Posts for July, 2024

Extend your enjoyment of Grantown Show day with a Family Ceilidh in the Ben Mhor Hotel function room. Reel Scotch are there to entertain you and to explain (or remind you of!) the steps of traditional Scottish reels and dances. Prize raffle. Hosted by The Grantown Society – all welcome.
Pre-ceilidh meals available, refreshments from the bar.

Come along and enjoy a fun 45minute class where kids will use existing pre cut stencils or cut their own (with help of accompanying adult) and screen print either a wooden wall tile or tote bag.

This is a fun way for kids to try screen printing and take home a ‘me made’ product.

Suitable for children age 5 – 18
Class run by Timber and Stitch Studio

Hailed by critics and fans alike as a one of the finest songwriters of his generation, Dean Friedman has achieved legendary, pop-icon status for chart-topping hits, Ariel, Lucky Stars, Lydia, McDonald’s Girl and more.

Friedman returns to the stage armed with a stunning collection of his insightful and compelling, true-to-life ‘story songs’ – songs of pathos and humour that deal with family, friends, neighbours, work and the seemingly trivial, yet ultimately essential stuff of everyday life.

“Soundtrack of our lives!” – NYTimes; “Songsmith extraordinaire!” – MusicWeek

“Dean Friedman is entirely unique and utterly brilliant” – ThreeWeeks

“Stunning Musicianship!” – Hot Press

“One of the true greats of American music!” – Liverpool Sound and Vision

A consummate entertainer, Friedman will be performing solo, on guitar and keyboard, featuring songs from throughout his four-decade career, including familiar, radio hits and fan favourites, drawn from his eight studio albums. Invite family and friends and join Friedman for an evening of powerful, poignant and hilarious songs about the ordinary and extraordinary lives we share.

It’s going to be a very fun night, we urge you to get your tickets before they sell out!

From Hunter Gatherer to Early Christian

This summer we are delving deep into the past and exploring the world of ancient peoples. With evidence of the very first people to encounter our landscape as the ice age came to an end, we will chart time with fantastic local finds. We are borrowing archaeology from the National Museum of Scotland, Inverness Museum, The Highland Folk Museum and others all of which have been found along our stretch of the Spey.

​We are also really pleased to have an amazing replica of the beautiful Monymusk Reliquary to display, taking our story up to Pictish times and the beginning of Christianity.

We have a raft of brilliant replica objects to uncover and will be exploring our ancient landscape with a series of walks or drives to see the many remnants of structures that have been left behind. Symbol stones, burial cairns, hill forts and early church sites are all waiting to be discovered.

Go to our website for open times and other special events over the summer.

First people of the Spey talk From the Metal Cultures to Picts and Early Christians
With Dr Steve Goodall

The Grant Arms Hotel (free entry)

Exhibition of paintings by local artists and work by local crafters

Come and join us (almost!) every Friday and Saturday evening for a cracking night. Check out our facebook page for updates.

Look forward to seeing you soon!

Join us for an event like no other!

Start time picnic talk: 10:00
Start time walk: 11:00

Picnic-Talk
Time: 10:00 AM
Bring your own snacks and join us for an engaging outdoor talk where we’ll explore the sustainable practices of the historic Highland population. You will also have a chance to see how natural products were utilised. Items might include handmade rope, brushes, charms, and even some samples of food to try.

This session will blend historical information and captivating stories, providing a tangible connection to the past. The talk will last approximately 1 hour, including a Q&A session.


Guided Walk:
Time: 11:00 AM
Part two of the event takes us on a scenic walk in Glen Banchor. We’ll delve deeper into the availability of natural ressources for the historic Highland communities and discuss ways of living harmoniously with the land.
The walk, including breaks for discussion, will last between 1.5 to 2 hours. We’ll follow a 1.86 km route up the first part of Creag Bheag, avoiding the steepest sections. Depending on the group’s pace and interest, we can extend the walk with a visit to the nearby river.


Event Highlights:
Historical Insights: Discover how industrialisation and colonialism disrupted sustainable practices and contributed to the current climate crisis.
Traditional Stories: Hear tales that highlight the deep connection between people and the landscape, showcasing the wisdom and sustainable knowledge from the past.
Environmental Roots of the Scottish Enlightenment: Learn about the ‘improvers’ and ecologists who used the Highlands as a great outdoor laboratory, leading to improvement schemes and the resulting anxieties over overpopulation, resource exhaustion, and physical limits.
Evolution of the Idea of Progress: Explore how progress was once linked to moral and spiritual advancement but became increasingly associated with scientific and technological development, economic growth, and material advancement.
Sustainability Origins: Discuss the origins of the concept of sustainability.
Interactive Experience: Engage in conversations about sustainable practices, living with the land, and how to use our environment without abusing it.

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. Children love castles and are very welcome to attend. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome.

Please note that toilets are not available on site.

This event is 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.

Blairfindy Castle was completed in 1564 by John Gordon. In its heyday Blairfindy was a fine example of a three storey L-plan tower house and even today shows a remarkable degree of preservation. A project to stabilise Blairfindy Castle took place in 2019, funded through the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership, a programme supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The castle is now open to visitors for the first time in decades and has been specially adapted to encourage nesting birds and pollinators.

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’.