Posts for September, 2024

Join John Halliday a STGA guide on a walk along the Dava Way from near the former Dava Station to Grantown.
This is a distance of 13.8km or 8 miles along the former railway line.

The estimated 4 hour walk with stops along the way from the Dava Moor, Huntly’s Cave, The Braes of Castle Grant, the East Lodge and finishing in the Square beside Burnfield.

Numbers are limited to eight as transport will be provided at 10 am from Burnfield Car Park beside Grantown Museum.

Deadpool’s peaceful existence comes crashing down when the Time Variance Authority recruits him to help safeguard the multiverse.

Rated 15

Thursday 29th September – 5:30 PM
Thursday 5th September – 8:00 PM

Discover Grantown-on-Spey, Capital of Strathspey and 18th century planned town during Scottish Archaeology Month. Local STGA guide and resident John, will describe the origins of the town, buildings and history. Followed by a route along the old military road through Scots pine woodland to the famous River Spey and Old Spey Bridge. Recounting tales of past events and local characters, the walk will return by a different route to the High St and Square.

Glenbeg or the small glen is located near Grantown-on Spey. A mixture of farmland and grouse moor, the glen has a rich history since the Bronze Age and more recently with clan Grant.
Join John on his guided walk during Scottish Archaeology Month, over a circular route following a tarred road and farm tracks, listening to past events, interpreting the landscape and with great views to the Cromdale Hills and the Cairngorrms.

John Halliday is a local Scottish Tourist Guides Association Green Badge holder for the Northern Highlands. Local to Grantown, his family have lived in the area for centuries. He regularly leads walks in and around Grantown and has written three books on Strathspey placenames, myths and legends.

In addition to the SBSA Summer Exhibition you can enjoy a selection of recent work by Ali Brown and Sandra Robertson.

‘We hope you can make it along to our residency – where there will be an opportunity to create with collage!’
Ali and Sandra

After the success of our annual Christmas Fayre last year, we’re delighted to be hosting it again in 2024 with a provisional date of Sunday, 1st December.

Each year as winter draws in around the Cairngorms, its mountains and forests turn into a magical winter wonderland. So what better place to host a cosy Christmas market than nestled amongst the Narnia-like pines at Badaguish?

We will have lots of stalls with a wide variety of gift ideas from local crafters and producers. From food & drink to Christmas homeware, something for everyone.

There will be hot food and drinks along with activities for the children before they meet Santa.

All the stallholders donate an item for our charity raffle, so lots of great prizes to be won on the day!

Discover more with our brand new guided whisky tour.

Join us for an exclusive experience led by our knowledgeable guides as you explore the castle and uncover the rich history of Blair Castle’s whisky. Learn about the fascinating discovery of our whisky, illicit distilling, and the heritage of whisky on Atholl Estates.

This unique tour is perfect for anyone eager to delve into the story of whisky in Perthshire, Scotland.

Each participant will receive a take-home whisky flight and a special gift. The whisky flight includes three sample-sized whiskies:

Tullibardine 15 Year Old Single Malt The Glenturret Triple Wood Single Malt Blair Castle Speyside Single Malt (Limited Edition)Full-sized bottles of these exceptional whiskies are available for purchase in our gift shop.

Tour Details:

Duration: 1 hour Cost: £60 per person
Schedule: Wednesdays & Saturdays, 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM
Group Size: 2 to 10 people per tour
Bonus: Entry to the Castle & Grounds is included in your ticket

Don’t miss this chance to enhance your whisky knowledge and enjoy a truly memorable experience at Blair Castle. Over 18’s only.

Popular local artist Angus Grant is among 300 crafters and artists taking part in this year’s North East Open Studios. The event, which is in its 21st year, offers the public the chance to visit studios and workshops across the region and see firsthand the processes and equipment used to make beautiful artwork.

This is the first time Angus has taken part and he is offering the chance to see his pottery at the Spey Bank Studio in Grantown-on-Spey. He’ll be available to talk about making ceramics and maybe even demonstrate some of his making techniques.

Saturday 30th November 2024

Ballater Winter Festival is an annual event that brings the community together to celebrate the magic of Christmas. Mark your calendars and join us for a day of festive fun and merriment.

*** Details coming soon! ***

Below the castle, a tented village will surround the side of the Castle, the mews, café, Balmoral gift shop and stable buildings with exhibitors from near and far vying for your attention with a wide range of beguiling Scottish crafts, food and drink.

A wonderful range of refreshments will be available from Balmoral’s newly refurbished cafes, alongside several street food vendors will be artisan tarts and cakes from the Highland Pâtissier and superb range of homemaking from Rabbit Hole Cakes.

There will be a fine selection of locally produced craft beer, wickedly tempting rum, gin, liqueurs, cider and vodka and the beautiful botanical spirits of Highland Boundary.

For the food enthusiasts amongst us there will be a fine range of home baking, delightful patisseries, exquisite macaroons, a sublime range of salmon, seafood and accoutrements, fresh game in the shape of sausages, steaks, loin cuts and pies. Surprisingly different home made meals, divine Deeside honeys, fabulous cheeses, any amount of mouth watering fudges, bespoke chocolates together with old fashioned confectionary and not forgetting truly delightful pickles.

With the Christmas season just around the corner, this would be such a delightful way to start exploring all the gift options our exhibitors have to offer.

This will be one of our largest events to date with a tantalising collection of artisan art and craft. The ranges will include aromatic candles, antler art, skincare and soaps, captivating ceramics and artworks, a fine array of beguiling jewellery, luxurious textiles, awe inspiring photography, charming stationery, recycled homeware, enticing stained glass, the loveliest of children’s clothes and the cutest of wooden gifts and toys to name just a few.

A full list of those taking part will be available on social media in the weeks leading up to the event.