downstairs mystery.

Themed Dining Experiences: Enjoy delicious, period-appropriate meals that immerse you further into the world of Cluckington Hall. Themed dinners and interactive elements make for an unforgettable experience.
Costume Party & Prizes: Get into the spirit with our optional costume party and dress up as part of the aristocratic elite or the hardworking manor staff. Prizes will be awarded for the best sleuths and best-dressed guests!

Step into a world of suspense, intrigue, and elegance at The Boat Country Inn with our exclusive two-night Murder Mystery Weekend, MIND YOUR MANORS. This thrilling experience will transport you to the stately Cluckington Hall, where secrets lurk in every corner, and one unfortunate soul won’t make it through the night. Will you be the one to crack the case?

The Story:

Lord Cluckington has just acquired a stunning piece of art, and tonight, it’s being unveiled at his grand manor home by the artist himself. But as the evening progresses, tension fills the air. Dove, the maid, is brooding in the shadows, and Arthur, the art connoisseur, seems unnervingly preoccupied. Little do they know, a much darker turn of events is about to unfold…

A dead body has been discovered in the master bedroom.

Will you uncover the secrets that led to this dastardly deed? With a colourful cast of characters, hidden motives, and clever clues, it’s up to you to solve this classy upstairs/downstairs mystery.

Themed Dining Experiences: Enjoy delicious, period-appropriate meals that immerse you further into the world of Cluckington Hall. Themed dinners and interactive elements make for an unforgettable experience.
Costume Party & Prizes: Get into the spirit with our optional costume party and dress up as part of the aristocratic elite or the hardworking manor staff. Prizes will be awarded for the best sleuths and best-dressed guests!